Liverpool nights get darker this weekend when the clocks go back but the River of Light festival also arrives to illuminate the gloom. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool’s annual River of Light festival gets under way on Friday. October 24, and will illuminate the autumn gloom until Sunday, November 2.
Now well established, the free light festival will transform the water from into an outdoor art gallery. This year, 10 large-scale artworks are being showcased celebrating the theme The Science of Light.
Each of the installations is inspired by an area of science, technology or nature. They will be spread along a 3km trail, taking in the Royal Albert Dock, as well as around the Pier Head, Exchange Flags and Liverpool ONE. Highlights from the programme include:
- Face Value by scientist Emma Brass, artist Venya Krutikov and the Invisible Wind Factory, a new commission using AI and robotics to create an interactive light art game experience that foregrounds the capabilities of these technologies in a playful way.
- Dandelion by Australian artists Amigo and Amigo is inspired by the Dandelion flower and its wind-blown petals which some cultures revere for their medicinal qualities.
- Within Water by New York design firm Yellow Studios – another new commission which explores the incredible natural phenomenon of marine bioluminescence.
A full list of artworks, their locations, opening times and more information can be found on the River of Light website and latest information can be found at @visitliverpool (X, Facebook and TikTok) or @visitliverpool_ (Instagram).
Due to the success of ‘quiet hours’ at previous festivals there will be two sessions taking place this year on Sunday, October 26, and Wednesday, October 29, from 4pm to 5pm.
This will allow those with additional sensory needs to enjoy the artworks in a calmer environment.
A detailed plan is in place to manage the numbers of people expected at the event, but people are advised that it is expected to be extremely popular, particularly of a weekend, and to bear this in mind when planning their visit.
There will also be a market in the arrivals hall at the Cunard Building on Friday, October 24, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26, from 2.30pm until 8.30pm, with 35 stalls selling items such as Liverpool gifts, treats, arts and crafts.
In 2024, River of Light welcomed record-breaking visitor numbers and boosted local businesses such as bars, restaurants and shops, by an estimated £18.9m.
This year’s event has been organised by Liverpool City Council’s Culture Liverpool team, and supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Global Streets, the Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, the AI for Chemistry Hub (AIchemy), the Leverhulme Research Centre for Functional Materials Design at the University of Liverpool and Liverpool ONE.
During the festival there will be no access to the Pier Head. There will be no access via Brunswick St (exit only). Access for disabled parking, businesses, residents and workers is via St Nicholas Place from 6pm to 9pm.
There will be a road closure in place at the entrance to The Royal Albert Dock (Salthouse Quay) from 6pm to 9pm.
READ MORE: Chancellor opens door to £5bn Central Station project
READ MORE: Peel Group sells 47.1% stake in Liverpool Airport
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said: “River of Light is one of the stand-out moments every year in the city and is an event that has a real, positive impact on the local economy.
“It has become a real, staple festival in people’s diaries and its reputation for high-quality, free art that is accessible and enjoyable for all ages has really spread, and last year we found that it attracted more visitors than ever from outside the city region.”