The UK’s tallest building officially kicks off its festive showpiece this evening, unveiling its annual Christmas light show with a unique twist; this year’s display was entirely created by hidden talent discovered working within The Shard’s glass walls.
Twelve amateur artists, whose day jobs range from housekeepers to accountants to security managers and graphic designers, were chosen to collaborate with The Shard to create this year’s light display.
Led by self-taught impressionist Gustavo Zuluaga Villegas, a housekeeping team member, their collective artistry has transformed London’s tallest building into a dynamic 60-minute spectacle of colour and movement. Londoners will witness a festive reindeer, a starry night scene, and the word ‘London’ illuminating the top 20 storeys of the building, alongside other inspired designs.
Celebrating the hidden talents of the people behind the scenes of The Shard, the project has culminated in its most ambitious display to date. This year marks the building’s longest ever continuous light show, featuring 12 individual sequences that repeat hourly. Debuting this evening, the display will run every night until New Year’s Eve from 4pm-midnight, and again from 5:30am – 7:30am, bringing festive cheer to early commuters and late-night Londoners alike.
Gustavo Zuluaga Villegas, Housekeeping Team Member, Shard Quarter
“The Shard has been a central part of my life in London for the past eight years and now I get to see my own artwork reimagined on the UK’s highest canvas. I’ve been painting for over 35 years, but it was my daughter’s creativity during the pandemic that inspired me to return to it, and I’d love to think that this year’s display can bring that inspiration to others that get to enjoy it.”
Caitlin McDonald, Marketing Manager, Blis
“My piece, ‘London in Motion: A Tall Tale of One City’ was inspired by the rhythm and light of London and the way that the city never stands still. I wanted to capture the colour, energy, and humanity that make the capital feel alive, exploring the contrast between the chaos and the calm through video and motion. Seeing this translated on a scale as grand as The Shard is a feeling like no other, and I hope viewers feel the same sense of connection and warmth towards the city as I do.”
Full list of artists involved:
Gustavo Zuluaga Villegas, Housekeeping Team Member, Shard Quarter
Valdas Dragunas, Deputy Security Operations Manager, Shard Quarter
Sarah James, Head of FP&A, Mitie
Michelle Hird, Illustrator, Sage
Linh Wales, Digital Illustrator
Adam Hypki, Graphic Designer, Gallup
Hyatt Saba, Data Governance Manager, Sage
Maddy Hope, Illustrator/Animator, Sage
Besnik Mehmed, Senior News and Documentary Video Editor, Al Jazeera
Kate Ross, Digital Designer, Kraft Heinz
Rahat Badar, Legal Contracts Manager, Foresight Group LLP
Caitlin McDonald, Marketing Manager, Blis
