We are thrilled that the River of Light Trail will once again take place across the city here in Liverpool. Please take a moment to read the following FAQ’s, to make your visit to the trail as enjoyable possible.
Can’t find what you are looking for? Then please email [email protected] and we’ll endeavour to help where we can.
What is the River of Light Trail?
The River of Light Trail is a 17-night outdoor art gallery which illuminates the Liverpool waterfront.
It showcases the work of local, national and international artists in a series of sound and light installations which are located outside along the Liverpool waterfront.
The whole trail is FREE for visitors to attend and enjoy.
What date is the River of Light Trail?
The River of Light Trail is open from Friday 22 October – Sunday 7 November 2021
River of Light normally means there are fireworks – will there be fireworks?
There are no fireworks as part of the River of Light Trail this year.
How long is the trail?
The trail is a 2km loop along the Liverpool waterfront with no designated start or finish.
We do recommend you walk the loop anti-clockwise.
Is it free to see the light installations on the trail? Do I need a ticket?
Yes, all installations along the River of Light Trail are FREE of charge and you do not need to book a ticket.
Are there any age restrictions for any of the light installations?
No, there are no age restrictions at any of the installations, they are all designed to be family friendly and all-inclusive.
Small children should be accompanied by an adult at all times.
If you are unsure about the suitability or accessibility of a particular installation, please visit our installations section of the website to find out more information on accessibility / light / sound of installations.
Are all the light installations accessible?
The majority of the installations are fully accessible.
There are light and musical soundscapes which accompany the installations. Full details on these activities can be found on each installation.
Please be aware, some installations are located in areas of the city that feature cobblestone flooring
You can read more about the accessibility of the event on our accessibility page here.
I have light / sound / crowd issues that may act as triggers – is there anything I need to be aware of?
Some installations have music or atmospheric soundscape, and some are silent.
All installations are illuminated and some do include striking lighting effects.
Private viewing is not available, and if an attraction is particularly popular, we recommend a visit to the other installations with a view to return at a later time.
Why is this happening now and who is it for?
River of Light is part of Culture Liverpool’s annual programme delivered across Liverpool. Culture Liverpool is the Liverpool City Council team responsible for the city’s arts and cultural programme.
The Culture Liverpool programme, including the River of Light Trail, is part of Liverpool City Council’s pledge to utilise culture for our ongoing recovery and regeneration.
Full health and safety assessments have been undertaken on this outdoor light trail and it is in line with current government guidelines relating to outdoor gatherings and activities.
Is this trail Covid-19 safe?
Culture Liverpool has been working very closely with Public Health Liverpool and members of the Safety Advisory Group, to ensure this trail is as covid-safe as possible following rigorous team assessments. However, we do rely on you to play your part in making this safe and to follow the rules.
It is your own responsibility to ensure that you follow covid safety advice.
The full trail has been designed with safety and distancing in mind – the 2km trail and distance between each artwork ensures social distancing can be observed.
We do encourage all visitors to wear face coverings, where possible and signage on site provides you with additional advice on how you can stay safe at the event which has also had surface safe anti-microbial laminated applied.
A limited number of sanitising stations are available, but we do advise you to bring your own anti-bacterial gel and face masks.
We do advise you to get tested before you visit the trail, and details of the nearest no-symptoms test centre can be found here. Anyone experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 should not visit the no-symptoms test centre or the trail.
The trail is outside – should I wear a mask?
The requirement to wear face coverings by law has been lifted. The government expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded indoor areas such as public transport.
We advise anyone attending to wear a face covering, if you feel comfortable, but it is not a legal requirement.
What time do the installations light up and what time do they switch off?
The installations on thee River of Light trail switch on at 5.00pm and are switched off at 9.00pm each evening.
Is the trail “on” all week?
You can visit the trail in the day-time if you prefer but the light installations will be switched on and off at the times stated.
They are switched on at 5.00pm and switched off at 9.00pm.
Where can I find out about the different light commissions?
Further information on the different light installations is available on these pages, along with background information on the artists and other cultural activities taking place in the city.
Is there information available at the installations about the artwork? Is it accessible?
At each of the installations there will be a large interpretation board with details about the installation and a QR code that can be scanned and will take you through to the designated page on the River of Light Trail website for further detail. We will also have signage for the route map. This has been designed to discourage people to gathering in one place.
Alongside each light installation there is an information board which features accessible information on the artwork.
We do recomend, for your safety, that you stand back and maintain social distancing within your bubble, if the information board is crowded.
Alternatively, you can read all about the installations on our website.
What is the best way for me to travel to the River of Light trail?
There are a range of ways you can travel to the River of Light trail. Our travel information pages provide links to public transport information from Merseytravel as well as local parking, Citybike and Voi scooters depending on how you prefer to travel.
Please remember, public transport in Liverpool is currently running at 70% capacity pre-covid.
Will there be any road restrictions closures due to the installations?
There are some road closures during the River of Light Trail – further information of which can be found on the links which will be posted here as well as on our social media channels.
Will there be any accessible viewing options for the installations?
All of the light installations can be viewed from the ground and therefore there are no additional viewing platforms for any of the installations.
Can I bring my dog?
All River of Light installations are outside in public areas where dogs are allowed. You are welcome to bring your canine companion to the event but please remember that crowds, loud noises and bright lights can be distressing to some animals.
Is there anything else happening in the city at the same time?
Yes, there are lots of different activities taking place that you can enjoy while you’re attending the River of Light trail. Liverpool Without Walls is currently running and features a variety of exciting pop up events and performances around the city centre, including the Bring the Fire activity trail on 5-7 November with Culture Liverpool and Bring The Fire. You can find out more information on this event here https://www.cultureliverpool.co.uk/event/follow-the-white-rabbit-fire-street-theatre-festival/ .
More information on other cultural activities can be found on the Culture Liverpool website on our events calendar which can be searched by date, location and activity – https://www.cultureliverpool.co.uk/events/
