Visitors heading into Liverpool city centre for River of Light 2026 are being urged to plan ahead as a series of road closures and Merseyrail disruptions are set to affect travel throughout the festival.
The free outdoor light festival returns from Friday 23 October to Sunday 1 November, with thousands of visitors expected to enjoy 13 illuminated installations across the city.
However, temporary traffic restrictions on Water Street, ongoing rail engineering works and an emergency closure on Great Howard Street could cause delays for motorists and public transport passengers.
Liverpool road closures for River of Light
A number of road closures will be introduced to allow festival organisers to safely install and remove artworks, as well as protect visitors during the event.
Dale Street and Water Street, between Exchange Street East and Lower Castle Street, will be closed from 8am on Sunday 18 October until 8pm on Tuesday 20 October.
The same section will close again from 8am on Monday 2 November until 8pm on Tuesday 3 November to allow installations to be removed.
During River of Light itself, Dale Street will be closed to general traffic from Byrom Street through to The Strand, including connecting side streets, between 5pm and 9pm every evening from Friday 23 October to Sunday 1 November.
The affected side streets include:
- Lower Castle Street
- Fenwick Street
- Rumford Street
- Covent Garden
- Drury Lane
- Tower Gardens
Signed diversion routes will be in place, and drivers are advised to allow additional journey time.
Great Howard Street is also currently closed northbound due to emergency electrical works being carried out by Scottish Power, adding further pressure to routes around the city centre.
Merseyrail disruption during River of Light
Visitors travelling by train should also be aware of significant changes to Merseyrail services as major engineering work continues on the Northern Line.
From Monday to Saturday, rail replacement buses will operate between Hunts Cross and Moorfields.
Train services will continue to operate from Liverpool Central towards Southport, Ormskirk and Headbolt Lane.
Sunday Merseyrail service changes
On Sundays, replacement buses will operate between Hunts Cross and Sandhills, with trains running from Sandhills towards Southport, Ormskirk and Headbolt Lane.
Additional changes will affect the Wirral Line on selected Sundays.
Sunday 18 October:
Wirral Line services will terminate at James Street, with no trains calling at Moorfields, Liverpool Lime Street or Liverpool Central.
Sunday 25 October and Sunday 1 November:
Rail replacement buses will operate between:
- Birkenhead North and Moorfields
- Rock Ferry and Moorfields
Train services will continue between:
- Chester and Ellesmere Port to Rock Ferry
- West Kirby and New Brighton to Birkenhead North
Passengers are encouraged to check their journeys before travelling and allow extra time for connections.
The latest public transport information is available on the Merseytravel website.
River of Light 2026 brings 13 installations to Liverpool
Despite the travel disruption, River of Light is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors as the popular festival transforms Liverpool’s waterfront and city centre.
This year’s theme, Together, celebrates the power of light to bring people closer, with 13 installations including several world premieres.
The artworks will be illuminated every evening from 5pm until 9pm throughout the ten-day festival.
Organisers are encouraging visitors to use public transport wherever possible, with many installations located within walking distance of James Street station, Moorfields station and Queen Square bus station.
Clearly signposted routes will help visitors navigate the festival, while those travelling by car are encouraged to check road restrictions and plan alternative routes in advance.
River of Light 2026 runs from Friday 23 October to Sunday 1 November, with free admission and installations illuminated nightly between 5pm and 9pm.
