What is a Busker?

Busker \BUS-kur\ noun: A person who performs an art in public places for donations of money.

Have you ever seen a lone sax player or guitarist in the alley of a large metropolitan area? That’s a perfect example of busking -- one of the oldest performance venues known to civilization.

Busking performances can be just about anything that people find entertaining, including acrobatics, animal tricks, balloon animals, card tricks, clowning, comedy, contortions and escapes, dancing, fire eating, juggling, magic, mime and a mime variation where the artist performs as a living statue, musical performance, puppetry, storytelling, reciting poetry or prose as a bard, street art sketching and painting, street theater and even sword swallowing.

The art of busking has been around for centuries in almost every country and culture. Street performers are perfect entertainment for spectators of all ages. Performers bring live theater to the streets. Our city’s heritage and historical presence have brought to life many famous musicians, actors, actresses, artists and performing artists alike.

We invite Bristolians – young and old – their guests, and our neighbors from surrounding communities to stop by and enjoy daily performances from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. throughout the downtown State Street area. We also encourage entertainers to come out and perform. It’s a great way to unveil new talent and for us all to give back to the creative works this area has always supported.

See you on State Street!