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  • Christmas lights in London 2009

  • By Natasha Polyviou

    Updated: Wed Oct 28 2009

  • It's that time again, when the seasonal mood is set by celebrities of various calibres ceremoniously pushing the button on Christmas lights around town. We'll be adding new venues as they're announced so check back for updates

    Christmas lights in London 2009

    The Regent Street and Oxford Street Christmas lights

    • Regent Street and Oxford Street Christmas Lights

      FREE

      Until Jan 5 2010

      The two West End streets are presenting joint Christmas lights this year themed to tie in with Disney’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ and a combined switch-on ceremony takes place on Tuesday Nov 3. The Regent Street lights go on first, lit by Colin Firth from the main stage at the junction of New Burlington Street and Regent Street and accompanied by a pyrotechnic display. Next up is the City of London, also getting in on the act, with a switch-on by Bob Hoskins at St Paul’s and a light show. Finally Jim Carrey does the honours at Oxford Circus for the Oxford Street illuminations. Entertainment starts at 5pm (the performers are still tba) with the three ceremonies taking place between 6pm and 6.30pm. The public can buy tickets for the premiere of ‘A Christmas Carol’, which takes place later that evening at three cinemas in Leicester Square, with stars Jim Carrey, Colin Firth, Robin Wright Penn and Bob Hoskins in attendance (visit www.visitlondon.com; tickets £25-£50, including a donation to Great Ormond Street hospital Children’s Charity). Read more

    • A Very Merry Christmas in Covent Garden

      FREE

      Until Jan 4 2010, Covent Garden Market

      This year’s lights in the Market Building, spectacular chandeliers made from 600 LED tubes, are again designed by United Visual Artists, who worked on effects for tours by Massive Attack and the Chemical Brothers. The seasonal transformation also features a 40ft christmas tree, 37ft topiary reindeer and occasional visits by live reindeer. The lights will be up until Jan 4 and related events to entertain visitors include choir performances (Thur evenings Nov 19-Dec 17), the Covent Garden Real Food Market, children’s storytelling and workshops to make gingerbread men and other seasonal items, as well as reindeer petting on the West Piazza (Nov 28, Dec 5, 12 & 21 12noon-5pm). Check the website for details of a surprise ‘all-star line-up’ of busking bands. Read more

    • Carnaby Christmas Lights

      Until Jan 6 2010, Carnaby Street

      In anticipation of Carnaby’s fiftieth anniversary next year, the Christmas decorations in the 12 streets of the area have a 1960s theme – the hippie concerns of Love, Hope, Joy and Peace feature strongly on distinctly non-traditional inflatables. Read more

    • Jermyn Street Christmas Lights

      FREE

      Until Jan 6 2010, Jermyn St

      This smart Mayfair street is decorated with a series of reflective stars and a 15ft Christmas tree from Windsor Great Park. Quintiessentially English Jermyn Street dates back to 1664 and is known for its bespoke tailors and shoemakers. Read more

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3 comments

  1. Posted by Miss Baker on 05 Nov 2009 13:16

    Great point and idea Mrs Redboots!!!

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  2. Posted by vinnie on 02 Nov 2009 22:37

    What about Primrose -Hill Lights the 29 th november in Regents Park Road!
    Dont forget is Fantastic
    vinnie

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  3. Posted by Mrs Redboots on 30 Oct 2009 15:37

    Far be it from me to be scroogelike - I really do like the Christmas lights - but do they have to be on 24 hours a day, when we are all being asked to save energy to help our carbon footprint?
    Can we not do as they do in France, and have them on from, say, 4:00 pm until midnight every day?

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