It's one of the highlights of the year in Bristol and it will be docking in the harbour next weekend.

Bristol Harbour Festival returns to the city from 21-23 July when the harbour will be filled with two miles of vessels, food markets, circus acts, live music and performers.

This year highlights include three visiting tall ships, all returning home to their registered port, the Kaskelot, Earl of Pembroke and the Phoenix, as well as the three-day Western Boat Show showcasing a large selection of boats, ranging from yachts, powerboats and canal boats to ribs.

The festival opens with an outdoor concert with the Outlook Orchestra, featuring Roots Manuva, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Colston Hall and will close with a live finale performance by the Bristol Ensemble as they float along the harbour to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Handel’s Water Music.

Some of the UK’s best-known musicians will play at the opening concert on Friday, 21 July, at Lloyd’s Amphitheatre, with Horace Andy of Massive Attack fame, Dawn Penn, Loyle Carner and Congo Natty just some of the names also on the bill.

But the 20-piece Outlook Orchestra are the evening’s highlight, playing a live mix of some of the biggest tracks heard on sound systems worldwide. Assembled to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Outlook Festival, they are led by award-winning composer Tommy Evans – the man behind both Submotion Orchestra and Gentleman’s Dub Club.

Stretching from Underfall Yard on Cumberland Road to the city centre and onto Castle Park, the festival will offer something for everyone from dance, food markets, live bands, demonstrations, family entertainment and daredevil stunts.

The festival, the city’s free flagship family and cultural event, has grown to become Bristol City Council’s largest event. It showcases the city’s talent and heritage, promotes the city as an attractive place to live or visit, boosts the local economy and is accessible to diverse communities as well as being economically and environmentally sustainable.

Don’t miss the huge array of top-quality circus and street theatre from Cirque Bijou. From dynamic aerial acrobatics to quirky comedy, there will be plenty of talent to marvel at with a variety of acts performing over the weekend.

For more details visit the Bristol Harbour Festival website.