Christmas Lights in London

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Marylebone Christmas Lights

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Marylebone Christmas Lights
Regent Street Christmas Lights
Seven Dials Christmas
Seven Dials Christmas
Chelsea Christmas Lights
Coal Drops Yard Christmas Lights
Oxford Street Christmas Lights 2019
Eccleston Yards: Chromotherapy Christmas
Winterfest
The Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood switching on the Carnaby Christmas Lights, 2019
Christmas at Kew
Christmas at Kew
Christmas at Kew
Winterfest
Winterfest
Imminence at Bloomberg Arcade
 

 

With them going up earlier and earlier every year, London's Christmas lights and decorations extend the magical festive period. From traditional and classy to quirky and in-your-face, they illuminate much of central London and are an essential part of Christmas in London.

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Carnaby Christmas Lights and Shopping Party

Illuminated underwater scenes highlight the need for conservation in our oceans.

Carnaby Street, Carnaby Street, Soho, London, W1F 7DN

Tube: Oxford Circus Station

 

Dates: 07th November - 01st January 2020

 

Sustainability is at the heart of the Carnaby Street Christmas Lights this year, an ocean scene with every element made with recycled and reusable materials. The illuminated underwater seascape has been created from repurposed fishing netting, more than 500 metres of post-use bubble wrap and over 1,500 recycled plastic bottles, reused to make fish and bubbles. Cotton fabrics and over 100 litres of water-based eco-friendly, vegan paint have also been used for the installation, created in collaboration with ocean conservation charity, Project 0. The Christmas lights are switched on at 6pm during the Carnaby Christmas Shopping Party on Thursday 7th November 2019 which sees over 100 fashion brands, restaurants and bars throughout the 14 streets around Carnaby offer discounts and special in-store events. As well as the discounts there are DJs, live music and plenty of on-street activity. Tickets are free but you must register online in advance.

 
 
 

Marylebone Christmas Lights

Music and fun fair rides add to the festivities on the first night.

Marylebone High Street, , Marylebone, London, W1U 5HD

Tube: Baker Street Station

 

Dates: 13th November - 01st January 2020

 

The Christmas Lights shine over Marylebone High Street from Wednesday 13th November, with a snow machine, school choirs and a classic fairground ferris wheel adding to the festivities on the first night. It's a good excuse to drink mulled wine, enjoy warming food and browse the stalls while listening to live music while the children visit Father Christmas in his grotto. They usually get a starry celebrity to switch on the lights - previous years have seen the likes of Jennifer Saunders, Sophie Dahl and Barbara Windsor do the honours. Marylebone - which has a wonderful village atmosphere - offers a more genteel place to shop, compared to neighbouring Oxford Street, and upmarket stores like John Smedley and J Crew, Rachel Riley and Masaro are offering seasonal discounts.

 
 
 

Coal Drops Yard Christmas Lights

A festive light installation at the sparkling Heatherwick Studio-designed district in King's Cross.

Coal Drops Yard, Kings Cross Goods Yard, London, N1C

Tube: King's Cross Station

 

Dates: 13th November - 01st January 2020

 

Can you carry a tune? King or queen of the karaoke? If you are, you could be the one to turn on the festive lights at Coal Drops Yard this Christmas. All you have to do is step up to the mic and perform your favourite yuletide tunes. The winner of the best rendition gets to switch on the Coal Drops Yard Christmas lights which transform the chic, Heatherwick Studio-designed shopping district in King's Cross into a fluorescent Winter Wonderland with bright lighting and flocked Christmas trees. On the night the lights are switched on, there's live entertainment from the London Gay Men's Chorus performing favourite seasonal numbers and the unmissable House Gospel Choir. Plus brands across Coal Drops Yard and Lower Stable Street are running special offers, experiences and in-store refreshments.

 
 
 

Regent Street Christmas Lights

This year promises to be a special one as 2019 marks the 200th anniversary of Regent Street.

Regent Street, Regent Street, Soho, London, W1B 5SJ

Tube: Oxford Circus Station

 

Dates: 14th November - 31st December 2019

 

With 2019 marking the 200th anniversary of Regent Street, the ceremony marking the Christmas Lights switch-on will be a big celebration this year. Even in an average year, the regal sweep of John Nash's famous shopping street has a great, festive atmosphere when the Christmas lights are switched on. Regent Street goes traffic-free for the official turning on of the lights and the Spirit of Christmas Theme returns, with a fleet of spectacular large-scale 'spirits' with widespread wings soaring over the street and along St James's. The display, designed by leading British lighting creatives, James Glancy Design, takes inspiration from the street's original lights display back in 1954 and features over 300,000 twinkling lights, making it the biggest display in the capital.

