Bristol Light Festival 2022: What you’ll see this year as event returns to ‘fill city with colour’ tonight

From animated Origami birds in Temple Gardens to a mammoth disco ball in Millenium Square
Sophie Wills
By Sophie Wills
Published 1st Mar 2022, 12:18 BST
Updated 1st Mar 2022, 12:21 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

Some of the new installations coming to Bristol for this year’s Light Festival.Some of the new installations coming to Bristol for this year’s Light Festival.
Some of the new installations coming to Bristol for this year’s Light Festival.

Bristol Light Festival will return to the city tonight, illuminating iconic locations such as Park Street, Temple Gardens, Cabot Cirus and the Harbourside.

From today (March 1) until March 6, visitors can wander the city’s streets to see light art works come to life - from an animated flock of Origami birds over Temple Gardens to a floating, kaleidoscopic cube at Cabot Circus.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Swing Song: College Green becomes a playground with six swings which light up and play music in sync with the movement. Fly high for a crescendo, or go low for more ambient vibes. Swing Song: College Green becomes a playground with six swings which light up and play music in sync with the movement. Fly high for a crescendo, or go low for more ambient vibes.
Swing Song: College Green becomes a playground with six swings which light up and play music in sync with the movement. Fly high for a crescendo, or go low for more ambient vibes.

The Planetarium in Millenium Square is even set to be turned into a giant disco ball.

The event aims to bring together renowned light artists and installations from across the UK, featuring the best of Bristol’s talent while filling the city with colour and vibrancy.

Renowned light artists, Studio Vertigo are bringing their colourful and fun installation ‘End over End’ to the Cascade Steps.Renowned light artists, Studio Vertigo are bringing their colourful and fun installation ‘End over End’ to the Cascade Steps.
Renowned light artists, Studio Vertigo are bringing their colourful and fun installation ‘End over End’ to the Cascade Steps.

Festival organisers have landed a grant from Arts Council England which will also support the delivery of a selection of daylight and green energy installations, adding a ‘new dimension’ to this year’s event.

Vicky Lee, head of the Bristol City Centre BID, said: “We are delighted to be bringing Bristol Light Festival back to the city this year and hope it will be a marker of change to brighter times ahead.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The festival is a key part of the recovery programme to help support businesses back to full strength after the challenging last two years, by encouraging people to explore and spend leisure time in the city centre.

Office Party, at the Cheese Lane Shot Tower, comes from the playful idea that our workspaces may come to life in our absence.Office Party, at the Cheese Lane Shot Tower, comes from the playful idea that our workspaces may come to life in our absence.
Office Party, at the Cheese Lane Shot Tower, comes from the playful idea that our workspaces may come to life in our absence.

“We have selected locations to respond to key challenges in the city centre and will be using innovative ways to reduce anti-social behaviour and transform the streets into playful spaces for all.

One of 2020’s most popular installations, ‘Neighbours’, is making an exciting return and this year it will tell a new tale.One of 2020’s most popular installations, ‘Neighbours’, is making an exciting return and this year it will tell a new tale.
One of 2020’s most popular installations, ‘Neighbours’, is making an exciting return and this year it will tell a new tale.

“The event will showcase Bristol as the vibrant, playful and creative city that we know and love.”

The installations can be seen from 5pm - 10pm (some can be seen during the day) across Park Street, Queen Square, St George’s Bristol, Cabot Circus, Castle Bridge, Temple Gardens, College Green and the Harbourside.

For a map of the installations and updates, head to www.bristollightfestival.org, or Instagram @Bristol_Light_Fest, Twitter @Bristol_Light and Facebook. Use the hashtag #Bristollightfestival.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.