This Easter, you are invited to visit Bristol Shopping Quarter’s Wonderful Water, an exciting community arts festival taking place in Sparks Bristol and John Wesley’s New Room from 9 to 12 and 16 to 19 April (Wednesdays to Saturdays).

Produced by Broadmead BID (Business Improvement District) in partnership with John Wesley’s New Room, and Sparks Bristol, Wonderful Water celebrates the power of water to sustain life, nourish nature, and inspire wellbeing and invites all ages to enjoy exhibitions and allow creativity to flourish with craft sessions, dance workshops, talks, and more. Including street performances by mermaids, water skiers, and a deep-sea diver! All activities will be FREE.

The event has been planned with sustainability, creativity, and the importance of water at its heart, with children, families, community groups, and local artists involved in making artwork for the exhibitions using recycled and sustainable materials.  

Tag us with the hashtag #BSQWonderfulWater!

Timetable of events

All activities are free and no pre-booking required (although recommended for the dance workshops), just drop in.
All dates – commissioned and community artwork exhibited in Sparks and JWNR.

Wednesday 9 April:
Bristol Water – Sparks (on Broadmead West if dry) – interactive games and experiments, and freebies to take away.

Thursday 10 April:
Craft Day – John Wesley’s New Room, 11am-3pm – Go along to this workshop to discover the wonders of water, unleash your creativity and discover how we can treasure this precious resource.

Friday 11 April:
Crafty Friday – Sparks, 11am-4pm

Saturday 12 April:
Splash dance workshops – Sparks, 2pm and 3:30pm. Pre-book your space if you can, drop-ins will be subject to availability.Street Performers – Broadmead West and The Horsefair – look out for mermaids and water skiers or a deep sea diver!

Wednesday 16 April:
Bristol Water – Sparks (on Broadmead West if dry) – interactive games and experiments, and freebies to take away.

Thursday 17 April:
Craft Day – John Wesley’s New Room, 11am-3pm – Go along to this workshop to discover the wonders of water, unleash your creativity and discover how we can treasure this precious resource.

Dr Verity Jones – Sparks, 3-4pm – DRY: Diary of a Water Superhero – storytelling and activities with a FREE book for ages 6-11.

Friday 18 April (Good Friday):
Crafty Friday – Sparks, 11am-4pm

John Wesley’s New Room – open morning only.

Saturday 19 April
Street Performers – Broadmead West and The Horsefair