The City of London invites Londoners to ring in the holiday season with the annual Lighting of the Lights at Victoria Park on Friday, December 2. Live entertainment begins at 6:15 p.m. followed by the countdown to the spectacular illumination of the entire park at 6:50 p.m.
“Lighting of the Lights is a longstanding tradition dating back to 1958 that marks the official start of the holiday season in London,” says Mayor Josh Morgan. “My family and I are looking forward to seeing Victoria Park transform into a Winter Wonderland, illuminated with festive lights and displays for Londoners to enjoy through the holiday season. We hope to see you there!”
Starting Friday, December 2 at 6:50 p.m., Victoria Park will transform into a Winter Wonderland, with over 75,000 lights illuminating the park nightly from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. until the end of February. There will also be a variety of other displays in the park, including Santa and his reindeer, the Christmas train and the snowmen family. Santa's Mailbox will also be on-site for all the children who need to mail their wish list to the North Pole.
The City Hall observation deck will reopen for public viewing of Lighting of the Lights and the Winter Wonderland in Victoria Park during the following dates and times:
- Friday, December 2 to Sunday, December 4 from 7 to 11 p.m.
- Thursday, December 8 to Sunday, December 11 from 7 to 11 p.m.
- Thursday, December 15 to Sunday, December 18 from 7 to 11 p.m.
- Thursday, December 22 to Friday, December 23 from 7 to 11 p.m.
- Thursday, December 29 to Friday, December 30 from 7 to 11 p.m.
Victoria Park washrooms
Washrooms in Victoria Park will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Kiwanis Memorial Bandshell throughout the holiday season.
Following the Lighting of the Lights, Londoners are encouraged to visit the Covent Garden Market for their Holly Jolly Market, taking place until 10 p.m. on Friday, December 2. Enjoy local artisan and food vendors, live music and entertainment, light displays, a hot chocolate station and cozy fire pits as you gaze at the beautiful Christmas tree in the centre of Rotary Square.
Outdoor skating
Weather permitting, the outdoor skating rink at Victoria Park will open on Friday, December 9. With the Holly Jolly Market taking place outside of the Covent Garden Market throughout December, the Rotary Rink at Covent Garden Market will open in early January. More details about outdoor skating will be shared in the coming weeks.
Downtown for the Holidays
It will be a December to remember in downtown London, with large-scale events including the Holly Jolly Market, Lighting of the Lights and New Year’s Eve in the Park as well as small-scale activations including musical performances and art crawls taking place throughout December. Visit Downtown for the Holidays to learn more about upcoming holiday events.
