River of Light 2024 map and installations in full

River of Light returns to Liverpool city centre from Friday, October 25, to Tuesday, November 5. The free event sees international artists come together to showcase their work through a range of illuminated installations that take over Liverpool's Pier Head and Royal Albert Dock.

The theme for this year's River of Light is 'Play'. The best light artists in the world have used the theme as inspiration resulting in 12 installations for 2024.

To mark Diwali, the Festival of Light, on Friday, November 1, 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.

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River of Light map

River of Light installations

• Rangoli Mirrored Cosmos - Mann Island Atrium: Created by British-Sri Lankan artist MURUGIAH, this 3D sculpture stands at almost 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 beachfront 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.

• Piano Walk – A musical experience will see a huge floor piano located at the Pier Head. With 40 interactive keys and piano hammers, visitors are encouraged to jump on and compose a unique, collaborative music score. It has been designed by critically acclaimed Australian artists Amigo & Amigo, working with local composer John McHugh.

• Impulse – 15 interactive see-saws will transform the Pier Head through light and sound, providing a playground to delight all ages thanks to French-Canadian artists Lateral Office & CS Design. This is a production of Quartier des Spectacles Partnership and distributed by QDSinternational.

• LAPS – Coined as an “hourglass from another time” Laps is the idea of Quebec artist Oliver Landreville, who has created a giant egg timer which will take over part of The Strand near Salthouse Dock. Visitors will be encouraged to take control of time by turning the steering wheel.