Bristol Swing Fiesta | 9-11 August 2024

A West Coast Swing event held in the city of Bristol at Bristol University Student Union. You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to sights, food and drink, and green spaces. The city is easy to get around - it’s truly walkable, or you could hop on a scooter!

The 2024 edition is our first year as a World Swing Dance Council (WSDC) event. It’s 3 days, with workshops starting at 2pm on Friday, and Sunday night dancing finishing at midnight. It’s not your typical WSDC event; we start the parties at 9pm and finish at 2am on Friday and Saturday, and we only run Jack and Jill competitions with the preliminary rounds (and some finals) on Saturday, and finals for intermediate and advanced/all star dancers on Sunday afternoon.

We align the weekend with Bristol’s famous 3-day festival of hot air ballooning, and you can find out more https://www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk/. This festival attracts visitors, which means the city will be bustling! So, we recommend you book your accommodation early.

It’s a summer event so expect it to be warm but good news - although the main ballroom at the university doesn’t have AC, we will be kitting the hall out with industrial strength fans and evaporative coolers.

BSF has a relaxed and fun vibe with a learning and social focus, as well making time for competitions, which is a part of West Coast Swing culture.

The Bristol Westie community are known as welcoming and laid-back people who love to dance and chat! We have our 'Walk and Talk' Clifton Coffee and Bridge tour on Friday, led by two of our friendly event team.

This year, we're excited to host the Sunday night dance at an iconic venue, Bristol Beacon, just a short walk away, and there's plenty of spots to eat and drink nearby on the Harbourside. Street art flourishes in Bristol so look out for a Banksy on your way there...

Bristol Swing Fiesta, which is our main event has SOLD OUT but we have added a new track for Beginners so if you want to take your first steps in West Coast Swing then this is ideal! Includes 5 hours of lessons, attend your first Westie Party and watch Jack & Jill competitions aka, 'Random partner, Random Song'!

BSF Teaching Staff

Kyle & Sarah

Lee & Fab

ludovic & karin

PAUL WARDEN

Ellen Dacombe

BETHAN GIBBS

Event Info

Main Venue

Bristol University Student Union, Richmond Building, 105 Queens Rd, BS8 1LN

Sunday night dance

Bristol Beacon, Trenchard Street BS1 5AR (15 mins walk from main venue)

Price

Early-bird £125pp until 5th March

Mid-bird £140pp until 5th June (£125pp international rate until 5th June)

Late bird £160pp from 6th June onwards (£135 international rate)

Discount available for groups of 8+ (must be role-balanced). Email us direct.

Travel to Bristol

By plane

25 minutes from Bristol Airport

2 hours from London Heathrow

By train (where possible we recommend you travel by public transport)

3 mins from Clifton Down

15mins from Bristol Temple Meads

20 mins from Bristol Parkway

By car

There is no onsite parking.

There is free street parking about 10-15 mins walk from the venue after 5pm on Friday until 9am on Monday. There is also paid parking nearby in multi-storey car parks.

Bristol has a clean air zone and charges may apply to your vehicle.

By bus

There are frequent buses from Bristol Airport and Temple Meads station into the city centre.

Accommodation Options

There are multiple hotels and Airbnbs close to the venue. Type in postcode 'BS8 1LN' to stay close to the main venue, or 'BS1 5AR' to stay close to the Sunday night venue and the Harbourside.

Hotels

Victoria Square Hotel BS8 4EW

The Rodney Hotel BS8 4HY

Bristol Royal Marriott BS1 5TA

Ibis Bristol Centre BS1 5TY

Radisson Blu BS1 4BY

Apartments

The Regency, Clifton https://www.oyorooms.com/gb/

https://urban-apartments.co.uk/serviced-apartments-bristol/

Hostel

https://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/yha-bristol

Student Halls (SOLD OUT)

Clifton Hill House BS8 1BX

We have a limited number of single rooms reserved, a 5 minute walk away. They are basic and functional, a kitchen with a fridge on each floor, and the showers are communal, one on each floor. Breakfast is in the dining room, and there are communal areas to socialise.

A single room costs £66 per person per night inc breakfast and VAT. Minimum 2 night-stay. (50% deposit required to secure your place). Email us at bristolcityswing@gmail.com if you're interested.

BSF 2023 review from a dancer:

'The student hall accommodation is exactly what you expect from student hall accommodation - basic and functional. It's worth noting that the showers are in a communal block at the end of the corridor (i.e. the rooms do not have showers en-suite) and the beds are a bit on the small side but as long as you accept the dorms for what they are then they are a good low cost option for a single room, and just a 5 minute walk away from the dance venue'.

Food Options

Clifton Village is a 5 minute walk away and is home to fabulous cafes, bars, restaurants and grocery stores. Bristol City Centre is a 15 minute walk away.