 
 
 

Seven Dials Christmas Lights & Shopping Evening

Make the 'Starry Night' lights come to life and help the homeless.

Seven Dials, Monmouth Street, London, WC2H 9DD

Tube: Covent Garden Station , Leicester Square Station, Tottenham Court Road Station

 

Dates: 14th November - 01st January 2020

 

Over 650 giant stars light up the seven interconnecting streets between Covent Garden and Soho for the Seven Dials Christmas Lights this festive season. You can make the 'Starry Night' lights come to life with a tap donation to Shelter, the charity which helps tackle homelessness. This year's lights at Seven Dials not only look pretty but also highlight the fact that sleeping under the stars is still a harsh reality for thousands of people sleeping on the streets. Launching on Thursday 14th November 2019, the Seven Dials switch on moment is marked by an evening of free festive activities including wreath making and eco-friendly glitter make-overs, a complimentary glass of prosecco, live music and discounts by local retailers. In addition, you can shop at the 'Boutique by Shelter' pop-up shop at 72 Neal Street in Seven Dials where special events and activities run until early January. Visit the newly opened Seven Dials Market for free hot shots and roasted chestnuts or go to Flesh & Buns and roast your own Smores.

 
 
 
 

Syon Park's Enchanted Woodland

Enjoy a unique guided walk in the 600-year-old gardens.

Syon Park, Road, Brentford, London, TW8 8JF

Tube: Richmond Station

 

Dates: 15th November - 01st December 2019

 

The beautiful oaks trees and gardens at Syon Park are illuminated in spectacular fashion once again this winter. Adding a significant veil of mystique to the festive season, the magical event invites visitors to enjoy a unique guided walk in the 600-year-old gardens of 16th century Syon House. The trail leads you around the lake - where the shapes and textures of the ancient trees are reflected in the water - and past intriguing corners of the estate, finishing at the Great Conservatory, all of it shining under different lights - from lasers to candles. The shadows and magic of a frosty winter's night make this an ideal opportunity for photographing the forest in a unique way. Warm clothing and stout footwear are advised and hot refreshments are available on the night.

 
 
 

Christmas at Kew

More than a million twinkling fairy lights and a flickering fire garden light up Kew.

Kew Gardens (Royal Botanic Gardens), Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AB

Tube: Kew Gardens Station

 

Dates: 20th November - 05th January 2020

 

After dusk in winter a mile long walk at Kew Gardens is lit up by more than a million twinkling fairy lights for Christmas at Kew. Taking a new route for 2019, new light installations include a waterfall of lights cascading from the towering 18 metre high Treetop Walkway. Laser projections animate the cathedral-like Temperate House, reflecting from its 15,000 glimmering panes of glass. Although firm favourites like the singing holly bushes and light projections on the Palm House return, each year they add different light installations so even if you've been before - and it has become an annual tradition for many Londoners - there's something new to see. You can also stop off to see Santa and his elves performing panto along the route, enjoy carousel and helter skelter rides as well as mulled wine, mince pies and traditional festive fare. If you want to sit down to a traditional Christmas dinner you can enjoy a feast at Kew's Botanical restaurant or pick up street food from KERB along the trail.

 
 
 

Oxford Street Christmas Lights

A brand new display of energy efficient digital lights show a changing display of moving images.

Oxford Street, Oxford Street, Marylebone, London, W1C 1JN

Tube: Bond Street Station

 

Dates: 21st November - 31st December 2019

 

Oxford Street is shaking things up for their Christmas Lights this year with a brand new display of energy efficient digital lights draped across the busy shopping street. They're usually the first London Christmas Lights to be switched on but in 2019 the Oxford Street Christmas Lights are the last. You could say they're "saving the best until last" - switching on the lights two weeks after the Carnaby Street lights are illuminated. The 27 LED light curtains over Oxford Street show a changing display of moving images, alongside 220,000 sparkling lights. The evening the lights are switched on, Oxford Street stores join in the celebrations, offering discounts, giveaways and special events. There's live music, intimate in-store gigs - nine piece New York Brass Band played on the roof at John Lewis last year - fun activities and with Capital XTRA to bring some of the best homegrown hip-hop, grime and R 'n' B talent to the street.

 
 
 

Winterfest

A brand-new immersive light trail.

Wembley Park, , London, HA9 0WS

Tube: Wembley Park Station

 

Dates: 20th November - 03rd January 2020

 

A light installation from Nevada's Burning Man festival comes to London this winter as part of Wembley Park's brand-new light trail, Winterfest. The immersive event sees the neighbourhood transformed into a winter playground with the help of specially commissioned, site-responsive and touring light and sound installations. The Burning Man installation, Sonic Runway, created by California artists Rob Jensen and Warren Trezevant, sees music ripple down a 100-metre corridor of illuminated concentric circles. Other highlights include The Hopeful Tree, the tallest LED Christmas tree ever built in London; Illumaphonium: Halo, a sculpture of music and light displayed in Market Square; and LoveSpot... Under the Mistletoe, a three-metre tall heart sculpture adorned with mistletoe and pulsating red lights.

