The women’s festival What Women Want, which once left a mark on London in the 1990s, is set to return to Bristol after three decades, this time expanding into a two-week cultural celebration across the city. The original edition launched in 1995 on London’s South Bank, featuring discussions, creative workshops, and performances by prominent figures such as Germaine Greer and Sinéad O’Connor. Its founder, Lynne Franks, described the initiative as an effort to redefine women’s priorities, though the event closed after a single edition.
Franks and Nathalie Sherring, CEO of Bristol Women’s Voice, are now bringing back the festival under its original name. Scheduled for March 1 to 12, 2027, the event will span multiple locations in Bristol, offering talks, comedy shows, live music, and a marketplace. Franks stated the aim is to immerse the entire city in festival activities, ensuring broader participation for all residents.
Sherring highlighted a persistent challenge in Bristol: many grassroots women’s initiatives face low attendance, often overshadowed by larger International Women’s Day events. “We aren’t about competing,” she said. “We are about supporting and enabling women’s organisations to do what they want.” The organizers intend to create a platform where smaller groups can collaborate effectively, addressing shared obstacles beyond the festival’s duration.
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Financial backing remains a critical factor, though early commitments from venues like We The Curious and Watershed have been encouraging. Sherring described the response as highly positive, with numerous partners offering spaces and involvement. The team plans to use these foundations to host an opening soiree and a closing concert, reinforcing the event’s cultural impact.
Past festivals of this nature often dissolve after their first run, but the organizers believe Bristol’s existing network of women’s collectives will help maintain momentum. While the city’s grassroots scene remains fragmented, the festival could serve as a unifying force.
Further logistics, including ticketing structures and the full program, will be revealed as 2027 approaches. For now, the priority lies in solidifying partnerships and ensuring the festival fulfills its vision: a citywide celebration that attracts audiences while driving meaningful, enduring change.