Lightwaves at Salford Quays

This digital light festival, one of the biggest in the UK, has fast become a much-Instagrammed outdoor winter experience and very welcome fiesta to link The Quays‘ public spaces each December. This year it returns with its 11th edition, packed with illuminated works from established as well as emerging artists, local and national to Salford Quays and MediaCity.

This year visitors can see 14 artworks, five of which are brand new commissions, with world premiers in Lightwaves Salford to make Manchester’s waterfront destination sparkle in all senses of the word. Expect lots of interactive works too, that respond to audience presence and movement, creating a truly immersive experience.

Highlights for this year include: Monad by Anastasia Isachsen is an enormous 30-metre wide projection displayed on a mist of water used as a screen, accompanied by a moving soundtrack by jazz composer Arve Henriksen. Monad has actually been extended to run until 22 December thanks to the support of MediaCity, so you have time to catch it, even if you miss the festival.

Award-winning Manchester studio idontloveyouanymore are back with a new work this year: The Matter of The Heart incorporates heartbeat data from real people in real time, creating a very literal rhythm of the community. You can walk around the 100 flashing hearts which represent people with a connection to  Manchester and Salford and their real-time heart beats.

There are eco-conscious work too, like A Cry For Help by Ben Everard who uses interactive elements to talk about the need to help the insect world, with glittering insect sculptures which respond to visitors’ presence.

SYSTEM LIGHTWAVES PSB combines lights and cycling. Created by is artist Gaika in collaboration with Belinda Everett, Manchester’s Bicycle Mayor, the artwork is inspired by the culture of cycling for survival.

Younger visitors will love On the Wave of Light is an interactive installation that consists of 100 interactive light poles and celebrates the vibration of light, from the Latvian studio Those Guys Lighting.

Liz West’s Through No 4 was originally commissioned by Quays Culture in 2021 and for this year’s Lightwaves it will be even more striking with special lighting. (If you love West’s piece, you’ll love her current exhibition at Yorkshire Sculpture Park too.)

We love the playfulness and the mad mix of cutting-edge and popular culture of Lightwaves – where else might you see a digital artwork that connects actual human heartbeats to glittery insects, while also bringing attention to the working conditions of the Manchester Ship Canal labourers?

No tickets are required. Just turn up and enjoy the adventure of this free festival – aglow with all the good things.