It's time to Play as River of Light returns for 2024

The iconic River of Light is back with a playful twist this year.

River of Light is set to dazzle locals and visitors alike, and the team behind it is offering an exciting sneak peek at what this year’s trail has in store.

This year the free event will see 12 large scale installations presented by some of the best light artists in the world, all inspired by the theme of ‘Play’.

Some of the works will help turn the waterfront into a playground, while others offer a deeper question around play and what it can mean for individuals, communities and the city as a whole.

Taking place from Friday 25 October to Tuesday 5 November, three of the artworks featuring in the 3km waterfront trail are:

Piano Walk – a captivating 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 – a production of Quartier des Spectacles Partnership and distributed by QDSinternational
LAPS – Coined as an “hourglass from another time” Laps is the brainchild 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 a steering wheel.

River of Light 2023. Credit: River of Light / Yellow Studio

Full details of River of Light 2024 will be announced in September, including details of extended quiet hour times to make the event even more accessible to visitors with additional needs.

This year’s instalment follows on from 2023’s huge success which welcomed around 140,000 people across its 10-night run, and brought in more than £6.5 million to the local economy. A survey carried out last year found out of those surveyed, 100 per cent of visitors would return to Liverpool based on their River of Light experience. The questionnaire also found that for 41 per cent of visitors, it was their first time attending and participating in a cultural event.

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

To get the latest information visit www.visitliverpool.com/riveroflight or follow @visitliverpool (Twitter, 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. Avanti is the official travel partner for the event.

Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:

“We all love something to look forward to, so we’re making our River of Light announcement earlier than usual to allow people to get the dates in the diary and plan their trips to Liverpool.

“The event has grown in popularity year-on-year, with each event shaping the type of installations we look to include in the next chapter. This year, we have gone all-out on the theme of ‘Play’ with many large-scale, interactive pieces which we’re sure will be crowd pleasers.

“The calibre of artists we are working with this year elevates it to a whole new level – local, national and international creators who will be showcasing their work for free for 12 days, using our incredible city as an unrivalled backdrop. We can’t wait!”

Artists Amigo & Amigo said:

“We are very excited to present Piano Walk for its international debut at Liverpool’s River Of Light.

“We have been working closely with Culture Liverpool for the past 12 months to make this artwork a reality. The original musical composition is created by local Liverpool musician John McHugh in collaboration with our music partners, Otis Studio. Each musical key has its own interactive sound, inviting the community to play and create their own piano piece. We want the public to explore this giant instrument, reinforcing the inclusivity of music and how it celebrates and connects us.

“When creating the Piano Walk, we were inspired by the intricate details inside a piano, the craftsmanship, the materials, and the colours, and aimed to reflect these elements elegantly in the installation. We can’t wait for the Liverpool community to play and be part of this musical exploration!”