River of Light will bring Liverpool ‘Together’ this October

Liverpool is gearing up to host the 2026 edition of its renowned River of Light festival, a free light art event that draws tens of thousands of visitors each year. Scheduled from 23 October to 1 November, this vibrant festival celebrates the power of light to unite people, with the central theme for 2026 being ‘Together.’ Culture Liverpool is behind the organization, curating installations that emphasize joy and communal experience through illuminated art.

The initial lineup for the festival included three captivating works: POP! by Gentilhomme, Dream Herd by Amigo and Amigo, and Loop created by Olivier Girourd and Jonathan Villeneuve. Recently, Culture Liverpool unveiled nine additional pieces that will enhance the city centre’s nightly display. These newly announced artworks are Invisible Cities by Atelier Sisu, Flower Power by SPECTACULAIRES – ALLUMEURS D’IMAGES, The Anooki by Inook, Unity by Amigo and Amigo, Paradigm by This is Loop, Colour Rush by Liz West, Today I Love You by Massimo Uberti (presented by Light Art Collection), Coloured Peonies by TILT, and The Stars Come Out at Night by Stellar Creates.

Expanding its reach beyond the usual waterfront locations, this year’s River of Light will introduce installations in fresh areas of Liverpool city centre, including Williamson Square and St Paul’s Square. This expansion was made possible through a partnership between Culture Liverpool and the Liverpool Accommodation BID, aiming to spread the festival’s unique charm throughout the city.

Local officials and stakeholders have expressed their enthusiasm for the event’s return. Cllr Harry Doyle, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, stated, “Excitement is already building for the joy and colour it brings to the streets of Liverpool each October half term… I hope that friends and families are already planning their trips to come and see these amazing artworks that transform our city into a spectacular giant outdoor gallery.” Meanwhile, Annie Brown, General Manager at MGallery and Chair of the Accommodation BID, highlighted the event’s economic impact, saying, “River of Light is exactly the kind of event that makes Liverpool such a great place to visit… events like this are a fantastic opportunity to drive overnight stays, giving visitors another reason to book a hotel, extend their trip and spend more time in the city.” Artist Harriet Lumby from This is Loop, creator of the new sculpture Paradigm, also shared her excitement, commenting, “The theme of ‘Together’ for this year’s event really struck a chord with us… We can’t wait to discover what else the event has in store.”

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