Ten-day Bristol Light Festival boosts city centre economy by £10m

February’s Bristol Light Festival resulted in an £8.7m economic increase in the city, according to a study by organisers Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District (BID).

The immersive light displays attracted 275,000 visitors - a 10% increase from 2023 - which equated to a huge £10.4m spending (£8.7m directly from the festival). Around 75% of attendees made their trip to Bristol specifically for the Bristol Light Festival, a further increase from 2023.

The festival also benefitted the city by creating 55 paid employment opportunities for event and creative personnel, throughout the planning and delivery of the event.

Katherine Jewkes, Creative Director of Bristol Light Festival, said: “Since our first edition in 2020, the city of Bristol has welcomed the festival with open arms. It’s a real full-circle moment to see what the festival has been able to give back to the businesses that add vibrancy to the city centre all year round, and we can’t wait to see what the 2025 edition brings!”

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Vicky Lee, Head of Bristol City Centre BID, said: “Every year, a key focus for us as part of the festival is to ensure that businesses in the area are able to benefit from the significant increase in footfall on their doorsteps. To see such a huge spend being attributed to the festival is testament to how inviting and diverse our city centre businesses are, to attract such a high spend while an event is happening. We look forward to continuing to support businesses to attract more customers especially in the quieter months.”

Steve Bluff, Head of Redcliffe & Temple BID, said: “Redcliffe & Temple BID businesses continue to back the development of the Bristol Light Festival. It’s the city's major winter festival, attracting many thousands of workers, residents and visitors to explore our city but it also helps to positively portray Bristol right across the UK and internationally.”

Expression of interests to take part in next year’s Bristol Light Festival is now open. Talent from near and far is welcome to apply, and can do so by getting in touch via the Bristol Light Festival’s Call for Artists page.