SparkFest '26
News
SparkFest 2026: Students, staff and alumni return to light up Bath's creative scene
Wednesday, 1 April, 2026Bath Spa University is once again proud to present SparkFest, a four-week celebration of the artistic creative work of students, alumni, staff and collaborators at BSU’s School of Music and Performing Arts.
Dedicated to providing a platform for emerging artists, SparkFest is an event filled with theatre, dance and musical performances that promises to surprise and delight in equal measure.
SparkFest grew out of the need to produce a range of showcase events for original student work across the School of Music and Performing Arts at Bath Spa University and has provided a vital platform for hundreds of students over the past decade.
Its roots come from a traditional Fringe model, with the first festival being part of Bath Fringe in 2015. Each year saw the festival grow in size through the explosion of creative work that came from the School and growing audience engagement, until in 2018, when the festival was partnered by Bath Festivals and SparkFest was launched.
Reflecting on the importance of SparkFest, Sam De La Torre, Assistant Producer of Bath Spa Productions at the School for Music and Performing Arts, commented:
“Being part of SparkFest is incredibly rewarding. I have the privilege of seeing projects develop from initial ideas in the application stage into fully realised productions, and it’s always inspiring to witness and engage with that progression. Supporting artists through that journey, and seeing their work connect with audiences across the city, is something I value deeply.”
As Sam mentioned, the festival itself provides a vital platform for emerging artists to develop their craft in front of a live audience, with the artists involved developing their performances from the ground up.
SparkFest 2026 promises to be exciting as ever, with an eclectic range of performances and live events. SparkFest is produced by the School's own in-house production company, Bath Spa Productions. The innovative, original and visionary work made by new creatives endeavours to give the audience inspiration, reflection and purpose... or just a big belly laugh!
SparkFest is also held in venues across the city, such as the Rondo Theatre, Holburne Museum & Gardens, Burdall’s Yard, Widcombe Social Club, The Jesters Comedy Club, The Grapes and of course at our very own beautiful landscape and performance spaces at Newton Park campus and Oldfield Park Theatre Workshop.
Two members of the BA Acting alumni community, Charlie and Kirra, are returning with their own theatre company to stage their new show Out Out. The pair reflected on the value of SparkFest and how they have developed thanks to its supportive culture:
"As alumni, SparkFest continues to give us a platform to experiment with our creative process. The encouragement and belief in our work back in 2018 is just as present today, with the same level of attention, support and care and we are thrilled to be back once again!"
SparkFest is showcasing over 100 events this year, with this year’s showcase compiling live and digital events. Through supporting local creatives and venues, SparkFest promises to be a date that cannot be missed in the Bath creative calendar.
Tickets are released in stages, with prices increasing over time. Booking early offers the best value and helps secure your place. Tickets are not guaranteed to be available on-the-door. If events are sold out, you can join the waiting list to be notified of any cancellations.
For more information, check out SparkFest (www.sparkfest.co.uk) and on social media.