Bristol city centre Christmas lights are better than ever - despite the humbug

Bristol city centre's Christmas lights, funded and organised by the Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) are the most extensive ever, thanks to the addition of King Street, home to the world-famous Bristol Old Vic theatre.

Switched on for the first time last night (Wednesday 13 November) under the watchful eyes of Scrooge and The Ghost of Christmas Present, more than 25,000 glittering bulbs are making the streets of the old city sparkle including Park Street, Queens Road, Corn Street, King Street and Welsh Back.

Celebrating King Street's starring role in the city's celebrations, cast members of Bristol Old Vic's A Christmas Carol posed for photographs under the street's new Christmas lights, part of

1,700 metres of festoon lights outside the theatre and across the old city.

Bristol's iconic Park Street is illuminated with 600 metres of lights featuring 1,800 ultra-bright LEDs, leading to a further 300 metres of light strings on Queens Road. Corn Street now twinkles under 250 metres of light strings bearing 750 LEDs and King Street is shimmering under the glow of 10,000 LED lights crisscrossed along the historic street. Finally, the pair of tall, mature trees that are a dominant and much-loved feature of Welsh Back are glittering under 8,000 ultra-bright LEDs.

The UK manufactured light displays feature the latest in low energy technology, minimising the impact on the environment and keeping energy costs, funded by the Bristol City Centre BID and its levy payers, as low as possible.

Keith Rundle, operations director at Bristol City Centre BID says:

"It's such a joy to be able to add a little sparkle to Bristol city centre's historic streets at this time of the year. Improving the welcome and feel of the area is a major part of the City Centre BID's work, and we're really pleased to be able to extend the Christmas lights to King Street. Even with Scrooge firmly in residence at Bristol Old Vic this year, I'm certain this sparkling new light display will help spread some festive cheer."

Charlotte Geeves, Bristol Old Vic's new Executive Director added:

"It's beautiful to see King Street lit up for Christmas this year. It's a sign of the regeneration of the street and adds an extra warm welcome to the theatre for anyone who passes by - I think even our Scrooge might get in the Christmas spirit!"

Bristol City Centre BID has also contributed to Visit Bristol's ‘#MerryBristmas' creative campaign, involving eight local street artists each creating a themed scene of the city. The designs, which feature many of the buildings and things to do in Bristol City Centre, are displayed on the front of Colston Hall and are being used throughout the BID's Christmas campaigns. The final designs were revealed to national, regional and local media at an event at Bristol Old Vic on Wednesday evening where one of the artists, Silent Hobo, recreated his design live. The large canvas will now be donated by Visit Bristol to Caring in Bristol, the BID's ‘TAP for Bristol' homelessness charity partner, to auction.