For an extra special holiday in Bristol, be sure to time your visit to coincide with one of the city’s many vibrant festivals. Whether you’re hoping to celebrate alternative music or you’d like to take part in an event that celebrates the city’s long heritage, there’s something to suit you. Even if you don’t have a specific interest in mind, you’ll find all sorts of events take part throughout the year, meaning you’ll never be short of something extra special to enjoy during your time in Bristol.

One of the biggest and best events has to be the Bristol Harbour Festival, which takes place every summer. Normally held in July, this Bristol City Council Arts & Culture organised festival showcases a huge variety of performers and artists. The event only lasts for one weekend, but packs in around 300,000 visitors to the Harbourside area and is filled with music, food and amazing theater performances.

For an unforgettable music festival, tickets to WOMAD at Bristol Zoo are a must. Blending a selection of bands from around the world with the chance to see wild animals, this fund raising festival is a fascinating chance to enjoy a music festival with a difference.

For fans of the alternative music scene, there are few better festival experiences than Dot to Dot. An event that takes over many different venues across the city, gig goers are given wristbands to let them venue hop and a variety of shuttle buses are provided to make sure they can get from one show to another.

Those who prefer folk music must be sure to visit in time for the Bristol Folk Festival over the May Bank Holiday weekend. It’s a musical celebration with a long history but until 2011, it had been on a 32-year hiatus. While the revamped festival is a fairly recent addition to Bristol’s music scene, it’s been quickly growing in popularity and attracting some quality artists. The fun takes place in Bristol's Colston Hall and visitors can expect a wide variety of performances, from folk acts to poetry readings, story telling sessions and Morris Dancing performances.

Those looking for more eclectic and unusual festival events should consider visiting Bristol in August to pay a visit to the Treefest Festival at Westonbirt Arboretum. This fun, family friendly festival celebrates traditional woodcraft and woodland skills as well as offering plenty of activities for children, live music and locally produced food.

Another unusual but very different, festival is the September unusual gaming celebration, Igfest. Expect a variety of headline and fringe real-life gaming experiences, from zombies to fairy tale adventures suitable for children.

If you’ve got your eye on a particular festival, be sure you search for a hotel Bristol City early, as cheaper accommodation can quickly become full when there’s a fun festival in town. Get your festival diary out and start penciling in those must see events for your next holiday in Bristol.