 
 
 

Chelsea Christmas Lights

New decorative lights take inspiration from the crown of King Charles II.

Sloane Square, 1 Sloane Square, London, SW1W 8EE

Tube: Sloane Square Station

 

Dates: 23rd November - 31st December 2019

 

For the first time, Christmas lights will adorn the King's Road as part of the Chelsea Christmas Lights which illuminate Duke of York Square, Pavilion Road, Sloane Square and Sloane Street. New displays will see decorative lights inspired by the crown of King Charles II, who famously restored Christmas to the nation following Oliver Cromwell's ban on festivities. On Saturday 23rd November, Santa and friends are joined by real reindeer on Duke of York Square and you can get a free horse and carriage ride in the street. There will be wreath making classes, chestnuts roasting, carol singers and performers across the neighbourhood before the lights are officially switched on by the man in red and his 'special helper', plucked from the crowd, at 5pm. In addition, on Saturday 7th December, Chelsea hosts a special shopping event with restaurants and bars offering exclusive offers, treats and surprises. Father Christmas can be spotted around the area and entertainment is laid on.

 
 
 
 

Eccleston Yards: Chromotherapy Christmas

Light and colour to improve your wellbeing: 500 orbs are suspended over Eccleston Yards this winter.

Eccleston Yards, Eccleston Place, London, SW1W 9NF

Tube: Victoria Station

 

Dates: 28th November - 11th January 2020

 

A rainbow of 500 colourful orbs, each with a different vibration, lights up Eccleston Yards this winter. Suspended over the pedestrianisedcourtyard, they're part of 'Wave', an illuminated light installation created by immersive artists Squidsoup, which helps create a calming energy balance for the visitor. The wellness aspect is in keeping with the ethos of the neighbourhood which is home to drop-in meditation studio Re:Mind and Hotpod Yoga. Using light and colour to balance energy in the body and mind, each orb activates a different area. The orange orbs, for example, affect the body, yellow spheres stimulate happiness while the blue lights calm the heart rate. Enjoy the lights with warm festive drinks and snacks from the pop up bar, open from 4pm to 10pm daily.

 
 
 

Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree & Carols

The glorious Norwegian Christmas Tree has been a gift from the people of Oslo since 1947.

Trafalgar Square, Central, Westminster, London, WC2N 5DS

Tube: Charing Cross Station , Leicester Square Station, Embankment Underground Station, Piccadilly Circus Station

 

Dates: 05th December - 05th January 2020

 

Since 1947, stately Trafalgar Square receives a majestic Norwegian Christmas Tree as an annual gift from the people of Oslo, thanking Britain for its support and friendship during World War Two. The enormous tree is a popular seasonal tourist attraction, particularly in the fortnight leading up to Christmas, when each evening (from 4pm to 8pm on weekdays, and from 2pm to 6pm at weekends) a different choir gathers there to sing carols and raise money for a range of voluntary or charitable organisations. Passers-by are welcome to come and listen to the carols in the square and join in the festive cheer. Nelson's Column is decorated with Norwegian white lights and the tree is illuminated from noon until midnight until the Twelfth Night of Christmas in early January. A few days after the official lighting of the tree there's a torch-lit procession on the steps of St Martin-in-the-Fields, as the choir and clergy bless the Crib in a special ceremony in Trafalgar Square. The tree actually goes up in late November if you want to see it in all its naked evergreen glory.

 
 
 

Imminence at Bloomberg Arcade

The creative team behind the Lumiere Festival bring shape-shifting projections to the City.

Bloomberg Arcade, 3 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC2R

Tube: Mansion House Station , Cannon Street Station, Bank Station, Monument Station, St. Paul's Station

 

Dates: 05th December - 10th January 2020

 

Unique among the illuminations that light up the city at this time of year, the shape-shifting projections of Imminence at Bloomberg Arcade highlight the impact of human-led climate change on our planet. A first for London, the installation by Artichoke - the creative team behind the hugely successful Lumiere Festival - runs the full length of Bloomberg Arcade, the restaurant lined pedestrian avenue in the City. A continuous sequence of moving patterns are synchronised to an original soundtrack by composer Ed Carter which draws on climate and environmental data from 1880 to the present day. You'll hear sound recordings from the natural world and see the consequences of climate change unfold beneath your feet.

 
 
 
 
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