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.
POP! by Gentilhomme (presented by QDSinternational) is a collective experience made up of five monoliths hiding playful inflatable puppets: POPO, POPUP, POPLI, POPETTE and POPOTIN. To wake them up and release them, participants must talk to them, clap or even sing, working together to persuade them to come alive. As the characters emerge, sound, light, and movement transform the space into a vibrant, musical, and luminous celebration.
Dream Herd by Amigo and Amigo – pictured above – is a playful and interactive installation, offering a tongue-in-cheek interpretation of counting sheep. Each sheep’s leg is designed to be interactive, illuminating new lights and triggering unique sounds, inviting participants to engage with this whimsical dreamscape. As visitors interact, their collective actions create a mesmerising cloud of light and sound, symbolising the shared experience of dreaming together.
LOOP by Olivier Girouard & Jonathan Villeneuve (presented by QDSinternational) is made up of six giant ‘zoetropes’ that bring short flipbook-style films to life through movement, light and sound, bringing audiences together as a connected community. In a first of its kind collaboration, creator Olivier Girouard will work with British Sri Lankan multi-disciplinary artist MURUGIAH on a bespoke version of the installation, creating a brand-new animation especially for River of Light.
Cllr Harry Doyle, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said:
“River of Light is one of the jewels in the crown for culture in this city – it is hugely ambitious, joyful, and loved by audiences from near and far every year.
“The chance to experience bold and creative artworks across our city is something special – it’s an event that is free, accessible, and enjoyable for people of all ages, and the number of visitors that it brings to the region has a real, positive impact on the local economy.
“We’re incredibly excited for its return and can’t wait for everyone to experience the even bigger and better River of Light this Autumn.”
Annie Brown, General Manager of The Municipal and Chair of Liverpool’s ABID Board, said:
“River of Light is such a highlight of Liverpool’s year and we are delighted to be able to support its expansion through the city centre.
“We’re committed to making sure that the benefits of major events are felt by businesses throughout the city’s hotels, hospitality and wider businesses in the city centre, and Williamson Square is an ideal draw for those stepping off the train or bus as they come to enjoy the spectacle”.
Abigaëlle Parisé, Development and Touring Manager from QDSinternational said:
“It is great to have two pieces in River of Light this year.
“LOOP and POP! are both hugely engaging and exciting works and we can’t wait to see how the audience react to them in the streets of Liverpool in October.”
To find out more about River of Light 2026, visit: www.visitliverpool.com/riveroflight