Savvy Londoners know now is the time to book tickets to the best winter hotspots – from ice rinks to Christmassy hotels – and a raft of light shows will be heading to London again this winter. Back for 2022, they promise to be better than ever.
Here are some of the light shows we’re looking forward to – we just hope that with wholesale energy prices going through the roof they’re on a fixed tariff!
Lightopia
Lightopia started life at Chiswick House, but it clearly wasn’t grand enough, so they moved into a palace. Crystal Palace to be precise.
Hopefully they’ll light up the dinosaurs too..
The extravaganza promises immersive installations and a ‘winter wonderland of illumination’.
Hopefully they’ll light up the dinosaurs too…
WHERE: CRYSTAL PALACE PARK, THICKET ROAD, CRYSTAL PALACE, SE19 2GA
WHEN: 17TH NOVEMBER – 2ND JANUARY
BOOK: WWW.LONDON.LIGHTOPIAFESTIVAL.COM
Enchanted Eltham Palace
Another palace, another light show, this time at Eltham Palace.
The South East London parkland surrounding the ancient palace will be awash with colour as the lights, and sounds, of the event arrive in December.
The ancient palace will be awash with colour…
Along with the lights, expect traditional fairground rides and a Christmas shop flogging all manner of Yuletide fare, from traditional toys to ‘award-winning food and drink’.
WHERE: ELTHAM, GREENWICH, SE9 5QE (OR SE9 5NP IF YOU’RE USING SAT NAV)
WHEN: 2ND DECEMBER TO 30TH DECEMBER
BOOK: WWW.ENGLISH-HERITAGE.ORG.UK
Wembley Park Winterfest
Not much is known about this year’s Winterfest, but usually the display takes place around football’s most famous icon (Wembley Stadium, we mean, not Wayne Rooney), and consists of light installations and artworks.
Traditionally they have also been home to ‘London’s largest LED tree’. Made from 100,000 LEDs the website says the tree is 25 ft tall. Closer inspection of the photo above suggests they mean 25 metres or perhaps 75 ft. Either way, it’s bloody impressive.
Football’s most famous icon (Wembley Stadium, we mean, not Wayne Rooney)…
The lights aren’t bookable because they’re free to visit. Just pitch up at Wembley Park and have a mooch about.
WHERE: WEMBLEY, HA9 0WS
WHEN: FOR MORE UPDATES, CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW.
WEBSITE: WWW.WEMBLEYPARK.COM
Christmas At Kew
Form an orderly Kew… The Christmas lights at Kew Gardens are famously enchanting as the world renowned gardens are transformed from a floral delight into a light infused sensation.
The mile and a half trail sees visitors walk the famous Treetop Walkway, lit into a dazzling waterfall and traverse the Tunnel of Light, with its thousands of pea-lights suspended from shimmering ribbons.
And it wouldn’t be Christmas without the chance to buy festive tat at the shop…
The crescendo of the experience is Kew’s instantly recognisable Palm House. The Victorian glasshouse that houses over 1,500 species of plant will be lit up with lasers, rainbow colours, light beams and water jets, all set to a medley of Christmas songs.
As you’d expect, there’s also food and drink options (enjoy churros or roasted chestnuts around a fire-pit) and it wouldn’t be Christmas without the chance to buy festive tat at the shop.
WHERE: KEW, RICHMOND, TW9 3AE
WHEN: 16TH NOVEMBER TO 8TH JANUARY
WEBSITE: WWW.KEW.ORG
Syon Park’s Enchanted Woodland
If you thought that these light displays were a brand new band wagon then you’d be wrong, the one at South West London’s Syon Park has been on the go for the last 14 years!
The winding trail runs through the impressive arboretum before passing the sixteenth century mansion and culminating at the beautiful Great Conservatory.
If you thought that these light displays were a brand new band wagon then you’d be wrong…
From high-tech lasers to low tech candles, and incorporating lights and music, the experience is guaranteed to feel magical as you enjoy the 600-year-old gardens bathed in light.
WHERE: LONDON ROAD, BRENTFORD, MIDDLESEX, TW8 8JF
WHEN: STARTING FROM FRIDAY, 11TH NOVEMBER
WEBSITE: WWW.ENCHANTEDWOODLAND.COM
By The Handbook
Lightopia
Enchanted Eltham Palace
Wembley Park Winterfest
Christmas At Kew
Syon Park’s Enchanted Woodland
