River of Light Liverpool - Waterfront light trail in Liverpool

Come Together for River of Light 2026

River of Light - the iconic light art festival - will return to the streets of Liverpool this autumn under the theme of ‘Together’.

Between 23 October - 1 November, tens of thousands of visitors will once again explore the city and experience the giant outdoor art gallery, which has become a staple of Liverpool’s annual events calendar since 2018.

This year’s trail is set to be bigger and better than ever as River of Light partners with Liverpool ABID to expand into new locations. Artworks will move beyond the waterfront and spread across the city centre, with new sites including Williamson Square and St Pauls Square.

All artworks commissioned for 2026 will use light to bring people together in a joyful way, and details of the first three artworks have now been unveiled - all of which are European or UK premieres. The wider programme of artworks will be announced in the coming weeks.

River of Light 2026 Artworks

A large light installation in the shape of a cloud with sheep on it.

Dream Herd

Dream Herd is a playful and interactive installation, offering a tongue-in-cheek interpretation of…

Large boxes that light up with characters popping out of the top of them.

POP!

POP! is an interactive installation made up of five monoliths hiding playful inflatable puppets…

Two people sitting in a round light artwork looking at the roof of it. They are holding onto a bar in the middle of the artwork.

Loop

LOOP is an interactive installation composed of six giant zoetropes that bring short flipbook-style…

Previous River of Light Artworks

A large DNA inspired light installation that is lit up in blue and res.

Blueprint by Studio Vertigo

Blueprint is a large-scale immersive artwork inspired by the form of a double helix, the physical…

A light installation that is a wave of boxes of light that people can walk across.

Cycle by Serge Maheu

Cycle is an urban star, shining bright. Created by Serge Maheu, Cycle is an interactive installation…

A large light installation that looks like a Dandelion lit up in red colours.

Dandelion by Amigo & Amigo

Every five minutes, Dandelion transforms into a dynamic spectacle, combining programmed LED light…

Light installations in the shape of people that are stood in a circle looking like they are holding hands.

Embrace by Beamhacker

Experience the science of connection with Beamhacker’s interactive light and sound installation…

A red carpet style artwork that has 'Face Value' writting in big letters with an illustration of an eye under it.

FACE VALUE by Emma Brass and Venya Krutikov

"Face Value" is an immersive experience where audience members unexpectedly become part of a fantasy…

A light installation that takes inspiration from a neuron lit up in orange lights.

Neuron by Juan Fuentes Studio

Neuron draws inspiration from the fascinating world of neurons and brain connectivity. The light…

Light installations in circles that spin around with lights in the middle of it.

Optik by The Urban Conga

An interactive installation by The Urban Conga, Optik reflects on our ability to play with our…

An art installation made of diffrent squares in a line lit up blue.

SPICA by Juan Fuentes Studio

A star of lights that shines with the energy of the universe. This luminous installation, with…

A large light installation that looks like a large pendulum outside of the Royal Liver Building.

Pendulum by Amigo & Amigo

Pendulum is a giant interactive artwork that blends science, art, and play into an immersive…

An artwork of a hand that looks like it is floating on water with lights around it.

Within Water by Yellow Studio

Within Water is a site-specific installation inspired by the natural phenomenon of bioluminescence…

Piano Walk installation outside of the Three Graces with people talking on the piano.

Piano Walk - Amigo & Amigo

An interactive artwork by Australian artist, Amigo & Amigo.

Several bubbles lit up in the river with people looking at them. It's a dark sky and the bubbles are illuminating the area.

Bubblesque - Atelier Sisu

This bespoke interactive iteration draws in the audience’s innate sense of curiosity and play, and…

No Place Like Gnome installation with a crowd of people around the base of the artwork.

No place like Gnome - Amigo & Amigo

Roaming Gnomes invites participants on a whimsical journey, where each gnome transforms into a…

Rangoli Mirrored Cosmos installation with the artist standing in the middle of the installation looking towards the camera.

Rangoli Mirrored Cosmos - MURUGIAH

A 1.8 metre tall fibreglass sculpture with a reflective internal face. Rangoli Mirrored Cosmos is…

LAPS installation lit up with kids playing on the installation. It's a dark night and the installation is lit up purple.

LAPS - Olivier Landreville

LAPS is a modern take on the traditional hourglass that gives us the opportunity to literally take…

A light installation that says 'Positive Spin' with several different colours in red, yellow, blue and green.

Positive Spin - Liz Harry

Inspired by a love of summers spent at beach front arcades it's part immersive experience and part…

Colourful chess pieces all lit up with people walking around the base of the installation.

Checkmate - Amigo & Amigo

Chess, a timeless symbol of strategic play, transcends cultures and languages, fostering connections…

Purple and green lights illuminating the area with people on bikes as part of the installation.

Lightbattle III - VENIVIDIMULTIPLEX

Lightbattle III is an exciting and immersive experience that celebrates the joy of cycling. The…

An image of Illusion Hole situated in the Royal Albert Dock at night with the lights shining brightly.

Illusion Hole - UxU Studio

This series, which utilizes meteor lights, was born from the studio's curiosity about how visitors…

A seesaw lit up with The Royal Liver Building behind it, there's two people sitting on the seesaw swinging from side to side.

Impulse - Lateral Design

Transforming public space into a big, luminous and interactive playground

Small fireflies on the grass with the Liver Building in the background.

Firefly Field - Studio Toer

What is the collective noun for a group of fireflies? A swarm seems too beastly. A lantern? A…

Bunch of Tulips lit up with the Hilton Hotel behind it.

Bunch of Tulips - Koros Design

This installation by Koros Design inflates this iconic flower to epic proportions, putting it into…