In Pictures: 10 days of the Bristol ADVENTures light trail

In Pictures: 10 days of the Bristol ADVENTures light trail

Posted on: 11 Dec 2020

Add some extra sparkle to this year's festive season with a series of eye-catching installations.

 

We're now eleven whole days into December, and the big day is fast approaching. Despite the huge difficulty we've all faced in 2020, we're finally within touching distance of a much-needed break.

 

With the festive season now in full swing, the Bristol City Centre BID team have been adding some extra sparkle to some of Bristol's most iconic landmarks and public spaces, unveiling a new light installation every night as part of their Bristol ADVENTures series.

 

The organisers will be unveiling a new display daily until Christmas Eve, eventually completing a trail of 24 buildings illuminated with iconic Christmas lyrics. 

 

Read on for a rundown of the dazzling projections unveiled so far, and be sure to keep your eyes peeled next time you're out and about in central Bristol.

 

 

Day 1 - St George's Concert Hall

 

The Bristol ADVENTures trail kicked off on the first of the month with a huge projection on the walls of the iconic St George's Concert Hall in BS8. 

 

Lyrics from Bobby Helms' classic 'Jingle Bell Rock' had the honour of being the first to feature in the new light series.

Bristol ADVENTures Day 1.

Day 2 - Messages projected across Cabot Circus

 

Thousands of shoppers explore Cabot Circus every year, so it was only right that the shopping centre was among the first buildings to be illuminated as part of the Bristol ADVENTures trail.

 

No less than four festive projections were switched on across the Cabot Circus complex on the second day of the series, featuring lyrics from four of the biggest Christmas tracks of all time.

 

 

Day 3 - Woodland Road

 

Day three saw our personal favourite of the series so far lit up over Woodland Road, a road sign-style display featuring the iconic lyrics of Chris Rea's timeless hit 'Driving Home For Christmas'.

 

At 365Bristol HQ we're a little jealous that Woodland Road isn't any of our routes home this Christmas, but one or two of us will certainly be making a detour to catch a glimpse of this one before hitting the motorway.

Bristol ADVENTures Day 3.

Day 4 - Seaman's Church

 

The fourth Bristol ADVENTures installation featured the title lyric from a classic Christmas carol, 'Once in Royal David's City', projected onto the wall of Seaman's Church in the city centre.

 

Find the church next door to Friska, on the corner of Prince Street and Royal Oak Avenue - a short walk from the Arnolfini.

Bristol ADVENTures Day 4.

Day 5 - King Street 

 

Day five saw an iconic line from one of the all-time great Christmas songs, The Pogues' 'Fairytale of New York', projected, appropriately, onto the exterior of The King William Ale House on King Street.

 

With Bristol currently under Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions, the display served as a welcome reminder of Bristol's brilliant city centre pubs, ones which we should all be supporting as soon as it's safe to return.

Bristol ADVENTures Day 5.

Day 6 - Millennium Square

 

Day six took Bristol ADVENTures to Millennium Square, projecting the singalong lyrics from 'Little Drummer Boy' onto the entrance of this year's city centre Christmas Market.

 

One of few festive setups able to go ahead this Christmas is now that little bit more Christmassy, and all the better for it.

Bristol ADVENTures Day 6.

Day 7 - Arnolfini

 

The Arnolfini was the location for one of the biggest ADVENTures displays so far, with the iconic 'Let It Snow' displayed across the landmark building on the tip of the Harbourside on the seventh day of the trail.

Bristol ADVENTures Day 7.

Day 8 - Nelson Street

 

On day eight Bristol ADVENTures returned to Broadmead, adding some much-need sparkle to the side of the Odeon Cinema building on Nelson Street.

 

We thoroughly recommend you take a minute to go and see this one on your next late-night shopping trip, located on the tip of the city centre retail district.

Bristol ADVENTures Day 8.

Day 9 - All Saints Church

 

Bristol's historic Old City was the destination for day nine, as All Saints Church got the Bristol ADVENTures treatment with a huge projection of classic Christmas tune 'Ding Dong Merrily on High'.

 

Head to Clare Street for the best view of this one, and be sure to check out a great range of independent shops and stalls in St Nick's market while you're in the area.

Bristol ADVENTures Day 9.

Day 10 - Upper Maudlin Street

 

The tenth installation of the trail featured the iconic lyrics of The Rochelles' hit 'Sleigh Ride', projected above Bristol artist Incwel's Queen Elizabeth graffiti on Upper Maudlin Street.

 

What was already one of Bristol's best-known artistic landmarks has been given a new festive lease of life by the Bristol City Centre BID team, and you can find it just a short walk up the road from the BRI.

Bristol ADVENTures Day 10.

Each of the installations featured as part of the Bristol ADVENTures trail will remain on display throughout the buildup to Christmas, with a new one set to be unveiled every night.

 

For more information on the trail, or to follow daily updates, find the Bristol City Centre BID on Twitter.


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Article by:

Matt Robson

 

Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
 

Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.