Sparks Bristol announces packed schedule of upcoming events

With special events and openings to celebrate Bristol Light Festival, Valentine's Day, February half term, and more, there's plenty coming up at Sparks Bristol! 

Add a visit to Sparks Bristol as part of your Bristol Light Festival experience and view the ‘Bristol Is Always A Good Idea’ light installation before it moves to its festival home.

The Festival runs from 31 January until 9 February, with ten major artworks to view across the city. This year’s Broadmead installations include Tetra by Ottomata at the Podium and Anthems: Volume One by Marcus Lyall & RUN Collective at Quakers Friars.

To celebrate the festival, Sparks will have a special late night opening until 8pm on 7 February. Come inside for a family friendly disco, lantern making using recycled materials, and visit Sparks' magic light-filled wishing well.

Also showing at Sparks is Digital Dystopia, a visual art experience from Adfree Cities using reclaimed e-waste to reveal how major polluters use ads to greenwash their image. The screen features hidden cameras, sound and additional visual material. The purpose of the screen is to engage members of the public and local policymakers in discussion around the ubiquity of advertising in our public spaces. Digital Dystopia is free to view and will be in Sparks until 16 February. 

Last Valentine's night, Sparks had panicked people knocking on their doors after closing, desperate to buy a last minute gift and some roses, so this year they're opening late! On 14 February, Sparks will stay open until 7.30pm at their Broadmead side for an alternative Valentines film night, gifts and ethical flowers. Find unique feel good gifts that show love to the earth, as well as your sweetheart, at one of our local, independent retailers. Why not skip the material and gift a Sparks experience, such as a massage or a terrarium making workshop, as an alternative date night?!

Drop into Sparks over February half term for a host of family friendly activities. Get messy with Global Goals Centre making a papier mache water balloon drop to be included in our Wonderful Water festival over Easter. Craft workshops are free, and take place on the 19 and 21 February from 11am-4pm. The talented bakers at V Busy Bakery will be holding a cupcake decorating workshop on Thursday 20 February. Bakers will be on hand to help you design and decorate three cupcakes that just might end up looking too good to eat. The ever popular bus will be taking passengers and our in store piano is always looking for someone to play with! Visit our exhibitions and installations including the Creative Futures exhibition by young artists at Creative Youth Network.