Bristol has always been a radical city—from the Reform riots of 1793 to the Bristol bus boycotts in 1963 and 2020’s Black Lives Matter protests. Bristol Transformed continues this left-wing legacy, as the festival for “radical politics, arts and culture” returns on Easter weekend (April 4 and 5, 2026)
Now in its 7th year, Bristol Transformed will be hosting two days of debates, workshops and arts at Trinity Centre. Plus, after a full day of political education, join the “infamous pub quiz” and an after-party you won’t forget, but can’t quite remember—because, as Harry Styles says, “If you must join a movement, make sure there’s dancing.”
“With the Far Right on the march in our city and the ongoing genocide in Gaza, we have seen how important it is to build a powerful and inclusive movement, rooted in solidarity and internationalism,” said Tom Warren, Bristol Transformed Organiser.
“Together we’ll learn from struggles old and current, from the centenary of the General Strike to 50 years on from Grunwick to Bristol’s Apartheid-Free Zones, we have a city and a world to win.”
What’s happening at Bristol Transformed?
A full programme is expected to be announced soon, but so far, sessions include:
- 100 years on from the 1926 General Strike in the UK – how did it get organised, who took part, and what can we learn
- Organising for Palestine – discussing revolutionary praxis with the Bristol Apartheid Free Zone
- Untangling the puzzle of the left parties in Britain – should we all join the Greens? Or should we make Your Party Our party?
- How can we radicalise our places of work? Ideas and approaches to building power and class solidarity at work
- Socialising Housing – how can we fight for more and better social housing and take a step towards destroying landlordism in the UK’s third most expensive city to rent in?
As always, there will be a free creche for the littlest lefties run by the Childcare Caucus, while a brand new addition to this year’s festival is a young people’s programme (aimed at 11-16 year olds). Run by experienced youth workers and BT organisers, expect sessions including:
- March on the Boss: a tactic for activists of all ages
- Protest songs workshop from Glasgow Anarchist Choir
- An introduction to colonialism and capitalism through an interactive game
How do I get tickets?
Tickets to Bristol Transformed are on sale at a variety of prices to make the festival accessible to all. This ranges from just £5 for the unwaged to £24 for the full weekend and after party. All under-16s get in free to the festival. To get your tickets, head here.
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