The UK's largest light festival, Lumiere, opened its four-day show in London on Thursday (January 14).

Developed by creative producers Artichoke, the spectacular free-to-attend festival showcases 30 artworks in four main areas, including Mayfair, Piccadilly and Westminster in London's West End.

Inspired by the community spirit of the London 2012 Olympics, Lumiere aims to transform London into a "playground" of light and creativity.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "Lumiere London is going to transform the Capital in spectacular style.

"In one of the quietest periods of the year, artists from around the world are creating a stunning festival of light that will give Londoners and tourists alike another great reason to head into central London."

Highlights of the festival include Les Luminéoles by Porté Par Le Vent, Garden of Light by TILT, and Neon Dogs by Deepa Mann-Kler, previously installed in Hounslow's Bell Square.

Other artworks include illuminated benches, a phonebox aquarium with live fish, projections, LED structures and neon wording, all against the backdrop of London's most iconic landmarks.

Andrew Broadley, executive director of Artichoke, said: "The overall vision is one about bringing the work of artists into the public realm, taking them away from galleries, from theatres, and enabling people to become part of a city and feel more ownership of the city.

"We want people to feel like they can walk down streets and have time to look around them and appreciate some of the buildings that are there, to see those buildings in a different way, and to understand that art isn't necessarily something that can be put into boxes, in galleries, on stages.

"It's not often that you get the chance to walk through a main London thoroughfare with no cars and just look around you, and I think people are just going to really get a kick out of it; there's no onus on you to do anything in particular, just to look around you and have some fun."

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The festival has taken two years of development and planning, and will attract approximately one million people during its residency. It will see Piccadilly Circus shut down for four days, a feat done only twice before in history.

Broadley said: "There is a kind of joy about disruption in a positive way, just breaking from the norm and getting away from your routine.

"Some of the people in offices around here may be annoyed at first that their bus isn't in its normal place but they may just have a moment of wonder. I'm hoping people do take it to their hearts."

Lumiere London is open around the capital from Thursday January 14 until Sunday January 17, from 6.30pm to 10.30pm daily.

For more information, including a map to download, please visit the Lumiere London website.