Regent Street’s Stunning Christmas Lights Are Switching On This Weekend
Alex Landon - Editor
London’s most dazzling Christmas light display returns to Regent Street.
Mid-November is about the time everything usually goes from just a little bit festive to Festive As F*ck, Regent Street included. And whilst London will be a little lacking in Christmas markets and ice rinks this year, the good folks of Regent Street are bringing Christmas cheer by the bucketload with the return of their beautiful festive light display, which will be shining over central London from November 14.
Known as ‘The Spirit of Christmas’, Regent Street’s Christmas lights display is the largest one in the country, and has a proud history dating way back to its debut in 1954 – in fact, Regent Street actually started the whole tradition of Christmas lights in the capital! The spirits, which played trumpets in the original display but now soar triumphantly above shoppers, feature some 300,000 twinkling lights, and provide an iconic sight during the festive season. You’ll also find sparkling spirits hovering about St James’s as another part of the dazzling display.
It’s important to note that whilst the lights will be going on this Saturday, there will be no dedicated switch on event so as to prevent crowds from congregating. Pretty as they are, they’re also not a valid excuse to break the lockdown rules on a special trip, so you may need to wait until early December to see them (unless Regent Street happens to be on your running route, of course).
Whilst shops remain closed during the lockdown, participating stores are offering ways to salvage your Christmas shopping, with takeaway services and click and collect available at some retailers. Sure, it’s not quite the same as years past, but the Regent Street Christmas lights are doing plenty to get our festive spirits soaring!
They’re not the only Christmas lights you can glimpse right now: the Oxford Street lights are also shining, and Covent Garden’s fabulous festive display was revealed earlier this week.
Also published on Medium.