Header: Unsplash / James Langley
London’s most anticipated light festival is back! Canary Wharf’s Winter Lights festival, a free-to-attend celebration of art and innovation, will run from Tuesday, 21st January to Saturday, 1st February 2025. For its ninth edition, the event will showcase 11 groundbreaking temporary installations from internationally acclaimed artists, along with the permanent light artworks that have become festival favorites.
Each year, this festival transforms Canary Wharf into a glowing art gallery, attracting thousands of visitors to explore its luminous wonders. Combining creativity and cutting-edge technology, the installations highlight the transformative and otherworldly qualities of light.
Highlights of the 2025 Festival
This year’s lineup offers a journey through the surreal, featuring several UK-firsts and awe-inspiring new commissions. Highlights include:
- Benedikt Tolar’s illuminated stack of bathtubs, a towering installation pulsing with light and sound.
- Atelier Sisu’s Evanescent Droplets, a sparkling transformation of Cabot Square’s fountain.
- Luminariste’s bird in flight, a UK debut by Benjamin Nesma and Marc Sicard.
- Lucid Creates’ monumental Portal, a gateway to a luminous dimension in Wood Wharf.
- A mesmerizing tornado of lights orbiting a pylon at Westferry Circus and an iridescent mirage at Montgomery Square.
The trail ends at the newly opened Eden Dock, where visitors can marvel at a 20-meter-wide sinkhole encircled by light, creating an unforgettable finale to the exhibition.
Make a day out of it
Winter Lights offers more than just dazzling art displays. Visitors can extend their experience by enjoying the longest-running ice rink in London at Canada Square Park, open until 23rd February.
Hungry explorers will find plenty of dining options among Canary Wharf’s 80+ cafes, bars, and restaurants, including the plant-based mallow, the Indian-inspired Kricket, or the recently opened Marceline. For families or groups, attractions like Fairgame on Fisherman’s Walk, THE CUBE in Wood Wharf, or Capital Karts in Cabot Place add to the day’s fun.
Plan your visit
The festival runs from 5 PM to 10 PM daily, but visitors are encouraged to attend on weeknights to avoid the busy weekend crowds. A free Winter Lights map will be available for download in January via the Canary Wharf app, or you can pick one up on-site from friendly event stewards.
As Senior Arts & Events Manager Pippa Dale puts it:
“Our Winter Lights festival will light up London’s skies once again in 2025, transforming Canary Wharf into a large-scale art exhibition. We’re thrilled to invite pioneering creators from around the world to bring light to the dark January evenings.”
Sustainability and community at the core
The festival, organized by Canary Wharf Group (CWG), reflects their commitment to sustainability and community. CWG, Europe’s leading urban regeneration developer, has been purchasing 100% renewable electricity since 2012 and partners with organizations like the Eden Project to foster harmony between people and nature.
For full details on the 2025 Winter Lights festival, visit Canary Wharf Winter Lights 2025. Whether you’re an art lover or simply looking for a unique evening out, this celebration promises to brighten your winter nights.
