Bristol Light Festival

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Bristol Light Festival is a yearly event anticipated by many families and tourists. The Festival of Lights aims to bring light, color, and play to the center spaces through light installations. These light displays are designed by internationally and locally renowned artists.

Bristol Light Festival
Festival highlights

About the light festival

The festival will allow you to explore the city through beautiful twinkle lights and colors. The city was transformed into a colorful, fun, and lively place through the light installations. Katherine Jewkes, the creative director, curated the show. 

Joining the festival is the best way to relax with yourself or your loved ones. It offers a lot of activities that can give fun and entertainment. The ten-day festival features fantastic installations in the various corners of Bristol.

Bristol Light Festival Dates (2024)

Bristol Light Festival was celebrated from February 2 to February 11 2024. It included two weekends. With this, the guests unwind for many days during the light festival. If you’re a traveler, you can explore the city through the breathtaking fairy lights.

Where It’s Located and How to Get There

The light festival was brought by Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District (BID). The immersive and interactive light exhibition will illuminate the city’s most iconic buildings. These include Wills Memorial Building, Victoria Rooms, Millennium Square, Temple Meads train station, Bristol Hippodrome, and PRYZM.

The following are the locations of the light installations for the Bristol Light Festival.

 Sirens – Cascade Steps
 Swing Song – College Green
 Alright My Luvver – Queens Square
 Halo – The Podium (Broadmead)
 Continuum – Temple Church
 Trumpet Flowers – Quakers Friars
 Cheers Drive – Bristol Bus Station
 Beam – Castle Bridge
 Let Us Shine – King Street
 Scream the House Down: Bristol – The Corn Exchange
 Ophelia – St Mary Redcliffe Church

Witnessing the curtain lights is the best move if you wish to explore the city center. The following is information about transport to Bristol Light Festival.

Bus – Bristol Bus & Coach Station is a walking distance of the festival’s LED curtain lights.

Train – The festival installations are a short walk from the Bristol Temple Meads.

Car: Park and Ride – The city’s park and ride give an easy and comfortable way to travel to Bristol:

 Long Ashton, South West of Bristol
 Portway, North West of Bristol
 Lyde Green, North East of Bristol
 Brislington, South East of Bristol

Festival Hours

The festival started around 5 pm to 10 pm each day. You can go anytime to explore the creative lights showcased at the event. The organizers advised visitors with small kids to visit before 7 pm on weeknights.

If you’re a traveler who wants to explore Bristol, experiencing the light festival is a suitable event for you. You can see the colorful lights in the different iconic places of the city.

Cost To Visit The Festival 

The best about Bristol Light Festival is that you can enjoy it for free. There are no required tickets to view the gorgeous light installations across the city center. If you want to participate in a festival on a budget, the light show in Bristol is for you! 

As you visit the festival, you can enjoy the drinks, food, and hospitality offerings. 

Weather and What to Wear

The light fest is held every February of the year. It is among the coldest months in line with December and January. The average temperature this month is about 3 Degrees Celsius. But it rarely goes below 0 Degree Celsius.

Since it is cold at night, you should wear a jacket, gloves, closed shoes, and other warm clothing to stay comfortable. With the right outfit, you can make the best of exploring Bristol through light installations. You can also get hot drinks in various locations of the fest. 

Hotels nearby the light festival

If you plan to visit Bristol Light Fest, for sure you’re looking for the best accommodation. The following are some of the top hotels where you can stay. 

Future Inn Bristol 

The property is only 10 minute’s walk from Bristol’s Temple Meads Station. It was also near the Cabot Circus shopping center. You can have a good night’s sleep since they provide guests with air-conditioned rooms. Future Inn Bristol comes with convenient car parking and a restaurant. The rooms feature bathrooms with showers, baths, and hairdryers. There are also flat-screen TVs and work desks. If you have high standards for your hotel needs, Future Inn Bristol will not disappoint you. 

It was conveniently located in the vibrant center of the city. The property is equipped with the best facilities to enhance the comfort and experience of their guests. They also offer a delicious breakfast. Delta Hotels feature non-smoking rooms, family rooms, restaurants, and fitness centers. Additionally, it has facilities for disabled guests. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. So, your stay is worth it.

  • Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel 

Delta Hotels by Marriott Bristol City Centre 

The Victorian-style hotel can give you a luxurious hotel experience. It is situated near the historic waterfront and Bristol Cathedral. The property features a choice of restaurants and an on-site gym. It offers family rooms, free WiFi, a fitness center, and non-smoking rooms. The rooms all have a tea/coffee maker. You can be satisfied with their room service. 

Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel 

It was a four-star hotel set in a historic grade II listed building in the city center. It has 186 rooms that draw inspiration from the independent art scene of Bristol. These rooms are all equipped with flat-screen LCD TV with Freeview. With the hotel’s state-of-the-art amenities, you can have a convenient stay. 

Radisson Blue Hotel, Bristol 

Radisson Blue Hotel, Bristol, can offer you breathtaking views and a stylish restaurant. It overlooks the waterfront, and the rooms have free WiFi. The spacious rooms feature a minibar, flat-screen TV, and coffee/tea-making facilities. You can be amazed by the design of its elegant rooms.  

What to Eat

Visiting Bristol Light Festival can be tiring but enjoyable. So, you deserve to treat yourself and your loved ones with delicious food. Here are some of the best restaurants near the city center. 

Piccolino – Bristol 

Located in the heart of the city center, the restaurant serves authentic plates. If you want fine dining, Piccolino will not fail you. In addition to their tasty cuisines, they also have a very accommodating and friendly staff. 

Burger Theory 

If you love burgers, Burger Theory is a must-visit. Some of their top offerings include Burger Mi, comprised of pickled red onion, Vietnamese chicken, mint, cucumber, brioche bun, and miso mayo. The restaurant holds a bottomless burger club monthly for unlimited food and booze. 

The Ox

The Ox can provide you with fine dining. It features a romantic interior with beautiful murals and dimmed lighting. You can have classic martinis with juicy steaks and grilled scallop starters for a perfect date night. Their staff is friendly, so you can have fine and convenient dining in the restaurant. 

Bella Vista 

If you’re into pasta, you should eat at Bella Vista. They can satisfy your cravings for pasta. It is one of the top Italian restaurants in the city center. You can enjoy hot plates of classic risottos, succulent squid rings, and filling salads. You can have a glass of their finest vino.

More Things to Do in the Area

You can have fun doing other activities in the area. Here are some of the best suggestions to make the best of your vacation in Bristol. 

Brandon Hill Park & Cabot Tower 

You can enjoy the beautiful views of the city from Brandon Hill Park & Cabot Tower. It was built in 1897 to mark the 400th anniversary of John Cabot’s voyage to North America to Bristol. You can also chill at Brandon Hill Park. It is the oldest park in Bristol and a perfect place for a picnic with your loved ones. 

Bristol Museum and Art Gallery 

If you love museums, this tourist attraction should be on your list. The property has three floors equipped with wildlife, Egyptian mummies, gemstones, dinosaurs, pottery, oriental arts, glass, and a collection of Old Masters. A section is dedicated to I.K. Brunel and his technical achievements. 

Blaise Castle House 

The late 18th-century mansion house and estate will give you a glimpse of the prosperous lifestyle of the family on the country estate. The Picture Room features paintings and toy collections. 

Arik Akunis
Arik Akunis

My name is Arik Akunis and I have been in the field of lighting for over the last 20 years, I started my journey in the world of lighting in the lighting niche for events where I first came across a festival of lights and immediately fell in love with it.


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