First look as Bristol Light Festival unveils 2 incredible artworks for 2026 event

The incredible Bristol Light Festival is returning to ten unmissable nights from February 19 to 28, 2026, for its most ambitious edition to date.

The festival has announced its first two installations, both created by renowned British visual artist Liz West, who is best known for her immersive light sculptures and chromatic environments.

In a bold reimagining of public space, the artist’s acclaimed installation Our Colour Reflection will take over Level 7of the Cabot Circus car park. Over 765 mirrored acrylic discs, in 15 vivid hues and arranged at different heights, will form a reflective landscape that bathes visitors in shifting light, echoing colour across concrete and steel.

The second piece, Our Colour, will return to the city for the first time since its 2016 premiere at Bristol Biennial - this time twice the size.

Using coloured theatre gels, the installation saturates the space in a radiant spectrum of shifting hues, inviting audiences to walk through colour as if it were tangible. It offers an intimate moment of stillness and awe amid the festival’s energy - a chromatic experience that speaks to perception, emotion and sensory delight.

Liz West said: “These works invite people to experience colour not just visually, but physically and emotionally.

“By playing with light, material and space, I want to transform the everyday into something vivid, reflective and full of discovery.”

Laura Reynolds, Destination Director at Cabot Circus, said: “We're redefining urban spaces by transforming the Level 7 car park into an iconic space, creating an engaging experience visitors will want to explore, share and remember. Liz West's vibrant artworks celebrate the diverse richness of Bristol's creative culture, inviting visitors to pause, immerse themselves and experience Cabot Circus in a whole new light.”

Katherine Jewkes, Creative Director of Bristol Light Festival, commented: “This year, we set out to reimagine familiar spaces in bold and surprising ways and Liz West’s work does exactly that.

“Her installations transform architecture into artwork and create moments of wonder that feel unmistakably Bristol.”

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 economic vitality.

“By extending footfall across a wider area of the city centre, the festival benefits hundreds of local businesses while creating a welcoming, vibrant environment for residents and visitors alike.

“As Bristol BID, we are committed to creating and supporting events that deliver both cultural value and meaningful impact for our business community.”

The full 2026 programme will be announced in early 2026, with installations curated to appeal to all ages - from family-friendly fun to ambient, reflective experiences. As always, admission is free and open to all.

Bristol Light Festival 2026 will run nightly from 5pm to 9.30pm between February 19 and 28, 2026. Admission is free and open to all. Accessibility information, travel advice and hotel packages will be available at www.bristollightfestival.org. Follow @bristollightfestival on Instagram and Facebook for sneak peeks, artist stories and behind-the-scenes content.

Scroll through for a first look at the first two installations: