There are many markers of when Christmas officially begins. But in our eyes, one of them has to be when London’s Christmas lights flood the skies. If there’s anything this city knows how to do, it’s celebrate the festive season in style. One area that always vies for the crown of ‘best lights in London’ is Bond Street, which has brought back its royal-inspired display from last year.
The iconic peacock-feather-themed Bond Street Christmas light display had enthralled visitors for the past eight years, but in 2022 they shook things up with a complete overhaul of the display.
Planning for the new display started back in 2021, in preparation to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee year. In the wake of her passing, they decided to continue with the display as a Christmas tribute to the departed monarch. And now, the display is back again, lighting up the Central London skies and footpaths.
The new Bond Street Christmas Lights display
Making use of 93,652 LED’s the new display features four enormous crowns at key junctions on Bond Street, inspired by The Imperial State Crown. The crossings now light up from shimmering lights and shapes mirroring the shimmering platinum, gold, diamond, and pearl necklaces. The grand gateways at the north and south of Bond Street usher guests into the light-strewn area, with sparkling gold, silver, and luminous pearl lights adorning them to offer a tiara-like effect.
Thanks to the usage of LED’s, more sustainable than standard lights, the display will have an efficiency saving of 75%. The display makes use of reusable, recyclable, and long-life materials, such as recycled polymer or aluminium. Meanwhile, the materials composing the structures and decorations are all 100% recyclable. They’re also keeping energy consumption down by reducing the display’s hours of illumination.
Another return to Bond Street is The Ralph Lauren Giving Tree, in aid of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. The charitable tree made its debut on the street last year and is back once again for those looking to spread Christmas cheer and make a donation.
Found outside the brand’s flagship store on Bond Street, the five-meter-tall Nordmann Fir tree stands proudly next to the store’s new festive façade with pine-adorned wreaths, hand-painted bear ornaments, and tartan bows. Visitors can donate to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and dedicate a personalised star ornament that will be featured on The Ralph Lauren Giving Tree.
Festive cheer, heart-warming generosity, and dazzling lights galore – it all awaits you at Bond Street. Not to mention the gorgeous displays that light up the shopfronts!
Head on down, and get ready to ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’.