River of Light – the much-loved, free light festival which every year transforms Liverpool’s iconic waterfront into an outdoor art gallery – has announced its 2025 line-up with a brand new theme.
This year, ten large-scale artworks will be showcased from Friday 24 October to Sunday 2 November, the 8th edition of the event celebrating the theme The Science of Light, with each of the installations inspired by an area of science, technology or nature.
Working alongside the city’s incredible science and innovation community, each of the artworks aims to capture the imagination of visitors in new ways as they explore the 3km trail along the waterfront, including the Royal Albert Dock, as well as around the Pier Head, Exchange Flags and Liverpool ONE.
Highlights from the programme include:
- Face Value by scientist Emma Brass, artist Venya Krutikov and the Invisible Wind Factory. This is a brand-new commission using AI and robotics to create an interactive light art game experience that foregrounds the capabilities of these technologies in a playful way.
- Dandelion by Australian artists Amigo and Amigo, which is inspired by the Dandelion flower and its wind-blown petals, which some cultures revere for their medicinal qualities.
- Within Water by New York design firm Yellow Studios – another new commission which explores the incredible natural phenomenon of marine bioluminescence.
The full list of artworks, their locations, opening times and handy FAQs can be found on the new-look River of Light website, and latest information can be found at @visitliverpool (X, Facebook and TikTok) or @visitliverpool_ (Instagram).
Due to the success of quiet hours at previous River of Light festivals, which make the event even more accessible to visitors with additional needs, there will be two sessions taking place this year on Sunday 26 October and Wednesday 29 October from 4-5pm. This will allow those with additional sensory needs to enjoy the artworks in a calmer environment.
This latest instalment follows on from the huge success of 2024, when River of Light welcomed record-breaking visitor numbers and brought in a massive £18.9 million to the local economy.
This year’s event has been organised by Liverpool City Council’s Culture Liverpool team, and supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Global Streets, the Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, the AI for Chemistry Hub (AIchemy), the Leverhulme Research Centre for Functional Materials Design at the University of Liverpool and Liverpool ONE.
Royal Albert Dock Estate Manager, Sean Morrison, said:
“River of Light has become a true highlight of Liverpool’s autumn calendar, and we’re delighted to be part of its continued success.
“The festival not only showcases world-class art, but also brings together communities to celebrate our shared heritage in a truly special way. We’re excited to see the 2025 theme of The Science of Light come to life, and play our part in hopefully making this another record-breaking year for the city.”