Happy Christmas from all of us at Illuminated River, and a huge THANK YOU to everyone who's taken a moment to enjoy the artwork in 2025 - it's been wonderful to see how you make it part of your London.

There's no shortage of lights in London, especially at this time of year. But the subtle movement of Illuminated River brings a different kind of glow to the Thames - ideal if you need a moment of calm, in a city that never stops moving.

Happy Winter Solstice ✨ here’s a little warmth from the world's longest public artwork, to illuminate the shortest day of the year. It gets lighter from here. Images James Newton, Paul Crawley

"It was a symbol of resilience for London... something that brought people together." Artist Leo Villareal talks about creating Illuminated River against the backdrop of Covid, in his new book Coding Light, which is out now. https://www.phaidon.com/en-gb/products/leo-villareal-coding-light

We interrupt your scroll to bring you this moment of calm at Southwark Bridge. Take a deep breath and drop your shoulders. Focus on the gently moving lights and serene musical composition by students from Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Share with a friend who needs a moment like this ✨

Give a little glow this Christmas - gift an Illuminated River tour 🎁 https://illuminatedriver.london/whatson

On this day in 1945, the current Waterloo Bridge was officially opened by Deputy Prime Minister Herbert Morrison - but it wasn’t the first to cross this stretch of the Thames.

The London glow-up that's not just for Christmas ✨

Illuminated River photography courses are now booking for January to March 2026 - including NEW "mobile only" workshops.  Join award-winning photographer Nigel Wilson on an evening photographic adventure along the Thames, and learn how to capture great photos at night.

Our popular walking tours are back next year, with brand new dates for 2026. Wrap up warm and experience the city at its most magical - under the dark winter skies - by taking a walking tour along the Thames.

Have you ever wondered about the decorative tiles below Blackfriars Bridge? They tell the story of the bridge, which dates from 1769. The original Blackfriars Bridge was designed by Robert Mylne, a Scottish architect who was aged just 26 at the time. @citybridgefndn.bsky.social

Nine bridges, endless ways to enjoy them. Illuminated River is the world’s longest public art installation, right here on the Thames.

See London in a new light this festive season, from the comfort of an early evening Illuminated River Boat Tour. Enjoy refreshments from the onboard café bar as you relax and soak up stunning views of the world's longest piece of public art, with commentary from Official City of London Guides.

The River Thames has sparked creativity for centuries - from the artists and poets of the past, to today’s filmmakers and content creators. If the Thames inspires you, we’d love to see your response on film in the new Video category of the Thames Lens competition, sponsored by Illuminated River.

As #MensMentalHealthAwarenessMonth draws to a close, take a Mindful Moment at Cannon Street Railway Bridge - one of the oldest bridges on the Thames. Take a breath and watch how the subtle kinetic colours mirror the motion of the trains passing above.

🩷💚 Pink goes good with green....  Glinda said it first, but Waterloo Bridge proves the point, for good ✨ Photos: James Newton #WickedForGood #WickedPartTwo #ForGood #IlluminatedRiver #WickedMovie

The Royal Festival Hall and this bronze cast of Frank Dobson's London Pride statue are all that remain from the spectacular Festival of Britain, which took place in 1951 as a way of reinvigorating the national spirit following the devastating impact of the Second World War.

Winter by the River is back at @ldnbridgecity for 2025. Follow the frosted paths along the banks of the Thames, and explore rows of charming boutique market stalls to delight every shopper. https://www.londonbridgecity.co.uk/events/2025/november/winter-by-the-river-2025

There are just three opportunities left in 2025, to join Official @colguides for an Illuminated River Walking Tour - giving you a unique insight into the world's longest public art installation.

"At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them." Photograph: Blackfriars Bridge lit for VE Day 2025, By Paul Crawley #RemembranceDay #ArmisticeDay #LondonRemembers

Have you ever noticed the Dolphin lamps along the Thames Embankment? The first such lamps were used to light the embankments from the early 1870s, and were based on statues at the Fontana del Nettuno in Rome. Further lamp posts were added in 1977 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee.

On This Day in 1896, Blackfriars Road Bridge was opened by Queen Victoria. The bridge, designed by Joseph Cubitt, was actually a replacement for the original Blackfriars Bridge, which opened in 1769 and was originally known as William Pitt Bridge. Photo: James Newton

Leo Villareal: Coding Light is an expansive monograph of work by Illuminated River's acclaimed artist Leo Villareal, which is published today. https://www.phaidon.com/products/leo-villareal-coding-light

Shining a light on: @southbankcentre Winter Market. From 3 Nov, stroll along Queen's Walk, taking in Illuminated River's Waterloo Bridge and Golden Jubilee footbridges, and sample indulgent drinks & scrumptious street food from traditional alpine-style chalets.  📸 James Newton

Getting great photos at night is one of the trickiest challenges in photography - but it's a skill that, with some tips from an expert, anyone can develop.

