Canary Wharf’s magical Winter Lights festival is back for its seventh year, returning to light up the dark winter nights in January 2022. Combining creativity with state of the art light technology, the stunning showcase of illumination and colour will run across 11 days from Wednesday 19th to Saturday 29th January.
The free attraction will feature over 20 mesmerising installations from some of the most innovative light artists from across the world, with firm favourites from previous years set to return as well as new commissions and pieces that have never yet been shown in the UK.
Highlights to look forward to include a life-size mammoth, a series of mirrored, luminescent pillars and a giant, mesmerising projection wall. Many of the pieces have been chosen to promote sustainability with clever use of recycled materials, in line with Canary Wharf being a 24/7 sustainable destination.
Visitors are invited to make an evening of it, with a series of pop up food markets opening for the festival, catering for every taste. There will also be a huge range of special offers and discounts at some of the hundreds of shops, bars and restaurants at Canary Wharf.
Returning Favourites
Firm favourite bit.fall by Julius Popp uses sophisticated water-valve technology to make a series of illuminated droplets fall from the air to form words.
The Clew, by Portuguese artists Ottotto, is made up of 100 circles of red light framing the Cubitt Steps bridge. The minimalistic design creates reflections on the water and structures, giving a different perspective on the architecture of Canary Wharf.
Lightbenches – by German design duo Heidi and Bernd Spiecker – comprise 10 benches illuminated through a programmed sequence, adding a new dimension to the experience of taking the weight off your feet.
We Could Meet is the brainchild of London-based artist Martin Richman, consisting of a grid of over 500 illuminated acrylic rods installed in a water channel. As the lights change colour, our colour perceptions change as well – red in a field of blue appears different to the same red in an orange field.
Canary Wharf’s Winter Lights festival will be free to visit and open from 5pm – 10pm daily, between Wednesday 19th January – Saturday 29th January 2022.
