It’s been a bumpy ride for UPFEST since the pandemic. Rising costs have forced the cancellation of events, the introduction of new locations and formats, and a switch to a biannual model. Europe’s largest live street art festival has had to evolve to survive. But it’s still helping to prove that Bristol is the UK’s street art capital.
UPFEST, one of the key dates in Bristol’s calendar, will return after a year off from Friday, May 15 to Sunday, May 31, 2026. A 17-day programme will deliver everything from colourful mural painting to creative workshops, live events and community-led projects across Bedminster, Southville and even new locations in the city.
Melo, aka Bristol-based muralist Esme Lowe, will lead this year’s festival as the headlining Festival Artist. Known for her bold characters, playful colour palettes and strong connection to place, you may recognise her work from the recent large-scale live painting at Bristol Amphitheatre during the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Who else is involved in UPFEST?
No other artists have been announced yet, but all are invited to register their interest to paint as part of UPFEST 2026. Walls will be available across a range of scales and locations throughout BS3, offering opportunities for both emerging and established artists—with artist registration closing on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
What else can we expect from the 2026 festival?
Bedminster will once again become a live canvas, with up to 100 brand new murals painted throughout the neighbourhood. Across three weekends, the Tobacco Factory will act as the creative heart of the festival, with a full venue takeover hosting free workshops, live painting, DJs, graffiti battles and artist-led activations.
But the street art festival won’t stop south of the river. Activities with Bristol BID and Cabot Circus will bring large-scale murals and live street art into the city centre. While a new youth-led project in Hartcliffe, delivered in partnership with Youth Moves, will extend the festival’s community impact there.
With funding from Arts Council England, UPFEST 2026 will also deliver an expanded programme. Not only supporting artist development, but also an extensive visitor workshop schedule—with free workshop bookings available from May 1. In addition, UPFEST has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help ensure the event remains free and accessible for everyone. (You can learn more about that here.)
“After taking our regular fallow year in 2025, it feels incredibly special to be bringing the festival back in 2026,” said Steve Hayles, Co-Founder of UPFEST. “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. It has always been about creating opportunities for artists, celebrating creativity in public space and keeping street art open and accessible to all.”
Further UKFEST 2026 programme details and locations will be announced in the coming months, but to register your artist interest now, head here.
