May, 2026
Sat09may11:00 AM6:00 PMSparks 3rd AnniversaryDEPARTMENTCommunityTYPEEvent
DETAILS
Sparks turns 3 in May! When we took on the old M&S building in 2023 we originally had a year long lease, there was no knowing if we’d still be here in 2026. To thank everyone who has supported us along the way we’re holding a ‘3 is the Magic Number’ themed birthday party on the 9th May.
Plans include walkabout performers, a Fairtrade Afternoon Tea, a Circus Jumble Sale and a ‘Making Art That Matters’ afternoon workshop with local artist Luke Jerram.
| Time | Event Name | Description | Details |
| 11 – 6pm | Dandelion clock art installation | An interactive installation for public to add their wishes for a better future. | In the ground floor Department Of Nature |
| 11 – 6pm | Community Networks Exhibition | A mixed medium Mushroom Exhibition which explores Community Networks. | In the ground floor Department Of Nature |
| 11 – 6pm | Sparks Impacts Mural | Live painting as we update our mural with the environmental outcomes of our third year. | First Floor Department Of Imagination |
| 11 – 6pm | 20 years of Artspace Lifespace Exhibition | Photos and ephemera from the last 20 years and 15 vacant buildings activated by Artspace Lifespace. | First Floor Department Of Imagination |
| 11 – 6pm | Circus Skills with The Sparklers | Join the friendly Sparklers to learn some circus skills. | Broadmead, outside Sparks |
| 11.30am, 1pm and 3.30pm | Magic Stilt Performers | Reach up and shake hands with walkabout performers | Broadmead, outside Sparks |
| 11 – 5pm | Sparks Artist Open Studios | Take a look behind the scenes at Sparks Bristol to where the creative magic happens! | Second floor artist studios |
| 11 – 4pm | Fabric Sale and Stitch Social | The Slow Fashion Studio host a their monthly fabric sale and community stitch get together. | In the ground floor Slow Fashion Studio. Stitch Social is pay what you can with a minimum amount, book in advance. |
| 11 – 4pm | One Green Kitchen Pop Up | A pop up cafe selling delicious Asian and Bangladeshi cuisine. | Ground floor cafe |
| 11 – 5pm | Energy Advice with CSE | Ground floor Department Of Energy | |
| 12 – 12.45 | Making Art That Matters Workshop | Join artist Luke Jerram to learn about his approach to making meaningful public art. | Ground floor exhibition area |
| 12.30 – 1.30pm | Walkabout Magician | Prepare to be amazed by close up magic from magician Adam Allsortz | Broadmead, outside Sparks |
| 12.45 – 6pm | Blazing Art environmental justice exhibition | Being opened by artist Luke Jerram | Ground floor exhibition area. |
| 12.45 – 1.45pm | The Arts of Enchantment – Language, Despair & the Fireside Tradition | A talk by circus member Pete the Temp | First Floor People’s Theatre |
| 1.30 – 3pm | Fairtrade Afternoon Tea | Enjoy a delicious afternoon tea to celebrate World Fairtrade Day and hear a selection of talks about our food journey – from source to the Soil. | Pay what you can. Book through Headfirst Bristol. |
| 2pm | The Invisible Circus 30 years of creative revolution. |
A talk by Invisible Circus founders Doug Francisco and Wim Penhaul | First Floor People’s Theatre |
| 2 – 2.45 | Making Felt Flower Brooches | Join Shika Otalu for a craft workshop to make a felt flower brooch. | First Floor Department Of Imagination |
| 3 – 3.30 | Composting Food Waste Workshop | A workshop by Generation Soil for people interested in starting their own home composting project. | Sparks Bristol ground floor |
| 3 – 4 | Jewellery Repair Workshop | Join Tasha for some free jewellery repair and care advice. | Sorrel Garden shop on the ground Floor |
| 12 – 4 | Dr Bike | Bring your bike for free maintenance advice and light repairs. | Ground floor Department Of Travel |
| 12 – 4 | Travel Advice | Bristol City council provide advice about better ways to travel around the city. Find out about bike loan schemes, best bus routes and teavel tokens. | Ground floor Department Of Travel |
| 12 – 5 | Repair Cafe | Our Repairium will be open to help you fix broken items. | Ground floor Repairium |
| 11 – 6 | Circus Jumble Sale | Get ready to jumble! Shop circus cosumes and equipment along with other bric a brac. | First floor People’s Theatre |
| 1 – 5 | Activities and talks with The Invisible Circus | Head upstairs for family friendly circus skills and talks about the power of circus to unite communities. | First floor People’s Theatre |
| 4 – 4.45 | Where Do Clowns Go | Film Screening of a new feature documentary film by Pip Furlong. | First floor People’s Theatre |