8 July 2011
2011 is the 40th anniversary of the festival. To mark this momentous occasion, the festival will include an additional week from Monday 25 - Friday 29 July, during which, the harbour will be buzzing with water based activities including strolling entertainment, music on boats, boat races, sea shanties, folk music, workshops, wildlife and ferry tours and the exciting 'Build a Boat' project. In a nod to tradition, there will also be a rowing tug of war, an event that featured at the first ever festival in 1971.
Many of the venues around the harbour - from Colston Hall to the Old Vic, from Arnolfini to the Tobacco Factory - will be putting on additional ticketed shows as part of the festival week and over the main festival weekend.
The new and extended evening programme offers a wide variety of entertainment for all ages and will replace the fireworks.
The main festival weekend will be from Friday 29 July - Sunday 31 July.