Europe's biggest street art festival to return
BBCEurope's largest live street art festival is returning to a city after a year-long break.
More than 100 new murals will be created, alongside live painting and creative workshops, as part of Upfest's 17-day programme of events across Bristol from 15 to 31 May.
The biannual event runs an open-call for contributing artists from around the world but has appointed local muralist Esme Lower, AKA Melo, as the festival's lead artist.
"After taking our regular fallow year in 2025, it feels incredibly special to be bringing the festival back in 2026," said Upfest co-founder Steve Hayles.
The festival is primarily located in Southville and Bedminster, with the Tobacco Factory acting as a hub by hosting workshops, DJs and graffiti battles amongst other things.
This year's event will also see work shown in Bristol city centre as part of collaborations with the Bristol Business Improvement District (BID) and Cabot Circus, and a new youth-led project has been organised in partnership with Youth Moves to improve the festival's impact on the wider community.
Funding from the Arts Council will also go towards supporting artist development and a free workshop programme.
The festival has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £10,000 to "help ensure the event remains free and accessible" by supporting the delivery of the murals, workshop places and live events that have been designed to make the festival more inclusive.
"We're hugely grateful to Arts Council England for their support alongside Bristol BID and Cabot Circus and to everyone who continues to believe in what Upfest stands for," said Hayles.
"It has always been about creating opportunities for artists, celebrating creativity in public space and keeping street art open and accessible to all," he added.
"We can't wait to see Bristol's walls come alive again this May."
The event is also supporting the charity NACOA (National Association for Children of Alcoholics) through a partnership that will see it fundraising at the event.
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