Christmas in London 2010: Festive Lights

They may seem to go up earlier every year but that still doesn't take away from
the magic of London's Christmas lights and decorations. This winter, Narnia
comes to the West End with the turning on of the Regent Street Christmas
Lights coinciding with the opening night of the new movie, The Voyage of the
Dawn Treader. Meanwhile, Covent Garden is celebrating "Kissmas" while
bright lights will be flashing all over the capital. Here's our special Christmas
Lights guide...

Oxford Street Christmas Lights

Oxford Street, W1C 1JN
4th November 2010 - 5th January 2011
Most years, turning on the Oxford Street Christmas Lights is part of a large
and star-studded event watched by thousands - last year Hollywood A-Lister
Jim Carrey flicked the switch. But in 2010, it's going to be a quieter affair.
Oxford Street's community partners Kids Company - a national charity
providing emotional and educational support for vulnerable inner city
children - are the hosts. Some of the children Kids Company work with will
have the honour of illuminating Britain's busiest shopping street at around
6pm, but expect a fairly low key event. That doesn't mean the lights won't
dazzle and bewitch the hordes of shoppers who throng to the West End's
shopping strip during the festive season.
Venue: Oxford Street
Address: London, W1C 1JN
Phone: 020 7222 4345
Date: 4th November 2010 - 5th January 2011
Time: Every evening from 6pm on 4th Nov
Pricing: FREE
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus Tube

Oxford Street Christmas Lights - Information

Regent Street Christmas Lights

Regent Street, W1B 5SJ
9th November 2010 - 6th January 2011
The Christmas Lights on Regent Street have a Narnia theme this year, and a
glittering event is staged for the opening night. Stars of seasonal new movie,
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Ben Barnes,
Georgie Henley and Will Poulter, are joined by X-Factor winner Joe
McElderry to set the skies alight. Jamie Theakston and Harriet Scott of Heart
106.2 are the evening's hosts and will be introducing the acts on stage at the
junction of Regent Street and New Burlington Street. There'll be live music
from Alexis Jordan, plus a set from the cast of Jersey Boys and some rousing
festive songs from the West End Gospel Choir to get the crowd into the
Christmas spirit. McElderry will also sing his new single Someone Wake Me
Up. Regent Street's Christmas Lights are some of the most breathtaking in the
capital, set off beautifully against the regal sweep of John Nash's architectural
excellence. World famous British stores like Hamleys and Liberty sit alongside
global stalwarts like Banana Republic, Gant and Armani Exchange on Regent
Street, so once you've been wowed by the light display, you can enjoy some
world class present shopping opportunities.
Venue: Regent Street
Address: Regent Street, W1B 5SJ
Phone: n/a
Date: 9th November 2010 - 6th January 2011
Time: Every night | Concert & Lights at 5.15pm on 9th Nov
Pricing: FREE
Nearest Station: Piccadilly Circus or Oxford Circus Tube

Regent Street Christmas Lights - Information

Carnaby Christmas Decorations

Carnaby Street, W1F 7DN
10th November 2010 - 6th January 2011
If you thought it might have been difficult to top last year's six metre high hot
pink reindeers, fear not! Carnaby Street has come up with another visually
arresting idea for their Christmas Decorations display. The area will be
transformed into a space age extravaganza with huge inflatable globes
surrounded by planets, stars, sputniks and life-sized Santas (complete with
space suits and helmets). Carnaby Street has developed a name for creating
excitingly different Christmas displays over the years, and as 2010 marks the
50th anniversary of the area's emergence into the national consciousness, you
can expect something pretty special. The James Glancy Design Agency are the
team putting on the spectacle. The decorations and light installations extend
to Kingly Court and the Newburgh Quarter, where a predominance of
independent shops create a unique atmosphere.
Venue: Carnaby Street
Address: Carnaby Street, W1F 7DN
Phone: n/a
Date: 10th November 2010 - 6th January 2011
Time: Every evening | Lights switched on 6pm-7pm on 10th Nov
Pricing: FREE
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus Tube

