That’s right folks, Mayfair and Belgravia are bringing the Christmas (light) cheer back to London with their gorgeous Christmas light display. This week, both Mayfair and Belgravia turned the streets blue, flicking the switch for their fabulously festive display and a host of frivolous winter activities.
Mayfair’s Christmas lights
November 16 saw the iconic blue lights that have graced the street for the past few years return. The pedestrianised street will light up blue underneath a canopy of twinkling Christmas lights running the length of the street.
Visitors can also potter around and poke their heads into the wooden chalets, perfect for taking a swig of hot chocolate in, before checking out performances from the street choirs and brass bands that will provide the festive swing. Plus, there will even be a Nutcracker performance curated by Danceworks.
Should you pay a visit to see the lights at Mayfair, it’s also essential that you witness the Ever After Garden in Grosvenor Square, which also returned to London on November 16. The sea of white roses illuminates the street while raising money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Society, and is one of the most poignantly touching sights you can find in the city.
Fret not about the energy cost (too much, at least) as Mayfair isn’t just going full throttle with their Christmas lights without considering the very real impact they have on the environment. In a balancing act that furthers their commitment from last year, lights will operate on a timer while using energy-efficient light bulbs, which ensure the display look good and are on for more than enough time for everyone to see them.
Belgravia Christmas Lights
Now, if you’re checking out Mayfair’s Christmas lights, you’re surely heading down to Belgravia’s too, right? I mean, it’s a mere hop, skip, and a jump away. If not, even less!
They flicked them on one day before Mayfair too, with the dazzling display pushing the button for the first time on November 15. Visitors can expect a tour de force of a light show stretching across Motcomb Street, Elizabeth Street, Pimlico Road, Pimlico Road, Eccleston Yards, and Halkin Arcade.
The light switch was soundtracked by the London Gay Men’s Chorus, with Father Christmas and his reindeer also due to appear at the old blue event. Belgravia’s Christmas Trail Of Cheer will also begin, with the florist displays hitting up the windows of local businesses.
Lights and a show! (And plenty of mulled wine and hot chocolate, of course). Head to Belgravia’s official website to find out more about all the goings-on that will be accompanying the gorgeous light displays.