FESTIVAL FEVER

Start planning a great summer with our guide to some of the West Country’s best events of the year...

Bristol Sounds

WHEN & WHERE?

Bristol Sounds is returning to the Lloyds Amphitheatre on the much-loved harbourside from 21 –25 June with a series of open-air concerts.

HEADLINERS:

Headliners include MIKA, Self Esteem, Jacob Collier, James, A Beautiful Day Out with Levellers, The Selecter, Black Grape, Peat & Diesel, Goldie Lookin Chain, Gaz Brookfield, Emily Breeze, plus lots more.

VIBE:

Summer in the city with a mix of world-class artists and local acts.

TICKETS:

21 June: £37.50; 22 June: £32.50; 23 June: £36.50; 24 June: £35; 25 June: £35. Book now at: seetickets.com

Vegan Kids Festival

WHEN & WHERE?

Vegan Kids Festival is taking place from 11 –13 August at Woodhouse Park Activity Centre, Fernhill, Bristol, BS32 4LX.

HEADLINERS:

The festival has eight activity zones including its creative zone to showcase the talents and acts of young vegans under 25. Plus, a teen zone, tot zone, a retreat, and an indoor party room for fun games, live music, disco, entertainment and karaoke. With a focus on all things food and nutrition, there will also be cookery demos and plant-based food lessons.

VIBE:

The Vegan Kids Festival was created for families to spend quality time together, making memories while surrounded by like-minded people where kids are the focus of all activities.

TICKETS:

Tier 3 Weekend Tickets (Friday –Sunday) are on sale until the end of June; £85 for adults, £40 for children. Day tickets from £20. Book your tickets at: vegankidsfestival.co.uk

Soul Circus

YOGA & WELLNESS FESTIVAL

WHEN & WHERE?

Soul Circus is set to return to its beautiful home in the Cotswold hills of Elmore, Gloucestershire from 17 –20 August.

HEADLINERS:

Groove Armada is headlining the music portion of Soul Circus this year with Michael James Wong and his Just Breathe + Krama Yoga crew joining as well. Other notable headliners are Adam and Holly Husler, Radhika Das, Jambo Dragon, and Kirsty Gallagher.

VIBE:

Soul Circus is a well-being festival where music, yoga and holistic therapies meet glittery festival antics and DJ after parties.

TICKETS:

Day tickets start at £99. Weekend tickets are currently at £150 with full price being £225. Book your tickets at: soulcircus.yoga

Cheltenham 7s Festival

WHEN & WHERE?

Cheltenham 7s Festival –a spectacular show of music, sports, entertainment, food, drink and much more –is taking place on 21 and 22 July at Newlands Park, Cheltenham GL52 3PE.

HEADLINERS:

With a huge line up of talented artists, bands and DJs, this year’s headliners include James Haskell, Gemma Cairney, Duke and Switch Disco.

VIBE:

You don’t have to be taking part in the sport to be a part of this unique event. Festival goers can expect top activities, all star rugby match Friday and a 5km Colour Fun Run for families. Plus, an array of food and drink pop-ups.

TICKETS:

Tickets start at £10 for the Colour Fun Run, U14s go free. Adult tickets start at £27.99. Book your tickets at: cheltenham7sfestival.co.uk

Valley Fest

WHEN & WHERE?

The award-winning, music and food event takes place alongside Chew Valley Lake, near Bristol from 3 – 6 August.

HEADLINERS:

The Kooks, Bananarama and Scouting for Girls are this year’s headliners. DJ Flight, Ishmael Ensemble, Ibibio Sound Machine, Bibi Tanga & The Selenites and Honeyfeet are also on the bill. Plus, one very special act still to be announced.

VIBE:

A family-friendly festival perfect for first-time festival goers as well as families of all ages. Showcasing Bristol’s live music scene as well as fine local food producers, expect everything from charcuterie to cider, street food to sit-down feasts.

TICKETS:

Thursday – Sunday: Adult weekend ticket, £221.40, teen weekend ticket: £108; kids weekend ticket (4 – 12yrs), £32.40. Friday – Sunday: Adult weekend ticket, £189.00; teen weekend ticket (13 – 17yrs), £86.40; kids weekend ticket, £37.80 Sunday admission: Adult, £64.80; Teen, £27.00; Kids, £16.20. Book your tickets at: valleyfest.co.uk

Bristol Jazz Festival

WHEN & WHERE?

The Bristol Jazz Festival is set to take place at Bristol Beacon, Bridgehouse from 19 –21 May.

HEADLINERS:

Celebrating 10 years, Bristol Jazz Festival features back-to-back bands through the three days, headlined by a super-group celebrating the life of funk saxophonist Wee Ellis and Bristol soul sensation Hannah Williams.

VIBE:

Friendly, easy-going vibe and a great way to experience a range of jazz.

TICKETS:

Day tickets: £28 Friday, £55 each day Saturday and Sunday. Book your tickets at: bristolbeacon.org

Ham Farm Festival

WHEN & WHERE?

Ham Farm Festival is taking place from 28 – 30 July at Ham Farm Cottage, Emerson’s Green, BS16 7AT.

HEADLINERS:

Festival goers can expect evening double-bill concerts starring Bristol’s own superstar singer-songwriter Lady Nade, prizewinning Celtic folk duo Filkins Drift and 1920s swing jazz cabaret Miss Kiddy and the Cads. Daytimes offer free interactive music workshops and family picnic concerts.

VIBE:

Outdoors, informal and intimate, enjoy world-class music surrounded by nature and birdsong.

TICKETS:

Evening double bill concert tickets: £19.50; £15 for concessions; and free for under 18s. Daytime events mostly free but need reserving. All tickets available on Headfirst or via Ham Farm Festival’s website: hamfarmfestival.com

South Gloucestershire Show

WHEN & WHERE?

The South Gloucestershire Show is returning to The South Glos Show Showground on Westerleigh Road (BS37 8QZ) on 5 and 6 August.

HEADLINERS:

The main arena is at the very heart of the show and is full of lots of exciting spectacles including equestrian stunt riding, sheep dog displays and beautiful birds of prey. Clarkson’s Farm star Kaleb Cooper will be making an appearance and visitors can see a top-notch lineup of the best local bands on the music stage. Enjoy a motor zone; country fair; yoga and meditation classes; a kids zone and much more.

VIBE:

The annual event brings together the best of the South West for an unforgettable weekend of fun, food, and entertainment.

TICKETS:

Saturday: Child, £6; Adult, £10; Family, £30. Sunday: Child, £6; Adult, £10; Family, £30. Book your tickets at: southglosshow.co.uk