Bristol Light Festival marks sixth year with most ambitious edition yet

Audience survey live until Sunday 16 March inviting visitors to share their experiences of the 2026 festival.

Bristol Light Festival has once again transformed the city after dark, delivering ten spectacular nights of light, creativity and connection between Thursday 19th - Saturday 28th February 2026.

Now in its sixth year, the festival has firmly established itself as a highlight in Bristol’s cultural calendar, evolving each year in scale, ambition and reach. Produced by Bristol Business Improvement District (BID) and curated by Creative Director Katherine Jewkes, this year’s edition featured 10 large-scale installations across an expanded city-centre footprint, alongside more than 30 wider activations through the BLF Events and BLF Plus programmes, making 2026 the most far-reaching and creatively diverse festival to date.

From the underground wonder of Jacob’s Wall in Redcliffe Caves to the playful return of the illuminated Swing Song in Portland Square, and the vibrant colour transformations of Liz West’s installations at Cabot Circus car park, audiences experienced installations spanning Broadmead, Redcliffe and Temple and the wider city centre, reflecting the expanded reach of the newly-unified Bristol BID. The programme extended into Bristol’s historic and green spaces, including Royal Fort Gardens at the University of Bristol, while iconic landmarks such as the Clockwise Generator Building were illuminated through projection, Bristol’s heritage was also celebrated through The Lite Series, created in collaboration with Cameron Balloons, transforming hot air balloons into glowing sculptures inspired by the city’s world-famous ballooning tradition.

During the opening weekend, Clifton Suspension Bridge was illuminated for a historic first with A Year in the Life of the Avon Gorge and Downs, a gently choreographed seasonal lighting sequence celebrating the Gorge’s rare ecology and marking the completion of major restoration works, including new LED lighting. 

The expanded BLF+ programme of partner events, workshops and illuminated experiences extended the festival across the city. Circus performances, lantern workshops, heritage showcases and cultural moments after dark encouraged visitors to linger, explore and see the city in a new light, supporting local businesses during a traditionally quieter trading period. A meaningful partnership with St Peter’s Hospice added further depth to this year’s programme, with a special event at Bristol Beacon reinforcing the festival’s ethos of connection and community. 

As planning begins for 2027, organisers have launched an official audience survey to better understand how people experienced this year’s festival. The survey focuses on what worked well, where improvements can be made and gathers insight into areas such as access, navigation and overall engagement.

The feedback will inform future planning and help organisers continue refining the festival as it continues to grow and evolve. As the installations come down Bristol Light Festival is inviting visitors to reflect on their experience and share their views.

The survey is open until Sunday 16th March and can be completed here: https://tinyurl.com/BLF26Survey

Katherine Jewkes, Creative Director of Bristol Light Festival, said: “Bristol Light Festival is a celebration of the creativity, imagination and energy of the city. This year’s festival has felt particularly special, with new spaces, collaborations and an expanded footprint allowing the programme to reach further across Bristol than ever before. Each year we bring together artists, partners and communities to transform familiar spaces and invite people to experience Bristol in new ways after dark. What makes the festival special is that it could only happen here, shaped by Bristol’s culture, heritage and world-class creative talent.”

Anna Farthing, Interim Head of Place at Bristol BID, added: “Bristol Light Festival plays a key role in animating the city centre during dark winter evenings. For the 2026 edition, we are delighted to have welcomed so many new partners, venues and creatives to participate in the programme alongside the ten major artworks. These partnerships help to shine a light on Bristol and reflect the city's collaborative character across the globe. Hearing directly from those who experienced the festival directly in the city helps us understand its impact and ensures we continue delivering an event that benefits residents, visitors and local businesses alike.”