Glowing News! Winter Lights Festival Is Returning To Canary Wharf

Laura Reynolds
By Laura Reynolds Last edited 57 months ago

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Last Updated 13 January 2020

Glowing News! Winter Lights Festival Is Returning To Canary Wharf
Submergence by Squidsoup at Canary Wharf Winter Lights 2019. Photo: Londonist

Free light festival Canary Wharf Winter Lights will return to east London in January 2020.

The sixth outing of the annual festival brings 25 illuminated installations dotted to the Canary Wharf area, created by a variety of artists, and available for the public to ogle.

Sasha Trees by Adam Decolight at Canary Wharf Winter Lights 2019. Photo: Londonist

Glowing angel wings, luminous trees, rainbow benches and psychedelic prisms have all featured in the photogenic festival's previous outings, an ideal antidote to January's dark nights.

Exact details for 2020 haven't yet been revealed, but we do know that the trail will comprise of works from previous years, alongside light artworks never before seen in the UK, and some newly-commissioned pieces.

Heofon Light Maze by Ben Busche at Canary Wharf Winter Lights 2019. Photo: Londonist

We've got our fingers firmly crossed for a return by Squidsoup, the company responsible for our highlight of last year's festival, Submergence (top picture). The immersive artwork featured dangling bulbs set in time to a soundtrack, and a similar installation tok place in Belgravia this winter, with another at Southbank Centre.

Take a look at our video from Winter Lights 2019, for an idea of what to expect:

A couple of tips from previous years — if possible, visit on a weekday evening, as the route gets very busy at weekends. Also, in the past, we've found the official maps to be largely helpful, but questionable in places — if you get lost or can't find a particular installation, look out for stewards on the route to direct you to the artworks.

Winter Lights 2020 takes place around Canary Wharf, 16-25 January 2020. It's free to visit. If you love a light festival as much as we do, take a look at the other glowing gatherings in London this winter. Take a look at our guide to eating and drinking in Canary Wharf and make a night of it.