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Illuminated River

@illuminatedriver.bsky.social
67 followers 19 following 552 posts

World’s longest public art commission, illuminating nine central London bridges along the River Thames. www.illuminatedriver.london

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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Congratulations to Illuminated River artist Leo Villareal, who was recently named an innovator ‘lighting up cities’ in the inaugural TIME100 Art list. The new list honours the 100 most influential people shaping the future of art, charting new paths and offering new ways of seeing.
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Illuminated River Walking Tours with London City Guides are back.  Our walking tours take place fortnightly from tomorrow, October 1, where guides take you along the river to discover the history, architecture and heritage of the Thames bridges, as well as the story of Illuminated River.
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
This World Rivers Day, we’re celebrating the rivers that shape our landscapes, communities & cultures. The Thames has been at the heart of London, connecting people & places while inspiring art, stories & creativity. But like rivers everywhere, it needs care & protection for future generations.
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Sheep take to Southwark Bridge this Sunday, 27 September. Did you know? Freemen of the City of London have a historic right to drive sheep and cattle across London Bridge, and the tradition continues to this day (on Southwark Bridge), now the Sheep Drive & Livery Fair.
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Illuminated River Photography Courses, led by award-winning photographer Nigel Wilson, start tomorrow, 23 September. If you're looking to enhance your photography skills, don't miss out.
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Don’t forget to visit the Thames Lens 2026 photography competition exhibition at Bazalgette Embankment. This exhibition of photographs from winners and runners-up from the Thames Festival Trust’s 2026 Thames Lens photography competition is open until Saturday, 26 September.
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Don't miss: our special guided tours showcasing Illuminated River and Turner Prize-nominated artist, Catherine Yass’s powerful site-specific film installation, Turning the Tide, as part of Totally Thames Festival. Image: Catherine Yass & Becky Bailey
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
On 19 September, walk alongside or across some of the Illuminated River bridges as part of the Shine Night Walk in London. Soak up the city lights and landmarks and help to raise money for @cancerresearchuk.org.
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Along The River this weekend: enjoy a fantastic, fun day out at London's River Marathon this Saturday.  The Great River Race is a spectacular boat race covering 21.6 miles, from Millwall in the East to Richmond in the West.  📸 (c) Arnhel de Serra / The Great River Race
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Booking is open for our autumn & winter Illuminated River Walking Tours. Starting from 1 Oct, immerse yourself in the Illuminated River artwork with knowledgeable City of London Guides.    More info & dates, here: www.illuminatedriver.london/experie…
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Now open as part of Totally Thames Festival - a month-long exhibition of the Thames Lens 2026 photography competition at Bazalgette Embankment.  Imagery: Adrian Evans & Thames Festival Trust
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
This September, join us for a series of special guided tours showcasing Turner Prize-nominated artist Catherine Yass’s powerful site-specific film installation Turning the Tide, as part of Thames Festival (Thames Festival Trust).
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Be among the first to know when our official tours go on sale by subscribing to the Illuminated River newsletter ✨ We'll soon be announcing new dates for our ever popular Walking Tours - if you sign up to the newsletter you'll be among the first to hear when tickets go on sale. 📸 Paul Crawley
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Add a new dimension to your stroll along the Thames this Bank Holiday  Find self-guided tours and trails on our website, including an audio tour, art trail and historical fact pack: www.illuminatedriver.london/experie… then head out to enjoy some time by the water.
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Along the River: Totally Thames festival, a vibrant celebration of the River Thames as a place of culture, heritage and environmental connection, returns from 1-30 September. 📸 Ghost Rollerskater by Colm McCarthy
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Booking is now open for autumn and winter sailings of the Official Illuminated River Boat Tours with Thames Clippers.    Starting from Sat 12 September, see London in a new light on one of these ever-popular tours.  www.illuminatedriver.london/experie…
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
When did London steal ✨your✨ heart?
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Art Along the River: art-K presents Wild at Art, now open at OXO Gallery, OXO Tower Wharf. Find out more: coinstreet.org/whats-on/art-k-wild-…
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Booking is now open for our FREE tour with Katie Wignall AKA Lookup London, on Sat 12 September, as part of Open House London ✨
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Did you miss out on tickets for our free Heritage Open Days event? Fear not - booking opens tomorrow (19 Aug) for another free tour - on Sat 12 September as part of Open House London ✨
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Welcome to everyone who has followed our channels recently - if you're new here, allow us to reintroduce Illuminated River ✨ 📸 Paul Crawley
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Booking is now open for our FREE tour with Katie Wignall AKA Lookup London, as part of Heritage Open Days ✨
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Booking opens tomorrow (12 Aug) for our FREE tour on Sat 19 Sep, as part of Heritage Open Days ✨     Join award-winning Blue Badge Tourist Guide and founder of Look Up London, Katie Wignall, for a riverside walk from Westminster to Bankside to explore An Everyday History of London's Bridges.
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
The Illuminated River bridges are lit from dusk to 2am each night.... definitely worth staying out for ✨
