The Thunderbolt and POLYGAZE are back this August with their most ambitious event to date, THUNDERFEST, a three-day family-friendly music festival celebrating Bristol’s independent music scene.

Taking place across the August Bank Holiday weekend, 28th - 30th August 2026, THUNDERFEST will feature 20 local bands and artists across two stages at The Thunderbolt.

Following the success of last year’s Garden Party, The Thunderbolt and POLYGAZE are collaborating once again to support Bristol’s independent music scene and showcase emerging local talent.

The Main Stage sits at the heart of The Thunderbolt, and will feature 12 bands across the festival. Friday dedicated to punk, Saturday focusing on blues and rock, and Sunday showcasing indie and alternative rock.

The Bandstand is tucked away in the venue's humble and sunny beer garden, and will host 8 acoustic solo/duo acts across Saturday and Sunday, alongside the return of The Thunderbolt Pub Quiz.

THUNDERFEST invites you to come and enjoy some amazing grassroots music in the sun with your friends and family. All festival profits will be reinvested into supporting Bristol’s grassroots music scene.

We have a range of affordable tickets on offer for the whole weekend and individual days

Tickets are available now via:

Follow The Thunderbolt and POLYGAZE for festival updates, lineup announcements and ticket information.

CHASING DOLLS

“A tribe made up of dreamers and sages, night crawlers and moshers, renegades and tearaways, people doing their own thing. It’s the quality of their live show what sets them apart. A whirlwind of energy and euphoria, audience engagement and a feeling of revolution and disquiet bubbling up from the depths” - Dave Franklin, The Ink.

GET MENDOZA

A three-piece coming straight out of Andover, Get Mendoza combine the best of indie rock and emo.Comprising of vocalist/guitarist Luke Stone, vocalist/drummer Joe Chapman, and bassist Toby Edds, the band takes heavy inspiration from scenes across the American

Description supplied by the event organiser.