The Bristol Festival becomes BrisFest tonight, when this year’s community festival, run by a veritable army of volunteers, kicks off at the Lloyd’s Amphitheatre at 6pm with walkabouts, fire displays, projections, light shows, interactive arts and a whole host of live music to celebrate the new festival.

BrisFest continues on Saturday and Sunday, bringing the excitement of a summer festival to the heart of the city. The main outdoor hub of BrisFest activities including live stages, festival tents, food stalls, art installations, light shows, dance classes, street theatre, kids areas and more.

All this will be held in Lloyd’s Amphitheatre, followed by the Rave On Avon afterparty taking place in Basement 45, Lab, Timbuktu, Crash Mansion, Start the Bus, Warehouse, Blue Mansion, The Croft, Mr Wolf’s, 51 Stokes Croft (formally The Junction) and The Louisiana.

More than 500 bands, DJs, artists, comedians as well as circus and cabaret performers make up the hugely varied line up this year, offering entertainment from drumming and street theatre to salsa dance and graffiti, all from the south west area.

The daytime entertainment takes place across nine outdoor stages at Lloyd’s Amphitheatre, Millennium Square and Anchor. Sit on the imported fresh grass and soak up the fun.

2010 will also see the new expanded kids area with interactive workshops and themed areas including the Aztec, Industrial and Jungle Zones complete with live performers and interactive attractions.

Day tickets will be available on the gate from £7 a day. Rave on Avon tickets are only available as part of a full weekend ticket priced at £20 in advance, more on the gate.

For more information, visit www.brisfest.co.uk.