Written by Felix Wilson
London gets fully lit up over the dark winter months, from central London to the suburbs. Winter lights pour colour and sparkle over the city, so wrap up warm and take a wander round one of our top picks for London’s winter illuminations.
If you’re looking for more festive fun be sure to check out our top winter festivals and markets too, or get your rom-com on with these outdoor ice rinks or a walking tour of London’s Christmas lights.
Winter Light at the Southbank Centre
Some new works set the Southbank Centre aglow for the free art trail Winter Light 2025. Nathaniel Rackowe’s site specific installation Desire Lines illuminates the Thames tree canopy with geometric shapes, whilst Lee Broom’s imposing Beacon outside the Royal Festival Hall has a twist; as Big Ben strikes each hour, the installation’s illuminated shades build slowly into a sweeping wave of light.
The Winter Light Trail at Vauxhall City Farm
If you think this lovely city farm couldn’t get any more adorable, think again; this winter it will not only have a glittering, fairy-lit outdoor trail where the animals get to stay up late but a market, wreath-making workshops, Santa’s grotto and a mulled wine bar. Date night, anyone?
29 November-21 December 2025Canary Wharf Winter Lights
Over half a million people are expected to bring some much needed brightness to the post-New Year lull with this festival of light. The illuminations are among the city’s finest, with installations from multiple groundbreaking artists which explore the idea of art and light as a dreamscape.
Best of all for Cheapos, particularly as it’s January when there always seems to be so much month left at the end of the money, it’s free. You can just turn up between 5pm and 10pm to see the installations, artworks and light technology.
Chelsea Winter Illuminations
Journey through a festive wonderland at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. A dazzling 1.5km trail of large-scale art, sculptural light installations and imaginative soundscapes includes immersive elements that respond to your touch, for some real Christmas magic.
Tickets are from £5.00.
26 November-28 December 2025Christmas at Kew
Londoners’ Instagram feeds have been filled with pictures from Christmas at Kew for the past few years, but hurry, tickets go fast! Over a million lights illuminate the woods, gardens and lakes of Kew in the winter months with tunnels of light, a mesmerising flickering fire garden and a range of hot food, drinks and sweet treats to keep you going.
14 November 2025-4 January 2026Epping Ongar Railway Light Fantastic
Take a ride on an illuminated train line through the Essex countryside for a winter journey with a festive soundtrack, interactive LED wristbands and dazzling trackside illuminations, featuring illuminated reindeer and brightly lit stations.
The train is planned to be hauled by a steam locomotive for part of the journey (although they reserve the right to substitute a diesel if needs be). Tickets are going fast, so get booking quickly if you want to bag a spot on the light-filled Essex express.
15 November 2025-4 January 2026| Advance sales: £25.00 | ||
| Advance sales: £20.00 | ||
While we do our best to ensure it is correct, information is subject to change. This article was originally published in November 2018. Last updated on 27th November 2024.
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