Bristol Refugee Festival
Celebrating inclusion and diversity
Lockleaze Sport Centre presents a 6-a-side football tournament for boys and girls in school years 4–7, welcoming refugees and local community members. Join as a team or sign up individually and be placed in one. A free lunch will be provided from 12pm to 1pm after the tournament. When: Saturday 6 June 2026, 10am - […]
Join us at our festival launch on Saturday 6 June 2026 at SPARKS Bristol in collaboration with their International Cultural Festival in a day of live performances. Expect music, refreshments and good vibes! When: Saturday 6 June 2026, 12pm - 1pm Where: SPARKS Bristol, 78 Broadmead, Bristol BS1 3JA
A talk and poetry reading (indaba) with Ambrose Musiyiwa, a poet and journalist, and Helen Moore, a Bristol-based ecopoet and academic. Musiyiwa co-edits the Africa Migration Report Poetry Anthology Series, which has recently published As British as Fish and Chips, an anthology of writings by and about refugees crossing the English Channel. Moore, whose latest […]
A short walk with Bristol City of Sanctuary to explore the legacy of Bristol and it's role today as a welcoming city. This is an opportunity to learn more about the history of Bristol through the buildings that define it and how they relate to the past. The walk will end at the Sanctuary Garden […]
Words have always carried people across borders. As part of Evolve Music's Community Rhythms project, Bristol City Poet Sukina Noor invites you to find your voice, claim your story, and discover the power of your own words in this special poetry workshop at Bristol Refugee Festival. Whether you are new to poetry or have been […]
A poetry reading and dialogue between Zimbabwean poet and journalist Ambrose Musiyiwa and Bristol-based ecopoet Helen Moore. Musiyiwa co-edits the Africa Migration Report Poetry Anthology Series, and is the founder of Forced Migration and The Arts, a global network that brings together people with lived experience of forced migration, artists, academics, activists and art spaces. […]
Mir Rahimi is a dedicated advocate for peace, justice and human rights. Born in Afghanistan, he moved to the UK in 2001 as a child refugee and went on to earn a master’s degree in political theory from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in 2011. He will be in conversation, discussing […]
A continuation of Bristol Sanctuary Theatre’s performance Noman’s Land, first presented at Bristol Beacon. This visually striking performance follows Noman, a refused asylum seeker, on a surreal journey towards an imagined land of hope and despair. As past and present collide, he encounters fellow travellers, ghosts, and shifting realities. Noman’s Night Flight gives voice to […]
Join Arnolfini for a special Women’s Craft Club event! Explore traditional textile craft led by a Ukrainian artist and maker Svitlana Trygub. You’ll be guided through felt sewing and embroidery techniques while creating decorative pieces based on Ukrainian floral motifs—symbols often associated with protection and storytelling. Learn about Ukrainian embroidery traditions and the symbols that […]
Bristol Central Library presents four captivating 15‑minute films, created by The Daily Mirror in 2024 - 2025, celebrating the remarkable strength, warmth and resilience found in communities across the UK. Together, the films invite us to reflect on the powerful question: are we an island of strangers — or a nation of neighbours? More details […]
Experience the soulful sound of the bağlama, the heartbeat of Turkish folk music, with singer/ musician Ozcan Ates, accompanied by three UK based musicians. The evening will be hosted by Michael Loader of Somerset Storyfest. There will be food, time to talk, stalls and most importantly community and connection. When: Friday 19 June 2026, 6.30pm […]
Our annual flagship event and festival finale showcasing Bristol refugee talent with live performances, activities, games, kids area, trade stalls and delicious food. Bring your friends and family for a great day out! When: Sunday 21 June 2026, 12.30pm - 6pm Where: College Green, Bristol