Lightwaves brings a spectacular free illuminated art festival to Salford

A dazzling light art trail returns to Salford this week, featuring 12 installations to be explored across Salford Quays and MediaCity.

Now in its 12th year, the free-to-attend and always popular Lightwaves Salford will run from Thu 4 Dec – Sun 7 Dec. This year’s event will feature 12 light artworks, many of which will be interactive, using music and digital technology to inspire people to dance, play and perform.

The themes of this year’s artworks vary, from celebrating the nostalgia of a seaside arcade to highlighting climate change and the fragile beauty of the natural world, though all are linked by an aim of inspiring a sense of optimism, positivity and togetherness.

Amongst this year’s installations are Illuminos’ Hope is the thing with feathers, which takes inspiration from Emily Dickinson’s poem of the same name, and is described as a ‘soaring, contemplative take on Salford Quays through the prism of the swans that make the waters of the quay their home.’ Commissioned by MediaCity and produced by Quays Culture, this is the largest artwork ever presented at Lightwaves Salford.

Elsewhere, Positive Spin, by Liz Harry with Kazimier Productions, takes the form of a 5.5m-high slot machine, and is a homage to summers spent at the beach in front of the arcades. Our Town, by Studio Elisa Artesero, transforms passersby into both audience and performer, turning the pavement outside the iconic Lowry theatre, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, into a living stage.

ONYVA! Studio’s Eternal Ensemble is a work of spatial audio and immersive light projection that suspends the viewer in a repeated moment in time, The Academy of Live Technology’s Triskellion is built around three towering monoliths representing earth, water and fire, while Stitching Light is a textile and light installation exploring Bangladeshi women’s migration to the UK.

Rachel Candler, Interim Head of Programme for Quays Culture, said: “The Quays Culture team are really excited by the programme of artworks for what will be the 12th edition of Lightwaves Salford and perhaps our most interactive yet. This year the focus is on artworks that visitors can engage with on a more human scale. So we’re looking forward to seeing playful moments and even some dancing!

“Year on year, Lightwaves Salford delights audiences of all ages and we’re sure that 2025 will be no exception. For many of our visitors, Lightwaves Salford marks the start of the festive period, getting together with friends or family for a dazzling evening of light art as we head into the winter months.”

Lightwaves Salford is completely free to attend and no advance booking is required; simply turn up and enjoy. A series of free, guided tours are also available and can be booked online here. Artworks will be on display Thu 4 Dec – Sun 7 Dec, between 4pm – 10pm.