Believe in Bristol

06/13/2026

🛸 Saucers Over Appalachia 🛸 invasion at Cumberland Square Park, with speakers at the Bristol Public Library today until 5pm! After party Elderbrew! 👽

06/13/2026

Some people believe in little green men. Some people believe in Bigfoot. We believe you’ll have a blast at Saucers Over Appalachia. 👽🛸

The festival lands in Cumberland Square Park TODAY with a full day of UFOs, cryptids, paranormal stories, vendors, artists, tattooers, special guests, live entertainment, food, and all things weird and wonderful.

Whether you’re a true believer, a curious skeptic, or just looking for a fun Saturday adventure, there’s plenty to explore throughout the day.

After all, around here, “Believe” isn’t just part of our name. 😉

See you downtown… keep your eyes on the sky. 🛸✨

06/12/2026

Border Bash is happening - TONIGHT - rain or shine! Come prepared for some great music and perhaps a few intermittent rain drops! We can't wait to kick off the season with you!

06/12/2026

One app says sunshine.
One app says thunderstorms.
Your cousin's knee says rain.
The guy at the gas station says it'll blow over.

So we're doing what Appalachians have done for generations:
We're carrying on.
Border Bash is ON for tonight!

We'll keep an eye on the radar. You keep an eye on your dancing shoes.
See you Downtown.

06/11/2026

Summer is showing off this weekend in Downtown Bristol. ☀️🎶 From the first Border Bash of the season on Friday to Saucers Over Appalachia on Saturday and so much more, there’s plenty to look forward to Downtown Bristol!

THURSDAY (6/11)
She The People: Votes For Women | Smithsonian Channel Film Series: America’s 250th @ Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Sounds of Summer: Graystone @ Downtown Bristol
Adult Fused Glass Trinket Dish @ Kil’n Time
Bramble the Gnome Canvas Class @ Kil’n Time
Trivia Night @ The Axe and Ale House
DJ B Digital @ O'Mainnin's Pub
Karaoke @ Stateline Bar & Grille
Karaoke Night @ O'Mainnin's Pub

FRIDAY (6/12)
Border Bash: The Wilson Springs Hotel with Appalachian Roulette @ The Downtown Center
All Day Walk-Ins @ The Bristol Tattoo Company
She The People: Votes For Women | Smithsonian Channel Film Series: America’s 250th @ Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Summer Session-Week 2: Potions & Candle Workshop @ AR Workshop Bristol
Chillin Flamingo Canvas Class Kil'n Time Contemporary Ceramic Studio
The Astrobiologist @ HollerHouse
DJ B-Digital @ Stateline
Jump! America's Van Halen Experience Paramount Bristol
Karaoke Night @ O'Mainnin's Pub

SATURDAY (6/13)
Saucers Over Appalachia @ Cumberland Square Park
Weekly Music Lessons with JAM Kids @ Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Playtime in the ARTSpace @ Theatre Bristol
Summertime Door Hangers @ AR Workshop
Wood Workshop for Dad @ AR Workshop
Talk & Signing with Author Michael West @ Dragonfly Book Bar
Songwriters Circle @ BCMM
DJ B-Digital @ Stateline
Free Fallin, The Tom Petty Concert Experience @ Paramount Bristol

SUNDAY (6/14)
LEGO Star Wars Build Battle @ Axe and Ale House
Mystic Fundamentals Boo-tique: a Curiosities & Metaphysical shop
Sunday Funday @ O'Mainnin's

For more information on events downtown visit: https://www.believeinbristol.org/event-calendar

06/10/2026

The bands aren’t the only good lineup at Border Bash this Friday! Check out these vendors!

The count down to Believe in Bristol's first Border Bash of 2026 is on! 🎉

Come ready to eat, shop, dance, and have a great night in Downtown Bristol. From refreshing treats and delicious eats to handmade goods, local organizations, and unique finds, this week's vendor lineup has a little something for everyone!

Food & Drinks 🍽
• Brunch Box 423
• EZ Squeezy
• Snapp’s Craft
• Sunset Slush Bristol

Vendors & Community Partners 🛍
• Appalachian Literacy Initiative
• AR Workshop Bristol
• Birthplace of Country Music
• Club America
• Sunflower Box
• Threadedblossomgifts
• The Traveling Bear Indoor Mini Golf
• 99.3 The X

Be sure to stop by, say hello, and show these vendors some love while you're enjoying your Friday night in Downtown Bristol this week. We'll see you at on June 12!

