In conversation with Epigram, Creative Director Katherine Jewkes discusses the significance of the Bristol Light Festival which took place earlier this month
By Sagal Khalif, Second Year Law
As winter sets in, Bristol’s city centre comes alive with dazzling installations and immersive experiences, drawing crowds from all walks of life. The Bristol Light Festival, first launched in 2020 and the fifth edition running from 31 January – 9 February 2025, has quickly become a staple of the city’s cultural calendar, offering residents and visitors a reason to venture out during the darker months.
Speaking to Epigram, Creative Director Katherine Jewkes shared her insights on the festival’s impact, its uniquely Bristol identity, and efforts to make the event accessible to all.
Bringing Light to Bristol
For Jewkes, the festival is deeply personal. “From my perspective, I travel a lot with work, and I get to see these amazing artists,” she said. “The culture of Bristol is so rich, and whenever I go visit other festivals, you will always find a Bristolian.”
The festival was founded with a clear goal in mind: to re-energise the city centre during a traditionally quiet period. “They established the light festival because they wanted to encourage people back into the city centre at a traditionally dark time in the year,” Jewkes explained. “The festival is established as one of those ways of getting an audience back into the city centre at a quiet time.”
By transforming familiar streets and public spaces with mesmerising light displays, the festival not only showcases artistic talent but also strengthens the city’s sense of community.
What Makes It Unique?
Light festivals have grown in popularity worldwide, but Jewkes believes Bristol’s version stands apart from the rest. “There’s a lot of light festivals, but there’s only one Bristol, right?” she said. “In the programme, we are deliberately trying to shine a light on local artists or themes about Bristol that are worth celebrating. Each year we try and find a theme that’s uniquely Bristol, and that’s what differentiates us.”
This year, the festival pays tribute to Bristol’s renowned drum and bass culture. “This year, which I’ve wanted to do for a few years, is to celebrate the drum and bass culture, but finding the right mix of artists has been interesting,” Jewkes said. “We got a local kind of collective called Run Collective to make a 15-minute playlist of the greatest hits from drum and bass.”
The result is an experience that not only lights up the streets, but also echoes the sounds and spirit of the city itself.
Making the Festival Accessible to All
One of the festival’s key aims is ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, can enjoy the installations. “There is an audio guide that comes in 12 languages, that guides you between installations and explains them in a number of languages,” Jewkes said. “And the festival is deliberately made free to attend—there is no barrier to enter financially to enjoy the festival.”
Recognising the diverse audience the festival attracts, organisers have also considered different accessibility needs. “There are other kinds of accessibility,” Jewkes added. “We do quiet sessions at certain times of the day for anyone that has certain access needs. I don’t think our audiences need to be surprised by things, so the online guides explain the installations and what to expect before getting there.”
From students to long-time locals, the festival offers a welcoming space for all to engage with Bristol’s creative scene.
Student Perspectives: Connection Through Art
For students, particularly those new to the city, the festival provides a way to feel more connected to Bristol’s culture.
Second-year Law student, Eluned Goss, who is not originally from Bristol, shared her experience: “The festival gives people something wholesome and free to do, something to see and experience alone or with family and friends. It’s also good as a student because it allows us to feel connected with Bristol as a city and community, which you often don’t get when your life is so intertwined with uni.”
She also reflected on the role of public art, noting how the installations integrate seamlessly into daily life. “The festival is nice because you go about your daily life and still get to look at some of the installations without following the trail. Parallels at Temple Church stood out to me because it felt like a student night thing, like a rave or music event, but for families.”
In terms of how the festival links to Bristol’s wider culture, Eluned observed, “I thought that particular installation summed up Bristol quite well as an inclusive atmosphere.”
Another second-year Aerospace Engineering student, Cyrus Yau, commented on the significance of the festival’s locations and how it connects Bristol’s historic sites with modern art. “Having installations at more historical sites that we never think about, such as the Temple Church or the St Mary Redcliffe Garden, is bridging modern art with the older charm of Bristol. Like, we lose sight of the stuff that isn't around us, but when we engage in city things like the festival, it's something we realise we walk by every day—and it's so cool.”
A Celebration of Bristol’s Culture
Now firmly established in the city’s annual events calendar, the Bristol Light Festival is more than just an exhibition of lights—it’s a celebration of the city’s identity, its artistic talent, and its community.
With a carefully curated programme and a strong focus on local culture, the festival continues to grow in influence, attracting audiences from all over the country. And as Jewkes emphasises, “Each year we try and find a theme that’s uniquely Bristol.”
As the installations illuminated Bristol’s streets once again, one thing is clear: this is a festival that belongs to the city, its people, and its creative spirit.
