This festive season, Carnaby Street will reveal a groundbreaking, design-led light installation on Thursday 7thNovember, setting a new standard for London’s Christmas lights. A dynamic, programmatic light show will light up Carnaby Street, igniting the Christmas spirit, marking the start of the festivities. ‘Into The Light’ brings an architectural approach to Christmas, marking the first step into a long term, more sustainable, five-year lighting scheme that will transform Carnaby Street into a must-see destination each holiday season
Positioned at the heart of Soho’s evolving cultural scene, ‘Into The Light’ brings an architectural approach to Christmas, marking the first step into a long term, more sustainable, five-year lighting scheme that will transform Carnaby Street into a must-see destination each holiday season. Designed by London-based creative production and design studio Sculptivate, this year’s light display is a stunning blend of contemporary form and function, embodying a golden glow that reflects both Carnaby Street’s heritage and its role as a cultural tastemaker.
Inspired by the intersection of modern architecture and festive celebration, the ‘Into The Light’ installation evokes a sense of warmth and unity, wrapping Carnaby Street in a contemporary glow that reinvents traditional seasonal lighting. A first for Christmas lights in London, the installation will feature mesmerising hourly light displays, with over 6-metre-long sculptural light forms suspended above the street and thousands of energy-efficient LED bulbs shimmering across the street.
Star-shaped feature installations will also mark the gateways to Carnaby Street, creating an inviting entrance to the festive experience. The installation extends to Kingly Court, where cascading curtains of light will adorn the balconies, evoking a cosy, intimate atmosphere within Soho’s beloved alfresco dining spot. In addition to the light display, Soho and Carnaby Street will host a series of festive events and activities throughout the season, with exclusive details set to be revealed soon.
As part of Soho and Carnaby Street’s commitment to sustainability, the lights are designed to be reused for at least five years, with adaptive functionality allowing for new features and adjustments over time. The programmable lights will evolve year after year, ensuring that the display remains fresh and captivating throughout the life of the installation.
Michelle McGrath, Executive Director at Shaftesbury Capital, said: “London’s West End is globally renowned for its spectacular festive lighting displays, so we’re proud to unveil this ground-breaking, immersive lighting installation in Carnaby Street; ‘Into The Light’, which delivers a new first-of-its-kind approach to Christmas lights in London embodying thoughtful and contemporary design. The addition of ‘Into The Light’ to Carnaby Street, already renowned as one of London’s must-visit Christmas destinations, will add to the street’s appeal as a festive hotspot for shopping and dining by captivating Londoners, tourists, and visitors with its dynamic light displays .”
