River of Light unveils plans to increase accessibility and inclusivity

With just over a week to go until River of Light returns, Liverpool City Council unveils plans to make the popular event even more accessible, inclusive and engaging.

Building on the success of last year, the FREE event will once again offer Quiet Hour sessions to accommodate visitors with additional sensory needs. These special sessions will run from 4-5pm on Sunday 27 and Monday 28 October, and the same times on Sunday 3 and Monday 4 November. 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.

This year’s light festival runs from Friday 25 October to Tuesday 5 November, taking place at the same time asDiwali – the Hindu festival of lights. To mark the cultural celebration, on Friday 1 November visitors can enjoy a programme curated by Indian arts organisation, MILAP, featuring performances by the popular Bombay Baja Brass Band and Piano with Bhav between 5-8pm– all taking place near the Rangoli Mirrored Cosmos installation by award-winning artist MURUGIAH.

The young people’s engagement programme, developed by the City Council’s Culture Liverpool team returns this year and connects young people with three of the event’s featured artists, offering creative, hands-on workshops that encourage artistic expression and learning.

Families attending Granby Children’s Centre and Family Hub will have the opportunity to work with MURUGIAH, who will guide participants through the creation of Mandalas – repetitive geometric designs which represent harmony and balance.
Students at St John Bosco Arts College will have a masterclass in sign-making from locally commissioned artist Liz Harry, learning the art of communication through visual design.
Pupils at Holy Family Catholic Primary School will collaborate with Rachel Darnell and Jorge Fernandez from Australia’s Amigo & Amigo, designing and crafting their very own gnomes – inspired by their 2024 River of Light installation, No Place Like Gnome.
Working with the City Council’s Children and Young People’s team, there will also be a guided tour for young people who are part of the Positive Pathways scheme, aimed at those who could otherwise be at risk of being involved with anti-social behaviour.

The theme for this year’s outdoor trail and the engagement programme is Play, tying into Liverpool’s ongoing pledge to become a recognised UNICEF UK Child Friendly City. The initiative highlights the importance of children’s rights to play, recreation, rest, and leisure, as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.