06/05/2026

Consider this your official permission slip to spend a Friday night playing games instead of acting like a responsible adult. ♟️😎

First Fridays: Game Night starts NOW!

Board games, puzzles, arcade games, scavenger hunts, yard games, discounts, prizes, and plenty of friendly competition are waiting throughout Downtown Bristol. Pick a stop, make a night of it, or see how many locations you can conquer before 8 PM.
Grab your friends, bring your game face, and let's play downtown.

📸 Don't forget to tag your photos with for a chance to win a downtown gift card!

06/05/2026

Let the summer fun begin! From First Fridays: Game Night to live music, shopping, and more, there are plenty of ways to spend Downtown Bristol. ☀️

FRIDAY (6/5)
First Fridays: Game Night!
All Day Walk-Ins @ The Bristol Tattoo Company
Landon Camper & The Pop Ups @ The Rooftop at The Sessions Hotel
Sister Hazel @ Paramount Bristol
Wood Workshop @ AR Workshop Bristol
Cash Crop Acoustic @ Elderbrew
DJ B-Digital @ Stateline Bar & Grille
Karaoke Night @ O'Mainnin's Pub
DJ GHost @ O’Mainnin’s

SATURDAY (6/6)
Weekly Music Lessons with JAM Kids @ Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Wood Trays for Dad @ AR Workshop
Tri-Pride Adult Prom @ The Bristol Hotel
Crushed Glass Sun Catchers @ AR Workshop
Sunset Sessions DJ Event @ The Rooftop at Sessions Hotel
Jawknee, Elle, & Blood Orphans @ Elderbrew
DJ B-Digital @ Stateline
DJ GHost @ O’Mainnin’s

SUNDAY (6/7)
Tri-Pride Sya at Brunch @ LUMAC at The Bristol Hotel
Mystic Fundamentals @ Bristol Boo-tique: a Curiosities & Metaphysical shop
Sunday Funday @ O'Mainnin's

For more information on events downtown visit: https://www.believeinbristol.org/event-calendar

06/02/2026

Set sail for the smoothest fundraiser of the year.

Believe in Bristol's Adult Prom is back — Yacht Rock edition!

Join us August 15th for an evening of dockside glamour, smooth sailing, and plenty of fun, all in support of Downtown Bristol.

As Believe in Bristol's signature annual fundraiser, Adult Prom helps support the programs, events, and initiatives that keep our downtown vibrant year-round. Every ticket, sponsorship, and donation helps us continue investing in the place we all love.

And what better way to kick off World Oceans Month than announcing a Yacht Rock-themed Adult Prom?

Mark your calendars, bring your smoothest moves and your sharpest yacht club attire, and get ready to cruise into an unforgettable night. The yacht may be imaginary, but the FUNdraiser is very real.😉

⚓️ Dancing Downtown Adult Prom, Volume VIII: Yacht Rock
📅 August 15, 2026
📍 Downtown Bristol

More details coming soon!

05/29/2026

Yesterday, our Believe in Bristol Board of Directors came together to reflect on what defines this organization, what makes Downtown Bristol special, and how we can continue telling that story in a way that inspires others to be part of it.

The first exercise our facilitator gave the group was simple: write down one word that describes why you serve on the Believe in Bristol Board.

No discussion. No peeking at your neighbor's answer.

The results? Well... let's just say there was a pretty clear theme. ❤️ Community. Home. Love.
(Swipe to find one that certainly wasn't like the others, which we're choosing to interpret as "passionately recruited." 😂)

It was a great reminder that while board members may come from different backgrounds and experiences, they all choose to be part of this organization because they care deeply about Downtown Bristol and the people, businesses, and sense of community that make it special.

A huge thank you to our board members for investing their time and energy into this organization, to our facilitator Jessica and the Center for Nonprofit Excellence for leading such thoughtful discussions, to Warehouse 817 for hosting us, and to Blues BBQ - Bristol for providing lunch. (Phone definitely did NOT eat first, but trust us, it was excellent.)

As always, see you Downtown!