Festival Dates: Friday 17th - Sunday 19 July 2026
Harbour Festival Mission: ‘To celebrate, with all the communities of Bristol, the heart and soul of the city in the unique setting of its harbour'. For the full Festival’s history, values and aims please visit www.bristolharbourfestival.co.uk/about
Bristol Harbour Festival is seeking an official charity partner for our 2026 event, offering a unique opportunity for a charitable organisation to gain significant exposure and community engagement. As the festival attracts over 250,000 visitors annually, the selected charity will benefit from heightened visibility, potential fundraising through on-site activities, and the chance to align with one of the UK's largest free cultural events.
In previous years, partnerships have included:
- A press release announcing the partnership
- Social media posts
- Multiple onsite activations driving donations with activities/info
- Additional donation points across the festival site
- Demonstrations and displays such as a water safety demo or vessel showcase within the On The Water Arena
- Live performances such as Sea Shanty choirs, provided by the charity
However, we are open to any ideas you may have to engage with festival-goers!
Timeline
- Applications Open: Friday 13th February 2026
- Deadline to Apply: Tuesday 31st March 2026 11:59pm
- Partner Announced: April 2026
Selection Process
All applications will be reviewed by a selection panel made up of:
- Swans Events & Proud Events
- Bristol Harbour Festival Steering Group
- Bristol City Council
- Bristol BID
Scoring Criteria (out of 100 points)
- Relevance to Bristol & Local Communities – 25 pts
- Impact of Charity’s Work – 20 pts
- Ability to Engage with Festival Audience – 20 pts
- Creative Ideas for Collaboration – 20 pts
- Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility – 15 pts