Details of Carnaby's 2019 Christmas lights have been announced, and there's something fishy about them.
Following on from the success of the Bohemian Rhapsody illuminations last year, the central London shopping destination has gone with an ocean theme for Christmas 2019.
The sustainable light installation has been designed in collaboration with ocean conservation charity, Project 0 — who also worked with Carnaby and artist James Chuter on a colourful sealife mural in the area. 1, 500 recycled bottles have been used to create the display, along with repurposed fishing nets.
Running the length of Carnaby Street, the lights recreate underwater scenes overhead, with sections representing different areas of the ocean in need of conservation. Wander through a floating kelp ‘forest’, and bright pink coral before ending up in the deep sea.
Plenty of model sea creatures can be seen in the display, including a 5m model whale which blows bubbles over visitors, plus dolphins, turtles, jellyfish, a hammerhead shark, and shoals of fish. Of course, there's a conservation message attached — the words ‘One Ocean One Planet’ feature on the famous Carnaby arch to highlight the urgent need to protect and restore the ocean.
It all kicks off with Carnaby's lighting ceremony, taking place on Thursday 7 November at 6pm — an event which also incorporates a shopping party, with promotions and discounts in businesses around the area.
In the meantime, here are the details of the Regent Street lights, Covent Garden lights, and Trafalgar Square Christmas tree. Keep an eye on our guide to when Christmas lights are turned on all over the capital.
