Whether you’re looking for something fun, educational or just plain silly, there’s plenty to look forward to at Sparks Bristol.
Sparks Bristol in Broadmead is a department store with a difference, co-created by Global Goals Centre and Artspace Lifespace. From fashion and food to nature and energy, each department is designed to support people in Bristol to take easy (and often money-saving!) actions on climate, equality and wellbeing. On the ground floor explore a huge range of shops, installations, events and more. And upstairs is a hub for local artists, offering affordable studios, rehearsal and performance space.
Animate Sparks with free Aardman workshops and films
Join us 18th-20th August for an exciting weekend of free Aardman workshops and film screenings – fun for all the family! Create your own character at Jim Parkyn’s ‘Amazing Scene Machine’ free workshop or help to make a flock of over one hundred Shaun The Sheep and a giant pack of Gromits. Across the weekend we’ll also be screening all your favourite Aardman films in our free pop-up cinema.
Get creative with our Crafty Thursdays workshops
Join us on Thursdays in August for fabulous free eco-craft workshops, suitable for all ages. No need to book, just drop-in between 1-4pm for a range of creative workshops including lino printing, seed bomb making and crafting scrunchies out of fabric off-cuts. Brought to you by education charity, Global Goals Centre, in partnership with local artists.
Learn all about electrical waste at a free family workshop
Join Sustainable Hive in the Re-Fuse hub for free family e-waste workshops throughout the summer holidays. Children, accompanied by a parent or guardian, can explore the global issues surrounding electrical waste, whilst learning practical skills to help combat this problem. Doors will be open 11am-3pm every Wednesday in August and all families are welcome – no need to book!
Find five unicorn foals (and their rainbow poops!) in Sparks
You might have already seen some unicorns dotted around Bristol as part of this summer’s Unicornfest – but did you know that there are FIVE magical unicorn foals hidden around Sparks? And they’ve been up to no good, leaving rainbow poos everywhere (because unicorns poop rainbows… obviously!) Think you can find all five foals and figure out which unicorn is responsible for which magical unicorn poo? Pop in store to take on the challenge!
Take a selfie driving our real-life bus
Come by the Sparks Travel Agency to get a picture driving a real-life bus for free! First Bus have transformed an old single decker bus into an incredible installation – climb aboard and get a selfie in the driver’s seat, flash the lights, and even change the destination on the front!
Create, mend, explore… and more!
This summer No Small Thing brings you a huge range of activities in the Department of Reuse & Resources. Find out all about plastic revolutions happening on your doorstep at the Precious Plastics Universe exhibition, learn new creative techniques at workshops led by local artists, makers and creative technologists, mend broken items at weekly repair sessions or shop for art materials in the brand new art shop, opening soon! Stay tuned for more details.