Bristol Light Festival returns Thursday 19th February, until Saturday 28th February 2026*, illuminating the city for ten magical nights, from 5pm - 9.30pm*.
Produced by Bristol BID and curated by multi award-winning Creative Director Katherine Jewkes, Bristol Light Festival plays a vital role in supporting the evening economy while offering free, joyful experiences for residents and visitors alike. The free festival coincides with the first weekend of half term, transforming Bristol at a traditionally dark time of year.
The 2026 festival stretches further across the city centre than ever before, with the festival footprint spanning Broadmead, Redcliffe & Temple and the wider city centre. Visitors this year are encouraged to attend the festival over multiple nights to make the most of everything on offer in the 2026 line-up.
Over thirty activities in the BLF Events and BLF Plus programme expands the experience city-wide, offering more opportunities to get involved, and a new charity partnership with St Peter’s Hospice ensures the festival will bring light to lives throughout the year.
The festival features ten large-scale installations and immersive illuminated artworks across the city centre. From monumental soft robotics and kinetic sculpture to projection mapping and immersive colour environments, each artwork transforms a different part of Bristol after dark.
The installations
Bristol Light Festival’s digital programme is now available to view at: https://bristollightfestival.org/map/&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1771242809660428&usg=AOvVaw2faVgKrpfDB8QpRMO7v78U
The Lite Series by Cameron Balloons & Bristol Light Festival - College Green
A cluster of illuminated hot air balloons will land on College Green in this playful, interactive installation. Created with world-renowned balloon-makers Cameron Balloons in collaboration with Bristol Light Festival, visitors will be able to pull a cord to trigger bursts of light and a resonant “whoosh”, building a shared spectacle inspired by Bristol’s iconic ballooning heritage.
Our Colour & Our Colour Reflection by Liz West - Cabot Circus Car Park, Level 7
Liz West will transform level 7 of Cabot Circus car park into an immersive world of colour and reflection, on a huge scale. Our Colour invites visitors to step inside a radiant spectrum of refracted light, while Our Colour Reflection will surround audiences with over 765 mirrored discs, scattering shifting hues across the space.
The Cat That Slept For A Thousand Years by Air Giants - Cascade Steps
A 10-metre-long soft-robotic cat will curl up beside the water at Cascade Steps. Created by Bristol-based studio Air Giants, the gently breathing, twitching sculpture will purr as visitors approach, inviting moments of calm, curiosity and connection at the harbourside.
Jacob’s Wall by Parker Heyl - Redcliffe Caves
Set within Redcliffe Caves, Jacob’s Wall will animate the historic underground space with hypnotic kinetic light. Hundreds of wooden tiles will flip between mirrored and timber surfaces, scattering light into shifting patterns and transforming the caves into a mesmerising moving canvas.
The Electrical Age by Illuminos - Clockwise Generator Building
Illuminos will bring Bristol’s electrical heritage to life through large-scale projection mapping on the Clockwise Generator Building. Tracing 150 years of innovation in the city, the artwork will connect early public illuminations and tramway power with the city’s renewable energy future.
Swing Song by Bristol Light Festival - Portland Square
The much-loved illuminated swings return, this year sited next to Circomedia in Portland Square. Each swing will control a different musical element, allowing visitors to build layers of sound and light through movement, turning public space into a playful, co-created symphony.
Jellymonsters by Rob Hodgson - Finzels Reach
Playful creatures will emerge along the waterside at Finzels Reach in this interactive installation by Bristol illustrator Rob Hodgson. Visitors will be invited to whisper, clap or sing into microphones to see the mysterious Jellymonsters respond with animated reactions.
Midnight Ballet by Will Budgett - Royal Fort Gardens
Seven illuminated steel sculptures will appear across Royal Fort Gardens, casting the silhouettes of elegant ballerinas through carefully positioned light. As visitors move through the space, shifting shadows will create a quiet choreography of light and form.
Bell Jar Fairies by Studio McGuire - Royal West of England Academy (RWA)
Inside the RWA, eleven tiny illuminated fairies will glow within bell jars in this delicate installation by Studio McGuire. Inspired by Bristol’s landscapes, the work will offer an intimate, atmospheric contrast to the larger outdoor trail.
Katherine Jewkes, Creative Director of Bristol Light Festival, said, “Bristol Light Festival is about transforming the city through light, creativity and play. This year’s programme invites audiences to explore familiar spaces in completely new ways, from caves and car parks to gardens and harboursides. Each artwork has been carefully curated to offer a different emotional response, whether that’s reflection, curiosity or joy. We can’t wait to see the city come alive after dark.”
Additional events
Alongside the free outdoor exhibition of artworks, BLF Events and BLF Plus expands the experience city-wide.
BLF Events presents a programme of bookable performances, workshops and experiences hosted by Bristol venues, including circus and Flying Trapeze Sessions with Circomedia in Portland Square, lantern-making workshops at St Georges, photography walks, food and drink events, heritage experiences and more. All events and ticketing information can be found at https://bristollightfestival.org/events/
BLF Plus highlights illuminated landmarks, glowing window displays and special installations across more Bristol venues including the Ken Stradling Collection, the John Sebastian Lightship, Sparks Bristol, Puppet Place and the Watershed.
For 2026, Bristol Light Festival has partnered with St Peter’s Hospice, working together to help share and amplify the hospice’s year-round message of ‘bringing light to lives.’ The charity will host a special event at Lantern Hall at Bristol Beacon during the festival week, with opportunities for visitors to learn more and support its vital work across Bristol.Tickets can be purchased at https://bristolbeacon.org/whats-on/moments-of-light-st-peters-hospice/
Anna Farthing, Interim Head of Place at Bristol BID, said: “Bristol Light Festival is a powerful example of how culture can support placemaking and drive real impact for our city centre. Alongside the installations, BLF Events and BLF Plus create even more reasons for people to stay longer, explore further and engage with Bristol’s brilliant businesses. By extending activity across a wider footprint and into more spaces, and by partnering with charitable organisations across culture and health, this year’s festival not only delivers a vibrant experience for residents and visitors, but also supports the local businesses that make Bristol the fantastic city it is.”
Bristol Light Festival takes place across public spaces, parks, galleries, car parks and historic sites. Step-free routes are available at many installations, with detailed access guidance provided for each location to help visitors plan ahead. Installations vary in lighting and sound levels and visitors are encouraged to explore at their own pace, over multiple nights.
Staying in Bristol
For those looking for somewhere to stay in Bristol City Centre during the festival, a list of offers and discounts for some of the best hotels in the area can be found at bristollightfestival.com/accommodation. The festival recommends booking early to avoid disappointment.
Travel
Bristol Light Festival recommends travelling as sustainably as possible. Visitors are encouraged to walk or cycle to the festival where possible, or to utilise the many train and bus options available to the city centre. More information about getting to the festival can be found here: bristollightfestival.com/getting-here/
All information about the festival can be found at bristollightfestival.com
For more information about all events, and to book, visit bristollightfestival.com/events
Bristol Light Festival 2026 runs nightly from 5pm - 9.30pm* between Thursday 19th - Saturday 28th February 2026*. Admission to the installations is free and open to all.
*Subject to site permissions.
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