Skip to content

Festival turns city into 'open-air art gallery'

Marcus BootheBristol
News imagePaul Box Five spray paint designs were added on to the walls of a lane. There is a mural of Sir David Attenborough with a graffiti cartoon owl sitting on his finger. Next to this is a blue and yellow graffiti design with the phrase 'Cheers Drive'. Above a shop window is a detailed eye design using yellow and purple colours. In the distance there are two more spray paint designs which leads on to the main footpath of Cabot Circus. There is a parked bike underneath the Cheers Drive design and tables and chairs next to the shop windows. Paul Box
Upfest 2026 started in Cabot Circus with five street artists redesigning Quakers Friars

Europe's largest street art festival has transformed a city into a giant "open-air gallery".

Upfest organisers said that 150 new murals will decorate the streets of Bedminster and beyond as the 17-day event expands into the city centre.

Organisers said the annual event transforms Bristol into an "open-air art gallery" that will be viewed by more than 80,000 visitors.

During the festival, running until 31 May, people can participate in workshops, walking tours, panel discussions and interactive creative spaces.

More from Bristol
News imageUpfest A man is spray painting a very detailed eye on to the walls of Quakers Art Lane. The iris of the eye is blue - the bottom half appears to represent the ocean and the top half appears to show the sky and black figurines.The eye has long eye-lashes and yellow paint surrounding it.Upfest
About 150 murals are currently being created across Bristol

Five world-renowned artists, including Inkie, Insane51, My Dog Sighs, Melo and HazardOne, were asked to redesign Quakers Friars, turning it into Quakers Art Lane.

News imageUpfest HazardOne is designing Sir David Attenborough's mural. She is standing on a blue platform. HazardOne has black hair and is wearing a grey jumper and red body bag. Upfest
A mural was spray-painted to celebrate Sir David's 100th birthday

HazardOne, who designed Sir David's large-scale mural, uses freehand graffiti techniques.

Her mural was based on a photograph by Guthrie O'Brien where Sir David looks into the eyes of a tawny owl.

O'Brien said it is an "absolute privilege" to have his picture recreated.

News imageUpfest A black shop has Inkie graffiti design on its wall. The design is a woman who has long wavy green hair with red flowers in it. Next to the woman is large writing which reads: 'Bready or not here I crumb'.Upfest
A bakery was spray painted with the phrase 'Bready or not here I crumb'

One of Bristol's most famous street artists is Inkie, whose work first started emerging in the 80s.

His latest design for Upfest can be found next to Parsons in Bedminster and Quakers Art Lane at Cabot Circus.

News imageUpfest This mural has a woman with red hair standing with her head held high looking into the distance. Surrounding her are colourful buildings and shops. Underneath the woman is a group of people standing together. One person has a dog, another has a bike and one person is playing the guitar. Upfest
Inkie's latest design takes centre place in Bristol city centre
News imageUpfest This picture has a graffiti design next to a fire exit door which reads 'Keep clear'. The design has a cartoon Egyptian mummy fighting an octopus alien with a fish bowl on his head. The mummy is wearing an Egyptian Ank necklace around its neck. The cartoon-styled fight scene has robots and Egyptian pyramids in the background.Upfest
As many as 150 street artists will paint across the 17 days

Bristol artist Cheo spray-painted his classic cartoon graffiti at Stillhouse Lane in Bedminster.

This street will be full of spray-painters, including Sprite, Zabou and Snub23, until Monday.

Cheo's designs often include a cartoon bumblebee.

News imageUpfest This picture has three painters designing their pieces in a courtyard. They are designing on large boards. One painting has a man wearing a mask to breath with a purple/red sunset behind him. The painting in the middle has a blue pelican bird looking at the sun. The painting at the far end appears to be a beach and the ocean on a sunny day.Upfest
The Tobacco Factory is hosting interactive experiences for creative enthusiasts

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.

More on this story