On a wet early November evening, my niece and I braved the rain and the wind coming off the Mersey to take in the delights of the River of Light – an outdoor illuminated gallery on Liverpool’s Waterfront.
River of Light is an annual event. This year it ran from 21st October to 6th November 2022 (5pm – 9pm). The trail featured ten illuminated artworks across a 2km loop by local, national and international artists. Unfortunately, we missed a few of the illuminations and, due to predicted high winds, one was taken down that evening.
The first of the illuminations we came across was Evanescent by Atelier Sisu. Situated on Exchange Flags Square, Evanescent is an 8-metre tall, larger-than-life bubble artwork. Visitors could walk between the bubbles.
Walking down the hill to the Waterfront, we spotted the Kinetic Perspective illumination by Juan A. Fuentes Muñoz. We watched it in motion as we waited to cross The Strand, but we didn’t go over for a closer look (and I forgot to get photos/video!).
@notesoflife.uk Part of the River of Light Trail in Liverpool. #liverpool #riveroflightsliverpool #riveroflighttrail #2022 #lights ♬ A Sky Full of Stars – Coldplay
We found the Electric Dandelions by Abram Santa Cruz down at Pier Head. They are designed to look like dandelions during the day and endless fireworks at night. We spent quite a bit of time watching them.
Just across from the Electric Dandelions was the Light Looper by The Kazimier. With rings and spirals, the Light Looper is interactive and invites up to four people to send particles of light zooming around it, building up speed until it shoots up to the very top. I completely forgot to get any photos or videos of the Light Looper as I was watching my niece send the lights around it.
Just down the Waterfront from the Light Looper was Continuum by Illumaphonium. Continuum is made up of 20 mirrored monoliths each standing 2.5m tall and they made up a geometric maze pattern visitors could walk through.
We somehow missed the Dancing Ribbons by Yinka Ilori, and BEAM by Lucid Creates had been taken down due to the forecasted weather. We also missed Turn The Lights On, It’s Dark In Here because we were shielding our faces from the wind and rain and accidentally passed it by.
Rainbow Accordion by Amigo & Amigo was my favourite. It sat between the Hilton hotel and the entrance to Liverpool One. The Accordion was made from six colourful archways with interactive pads for people to step/jump on, creative waves of light, colour and music.
We also missed Affinity as we carried on through Liverpool One to shelter from the wind and rain.
Despite the weather and missing some of the illuminations, my niece and I enjoyed following Liverpool’s River of Light. I think it was worth getting wet for! It’s a great trail, free to visit and suitable for all of the family. I’ll definitely think about visiting the trail again if it’s on next year.
What a wonderful location and great night shots!
What a beautiful, colorful display! I would love to see those “dandelions”. You sure are a fun aunt!
Check out https://liquidpxl.com/portfolio/electric-dandelions/ as they exhibit them in the USA too!
A brilliant night time display. Although I possibly live not far from you on the English side of the border I have never felt the need to go to Liverpool. How very remiss of me.
This was my third trip to Liverpool this year (the other two were for the theatre show and a concert). Yes, I believe you’re just over the hills from me!
Now that’s my kind of light show! It’s too bad the weather interfered a bit with your enjoyment of the show but there’s always next year. Do the displays vary from one year to another?
This is my first time seeing them, but I do believe they change each year.
This looks like a great event and you got some good photos. I like Rainbow Accordian though my favourites are the Electric Dandelions 🙂
Thank you! They’re great, aren’t they?
What a wonderful dislay of art and it looks spectacular in the night. Thanks for sharing.
Art is for everyone!
I think I’d spend the most time in the monoliths: Continuum.
Thanks for sharing this amazing event.
Continuum was a popular attraction.
Beautiful photos. It looks like an amazing event.
…Liverpool puts on a fabulous light show. Thanks for sharing it.
A lovely display. The wet pavements helped with the reflections.
The one bonus of it being wet! 😀
I studied in Liverpool during my late teens and early 20’s so will always have a soft spot for the city. The illuminations and artwork are wonderful. My favourite are the electric dandelions.
It’s a great city! I always enjoy my visits there.
Looks fabulous!
Wow, these photos are absolutely gorgeous!!
What a wonderful display. Such a shame the weather was bad though but at least you got to see some of it.
It looks absolutely magical Nikki. Well worth braving the weather for! xxx
It certainly was!
Nikki, your photos are absolutely stunning, you make me want to go up to Liverpool right away and see those incredible light installations for myself. The weather may have been dreary but you certainly can’t tell. xxx
Thank you! I love visiting Liverpool.
All of it looks so festive, especially that rainbow accordion.
That’s a wonderful event for a city. Enjoyed your description and the excellent photos. The “accordion” sounds like it was a lot of fun.
Here some of the botanical gardens will do light “events” for some holidays and events in summer, but a cityscape is larger and more dramatic.
You have captured some wonderful photos of the trail.
Hopefully you will get the chance to visit again next year 🙂
Fab photos, Nikki, and probably better for the environment than Guy Fawkes fireworks.
It looks like a great place to visit. You have shared some great photographs. Thank you for sharing.
Lauren.
It was such a shame about the weather, but that’s the one thing you can’t guarantee with an outdoor event.
You still managed to get some excellent shots though, they really tell the story.
Glad you had a good time 🙂
Nikki, this is a fabulous post and I loved the lights and views around the city. Thank you so much! I noticed your avatar and had to look real close but that is John Barrowman you are with right? I am a big fan of his, have the Torchwood series (several of them) and also enjoyed every episode of Dr. Who he was in. Such a fun and great actor.
p.s. I have been a Dr. Who fan since the first Dr. Who way back when 🙂
Ah yes, that’s John Barrowman. I’ve met him a few times… The photo was taken after his concert in Liverpool back in 2019 (I think).
How wonderful! I would have enjoyed that concert 🙂
Liverpool looks stunning all lit up
How pretty! I love the dandelions/fireworks. Glad you braved the rain to see the lights!
Incredibly beautiful and your pictures are amazing. Thanks so much for sharing. I will add this to my travel notebook.
-Soma
Lovely venue for a night festival! Lighted art is so much fun! Glad you were able to see some of these before weather made it prohibitive.
I haven’t seen this and I live in Liverpool. :)) I love the pictures.
Apparently it’s on for a few weeks each year.
Wow! What an amazing show of lights. 🙂
Wow, what an amazing event! My daughter is living in Liverpool while she studies at the university and she didn’t mention this – I would love to go! xxx
I love, love, love light shows. All of your photos are so wonderful. This is great event and I’d love to see it in person.