Ready, Set, ‘Play’! – The countdown to River of Light is on

Liverpool is preparing to turn into an epic night-time playground as River of Light returns to the city’s streets. 

Giant gnomes, a celebration of Diwali and an interactive light battle are just some of the twelve light installations that feature along the 3km waterfront trail.

The festival will run from Friday 25 October to Tuesday 5 November and full details of all the installations, which are inspired by the theme of ‘Play,’ have now been revealed. Trail-goers can expect to enjoy:

• Rangoli Mirrored Cosmos – Mann Island Atrium: Created by British-Sri Lankan artist MURUGIAH, this 3D sculpture stands at nearly two-metres high and is a celebration of Diwali’s Festival of Light featuring bright patterns, traditionally painted in the entrance of homes to welcome the Hindu goddess, Lakshmi. It signifies luck, positivity and happiness.

• Illusion Hole – Royal Albert Dock: Inspired by the dynamic movement of light, UxU Studio from Taiwan, has created the illusion of water flowing into a mysterious black hole. The thought-provoking installation challenges our understanding of reality, exploring the boundaries between truth and illusion. 

• Positive Spin – Royal Albert Dock: A 5.5m high machine from the collective minds of illustrator Liz Harry and artistic experience creators Invisible Wind Factory – visitors are invited to step up and receive a random fortune. Inspired by a love of summers spent at beach front arcades it’s part immersive experience and part spectacle.

• Lightbattle III – Royal Albert Dock: This exciting, immersive piece celebrates the joy of cycling as participants can hop-on and pedal as fast as they can in a race to intensify the colours around them. It is the brainchild of Dutch creatives VENIVIDMULTIPLEX.

• Firefly Field – Liverpool Parish Church: This mesmerising installation simulates the movements of fireflies. Created by Netherlands-based Studio Toer, this unpredictable piece has a soundtrack inspired by the natural habitat.

• Bunch of Tulips – Liverpool ONE: Hungarian artists, Koros Design Studio literally inflates this iconic flower into epic proportions with an oversized bouquet of tulips. 

• Bubblesque – Mann Island Basin: Australian artists Atelier Sisu return to River of Light with giant bubbles floating on water and overflowing onto the land. When the land bubbles are touched, they dance with colour accompanied by a joyful and ambient soundscape.  

• No Place Like Gnome – Derby Square: No Place Like Gnome invites visitors on a whimsical journey, where each gnome transforms into a charming companion for a photographic exploration of iconic landmarks and hidden treasures. Artists Amigo & Amigo are embracing the essence of global travel with this piece.  
• Checkmate – Exchange Flags: Based on the popular board game chess, this 16m-by-16m square chessboard by Amigo & Amigo has been designed to make visitors feel as though they have shrunk amongst the enormous inflatable chess pieces. 

These pieces join Piano Walk at Pier Head South, Impulse at Pier Head North and LAPS at The Strand, which were all announced last month.

To mark Diwali, the Festival of Light, on Friday, 1 November, Culture Liverpool is working with Liverpool-based Indian arts and culture organisation, Milap to programme activity which will take place near to the Rangoli Mirrored Cosmos installation.

Each night the artworks will be switched on from 5pm to 9pm, with a number of special quiet hour sessions to ensure the event is even more accessible to visitors with additional needs. During the quiet hour sessions, all artworks will run with either no soundscape or at a very low volume and, where possible, lighting will be altered making it a gentler, more accessible environment for people with sensory differences. More information regarding the quiet hour sessions will be announced next month. 

As in previous years the official River of Light website will have dedicated accessibility pages which detail each installation, providing descriptive information for those who are visually or hearing impaired. There will also be key pointers relating to access, seating availability as well as the locations of Changing Place toilet facilities and accommodation that provides accessible options.

The theme of this year’s outdoor trail forms part of Liverpool’s journey to become a recognised UNICEF UK Child Friendly City, where children can uphold their right to play, recreation, rest and leisure – as set out in the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child. #ChildFriendlyLpool

There will be a series of in-person engagement programmes, which will see some of this year’s artists visit local schools, colleges and community groups to facilitate special workshops, bringing the inner light artist out in the next generation. More details will be announced soon.

To get the latest information visit www.visitliverpool.com/riveroflight or follow @visitliverpool (X, Facebook and TikTok) or @visitliverpool_ (Instagram).

River of Light will be part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority as the lead authority. Royal Albert Dock Liverpool is an official festival partner and Avanti West Coast is the official travel partner for the event.

Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said: “This is going to be a stand-out year for River of Light – the variety and creativity of the artworks seems to have been elevated, and there is a real interactive feel to many of the installations which will make them a huge hit.

“It’s an event that works on so many different levels – it’s incredible to look at and post on social media, it gets people out and about getting those steps in and it’s thought-provoking. It really is an event for everyone and we do as much as we can to make sure it’s as accessible as possible.

“We piloted the quiet hours last year, and the feedback was incredibly positive so we’re extending them for the entire run this year.

“Revealing the full list of installations will generate a real buzz and we can’t wait to welcome back tens of thousands of visitors this autumn.” 

Liz Harry, Liverpool artist behind ‘Positive Spin’, said: “River of Light has always been a highlight of the year for me and my family to visit every autumn and I’m so thrilled that this year I’ll be surprising them with an artwork of my own. 

“It’s been a dream working on this with Invisible Wind Factory and we’re the perfect mash up. I couldn’t be prouder of our artwork of colour, play and lights!” 

MURUGIAH, the artist behind ‘Rangoli Mirrored Cosmos’, said: “I am thrilled that Rangoli Mirrored Cosmos will be on display at River of Light in Liverpool and can’t wait for the North to enjoy, experience and celebrate togetherness with this installation” 

Sean Morrison, Estate Manager for Royal Albert Dock, said: “We’re delighted to be an official partner of this incredible event, and play home to three installations at the dock for the first time ever. River of Light has become a calendar staple for locals and visitors looking for a spectacular free, family-friendly activity, and it’s great to be at the heart of this cultural event highlight.

“The dock offers visitors a vast selection of bars and restaurants to enjoy refreshments beforehand and after, whilst also providing an iconic setting to let the magic of River of Light truly shine.”