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Opening Times
| Season (19 Feb 2026 - 28 Feb 2026) |
|---|
About
Bristol Light Festival is set to return to Bristol for 10 days of dazzling light-based artworks to brighten up the darkest nights of winter from 19 - 28 February 2026.
The festival programme will span the city, including Redcliffe, Cabot Circus, Park Street, Spike Island and Portland Square, transforming Bristol into a glowing playground of light, colour and imagination.
One of the headline artists for this year's festival is Liz West, who will bring two large-scale installations to Cabot Circus, transforming its multi-storey car park into a vast, reflective, colour-saturated spectacle.
The Lite Series
Renowned Bristol hot air balloon company Cameron Balloons will bring the city’s ballooning heritage to life with a cluster of illuminated hot air balloons into a responsive landscape of light, sound and play.
Our Colour Reflection
765 mirrored acrylic discs will bathe Level 7of the Cabot Circus car park in 15 vivid hues across its concrete and steel structure.
Our Colour
Having premiered in 2016 at Bristol Biennial, this colourful installation is returning twice the size, using coloured theatre gels to saturate the space in a radiant spectrum of shifting hues, inviting audiences to walk through colour.
The Midnight Ballet
Will Budgett Studio will transform Royal Fort Gardens with seven illuminated steel and light sculptures, each casting the silhouette of a ballerina.
The Cat That Slept For A Thousand Years
Air Giants presents a 10m inflatable cat that responds to movement by breathing, twitching and purring.
Jellymonsters
Two mysterious, wobbly creatures said to live beneath the River Avon, are lured out to play by the sounds of passersby - a world premiere from Bristol-based Rob Hodgson.
Bell Jar Fairies
From Davy & Kristin McGuire, tiny glowing fairies are appearing at Royal West of England Academy, perfect for those who love a quieter kind of magic.
The Electrical Age
A large-scale audiovisual installation by Illuminos, brothers Matt and Rob Vale, that brings to life Bristol’s electrifying history. Projected onto the Grade II-listed Clockwise Generator Building
Jacob’s Wall
Situated in the underground tunnels of Redcliffe Caves, will see the return of artist-engineer Parker Heyl with a hypnotic artwork inspired by the folk toy Jacob’s Ladder. Hundreds of wooden tiles flip between mirrored and timber surfaces, scattering light into ever-changing cascades.
Event programme
A wider programme of events around the festival will see Bristol’s world-renowned contemporary circus school Circomedia bring nightly activity to Portland Square, this year’s home to the ever-popular festival installation Swing Song. Audiences can enjoy walkabout performances from stilt-walkers and jugglers as they await a turn on the swings, attend the bold and playful Variety Bungalow Cabaret or even take part in Flying Trapeze Sessions inside Circomedia’s spectacular converted church space.
There will also be a Kids Neon Rave on 20 February, a Tealight Workshop on 21 February and lantern making on 22 February. Plus comedy shows, photo walks, a night market, and much more.
View the full events programme
BLF Plus
BLF Plus expands the festival footprint with a city-wide map of light-based highlights that can be enjoyed throughout the festival run, including illuminated landmarks, glowing window displays and unexpected encounters after dark.
Locations include displays of heritage, light and creativity, illuminating the city throughout the festival at the Ken Stradling Collection, Sparks Bristol, the John Sebastian Lightship, Puppet Place and the Watershed.
Dates, times & locations
Dates: Thursday 19 February - Saturday 28 February 2026
Times: 5pm - 10pm daily.
Locations: TBC across Bristol City Centre
Accessibility
Bristol Light Festival aims to be accessible to all. You can view an Accessibility Guide for the festival. The city centre location offers hard-standing routes, dropped curbs and accessible paths, allowing everyone to navigate the installations with ease.
Travel by bus to Bristol Light Festival
Plan your trip to Bristol Light Festival with First Bus - services stop just minutes away from each attraction, giving you more time to enjoy all Bristol Light Festival has to offer.
Travelling with friends or family? The West of England FirstDay Group ticket is now £13, allowing up to 5 people of any age unlimited travel all day (only available on the First Bus App). Travelling solo? Hop on and off buses in the Bristol Zone all day for just £6.50 with a Bristol FirstDay Adult ticket.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book tickets for the Bristol Light Festival?
The event is free and unticketed for everyone!
What are the dates and times for this year's Bristol Light Festival?
The festival will run each evening from Thursday 19 February - Saturday 28 February 2026, between 5pm and 10pm.
What is the best way to explore the Light Festival?
The layout of the installations has been designed to encourage visitors to walk or cycle between them, but there is also the option to take the bus or the ferry! If you are planning on driving, please note that Bristol operates a Clean Air Zone, within which all of the installations sit.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are welcome at the event; however, it can get very busy so please keep them on the lead and pick up after your dog.
When is the best time to visit the installations?
If you are looking to avoid the crowds or queues, we would recommend visiting on a weeknight before 7pm, which is especially good for a relaxed experience with children.
Is there a map of the Bristol Light Festival installations?
There will be a detailed map of the locations for this year's festival released shortly, so keep checking back here and on the Bristol Light Festival website.
Will there be food and drink at the festival?
Whichever installation you visit, you'll be within easy reach of many cafes, bars and restaurants. View more Bristol food and drink
What else is there to do nearby?
Depending on the time and day of your visit, you'll have plenty of choice for other activities and attractions - why not extend your trip by a day or two to make the most of what Bristol has to offer? More things to do in Bristol City Centre
Can I take photos or videos of the artworks?
You absolutely can. We love seeing your Bristol Light Festival photos! Please tag Visit Bristol when you share your photos online, and use the hashtags #BristolLightFestival and #VisitBristol - you may even get picked to feature in one of our photo galleries on our website! Please remember to respect other visitors’ enjoyment and avoid flash photography, as it can impact the experience for others.
Useful links
Bristol Light Festival is founded by Bristol Business Improvement District (BID), and curated by the festival’s creative director, Katherine Jewkes.
Map & Directions
Road Directions
Find out about the latest on the roads and get travel directions from TravelWestBristol City Council operates a Clean Air Zone in the city centre area. To find out more and to check if you will need to pay, go to bristol.gov.uk/streets-travel/bristol-caz
Public Transport Directions
For comprehensive information about getting here by public transport, please visit TravelWestBristol City Council operates a Clean Air Zone in the city centre area. To find out more and to check if you will need to pay, go to bristol.gov.uk/streets-travel/bristol-caz
