This year’s Earth Hour marks a milestone moment. At 8.30pm on Saturday 28 March, landmarks across the UK will switch off for the 20th year of WWF’s Earth Hour, uniting millions across the globe through one of the world’s largest grassroots environmental movements.
Over the past two decades, what began as a simple switch-off in Sydney has grown into a powerful global initiative, with iconic sites from the Eiffel Tower and the Sydney Opera House, to the Great Pyramids of Giza, Christ the Redeemer and the Empire State Building – all going dark in solidarity for our natural world. This action has come to symbolise large scale hope and co-operation. Twenty years on, the message is more urgent than ever: nature is in freefall, and we all have a role to play in bringing our world back to life.
Joining the global movement this year are English sites like Piccadilly Lights, The London Eye, London City Hall, 10 Downing Street, Oxo Tower Wharf, Landsec and Ocean Outdoor, as well as renowned Scottish landmarks including Stirling Castle and Arbroath Abbey, among others.
Lisa Lee, Executive Director of Brand, Campaigns and Communications, WWF-UK said:
“When landmarks go dark and communities come together on 28th March, we’re celebrating two decades of collective action, with Earth Hour having evolved from a symbolic switch-off moment into people giving millions of hours of their time for the Earth in unique ways over the years.
“This time is an opportunity to reconnect with the natural world and each other. Everyone who participates becomes part of Earth Hour’s history, and part of a growing movement to restore nature, now and long after the lights come back on.”
For WWF’s Earth Hour, switch off for our world your way
Connecting with nature is at the heart of WWF’s Earth Hour. Research consistently shows that time in nature boosts mood, reduces stress and anxiety, builds confidence and supports mental wellbeing.
WWF has provided some fun and simple activities and events for people to reconnect with nature in their communities or from the comfort of their own home, on the day of Earth Hour and beyond:
Dress up wild and run with the pack – WWF, parkrun and Forestry England are coming together this Earth Hour, encouraging parkrunners to switch off, connect with nature and join a Forestry England 5K. We know how powerful a weekly parkrun in nature can be – helping to reduce stress whilst boosting our mood and confidence. Get creative by ‘wearing it wild’ and pinpoint your nearest parkrun here.
Knit for nature – Pick up your knitting needles and craft vintage-inspired, wildlife-themed knitwear to support WWF’s work protecting threatened habitats and restoring nature. Free patterns are available to download for all skill levels – from penguin sweaters to tiger beanies.
Experience a candlelit orchestra – Orchestra for the Earth (OE) will mark Earth Hour 2026 with a candlelit performance of Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale at Central Saint Martins’ Platform Theatre during Earth Hour itself. The event features narrator Tony Hawks, dancer Tabitha O’Sullivan, and Shobana Jeyasingh Dance, reframing the classic fable with a sustainable fashion and climate crisis ‘twist’, and costumes drawn from Central Saint Martins students’ RESET collection. Tickets are available at orchestrafortheearth.co.uk.
Curl up and enjoy a nature-inspired read – WWF’s celebrity ambassadors have helped curate a special reading list, inviting the public to reconnect with nature from home. From children’s novels to modern environmental classics, the recommendations offer something for every book lover looking to reconnect with nature form the comfort of home.
Tune into nature’s soundtrack – For a simple but seriously effective dose of nature, listen to some natural soundscapes. These audio recordings of the natural world are soothing to our soul and can encourage our mind, muscles and heart rate to relax. Explore WWF’s soundscape series on YouTube for inspiration.
Meditate with nature – Switch off and have a mindful moment with nature. Guided nature meditation can transport us to jungles, forests, oceans and deserts all from the comfort of our own home. There are plenty of options to try and WWF’s guided meditation ‘Step into the Forest’ with Miranda Richardson is a great place to start.
Enjoy a planet-friendly meal – Embrace the charm and ambience of preparing a meal by candlelight. Gather your ingredients and whip up a delicious meal in the flickering glow, a perfect time to set a slower pace and bond with loved ones. Consider some of these delicious recipes from our organic farming partner Riverford for your evening meal this Earth Hour.
Become a walrus detective – Help us from home by searching satellite images and spot walrus from space. You’ll contribute to vital conservation research and help us learn more about this incredible species. How many walrus can you spot in the hour?
Calculate your footprint – Check out WWF’s footprint calculator or the MyFootprint app to calculate your personal impact and make a plan to make small changes to your everyday life – it’s possible to make a big difference by taking small steps.
Explore the WWF campaign hub – Find out how to talk to politicians and make a difference in your local area.
Simply switch off – Take an hour to switch off lights or tech and connect with loved ones. This is where Earth Hour all began – everyone getting involved is a part of a movement of millions of people around the world. Connecting with nature is brilliant for our mental wellbeing. It can reduce stress and lift our mood. Discover more ways to connect with nature beyond Earth Hour.
Nature and climate go hand in hand. Together, they form our life support system – giving us clean air, fresh water, the food we eat and so much more. Yet both are under threat. Earth Hour is a global moment for us to come together, switch off and show support for our world.
