Stokes Croft named one of the coolest places in the world - and there's a festival to celebrate

It was ranked the sixth coolest neighbourhood in the world, in a list of 38, and now a new festival will celebrate the local area and its people over two dates

Bristol's Stokes Croft has been named one of the world's top ten coolest places by Time Out. In an article published on September 25, 2024, just three UK areas made the list of the coolest neighbourhoods in the coolest cities in the world - Bristol, Glasgow and London.

In fact, Stokes Croft & St Paul's was the highest ranked UK spot, coming in sixth overall. It was described as 'ever-changing and ever-vibrant' with the publication highlighting the area's history as the 'centre of the city's African-Caribbean communities who have become instrumental in developing its unique culture over the past 50 years'.

You can read more about what Time Out had to say about the area further down.

As one means of celebrating such an accolade, businesses in and around the neighbourhood will take on extra purpose on Saturday, October 27 and Sunday, November 9, when they become venues for a free programme of bite-sized live arts activities and 'have-a-go' workshops. Stokes Croft Calling is a new festival celebrating arts and culture, being organised by Bristol-based Compass Presents.

A new Stokes Croft festival

It's taking place across the two dates as part of a Bristol City Council and West of England Combined Authority Initiative aimed at boosting the local economy by attracting more customers to the city centre and local high streets. Day one of the festival will see some 50 events, including Vogueing performances, a fashion show, poetry from the award-winning Muneer Pilgrim, story-telling by Edson Burton, synth, street art and capoeira workshops, a dance re-creation of Banksy's Mild Mild West graffiti artwork, and the premiere of a circus theatre show tracking the area's history back to the 1600s.

Each event is free (though some may need to be pre-booked) and will last about 15 to 30 minutes, with repeats at intervals between 11am and 6pm, allowing visitors to pick and mix which they attend, at their own pace.

The second date, on Sunday, November 9, will feature a two-hour show spread across a range of venues and showing performances and collaborations from the first date, as well as unveiling the work created by visitors, including a brand new piece of street art.

Compass Presents founder and director Tara Sachdeva says: “More than 65 local creatives, businesses and residents have so far helped us to choose how to tell the story of Stokes Croft and it’s been a fun and fascinating process.

“We’re certain that people of all ages from across Bristol and beyond will love the results – a snapshot of the spirit of resistance, creativity and independence which dates all the way back to the 16th and 17th Centuries and which is still in evidence today.”

What Time Out said about Stokes Croft & St Paul's

According to the Time Out article: "When you think of Bristol in all its youthful, art-filled glory, you’re picturing Stokes Croft and St Paul’s. Ever-changing and ever-vibrant, the area has a long history as the centre of African-Caribbean culture in Bristol and as a cradle of social resistance, both of which are essential to the city’s identity.

"It’s only a five-minute walk up Cheltenham Road from the town centre, but couldn’t be more different: dozens of family-owned boutiques take the place of high-street shops, and you might even spot a firepit at Turbo Island. The area has been an up-and-comer for a good while, but as more and more of the city’s best new eateries and venues have begun to pop up along its brightly painted streets, we think it’s safe to say that its time has officially up-and-come.

"Less touristy than Clifton but with more to do than Easton, it’s an absolute can’t-miss if you want to experience Bristol like a real local."

The article went on to dub Bristol 'a summer city' and gave shout-outs to local businesses including The Crafty Egg and Grey Tone Coffee, as well as Gloucester Road, one of Europe’s longest stretches of independent stores, the Cube, St Mary’s Kitchen, St Paul's Carnival, and Crofters Rights.