Bristol’s had a heavy couple of years, much like the rest of the world. And with the news feeling heavier by the day, we’re all in need of some light relief.
How’s a giant disco and adult-friendly playground slap bang in Bristol city centre sound?
Bristol Light Festival is back for its second innings from Monday (28 February) to Sunday 6 March, and it’s set to be a week-long opportunity to release your inner child in Bristol city centre and marvel at the dopamine-sparking joy interactive light installations can bring.
READ MORE: Bristol Light Festival: All the incredible installations you can expect to see
The popular Festival began in February 2020, just shy of the pandemic, and saw people of all ages come together at night to see the city bathed in light.
Remember the light-up seesaws on Queen Square? Or the electric ‘Neighbours’ installation, which projected imagined lives of Bristol city dwellers around Banksy’s iconic ‘Well Hung Lover’?
This year, the festival is back with a bang, and it’s the perfect chance not only to have some carefree fun, but to also spend an evening supporting Bristol’s best independent restaurants, shops and venues.
Designed with the city in mind, this year’s festival follows a trail through the city centre, so you can make the most of an evening out.
Vicky Lee, head of Bristol City Centre BID, spoke to Bristol Live about 2022’s exciting route.
“We've programmed the festival so it's a natural trail that you follow. Doable in an evening, you can walk between the installations and maybe stop off for a drink or a meal on Park Street or you could even start your day early with some shopping at Cabot Circus. Essentially, you can enjoy the Light Festival completely for free and support Bristol’s incredible businesses whilst you’re at it.”
Looking for some food and drink recommendations to stop by along the festival route? Click here to subscribe to the BristolBuzz newsletter, where we’ll be bringing you the best ways to spend an evening at the Festival this week and next.
This year, Bristol Planetarium is set to be transformed into a giant disco ball, and Millennium Square will become the dance floor.
We spoke to Bristol Light Festival’s creative director, Katherine Jewkes, to get the lowdown on the highly anticipated installation.
She said: “Using projections, we’ll be creating the illusion of a rotation movement on the Planetarium, transforming it into a giant disco ball. There’ll be music, photo opportunity backdrops and more - we’re hoping it’ll create a 70s escape.”
When you’re done with your boogie, you can head to College Green. Usually home to Bristol Cathedral and the Council House, the iconic Bristol square will be transformed into a playground, with swings adults and children alike can enjoy.
The new commission for the 2022 rendition of the Festival is a feast for the senses, and also a slice of engineering and tech genius.
Vicky Lee, head of Bristol City Centre BID, the organisation behind the Festival said: “Swing Song has been built by a collective of Bristol artists, engineers and tech people - the swings light up and trigger music when you sit on them.”
Katherine added: “When you swing low, they’ll play ambient beats, and then when you swing higher, the whole installation lights up and it plays very ‘Bristol’ music, which is very fun.”
Many surprises are in store at Bristol Light Festival 2022. But at the core of the city aglow is one message: supporting Bristol’s creatives, independents and the heart of our vibrant city.
A Festival set to become a yearly regular on the Bristol events calendar, it’s only fair the line-up features an installation that embodies the city. Last year, it was the Bristolian phrase ‘Cheers, drive’ that lit up Bristol harbourside. This year, it’ll be ‘Alright, my luvver’, naturally.
What Bristolian phrase do you think should be up in lights for 2023’s Bristol Light Festival? Let us know in our short survey here:
You can fill the survey out directly here
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