Visiting the River of Light in Liverpool

Every year, the River of Light in Liverpool welcomes visitors to a sensory experience of illumination, colour, and sound. These visitors travel from across the UK to enjoy the installations and immersive experiences.

One of the city’s most exciting cultural highlights, the show features light and sound displays from local and worldwide artists, forming an outdoor gallery on Liverpool’s Waterfront. Here, visitors of all generations enjoy autumnal magic.

Outside of the light show, visitors can enjoy several attractions across this vibrant city. Liverpool is bursting with things to do and is easy to reach by train. In this guide, you’ll find recommendations on how to turn Liverpool’s River of Light into a fantastic day out or city break.

Every year, River of Light transforms Liverpool’s waterfront into an illuminated light trail. In 2024, the theme of ‘Light is Play’ saw a record-breaking number of visitors, contributing £18.9 million to the local economy. Popular displays included:

This year, River of Light will return with a new theme and new installations, offering something new no matter how many times you’ve visited before.

2025 marks the eighth time Liverpool will host the illuminated light trail, this time from 24 October to 2 November. The theme, ‘The Science of Light,’ is set to attract locals and tourists to the area for the chance to immerse themselves in displays at the intersection of art and science.

Light artists will present 10 large-scale artworks on the theme:

The artists will also run creative sessions designed to inspire young people via an engagement programme.

The River of Light route is 3km long, which means you’ll take at least 3,000 steps as you enjoy the light show in Liverpool. The trail takes visitors along the Royal Albert Dock, Pier Head, Exchange Flags, and Liverpool ONE.

Print or follow the downloadable map on your smart device to find the installations. You’ll find ‘Embrace’ at the Exchange Flags. ‘Neuron,’ ‘Cycle,’ and ‘Face Value’ are all down The Strand. ‘Optik’ is a little further ahead near Liverpool One, followed by ‘SPICA’ and ‘Blueprint’ near Salthouse Dock. ‘Dandelion,’ ‘Within Water,’ and ‘Pendulum’ line Canada Boulevard.

Keep in mind that the event is popular and can get busy. Monday to Thursday evenings may be quieter than Friday nights into the weekend.

This year, River of Light will run from 24 October to 2 November 2025 from 5 to 9 pm. The event is free, and there’s no need to book tickets. There are no age restrictions, and dogs are welcome.

For those bringing little ones, toilets with changing facilities are available at:

There are also toilets at Royal Albert Dock and Lime Street Station.

All artworks will be in accessible, ground-level locations, although some will be on cobbled terrain.

For visitors with sensory needs, two quiet sessions will take place on Sunday, October 26 and Wednesday, October 29, from 4 to 5 pm. Some installations will operate with reduced sound, and others will operate with no sound at all. Lighting will also be softer where possible.

Avanti can connect visitors to River of Light via four local train stations. Walking routes to the trail are accessible from each of these:

River of Light is ideal for an autumn Liverpool break or day out, whether you’re travelling alone, with friends, or with family. Book your stay and team the lights show with some of the city’s other must-visit areas.

Liverpool is full of attractions, appealing to different visitors, interests and budgets. Ideas include:

Travel back through Beatles history at the Story Museum, which covers intricate details over the band’s lifetime. Then, enjoy live music and a drink at the infamous Cavern Club, where The Beatles used to play.

Perhaps add some of Liverpool’s other Beatles attractions to your day too.

Uncover the city’s history and global significance at this waterfront museum. Across three floors of galleries, there’s plenty to learn. Explore collections on land transport, archaeology, and social and community history.

Delve into Liverpool’s maritime history and its role in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade at another waterfront museum. Collections at the Maritime Museum focus on the Titanic, Liverpool shipping posters, and RMS Lusitania.

Visit Liverpool’s oldest museum and dive into collections covering themes from outer space to live animals in the aquarium. The museum hosts time-sensitive events too, so there’s always something new to see.

There’s plenty to see outdoors in Liverpool when you know what you’re looking for. With many walking tours on offer, select one that matches your interests. There are options on the theme of The Beatles, the Anfield Stadium, or inspirational women, amongst others.

A Liverpool city break isn’t complete without amazing food and drink stops. TripAdvisor rates the following as some of the best to visit:

This Greek restaurant offers a variety of authentic meals, from brunch to dinner. It caters to vegetarians and vegans and serves gluten-free options.

Grab breakfast or brunch at this coffeehouse, unmissable in its signature pink branding. It’ll be hard to turn down the breakfast rolls, brunch classics, and fresh smoothies.

Steak fanatics will love this beef-speciality restaurant. There are veggie options too, so this isn’t only an option for the meat lovers. It’s open for lunch and dinner, and there’s a drinks menu for special celebrations.

Ideal for those in need of a quick snack, this classic cafe offers breakfast and lunch favourites. A 2024 Travellers’ Choice winner, it’s known for its toasties, quiches, and pasta bakes.

This informal restaurant/cafe offers a relaxed environment, ideal for stops between sightseeing. Team a home-cooked Mediterranean dish or build-your-own breakfast with an exotic juice or smoothie.

No matter where you’re visiting from, make your travel to River of Light in Liverpool simple with Avanti. If you’ll be travelling during a busy time, you can make life easier by reserving your seats and booking off-peak tickets. Use our overhead luggage racks and the racks near the train doors to stow your bags safely.

Purchase a Railcard to save one-third on ticket prices and join Club Avanti to claim additional rewards. If you’ll be travelling with family, you can also save with our family fares.

Other ways to save include buying your tickets in advance. You can use Priority Ticket Alerts to be the first to hear when the cheapest tickets become available. Alternatively, use the Best Fare Finder to find the most affordable prices available today.