Upfest may be taking a break from Bristol this year. But Weston Wallz is set to add a splash of colour to our seaside neighbours for a fifth year straight. Meaning Weston-super-Mare’s very own street art festival is starting to rival Bristol’s graffiti scene for spray-and-paint action.
Weston Wallz, which is actually set up by the Upfest team, will return for nine days this summer (July 19 to 27)—popping up across multiple Weston venues with free-to-attend workshops, live painting, arts activities, and street art tours. Expect a range of top-quality new artworks for all street art lovers to enjoy.
“Street art has always had the power to reflect the times we’re in,” said Stephen Hayles, founder of Upfest. “This year, we’re not just painting walls – we’re creating space for stories that often go unheard, and we’re inviting the whole community to be part of that conversation.”
What’s happening at this year’s Weston Wallz?
What started as a small mural trail has grown into a week-long programme of street art and creative workshops. Adding to an already existing 58 permanent murals in town created over the past four years, expect another 19 brand-new large-scale artworks to pop up across Weston—coming from a talented range of local, national and international artists, including Dale Grimshaw, Sophi Odling, Shauna, and HazardOne.
And once again, the Italian Gardens will host a weekend of free creative workshops for all ages (July 26 & 27)—including MTN spray-painting with Jamel, character illustration with POSCA pens led by Ejits, printmaking with Amy Hutchings, and hands-on zones run by Colourful Minds. Plus, families can also create blooms with Crafty Sew & So and join guided street art tours led by expert Lindsey D.
On top of all the free bookable activities—which you can do by heading here—you’ll be able to draw out your inner self at the drop-in Posca doodle hut and creative station. Bring your own bits to upcycle with paint pens or dip into the box of unusual canvases whilst admiring the live painting work of 25+ regional artists as part of the S M Art Sprayjam in the Italian Gardens.
Who will be creating new artworks?
This edition’s headliners are Dale Grimshaw, known for his haunting, politically driven portraits across Europe’s streets. Brazilian artist L7Matrix brings abstract realism, while Australia’s Sophi Odling explores youth, belonging, and cultural hybridity. The UK’s HazardOne, is a defining voice among female street artists, and Irish muralist Shauna draws on memory and place through emotionally resonant figurative work.
The line-up also includes: Brighton’s Snub23, whose robotic stencil work fuses future tech and retro grit; Carla James, spotlighting femininity and cultural heritage through bold symbolism; and Melo, a collective focused on social storytelling through community collaboration. Plus, Jodie Haslam and Luke Knight will each complete their first major public murals as part of the festival’s ScaleUP scheme.
Meanwhile, Kid Crayon will co-create a mural with young people engaged through the Youth Justice and Prevention Service—bringing their perspectives to life in a work that speaks directly from the streets. Meanwhile, Aumairah will collaborate with Refugees Welcome North Somerset on a mural exploring themes of shared futures, migration and home.
To learn more about Weston Wallz head here.