This year's festival will now start on Friday, with a number of children's activities in Queen Square from 11am to 5pm. A gala opening ceremony will begin at 6pm and will feature the city's replica of The Matthew, the ship which took John Cabot to Newfoundland more than 500 years ago. The Matthew, which will be escorted by a large flotilla of tall ships, sailing boats and yachts, will then host the festival opening speeches. The main events start on Saturday morning and will take place across the city's harbourside. Friday: Chill out on Friday evening in Queen Square with some after-work music to ease you into the weekend with The Friday Chill. Starting at 6pm the evening culminates with a performance by Ikonik, who fuse hip hop, jazz, reggae and funk to form a sensory experience both musically and visually. Amphitheatre concert highlights: Nate James
Nate has wowed the industry and fans alike with live performances at key events including MTV Baselounge, 1Xtra's R&B Sensations, Radio 2's Soul Solutions and the Southport Weekender. Cookie
Cookie are a hot new girl group who have just finished supporting Girls Aloud on tour. They are set to make a serious impression in the pop world with their killer tunes, feisty performances, sassy sense of style and unbeatable team spirit. Tyler James
Tyler James' new single 'Your Woman' is one of the most memorable records from the '90s. His last tune 'Foolish' was a number 16 hit. He grew up in a household which throbbed to Motown, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye and Bob Marley.
A scholarship to theatre school - Sylvia Young's - gave him entree to another side of London, and also added one of the most significant relationships in his life, a lasting friendship with Amy Winehouse - also co-writer of two songs on the album and his occasional flatmate. Freemasons
As one half of chart-topping duo Phats & Small, Russell's first hit came in 1999 with 'Turn Around.' Reaching No2 in the Top 40, it stayed in the charts for 16 weeks and became a world-wide hit, selling 2-million copies internationally. Three more Top 20 hits followed with 'Feel Good,' 'Tonite' and 'This Time Around.'
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In addition to co-producing with Phats & Small, James Wiltshire has worked with the likes of Donna Summer, Texas and Kylie remix-masters Brothers In Rhythm. Vocalist Amanda Wilson has been singing backing vocals and demos for as long as she can remember but this is her first big break. Amanda became guest vocalist on the FREEMASONS 'Love On My Mind' purely by chance when Russell & James heard her down the local karaoke bar. "We found Amanda singing karaoke," says Russell. "We were just blown away by her voice, she's got that soulful thing going on so we approached her and she was really up for it," he said. Carmen Reece
Carmen has achieved grade eight piano and flute and has supported Kelly Rowland in concert. The Tempramentals
'I Could Let You Love Me' is the girly come back single to Mario's UK number 1 hit. Featuring the vocals of Chrissy Mai who hails from Birmingham. Lady Sovereign
Only 18 and just signed her first record deal. She has supported the likes of D-12, Dizzee Rascal, Obie Trice, The Streets & Basement Jaxx on their Grolsch Summer Sets. This summer has seen her promote the message of inter-racial tolerance & harmony at a number of festivals. Saturday On the water: The programme of events starts at 11.30am and ends at 10pm
Highlights include: 12.10pm and 5pm - Pyronaught display
12.30pm and 4.30pm - RNLI rescue display
3pm - Black Knights sky diving display
3.45pm - Matthew towing contest
10pm - Fireworks show Music Amphitheatre Stage
First performance 11am. Last performance 8.15pm
Artists include: Dubrovnik, Babyhead, and Molten Metal Queen Square Stage
First performance 11am. Last performance 6.30pm
Duende, Remix Showcase, and Puravida are among performers Cascade Steps Stage
First performance 11am. Last performance 6.30pm
Programme includes: Lara England, Furlined, and Sheela Na Gig Dance World Dance Stage
First Performance 11am. Last performance 7pm
A packed programme includes: Boys from Circomedia and Kuumba, Tango West, Bristol Dance Centre, and Southville Youth Dance Project Circus and Performance
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Circus stage, Millennium Square
First performance 11am. Last performance 4.25pm
Performers include: Circomedia, Bongo Bolero, and Skate Naked Street Performance Street Performance Stage, Anchor Square
First performance 11.30am. Last performance 4pm
Artists include: Desperate Men and Beautiful Stu Roving, Millennium Square and Anchor Square
First performance TBC, Last performance 4pm
Cirque Bijou and Bob & Bob Jobbins are among performers Sunday On the water: Programme starts at 11.50am and ends at 4.45pm
Highlights include: Midday and 2pm - Matthew towing contest
1.30pm - Dragon Boat demonstration
11.50am and 4.45pm - Pyronaught display
3pm - Black Knights sky diving display Music Amphitheatre Stage
First performance 11am. Last performance 6.30pm
Artists include: Lovetrain, Bristol Hip Hop Showcase, and World Government Queen Square Stage
First performance 11am. Last performance 6.30pm
Helele Band, Moya, and Laye Sow are among performers Cascade Steps Stage
First performance 11am. Last performance 5pm
Programme includes: People of Note Community Choir, Santa Dog, and Los Palitos Dance World Dance Stage
First Performance 10.45am. Last performance 6.55pm
Programme includes: Bath Spa Uni Dance Dept, Brenda Waite and Kyra Norman, and Rashpal Singh Circus and Performance Circus stage, Millennium Square
First performance 11am. Last performance 4.25pm
Performers include: Lindsay Kwabana, Black Eagles, Frenetic Engineering Street Performance Street Performance Stage, Anchor Square
First performance 11.45am. Last performance 3pm
Artists include: Invisible Men, Fraser Hooper, and Beautiful Stu Roving, Millennium Square and Anchor Square
First performance TBC, Last performance 4pm
Stickleback Plasticus, Cirque Bijou, and Desperate Men are among performers Travel and useful information Parking
At-Bristol: Fri-Sun 6.30pm to 12.30pm
Wapping Road NCP: Fri 6am-11pm/Sat 9am-11.30pm/Sun 9am-9pm
Prince Street NCP, Redcliffe Parade East
Trenchard Street and St Georges Road (open 24 hours) Park and Ride
Brislington: Every 12 minutes. Last bus - Fri 7.07pm/Sat 6.55pm
Long Ashton: Every 10 minutes. Last bus - Fri 7.08pm/Sat 6.10pm
Portway: Every 15 minutes. Last bus - Fri 7.25pm/Sat 6.50pm Road closures
Farrs Lane, Assembly Rooms Lane, and Narrow Quay: 6am Sat - Midnight Sun
The Grove: 6am Sat - 9pm Sun
Prince Street (from Prince Street Bridge to NCP car park entrance) -
6am - 11pm Sat/6am - 9pm Sun
Queen Square (south side): Midnight Thurs -9pm Sun
Wapping Road (from Cumberland Road roundabout to Prince Street Bridge - access to NCP car park only): 6am-11pm Sat/6am-9pm Sun Buses
All buses from Broad Quay will be diverted to other stops in Baldwin Street Ferries
Ferry services will be operated throughout the festival
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