Carnaby Christmas Decorations - Information Carnaby Christmas Decorations

- Information

Covent Garden Christmas

Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 9DD
11th November 2010 - 3rd January 2011
Covent Garden Piazza has something special planned for this Christmas - or
should we say Kissmas. An interactive tree installation will encourage passers-
by to get intimate in public. Kiss, by designer Paul Cocksedge, invites any two
people to activate the lights on a 50ft high tree simply by giving each other a
Christmas smacker under the mistletoe. When their lips touch, 50,000 LEDs
and 100 strobe lights will illuminate the tree and the whole of the Piazza. And
they say romance is dead. On opening night, the lights will be switched on at
6.30pm and the festivities will include a specially choreographed performance
from nearby Pineapple Dance Studios and an auctioned celebrity kiss (with a
secret A-Lister). Opera singers and musicians perform impromptu sessions in
the Piazza throughout the year, but at Christmas, London's most talented
choirs arrive on selected Thursdays to create a huge amount of seasonal cheer
amongst shoppers. The Covent Garden Christmas Love Market (every
Thursday from 11am-7pm plus 17th, 18th, 19th, 22nd and 23rd December)
joins in the Kissmas theme with its love-inspired foodie stalls - a throwback to
the area's origins. Parents with young children can keep the kids entertained
with reindeer petting sessions every Saturday from 13th November, as well as
watching the ever-popular street performers.
Venue: Covent Garden Piazza
Address: Covent Garden, WC2E 9DD
Phone: 020 3047 2555
Date: 11th November 2010 - 3rd January 2011
Pricing: FREE
Nearest Station: Covent Garden Tube

Covent Garden Christmas - Information

Marylebone Christmas Lights

Marylebone High Street, W1U 5HD
17th November 2010 - 2nd January 2011

Just a short walk away from the crowded throng of Oxford Street lies
Marylebone High Street and its rarefied delights. From Compton des
Cotonniers to Agnes and Rose; Daunt Books to Designers Guild and from The
Ginger Pig to La Fromagerie, it's the perfect place to enjoy upmarket shopping
without the scrum. Marylebone puts on a great lights display at Christmas and
Ruby Wax will be mistress of the illumination ceremonies this year, which
take place on 17th November. In the lead up to her big moment, local retailers
will be offering champagne, mulled wine, hot chocolate and tempting
discounts. Out on the street, the popular Cabbages and Frocks Market will be
bustling, Father Christmas will be giving out presents to children (at no
charge), a brass quintet will be filling everyone's ears with seasonal sounds;
there will be snow on the ground and fireworks in the air. On the main stage
from 4pm are The Unfortunate Sons, carols from local schools, Lenny
Zakatek, The Frankleys and, after the lights go on, Rock Choir.
Venue: Marylebone High Street
Address: St Marylebone Parish Church Grounds, W1U 5HD
Phone: 020 7580 3163
Date: 17th November 2010 - 2nd January 2011
Time: Wed 17th Nov 4pm-6.30pm | Lights switch on 6pm
Pricing: FREE
Nearest Station: Regent's Park, Baker Street or Bond Street Tube

Marylebone Christmas Lights - Information

Bond Street Christmas Lights

Bond Street, W1S 2YF
18th November 2010 - 3rd January 2011
Bond Street is well known for its collection of designer shops and expensive
jewelers. At Christmas all the retailers join in to throw a party, known as Bond
Noel. It's designed as a family-friendly event with the shops in the street
laying on entertainments and giving away bubbly and festive snacks. The
street is closed to traffic for the evening, from 5pm-8pm, allowing the whole
area to be turned into a winter wonderland complete with snow (which falls all
evening), fir trees and reindeer. Lisa Snowdon will be turning the lights on at
6pm on 18th November on the corner of Old Bond Street and Burlington
Gardens. Christmas is certainly the time of year to see this smart street's
friendlier side.
Venue: Bond Street
Address: Oxford Street, W1S 2YF
Phone: n/a
Date: 18th November 2010 - 3rd January 2011
Time: Every evening | 18th Nov entertainment 5pm-8pm, lights switched on
6pm
Pricing: FREE
Nearest Station: Bond Street Tube

