Bristol is one of those cities that always seems to have something going on, and that’s certainly going to be the case throughout 2018. It’s an ideal venue for a holiday or city break regardless of when you visit, and these upcoming festivals should act as a further enticement.

1. Bristol Slapstick Festival 2018

Held every year since 2007, the annual Slapstick Festival celebrates archive film from the silent era, plus a wide selection of contemporary visual comedy films. Such treats are to be accompanied by live music, talks from prominent film experts, and even shows from comedians inspired by those silent icons. The Silent Comedy Gala on 26 January will be hosted by comedian Tim Vine and screen Buster Keaton’s Sherlock Jr (1924) and Charlie Chaplin’s A Dog’s Life (1918).

2. Bristol International Jazz and Blues Festival

Bristol has a long history with jazz. In fact, stars such as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald used to play to sell-out audiences at Colston Hall. The Bristol International Jazz and Blues Festival pays homage to that lineage with a line-up designed to appeal to music lovers of all tastes and ages. 50 events will be taking place across the city centre.

3. Bristol Volksfest 2018

One of Bristol’s kookier festivals, Volksfest brings together the best of all things VW. Visitors will view anything from modified models to vintage makes, and this June festival will end with a huge show. There’ll also be live music, and this year’s event will be the first to offer camping on the same site as the main festival.

4. Upfest 2018

Head to Bristol from Saturday 28th to Monday 30th July to find Europe’s largest live street art and graffiti festival. The festival will be marking its 10^th anniversary. Back in 2008, the audience consisted of a few hundred, and only 40 artists took part. Well, the idea has caught on in a big way. Upfest 2017 hosted a record-breaking 700 artists and attracted crowds of 50,000. It’s the must-attend event for street artists across the globe.