Cultural venues across Liverpool are set to participate in a special free event on 10 January to celebrate the end of the city's status as a European Capital of Culture.

The Transition Light Night is one of the largest free events to take place as part of the Capital of Culture programme, and will mark the city's transition to its Year of the Environment'. The evening's entertainment will start with a multimedia and light show along the Mersey waterfront, the first event to be held at the World Heritage Site since an extensive £100m regeneration of the Pier Head.

Artistic interludes and an arts and crafts market are also planned for the event, while venues including Tate Liverpool, the Merseyside Maritime Museum and the Open Eye Gallery will extend their opening hours for the occasion. Liverpool City Council leader, Warren Bradley, said: "2008 was a life-changing year for this city and we want to say thank you for everyone who helped play their part.

"What better way to celebrate the city's transition from '08 than to begin with a party at the waterfront where so much of this city's story began."