Illuminated River, the world’s longest public art commission, which illuminates nine central London bridges along the River Thames, from Lambeth Bridge to London Bridge will be illuminating the bridges in red, white and blue from 9pm on 6th – 8th May 2025 to commemorate VE Day 80.
Illuminated River’s subtly moving sequences of LED light reveal the beauty of the existing architecture of London’s bridges and their relationship to the river that flows beneath them. Designed and programmed by New York-based artist Leo Villareal, working with British architecture practice Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands plus 18 specialist teams, the work brings to life aspects of the city otherwise hidden after dark. Rather than flooding the river itself with light, it draws attention to the bridges across the Thames, their relationship to one another and to the neighbourhoods they connect on either bank.
This marks a special moment for Illuminated River to join with other historic buildings around the UK to mark VE Day.
