Great Western Railway helps to brighten February with the Bristol Light Festival
Great Western Railway (GWR) and Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) are inviting rail travellers to visit Bristol city centre this weekend to catch the final days of the annual Bristol Light Festival.
The festival, which began on Friday 3 February, comes to a close this Sunday, 12 February, and showcases 11 different immersive and interactive light installations for visitors of all ages to enjoy.
Creating a perfect opportunity to explore the city with friends, family or colleagues, the displays, which are illuminated between 5pm and 10pm, are free to attend, with GWR services to Bristol Temple Meads bringing visitors within reach of the trail.
The lightshow brings a range of talent from local and regional creatives, such as illumaphonium, from Somerset, as well as Australian-based design studio, Amigo & Amigo.
Their respective displays, ‘Continuum’ and ‘Trumpet Flowers’, invite visitors to interact with the pieces, creating a fun and engaging experience for everyone.
Nestled among the iconic architecture of Bristol, including Castle Bridge and the ruined Temple Church, the displays bring a new light to the city that will surprise both new sightseers and savvy Bristolians alike.
The festival is organised by Bristol City Centre BID, which has created the event to bring people to the city to explore all that it has to offer, providing a detailed website and printable guide to the attractions to make their time in Bristol as enjoyable and accessible as possible.
Vicky Lee, Head of Bristol City Centre BID, said:
“Support from key partners across the city has enabled the event to grow and offer even more in 2023 with commissioned artworks, exciting new locations and a longer duration, making it a real city-wide event. The event embodies everything that Bristol represents and showcases it as the vibrant, playful and creative city that we know and love.
“We want to bring a sense of fun, togetherness and joy to the city while encouraging visitors to explore Bristol at night, enjoying the centre’s rich selection of night-time economy businesses along the way. We look forward to welcoming visitors to Bristol Light Festival to enjoy the city centre and all that it has to offer.”
Amanda Burns, Director of Sales & Marketing for GWR, said:
“We are thrilled to partner with Bristol City Centre BID once again to support the Bristol Light Festival.
“With frequent GWR services bringing visitors into Bristol Temple Meads from London, South Wales and the South West, we’re excited to play a key role in introducing them to the beauty of Bristol city centre as it’s showcased so spectacularly.
“The people of Bristol never fail to give visitors a warm welcome, and this weekend will be extra special as the festival illuminates the city in all its glory.”
Contact Information
John Carter
Media and Communications Manager
Great Western Railway
0845 410 4444
Notes to editors
Picture: Continuum - illumaphonium
Credit: GWR/Alex Villars
Useful links
gwr.com/tickets
bristollightfestival.org/
About GWR
First Greater Western Limited, trading as “Great Western Railway” (GWR), operates trains across the Great Western franchise area, which includes South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, across southern England and into London. GWR provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services, and before the covid-19 pandemic helped over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year. GWR has been awarded a National Rail Contract to continue operating the Great Western network, which shall run up to 21 June 2025, with the potential for a further three years at the Secretary of State’s discretion. Find out more here: https://www.gwr.com/about-us
About Bristol Light Festival Partners
Bristol Light Festival is presented by Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) supported by Redcliffe & Temple BID, Broadmead BID and Cabot Circus. The festival is also supported by Bristol’s City Centre & High Streets Recovery and Renewal programme, which is funded by Bristol City Council and the West of England’s Combined Authority’s Love our High Streets project, with the aim of supporting the recovery of Bristol’s priority high streets. The festival is curated by Creative Director Katherine Jewkes.
About Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District (BID)
A Business Improvement District (BID) is a defined geographical area where business rate payers agree to pay a levy into a fund for a fixed period. Specific agreed initiatives are then delivered to improve the area for businesses. The Bristol City Centre BID was developed through a two-year consultation period culminating in a vote in July 2017. There was a ballot on the continuation of the BID in September 2022 where businesses voted ‘yes’ to another five-year term. Bristol City Centre BID is one of five BIDs in Bristol and more than 300 in the United Kingdom. Nationally, BIDs generate more than £750m, which is invested in delivering local initiatives and improvements over and above those mandated by local authorities. Visit bristolcitycentrebid.co.uk/