What to Expect From Your First Bristol Winestock

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About the author: Hi! I'm Evie Greville. I am an undergrad student at the University of Bristol, studying English, and I am passionate about expressing and exploring my love for my university city. I adore making art of every kind, especially writing about anything and everything!

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Peak student hedonism: an all-inclusive black tie festival for University of Bristol students!

Winestock is an all-inclusive summer day festival held on the Durdham Downs each year in Bristol! Hosted by WokeWines, it boasts 10,0000 students across three nights for the different year groups. The event itself is formal, with sweeping tents, live music, food trucks, fairy lights, and haybales galore.

If you're heading to Winestock for the first time, I've got you covered. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect from Bristol's legendary student festival.

About Bristol Winestock

Winestock is an event created by UOB students for UOB students. The festival was founded in 2021 by two UOB graduate best friends, Jasper Williamson and Rukudzo Msindo. CEO Jasper Williamson got inspiration starting in the university’s very own wine society when he decided that everyone deserved to be a part of such events as he was.

What began as wine-centred events for a couple of hundred students grew into the festival it is today with the creation of WokeWines. The current Winestock team is made entirely of current and former students, and during the festival period itself, 400+ students were hired for temp jobs, feeding directly back into the student economy.

When is Winestock in Bristol?

This year, Bristol Winestock is taking place on Thursday 28th (for freshers), Friday 29th (for second years), and Saturday 30th May 2026 (for third and fourth years).

What time does it kick off?

There are a few key details for the event that each guest should know. Firstly, you must bring your UCARD, or if you are a guest, be accompanied by a UOB student with a UCARD. Gates open up at 17:30 with last entry at 19:00. Make sure not to book the Uber at the last minute, and seriously consider a bus, as getting your Uber on such a busy night is a challenge in itself.

The music finishes at 22:45, and the afterparty will begin at 23:00. Make sure that if you’re wearing heels, they aren’t too high - for safety purposes, security does not allow individuals near the dance floor if they are barefoot.

Entertainment and ticketing

Entertainment is one of the prime features of Winestock. Firstly, you’ve got the music, which is largely made up of UOB student bands. This means many of the students personally know and already love many of their headliners or are exposed to the talent of their unknown peers. Students apply to play these events through WokeWines or The Bristol Tab, a favourite student news source. There is jazz, disco, house, sing-alongs, live bands, and DJ sets throughout the evening. Alongside this, there are wandering fire breathers, bubbleologists and magicians that weave throughout the crowd.

There are three different types of tickets, and all include wine refills. Basic includes wine and soft drink refills, whilst standard includes cocktail, beer, cider and mocktail refills, and the premium ticket even gets you private wine tasting!

There are ten wine choices on offer from all around the world, and there are also many, many dishes for all moods! The basic ticket includes one main, whilst the standard ticket includes one side and one dessert, and the premium two sides and two desserts. On offer are Spanish, Vietnamese and Italian options, the focus being street food classics (more exciting than your weekly food shop!).

What do you wear at Winestock?

The dress code is ‘Black tie with a Bristol Twist’. This means classic black tie, incorporating what makes Bristol, well, Bristol – the uniqueness that saturates our city. Generally, this manifests in long floral or silk dresses, sometimes cowboy boots, and jewellery galore.

It’s bright colours, bow ties, wraparound sunglasses, sometimes three-piece suits or vibrant, glamorous two-piece sets. It’s all about making it feel like you. So if you don’t know what to wear, just wear something that makes you feel glamorous and authentic.

Sustainability at Bristol Winestock

Winestock, being at its core a Bristol event, of course prioritises sustainability. According to WokeWines LinkedIn, the team at last summer’s Winestock earned a Platinum Sustainability Rating from the council due to their environmentally conscious efforts. These included 5,544 Liquid Death cups replacing plastic bottles and reusable and biodegradable cups, saving 104,000 single-use cups.

Additionally, every single vendor is a local small business, all serving meals with biodegradable/recyclable bowls and cutlery. Any food leftovers are then given to Olio to reduce waste and support local communities. The WokeWines environmental ethos is clear, prioritising collaborations with brands similarly committed to sustainability. They even monitor sound pressure through the event to ensure there is no negative impact on the surrounding Down’s Wildlife.

What to do after Winestock

Once the joyous day is over, the party doesn’t end – remember to grab tickets to the Triangle after-party post-event on WokeWines. One wristband gives you access to every Triangle Club, and doors open the instant Winestock ends till 4 AM.

Whatever feeling you’re after from the club, the Triangle in Clifton offers it with Daisy’s, Brass Pig, Sixty Six and Lola Lo’s on offer and full to the brim with students celebrating the end of their year. So, if you’ve never been to Winestock before or you’re returning – get excited. It is an incredible, extravagant and joyous event that perfectly encapsulates the University of Bristol experience.

Don’t miss out next year

If you’re reading this far in advance of Winestock, remember to save up and prioritise those ticket drops! The Bristol pre-sale tickets sold out in just minutes. Follow Winestock on Instagram for all ticket drop updates and events to score tickets, such as last-minute challenges.

Bristol’s Winestock is proof that the student scene here is something to shout about, but the best uni memories always start with living in the right place with the right people. Kick off next year right by sorting the best student house for you and your friends.

At UniHomes, you can find Bristol properties with bills included - giving you one less thing to stress about!

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The views and opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the UniHomes Content Ambassadors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UniHomes. UniHomes accepts no liability for the content of these Student Blogs.

Whilst you’re out having fun in your new uni city, remember that UniHomes promotes responsible drinking, and any alcohol products featured within this article are for ages 18+.