Bond Street Christmas Lights - Information

Kingston Town Centre Christmas Lights

Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1EU
18th November 2010 - 7th January 2011
Father Christmas himself will be turning on the Christmas Lights over
Kingston town centre on Thursday 18th November. Kingston always puts on a
good show to mark the switching on of the Christmas Lights and this year
they've got The Singing Hands appearing alongside The Three Musketeers,
who have escaped from their show at the Rose Theatre for the afternoon.
There will also be stilt walkers, a Christmas Tree Fairy and lookalikies of the
leads in the Harry Potter films in the Bentall Centre. The seasonal fun goes on
across Kingston from 3.30pm-7pm including face painting and a roaming
brass band at John Lewis, and a dedicated family area at the Memorial
Gardens with a live nativity farm. There you'll find face painters and craft
workshops. In the market square, the traditional German Market sets the
scene for carol singers and mulled wine, and on Eden Walk, there will be
music from Articulate and the Kingston Youth Big Band. It's a fantastic
community event for all the family.
Venue: Kingston upon Thames
Address: High Street, KT1 1EU
Phone: 020 8547 2507
Date: 18th November 2010 - 7th January 2011
Time: Entertainment on 18th Nov from 4pm | Turning on Ceremony 6pm
Pricing: FREE
Nearest Station: Kingston Rail

Kingston Town Centre Christmas Lights - Information

Leadenhall Market Christmas Lights

Leadenhall Market, EC3V 1LR
19th November 2010 - 7th January 2011
The Lord Mayor of the City of London turns out in all his regalia to light up
the Christmas Illuminations in the ornate Leadenhall Market by triggering
them (and considerable amounts of confetti) with a plunger. It's all done to a
fanfare played live by the musicians of the Guildhall School Of Music And
Drama, who will have been here all week providing free lunchtime recitals
from noon-2pm. Leadenhall Market a beautiful setting for this friendly festive
event. The celebrations begin at 5pm with mulled wine, mince pies and hot
cider punch, and carries on into the evening, when a ten piece jazz band take
over the entertainment. The Lord Mayor officially switches on the lights at
5.30pm. The event is free, but do turn up early as numbers are limited and it's
sure to be a popular night out in the City. Leadenhall Market, with its
Dickensian feel, is also a lovely place to get a few presents in the run up to
Christmas.
Venue: Leadenhall Market
Address: Whittington Avenue, EC3V 1LR
Phone: 0207 929 1073
Date: 19th November 2010 - 7th January 2011
Time: Every evening | 19th Nov Entertainment 5pm-9pm, Lights 6pm
Pricing: FREE
Nearest Station: Monument Tube

Leadenhall Market Christmas Lights - Information

The Enchanted Woodland

Syon Park, TW8 8JF
19th November 2010 - 5th December 2010
This magical Christmas event adds a significant veil of mystique to the festive
season. The beautiful oak trees and gardens at Syon Park are illuminated in
spectacular fashion as a guide walks visitors through the Enchanted
Woodland. The trail leads you around the 18th century lake, where the shapes
and textures of the ancient winter trees are reflected in the water, past
intriguing corners of the estate, all of it floodlit to maximum rainbow effect.
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.
Venue: Syon Park
Address: London Road, TW8 8JF
Phone: 020 8560 0882
Date: 19th November 2010 - 5th December 2010
Time: Fri-Sun 5pm-8pm
Pricing: £5 adults, £2 children
Nearest Station: Syon Lane Rail

Enchanted Woodland - Information

Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree and Carols

Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DS
2nd December 2010 - 5th January 2011
Since 1947, stately Trafalgar Square receives a majestic 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 from 7th to 22nd December, when each
evening, a different choir gathers there to sing carols and raise money for
charity. Sometimes, the simple pleasures are the best. 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. The tree
actually goes up on 29th November if you want to see it in all its naked
evergreen glory. Passers-by join around the tree most evenings to sing carols
and soak up the Christmas cheer.
Venue: Trafalgar Square
Address: Central London, WC2N 5DS
Phone: 020 7983 4750
Date: 2nd December 2010 - 5th January 2011
Time: Tree lights 12noon-12midnight | Carol singing approx 5pm-9pm, times
vary
Pricing: FREE
Nearest Station: Charing Cross Tube / Rail

Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree and Carols - Information