What it is, grants available and who can apply to host an event.
The Bristol Community Festival is taking place 6 to 13 June 2026 in community spaces across the city.
This festival highlights the people, groups and volunteers who help Bristol through their everyday actions. It recognises how they support others and make the city more welcoming. The festival gives communities a chance to meet, share experiences and build stronger relationships to support the city's community cohesion work.
Grants available and who can apply
Community organisations or resident-led groups can apply to 18 grants of up to £500 to contribute towards the costs of hosting an event during the festival, plus an extra £150 for accessibility related expenditure.
These grants are available to groups working in and with the top 30% most deprived areas in Bristol and citywide equalities communities.
We're particularly interested in applications from grassroots and community-led groups as these were underrepresented in last year's festival.
How to apply
To apply to host an event, fill in the default Bristol Community Festival: event grants application form(75 KB) .
You can also use the simplified version: default Bristol Community Festival: event grant application form simplified version(957 KB) .
Applications must be submitted by 9am, Monday 23 February 2026.
We're hosting 2 sessions for applicants to find out more information. Email investmentandgrants@bristol.gov.uk to know more.
Hosting a self-funded event
If you're a voluntary organisation or resident-led group that doesn't need funding to organise an event, or are not based in a priority area, you can still apply to host an event as part of the festival.
You will not receive a grant, but your event will be included in the festival programme and associated marketing.
Apply to host a self-funded event
- default Bristol Community Festival: self funded event application form(67 KB) .
- document Bristol Community Festival: event grant application form simplified version.(838 KB)
Other ways to get involved in the festival
Anyone can get involved in the Bristol Community Festival by coming along to an event or by volunteering to help out in your community.