Bristol Light Festival 2023 announces confirmed installations

Presented by Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District (BID), Bristol’s brightest winter event will be back and bigger than ever for 2023, with a trail of captivating light installations through the city centre.

Expanding from six to 10 days, the award-winning Bristol Light Festival will feature up to 10 attractions, bringing fun and colour to the dark February nights and drawing thousands to the city.

As well as illuminating some of the most beloved landmarks in Bristol, lights will be shone on some more unexpected places as well.

Finzel’s Reach illuminated at Bristol Light Festival 2022 – photo: Andre Pattenden

Curated by creative director of the project, Katherine Jewkes, the participants will be a mix of local, national and internationally venerated light artists.

“It’s a programme that feels really special,” says Jewkes, “and is reflective of the city’s creative spirit.

“Each year we want to bring new and exciting artworks to Bristol, creating spaces for people to play, explore and have new experiences.”

Disco Ball, Bristol Light Festival 2022 – photo: Andre Pattenden

Four installations have been announced so far, with many more to come as the festival approaches.

A new commission by Morag Myerscough

In a huge coup for Bristol Light Festival, the internationally lauded artist Morag Myerscough has been commissioned to create a brand-new piece for the 2023 event.

She is preoccupied with the ways in which urban spaces can be transformed by colour, pattern and words, and Myerscough’s brightly coloured, bold and distinctive style has won her fans around the world. More information about the new artwork will be shared as it begins to take shape.

Morag Myerscough – Love at First Sight, from Look Again Festival, Aberdeen – photo: Ian Georgeson

Ophelia, by Davy & Kristin McGuire

A life-size hologram of Ophelia, from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, will be installed amidst the gothic splendour of St Mary Redcliffe Church.

This mesmerising and eerie installation references Millais’ famous painting of the drowning Ophelia, complete with air bubbles, swimming fish, movement and an impressive intensity of colour.

Ophelia’s Ghost by Electric Egg – photo: courtesy of Bristol Light Festival

Halo by Illumaphonium

Set in Broadmead, Halo is an interactive sensory installation, designed as a series of haloed towers that are responsive to touch. Lighting up and playing music, they will create a constantly changing pattern of light as people interact with the piece.

Particularly suited to children and families, the piece was developed by a duo of artists specialising in large-scale interactive public art makers keen to bring a sense of fun, playfulness and discovery to all their projects.

Halo, by Illumaphonium, in Lumiere, Durham, 2021 (produced by Artichoke) – photo: courtesy of Bristol Light Festival

The return of Swing Song

One of 2022’s most popular elements, Bristol Light Festival 2023 will herald the welcome return of Swing Song.

These light-up, musical swings are triggered by the swinging motion, and feature vivid colours, making them one of the most joyful interactive installations at play around the city.

Swing Song, Bristol Light Festival 2022 – photo: Andre Pattenden

Vicky Lee is head of Bristol City Centre BID, and plays a key role in delivering Bristol Light Festival. She reflects that its demonstrable impact (an additional £3.4m in revenue for local hospitality businesses in 2022) indicates the importance of putting on free-to-attend events that encourage visitors to spend their leisure time in the city, especially during quieter months.

The hope is that by extending the length of Bristol Light Festival for 2023, visitors and businesses alike will benefit.

“The event embodes everything that Bristol represents,” Lee concludes, “and showcases it as the vibrant, playful and creative city that we know and love.”

Bristol Light Festival 2022 – photo: Andre Pattenden

Bristol Light Festival 2023 runs from February 3-12. For more information, a map of the installations and locations, and updates about the event, visit www.bristollightfestival.org or follow @bristol_light_fest on Insta.

Main photo: Andre Pattenden

Read more: Bristol Light Festival to expand for 2023

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