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Along The River - Experience the captivating world of rule-breaking American artist James McNeill Whistler at @tate.bsky.social  🎨 James McNeill Whistler, Nocturne Blue and Gold - Old Battersea bridge. 1872-5. Tate 🎨 James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain. Photo © Tate (Larina Fernandes)
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
FREE tour as part of Heritage Open Days ✨  On the evening of Sat 19 September, join award-winning Blue Badge Tourist Guide and founder of Look Up London, Katie Wignall, for a riverside walk from Westminster to Bankside to explore An Everyday History of London's Bridges.
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Not everyone can be on the banks of the Thames after dark, but Illuminated River is also waiting for you on the Google Arts & Culture app. From 360° views to exclusive video footage of the bridges, you can explore the world's longest public art commission wherever you are, whenever you like.
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Need a fun, free family activity in London this Summer?  Download the Illuminated River Kids’ Pack and head out on a mini adventure to explore the world’s longest public art installation.
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
#AlongTheRiver this Summer - join the party at Riverside Sessions - free Summer events at Southbank Centre, curated by youth collectives.  📸 Pete Woodhead
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
#OnThisDay in 1932, Lambeth Bridge was officially opened by George V and Queen Mary.
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
This month marks ten years since the launch of the international design competition that would become Illuminated River.
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
FREE tour as part of Open House London ✨  On the evening of Sat 12 September, join award-winning Blue Badge Tourist Guide and founder of Look Up London, Katie Wignall, for a riverside walk from Westminster to Bankside to explore London’s bridges after dark.
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Night photography courses are back from 23 September 📸 This Autumn, join award-winning photographer Nigel Wilson to learn how to get the best out of your DSLR or phone camera, and take incredible shots of the Illuminated River artworks. 📸 Gordon Baird
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
How did Cannon Street Railway Bridge get its name? People often assume the bridge takes its name from military history, but actually the story is not quite as explosive.
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
A superhero-inspired idea, finally brought to light ✨
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
As the US marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, did you know that Illuminated River was created by Mexican American artist Leo Villareal? Spanning nine Thames bridges, the artwork is the world's longest public art commission and has become part of London's night-time landscape.
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Celebrating Pride in London 🌈 Illuminated River is for London, London is for all.   #pridemonth #pride #PrideinLondon
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
🎾Along the River this week: big screen action from Wimbledon is in full swing at The Clubhouse at London Bridge City.
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
All in the details ✨  As the London Festival of Architecture draws to a close, take a closer look at the Illuminated River bridges, and notice how Leo Villareal's artwork reveals the architectural details in a whole new way. 📸 James Newton & Paul Crawley
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
This #WellbeingWeek, take a Mindful Moment at Southwark Bridge. Pause, take a breath and let your mind slow down as you watch the colours of Leo Villareal's Illuminated River artwork wash across the bridge.
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Westminster Bridge is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Palace of Westminster,and is a Grade II listed structure.
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Happy #SummerSolstice ☀️ The Illuminated River bridges are lit from dusk until 2am each night, so you need to wait until a little later to see them at their best during these long Summer evenings ... but some things are worth staying out for! ✨ 📸 Paul Crawley
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Lambeth Palace, between Westminster and Lambeth Bridges, is the London home of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and a place shaped by centuries of faith, art, and history.
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
How good does London look at this time of year? Thanks to Rohit Bhattarai and Fuhadh Saneen for these awesome captures Tag us into your Illuminated River photos for a chance to be featured ✨
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Just pause and look up for a minute – London is full of surprises.  📸 Paul Crawley #AestheticLondon #CannonStreetBridge #RiverThames
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
When the original Southwark Bridge (formerly known as Queen Street Bridge) opened in 1819, the ceremony took place at midnight so Londoners could admire a very modern innovation: 30 gas lamps.   🎨The Thames by Moonlight with Southwark Bridge, London, by John Atkinson Grimshaw, 1884.
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Illuminated River transforms nine of London's iconic bridges every night. This is London. #AestheticLondon #LondonBridges
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
And that's a wrap on official Illuminated River Boat Tours with Thames Clippers for this season  Were you one of the hundreds of people lucky enough to experience Illuminated River from the water this season?  We'd love to see your photos and videos - tag us @illuminatedriver. 📸 Alicia Clarke
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
From 5-7 June, over 120 of London’s leading contemporary galleries are coming together for #LondonGalleryWeekend - a celebration of culture and creativity in the UK's capital city.
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Illuminated River @illuminatedriver.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
It’s #LondonHistoryDay, an annual celebration of the capital’s extraordinary history and heritage. Thousands of people cross London’s bridges every day, often without really looking at them. But every bridge on the Thames holds centuries of stories, symbols and fascinating details, such as:
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