About the City Centre and High Streets Culture and Events Programme, future events, ongoing events, and past events.
About the events programme
We're investing in the culture and events sector to:
- support Bristol's city centre and high streets, by increasing the number of people visiting and using these places
- support the culture and events sector
We organise activities under the City Centre and High Streets programme, funded by:
- Bristol City Council
- the West of England Combined Authority's Love our High Street project
City Centre Culture and Events Programme 2024
The City Centre Culture and Events Grant Scheme is part of the City Centre and High Streets Programme funded by:
- Bristol City Council
- West of England Combined Authorities Love our High Streets project
Between 2021 and 2023 the City Centre and High Streets Programme delivered a range of culture and events activities in four areas of the city centre.
In 2024 to 2025 we had £170,000 to support three different areas of the city centre:
- Christmas Steps
- Old Market
- Stokes Croft
We have invested in the culture and events sector to:
- attract additional footfall to priority areas, supporting the city's economy
- advance equality, diversity and inclusion for all of Bristol's citizens
- support itself as a sector
- address environmental sustainability, climate and ecological emergency
This funding was allocated to activity taking place between Summer 2024 and March 2025.
It was split in the following ways:
- City Centre: Large Culture and Events Grants
- City Centre: Nighttime Economy Grants
See information below for full details.
City Centre: Large Culture and Events Grants
We have allocated £120,000 to engage a cultural organisation in each of three city centre sites. They are to act as a lead organisation in each location, to produce a highly localised culture and events project, which places collaboration and stakeholder engagement at its heart.
The city centre areas were:
- Christmas Steps
- Old Market
- Stokes Croft
Nighttime Economy Grants
We made £45,000 available to support independent businesses in three city centre locations in diversifying their nighttime offer.
Businesses were able to apply for between £500 to £2000 to trial extended opening hours or a new activity or event.
Locations eligible for the grants were:
- Christmas Steps
- Old Market
- Stokes Croft
This grant scheme has now closed.
High Streets Culture and Events Programme
In 2024 to2025 we allocated £135,000 to support three different city high streets:
- Ashley Road/ Grosvenor Road (BS1)
- Crow Lane (BS10)
- Oatlands Avenue (BS14)
We have supported these high streets through the commissioning of events and activities for a range of audiences including young people, families and older people.
In Crow Lane activity has included a programme of creative arts sessions, a weekly music production studio, and repair and make workshops.
In Ashley Road/ Grosvenor Road the programme has provided regular activities such as ceramics, parkour and open mic events, alongside community meals and food gatherings.
Activities in Oatlands Avenue include a local film club, DJ workshops and a regular singing group. Further details of events taking place in these three high streets can be found at Events: Where's it to? Bristol High Streets
Information on the first phase of the City Centre and High Streets Culture and Events Programme
From October 2021 until October 2023, the first phase of the City Centre and High Streets Culture & Events Programme focussed on the city centre and nine priority high streets.
- Brislington Hill and Bristol Hill
- Church Road
- East Street Bedminster
- Filton Avenue
- Filwood Broadway
- Shirehampton High Street
- Stapleton Road
- Stockwood
- Two Mile Hill
Bristol City Council worked with Bristol-based organisations, with experience of working with the community to organise cultural activities and events.
Activities included: markets, community events and family fun days, public art installations, light and lantern parades, promenades and much more.