Liverpool’s River of Light 2022 trail has landed!
What I loved about it:
Kick the light fantastic – This is a proper family affair, and one of our favourite events of the whole year.
Location:
Suitable for:
Value for money (out of 10):
Website:
The Trail - Beginning at Exchange flags
The ten brilliantly interactive and immersive light installations that make up this year’s River of Light took us a good two hours to do justice on foot. It weaves through the city centre, from Liverpool Waterfront, past Liverpool One, onto the Exchange Flags, then The Strand, down to Albert Docks and onto the Pier Head. It’s a 2km walk from start to finish.
I recommend getting the train or bus into the city centre – the River of Light brings with it a lot of traffic and parking is limited. There is a car park approx five minutes walk from Exchange Flags on Victoria Street which offers reduced rates after 6 pm if you do decide to drive.
You can start and finish at any of the ten installations. We kicked it off at the Exchange Flags where the Evanescent installation features. Created by the artist Atelier Sisu, this large iridescent cluster of bubbles is nothing short of amazing. Especially against the backdrop of Liverpool’s Town Hall. The architectural features of this historic building really pop in the iridescent light.
From here (Exchange Flags) we headed down Water Street towards The Strand for the next installation en route – The Kinetic Perspective created by artist Juan A. Fuentes Muñoz. Set to sound, this one is such a wonderful sensory experience.
Next up – Dancing Dandelions. We wandered down to the Liver Building on Liverpool’s Waterfront and were met with an amazing display of lights created by the artist – Abram Santa Cruz/Liquid PXL. This looks absolutely awesome on tree-lined Canada Boulevard.
There are two more installations on the waterfront – an interactive game which goes by the name of Light Looper – my kids loved racing the lights. Located on the Pier Head – The continuum is essentially an outdoor room of mirrors which reflect off the water and create the most incredible reflections.
Dancing Ribbons on Mann Island boasts a box of dancing ribbons, meanwhile, The Beam installation at Albert Docks created by artist Lucid Creates changes the view of the landscape through colour.
Turn The Light On It’s Dark In Here right is next to The Pump House on the Albert dock and this will be the last one on the waterfront you’ll encounter. Then down at Liverpool One, we were met with the Magical Accordions. This installation was a big hit with Maisie- the dancing lights and sounds had her both bopping about.
The final installation at Liverpool is called Affinity – a huge set of connected orbs that change colour in your hands.
The River of Light trail is open from Friday 21st October until Sunday 6th November and is the perfect half-term activity to keep the kids busy. It’s also a great alternative to a firework display on Bonfire Night. No fireworks are planned on Pier Head this year. So, if you don’t like big bangs and loud noises, head to The River of Light instead.
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