2 years open

A Year Filled With Music and Community

From blistering sold-out gigs to gentle workshops, inspiring conferences, music lessons, family moments and celebrations, this year has been overflowing with creativity. We staged 789 events in the past 12 months—more concerts, gatherings and shared experiences than ever before.

Across those moments, you showed up in amazing numbers: 362,502 tickets sold, contributing to an incredible 500,000 visitors welcomed into the Beacon this year. Whether you came for your favourite artist, a young person’s first performance, a community celebration or a moment of quiet discovery, we’re so glad you were here.

Music-Making for Everyone

Bristol Beacon continues to be a home for learning, growth and musical exploration. This year we delivered an extraordinary 59,000 music lessons, supporting young people and adults at every stage of their creative journey.

Our teams led 296 workshops with early years groups, families, elders, young people in care and communities across the city. One of our youngest ever participants joined us at just 4 days old, attending a HOPE Minis session – a beautiful reminder that musical journeys can start at any age.

We also supported 270+ emerging artists, creatives and industry professionals through networking sessions, events and 1-to-1 development—continuing our commitment to nurturing new talent and helping Bristol’s creative scene thrive.

Moments That Move Us

Alongside the gigs and concerts, Bristol Beacon has become a place where ideas are shared and celebrations held. Over the past year, we hosted 42 conferences, providing a stage not only for music, but for connection, innovation and collaboration.

And behind the scenes, our incredible teams kept everything moving – literally. This year saw 156 venue changeovers from seated to standing shows, helping us accommodate an ever-growing range of events. We also welcomed 36 new stewards and 18 permanent staff, expanding the Beacon family and strengthening our ability to offer the warm, exceptional experiences you’ve come to expect.

Your feedback has kept us inspired, too. With an average audience rating of 4.6 stars, your voices help shape what we do and remind us why it matters.

Cheers to Every Shared Moment

And yes—Bristol still likes a drink (or a treat). Over the past year, our bars and cafés served:

• 131,061 pints
• 38,700 glasses of prosecco at graduations
• 44,083 plates in Colonnade
• And more than 3,000 cinnamon swirls in Loaf (a new house classic)

Every toast, every bite, every gathering adds to the atmosphere we love.

Looking Ahead With Gratitude

Two years in, Bristol Beacon is more alive than ever – full of music, full of people, and full of moments that stay with us.

Thank you to everyone who has performed here, learnt here, celebrated here or supported us along the way. Thank you to our partners, staff and volunteers who bring care and joy to everything we do. And thank you to our audiences, who remind us daily why this place matters.

Here’s to another year of music, community, discovery and connection.