Event start date: 01/05/0001
Location: Bristol
DIASPORA! returns in 2026 with a ten-day celebration of cultural diversity through the arts
The Diverse Artists Network (DAN) is proud to announce the return of DIASPORA! A
landmark, not-for-profit festival celebrating cultural diversity, community and creativity, taking place 1-10 May 2026 across Bristol and the South West region.
Following the success of the pilot festival in 2024, DIASPORA! 2026 will have a ten-day, region-spanning programme, showcasing the talent and creative ingenuity of diverse, international communities.
The programme will celebrate who we are as a city and region, recognising the fact that diversity is essential to thriving communities and cultures. From films and exhibitions to workshops and performances, online events, music, DJs, theatre and much more, it’s set to be an inspiring celebration.
DAN and DIASPORA! Artistic Director Vandna Mehta says:
‘We’re so excited to run DIASPORA! again next year. The inaugural festival in 2024 was such a success for the city and region, and also helped us to grow as an organisation. We’re really looking forward to having even more impact this time around, and working in close collaboration with our amazing artists, partners and communities.
‘We couldn’t run DIASPORA! without the support of the city, especially in the funding landscape we are in, where things are so uncertain for the arts. By working together and sharing our resources, we know we can and will create something amazing and accessible for all. I’m really proud of what our team has achieved and look forward to an even bigger celebration in 2026.’
The 2026 programme will feature:
- Live music, dance, theatre and spoken word from artists of many diasporas
- Outdoor celebrations and community-led events
- Screenings, exhibitions and performances
- Workshops, talks and gatherings exploring identity, creativity and cultural heritage
- Partnerships with cultural communities, grassroots organisations and major venues across the region
Why DIASPORA! matters
Over 15% of the South West population is made up of people from the global majority, but the region’s cultural output doesn’t reflect that. Building on six years of DAN’s artistic community development, in collaboration with some of the city’s best-loved venues and institutions, DIASPORA! seeks to better reflect the region’s cultural diversity by showcasing artists from marginalised diasporas.
A Festival for everyone
DIASPORA! invites audiences to:
- discover artists they may not yet know
- celebrate Bristol’s rich multicultural heritage
- explore the stories that shape who we are, individually and collectively
- connect across cultures
- experience a deeper sense of belonging and shared humanity
Save the Dates: 1-10 May 2026
The full programme will be announced in spring 2026.
More information here
End date: 6:00pm on Sunday May 10th, 2026