Liverpool’s River of Light festival will return this autumn with an expanded trail featuring new locations across the city centre.

The popular light art festival will take place from Friday, 23 October until Sunday, 1 November 2026, under the theme of Together.

Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to explore the giant outdoor art gallery, which has become a major fixture in Liverpool’s annual events calendar since launching in 2018.

This year’s trail will extend beyond its traditional waterfront setting through a new partnership with Liverpool ABID.

Installations will appear at new locations including Williamson Square and St Pauls Square, helping to spread the festival across a wider area of the city centre.

Organisers say every artwork commissioned for the 2026 event will use light to bring people together in a joyful and interactive way.

The first three installations have now been revealed, with each set to receive either its European or UK premiere in Liverpool.

Among them is POP! by Gentilhomme, presented by QDSinternational.

The collective experience features five large monoliths containing playful inflatable characters named POPO, POPUP, POPLI, POPETTE and POPOTIN.

Visitors will need to work together to wake the characters by talking, clapping or singing to them. Once persuaded to emerge, the puppets will transform the surrounding space through sound, light and movement.

Also joining the trail will be Dream Herd by Amigo and Amigo, an interactive installation offering a playful interpretation of counting sheep.

Visitors will be invited to interact with the legs of the illuminated sheep, triggering different lights and sounds.

The combined actions of the audience will create a cloud of light and sound intended to represent the shared experience of dreaming together.

The third installation to be announced is LOOP by Olivier Girouard and Jonathan Villeneuve, presented by QDSinternational.

LOOP consists of six giant zoetropes which use movement, light and sound to bring short, flipbook-style animations to life.

Members of the public will interact with the structures together, transforming the installation into a shared community experience.

For its appearance at River of Light, creator Olivier Girouard will collaborate with British Sri Lankan multidisciplinary artist MURUGIAH on a bespoke version of the installation.

The collaboration will result in a completely new animation created especially for the Liverpool festival.

Further artworks and details about the wider River of Light 2026 programme will be announced in the coming weeks.

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.”

More information is available through the official River of Light section of the VisitLiverpool website.

READ MORE: Royal Albert Dock lights up Liverpool waterfront for 180th anniversary