Forwards Festival

Forwards Festival 2026

Forwards Festival returns to Clifton Downs, Bristol, on the August bank holiday weekend, Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th August 2026 (TBC). This two-day inner-city music festival features international headliners, heritage acts, and emerging talent from Bristol and beyond.

Music

The Forwards Festival 2026 line-up is yet to be announced but will include world-class artists across multiple genres, celebrating Bristol’s rich music heritage and vibrant local scene.

Community & Social Impact

Beyond live music, Forwards Festival supports social change through its Forwards Thinking platform in partnership with Big Team CIC and Team Canteen CIC. Attendees can also engage with cultural discussions at The Information space.

Essential Information

• Dates: Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th August 2026 (TBC)
• Location: Clifton Downs, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England
• Age Restriction: 18+
• Accommodation: No camping on-site; nearby hotels and hostels available in Bristol

Bristol Temple Meads, the city’s main station, has frequent trains from London, Cardiff, Bath and beyond. From Temple Meads, a short taxi or bus ride into the city centre takes just minutes. Once downtown, First Bus routes run up Gloucester Road and Stoke Road toward the Downs; many of these stop within a short walk of the festival site. Alternatively, visitors on the Severn Beach Line can alight at Clifton Down station, which is only about a 15-minute walk from Durdham Downs. Cyclists can also use the city’s bike lanes from nearby neighborhoods like Clifton and Redland to reach the park.

Bristol Airport (BRS) lies about 12 miles south of the city centre, with regular flights across the UK and Europe. The Airport Flyer coach and local airport buses shuttle passengers to Temple Meads and the city centre (around 30 minutes), where you can transfer to a train or bus to the festival. Taxis and ride-share services (Uber, Bolt, etc.) are available at the airport for direct city drop-offs. If arriving via London airports, trains run directly from Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads in about 2 hours. Cardiff Airport is roughly 1–1.5 hours away by car or train.

By car, Bristol is easily accessed via the M5 (from the south-west) and M4 (from the east). However, parking at Durdham Downs is very limited. We recommend using one of the city’s Park & Ride services (for example, Portway Park & Ride off the M5), which offer free parking and frequent buses into the city centre. From there you can take a short local bus or taxi to Stoke Road. Otherwise, consider parking in Clifton or a city-centre car park and then travelling by public transport – just allow extra time, as traffic can be heavy on busy weekends.

Accommodation is plentiful in Bristol. The city centre, Clifton and nearby neighbourhoods like Redland and Bedminster offer a mix of hotels, guesthouses and hostels for all budgets. It’s wise to book early, as August is a popular time for visitors. Since this is an urban festival, on-site camping isn’t available – staying in town is your best option. Many attendees choose accommodation near Temple Meads or in Clifton for easy transit to the Downs. Whether you prefer a boutique hotel, a cozy B&B or a budget hostel, Bristol’s compact layout and transit network make it easy to reach the festival each day.