Parts of Bristol are set to get a colourful makeover as an internationally renowned street art festival returns to the city.
Widely described as Europe’s largest street art festival, Upfest will return in May for more than two weeks of creative workshops, live events, community projects and mural paintings.
Multimedia artist Esme Lower aka Melo is the Festival Artist for Upfest’s latest edition, which is free and open to everyone.
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Esme Lower aka Melo is popular for her bold and colourful artwork, including a large-scale live painting at Bristol Amphitheatre for the Women’s Rugby World Cup – photo: Melo Murals
Artists from the city are now being invited to register their interest in painting at the festival, which will see a number of walls across BS3 become canvases for their creativity.
Bedminster will once again become a playground for participating artists, with the festival promising up to 100 new murals in 2026. Additionally, the Tobacco Factory building will serve as a hub for the festival, hosting free workshops, live painting, DJs, graffiti battles and artist-led activations.
To keep the event free and accessible to everyone, Upfest has launched a crowdfunding campaign, through which donors can win rewards like a festival T-shirt painted by Melo, packs of Posca paint pens and tickets to some of Bristol’s summer festivals.
Several murals across the BS3 area can be credited to Upfest’s previous editions – Artwork by Goin for Upfest
Co-Founder of Upfest, Steve Hayles said: “After taking our regular fallow year in 2025, it feels incredibly special to be bringing the festival back in 2026.
“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.
“We’re equally proud to continue our long-standing charity partnership with the National Association for Children of Alcoholics, who’ll use the Upfest platform to fundraise and share the incredible work they do.
“Launching our crowdfunding campaign is a vital part of making that happen – and we can’t wait to see Bristol’s walls come alive again in May, please show your support if you can.”
The festival running between May 15 to 31 will also see a new youth-led project in Hartcliffe in partnership with Youth Moves, a Bristol-based youth charity.
Artists can register interest to paint in Upfest 2026 at www.upfest.co.uk until March. Donations for the crowdfunding campaign can be made here: www.fundsurfer.com/crowdfund/upfest-2026
Main photo: Artwork by Aspire for Upfest
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