On the back of successful events in Sydney, Berlin and Lyon, London will welcome a new international light festival when Lumiere kicks off this evening (14 January).

Taking place until 17 January, Lumiere London will showcase renowned artists from across the world, with the event expected to draw thousands of visitors to the UK capital.

Installations for the event have been spread across the city in 30 prime locations, including Piccadilly, Regent Street and St James's, Trafalgar Square and Westminster, Mayfair, and King's Cross. In conjunction with the event, visitlondon.com has created a free map which pinpoints the installations, as well as incorporating the festival into the London Official City Guide app.

The event has been given the full support of the city and is backed by London mayor Boris Johnson, with founding support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, Atom Bank, London & Partners and the Heart of London Business Alliance.

Each location is showcasing a number of artists. Highlights include Stockholm-based Floating Pictures’ Light Graffiti in King’s Cross, an installation where audiences can use smartphone torches or any other source of light to “paint” onto their surroundings.

In Piccadilly, Lyon’s Porté par le vent have created Luminéoles, brightly coloured fish which will float and swoop through the air, dancing with the elements.

One of the more bizarre displays will be on Regent Street where an animated projection of an elephant will wander the area. Created by Top'là Design, Elephantastic will bring the sounds of the jungle to the urban location of central London.

Leicester Square will be home to Garden of Light – an installation by French collective TILT, who have created luminous structures using recycled materials to create plant-like sculptures.

More than 200 volunteers have been recruited for the event, with guides offering knowledge of the city, recommending places to eat and drink, and assisting audiences by explaining the artworks.

“Lumiere London will be a dazzling new festival for the capital, designed to expel the post-Christmas blues and bring a much-needed fillip for businesses and the public during a dark and dreary January,” said Boris Johnson.

“It’s another example of our city’s creativity and its unrivalled cultural riches, which draw visitors from around the world and bring billions to our economy.”