The much-anticipated Canary Wharf’s Free Winter Lights Festival is set to make a luminous return to London, promising to transform the cityscape into an immersive kaleidoscope of light and color.
This event, renowned for its spectacular displays and innovative art installations, offers a unique experience that captivates both Londoners and visitors from around the world.
Scheduled to run from today, January 17th to 27th, 2024, the Winter Lights Festival at Canary Wharf is more than just an exhibition; it’s a celebration of creativity and technology. The festival, now in its eighth year, has consistently pushed the boundaries of light art, featuring interactive installations, sculptures, and large-scale projections from some of the most talented artists in the field.
The captivating art trail, London’s most extensive free light display, welcomes visitors for 11 nights, starting from Wednesday, January 17th to Saturday, January 27th, open each evening from 5 to 10 pm. This year’s festival at Canary Wharf is a unique opportunity to experience the area in a new light, featuring five installations making their UK debut and five entirely new commissions. The event assembles some of the globe’s most innovative and acclaimed artists in light installation, delving into the interplay and contrast between nature and technology. This fusion creates moments where beauty and technical brilliance exist side by side.
Key works include the comeback of Submergence by Squidsoup, an immersive experience of suspended lights, on Montgomery Square; Sign by Vendel & De Wolf, a flickering mass of LED flames on Westferry Circus; and Neuron by Juan Fuentes at Riverside – an intricate, branching installation comprised of thousands of luminous filaments.
Visitors, residents and those who work on the Estate can enjoy a bite to eat whilst taking a break from exploring the installations with a wide choice of pop-up food vendors serving a delicious range of street food and hot drinks along the trail.
If you’re a fan of sweet treats, make your way to Jubilee Park for a delicious fire-roasted marshmallow. For those seeking more substantial fare, Canary Wharf’s array of cafes, bars, and restaurants offers a diverse culinary experience. Whether you’re in the mood for the finest British specialties at Fish Game, exploring the newly opened vegan haven at mallow, indulging in the savory delights of Blacklock chop house, enjoying a coffee at Grind, or more, there’s truly something to satisfy every palate.
Art enthusiasts visiting the installations can download the Winter Lights map from the Canary Wharf App to help them navigate the exhibition.
It is recommended that visitors consider visiting on weeknights, as weekends tend to be very crowded.
Canary Wharf Group (CWG) is the developer of the largest urban regeneration project in Europe. CWG has created a 24/7 city where people can live, work and thrive on the Canary Wharf estate and enjoy all the benefits: great transport links, access to 16.5 acres of green spaces and waterside living; and a wide range of amenities including an award-winning arts and events programme. Canary Wharf’s retail offering comprises over 70 bars, cafes and restaurants and over 300 shops, including 8 grocery stores, pharmacies and health clubs all within 15 minutes’ walk.
If you are interested in Lights festival, what about visiting this European city to experience another lights festival this winter?
