BISHOPSTON Window Wanderland was where it all began!
Since artist Lucy Reeves-Khan organised the first community trail in the area to brighten the dark nights in 2015, the festival has spread across the country and beyond, involving nearly 400 festivals and more than 27,000 displays.
The theme for 2026 was Hope. Lucy said: “I found out that thinking and acting hopefully can help your brain to be more resilient when times are bleak. Window Wanderlands are already incredibly hopeful festivals, so this theme seemed a natural fit for us.”
Many people took part in workshops ahead of the event on February 27 and 28 and March 1 – and, as always, the window art was hugely varied, with a Stranger Things display proving a particular hit.
Our Chandos Window Wanderland was held at the end of February – after all the rain, Saturday was a beautiful dry evening for a wander round our area. Sunday’s weather was slightly less appealing!
We had windows inspired by the Window Wanderland organisation theme of Hope, using the lovely dove stencils provided. One window was a shadow theatre of an artist painting the dove, who then took flight. One road became the Street of Modernised Art with several reiterations of classic art work with a modern touch. Jack appeared, chopping down the Beanstalk leading to Trump castle. There were teddies, a safari, bakehouse and many strings of lights to brighten up the streets.
Fiona McVey, Chandos Neighbourhood Association