River of Light 2024: map of route, dates and installations in full

River of Light's Checkmate
-Credit: (Image: Otis Studios)


The River of Light trail is set to return to the city next week. Every year thousands of visitors gather at various locations across Liverpool city centre and the waterfront to see what the annual showcase entails.

The free family 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. This year's theme is 'Play' which has inspired 12 new creations.

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 times and dates

River of Light returns to various locations across the city centre and waterfront from Friday, October 25 - Tuesday, November 5. The installations will be available from 5pm - 9pm every night.

River of Light installations

You can see a sneak peek of the 12 installations, from artist mock-ups and professional images, right here. Below are more details about the 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.

READ MORE: Look inside at all 12 River of Light installations

River of Light map

River of Light 2024 map
River of Light 2024 map

River of Light road closures and travel information

There will be road closures at Pier Head throughout River of Light's run. There will be no access to Pier Head via Brunswick St (exit only) and at the entrance to Royal Albert Dock (Salthouse Quay) from 6pm – 9pm.

Access for disabled parking, businesses, residents and workers is available via St Nicholas Place from 6pm – 9pm. Visitors can also save 10% on pre-booked parking with QPark by entering the code VISLIV10 to save 10%.

Blue Badge holders can park in designated Blue Badge bays, and any other pay and display bays, free of charge all day. There are designated Blue Badge bays near Liverpool Waterfront on Brunswick Street, Water Street and St Nicholas Place.

Is River of Light accessible for those with additional needs?

To accommodate guests with sensory needs, organisers have planned for quiet hour sessions to make the River of Light inclusive and accessible for all. These special sessions will run from 4-5pm on October 27 - 28 and November 3 - 4.

During these hours, the 12 featured installations will have reduced soundscapes or will operate entirely without sound. Where possible, lighting will also be softened, creating a calmer environment for those with sensory sensitivities. You can read more on River of Light's accessibility information here.