Banksy’s Dismaland opened at the Tropicana in Weston-super-Mare in 2015.
The temporary project opened on 21 August 2015 in the former Tropicana leisure complex. Banksy described it as a “bemusement park,” using the format of a family attraction to present darker ideas about consumerism, politics, migration and modern society.
Dismaland was not a normal amusement park. Its installations included distorted fairground imagery, unsettling sculptures and works by many invited artists. The project’s atmosphere deliberately contrasted with the bright optimism usually associated with theme parks.
The attraction closed on 27 September 2015, after just over a month. Its short run and limited location made it an event rather than a permanent Banksy venue. The name is also distinct from Banksy’s Walled Off Hotel, which opened in Bethlehem in 2017.