Need a fun, free family activity in London this October Half Term?  Download the Illuminated River Kids' Pack and head out on a mini adventure to explore the world's longest public art installation: https://illuminatedriver.london/stories/explore (scroll down for the Kids Pack) #ThingsToDoInLondon

Illuminated River is a long-term #artinstallation transforming the #Thames at night with an orchestrated series of light works that span nine bridges in central #London.  1/3

We're delighted to announce that Illuminated River will sponsor a new video category in the Thames Festival Trust's Thames Lens 2026 photography competition.  https://thamesfestivaltrust.org/artistic-programme/thames-lens/thames-lens-photo-submission/

A River Through Time: The Thames in Art – Part 4  As London industrialised, the Thames took on a new character: of grit, smoke and shadow.  1/5

Don't forget to join an Illuminated River #WalkingTour this Autumn.   1/3

There's always so much to see and do along the #RiverThames.  The #LondonLiteratureFestival returns for 2025, taking place from 21 October to 2 November at @southbankcentre.bsky.social#RiverThames. #LondonLiteratureFestival 1/4

A River Through Time: The Thames in Art – Part 3 In the 18th century, as England modernised, artists embraced a Romantic style. Among them was #PhilipJamesdeLoutherbourg, who moved to #London in 1771 and became a set designer for the Garrick Theatre.  1/4

On #WorldMentalHealthDay, take a Mindful Moment at Millennium Bridge.  As the city moves around you, why not take a moment to stop and reflect? 1/3

There's always so much to see and do along the River Thames. Don't miss the Tower of London's 'The Tower Remembers 2025' Poppies commemorative display, available to visit until 11 November.   1/4

Shining a Light on: #BloomsburyFestival  Returning from Friday, 17 to Sunday, 19 October, Bloomsbury Festival celebrates the area’s creativity with a packed programme of arts, culture, performance, science, and discussion, with much of it free to experience, including... 1/4

Budding photographer? Want to boost your night-time photography skills? Capture London after dark with our Illuminated River Photography Course.  1/3

Hear from artist Ros Burgin, whose installation Above and Below was recently shown on Thames Clippers boats for Thames Festival Trust's #TotallyThames 2025, as she shares what she loves about Illuminated River and why she sees it as such an important artwork in the heart of #London.

This #WorldRiversDay, we celebrate the life, history, and beauty of rivers worldwide, including one of the UK’s most iconic waterways, the #RiverThames. Rivers sustain communities, inspire culture, & connect us with nature, but they face growing challenges that require our care & stewardship. 1/3

There's always so much to see and do along the River Thames.  Discover Theatre Picasso, on display at the Tate Modern from now until April 2026. 1/3

Take a Mindful Moment at Southwark Bridge. As the city moves around you, why not take a moment to stop and reflect? 1/3

Don't miss: Thames Lens Exhibition 2025, part of @ThamesFestTrust's Totally Thames Festival!  It's your last chance to catch the exhibition of imagery from this year's Thames Lens #Photography Competition, featuring striking photos from winners and runners-up.  1/3

Come with us on an Illuminated River and Somerset House #walkingtour for Somerset House's Step Inside Weekend, which took place over 13 - 14 September.  1/4

Discover more about: Above and Below, part of Thames Festival Trust's #TotallyThames2025.  1/3

Illuminated River #WalkingTours return from 25 September.  1/4

Shining a Light on: London Design Festival  The 23rd edition of the London Design Festival, which celebrates and promotes #London as the design capital of the world, is in full swing from now until 21 September.  1/2

Don't miss: #ThamesFestivalTrust's Thames Lens Photography Exhibition, part of #TotallyThames25.  On display now until 30 September, North Bank Riverside Walkway (near Millennium Bridge).  Thames Lens is supported by the @londonportauth.bsky.social  #london #photography #photoexhibition

Did you know? 2025 marks 250 years since the birth of the modern railway, and the start of @railway200.bsky.social, a year-long nationwide celebration of rail’s remarkable past, present, and future. 1/4 #Rail200 #britishrailways

This weekend, to mark the 25th anniversary celebrations of #SomersetHouse, we're turning Waterloo Bridge a special 'Somerset House blue' with a bespoke lighting display, as well as hosting a joint 'blue hour' walking tour.    Sunset to 2am, 13 - 14 Sept only Lighting: Atelier Ten

A River Through Time: The Thames in Art – Part 2 One of the most famous scenes of London is Wenceslaus Hollar's Long View, its etching showing a view that is long gone, the capital before the Great Fire of 1666. 1/4

Sheep crossing: on 28 September, a centuries-old tradition will be brought back to life across Southwark Bridge. In medieval times, sheep farmers and Freemen of the City of London drove their flocks across London Bridge to market, free from tolls that others had to pay. 1/3