---
title: "\"Press Play on Christmas\": London switches on 90s-inspired Christmas lights on Carnaby Street"
description: "London has illuminated Carnaby Street and Kingly Court for the holidays. The \"Press Play on Christmas\" theme pays homage to 1990s British Christmas aesthetics, featuring bright colors, pop culture motifs, live music, and photo ops."
date: 2026-11-05T10:08:38.935Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/london-carnaby-street-christmas-lights-90s
tags: [london, christmas-lights, carnaby-street, 1990s-aesthetic, soho]
author: "Inna Kinsheva"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# "Press Play on Christmas": London switches on 90s-inspired Christmas lights on Carnaby Street

![Bright 90s-style Christmas illuminations on Carnaby Street in London during the evening](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/05/london-carnaby-street-rozhdestvenskaya-illuminatsiya-1990/london-carnaby-street-rozhdestvenskaya-illuminatsiya-1990-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Christmas lights have been switched on at Carnaby Street and Kingly Court in London, marking the start of the season.
- The "Press Play on Christmas" theme is inspired by 1990s British Christmas aesthetics and was designed by Sculptivate studio.
- Visitors can enjoy musical performances with 90s hits, photo zones, and special offers from local businesses.

The Christmas season has officially kicked off in London: festive lights have been switched on at one of the city's most famous shopping streets, Carnaby Street. As reported by the lifestyle project WAVE (RBC-Ukraine), despite there being almost two months left until Christmas, the Soho district has already plunged into a wintry holiday atmosphere. Each year, Carnaby Street features a unique thematic concept, making the street traditionally one of the first places to experience the anticipation of the holidays even before December.

### The season's theme: Nostalgia for the 1990s British Christmas

This year's design is titled "Press Play on Christmas" and celebrates the aesthetics of the British Christmas in the 1990s. The decor features vibrant colors, unusual decorative elements, and motifs referencing the pop culture of that era. According to the publication, the festive concept was developed by the design studio Sculptivate. This approach turns a walk along the street into a dive into the visual code of an era familiar to both older and new generations of Londoners.

### Geography of the lights: Not just Carnaby Street

Festive lights have adorned not only Carnaby Street itself but also the adjacent Kingly Court, home to various restaurants, cafes, and shops. Thus, the illuminated zone covers several locations in the quarter, allowing visitors to spend more time in the decorated area, combining shopping with visits to local venues.

### Music, photo zones, and offers from local venues

Beyond the visual display, organizers have prepared musical performances featuring 1990s hits and Christmas classics for visitors. Additionally, the program includes photo zones and special offers from local establishments. This mix of activities makes the event more than just "lights on facades"; it is a full-fledged urban festive format with an entertainment program.

### Why Carnaby Street is a key holiday destination in London

Carnaby Street is traditionally considered one of London's most popular locations for festive walks and shopping. The annual change of theme transforms the street into a "living" calendar of the season: every year, the city and tourists get a new visual reason to return. Switching on the lights weeks before Christmas is an established practice that sets the festive rhythm in the Soho district long before December.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [В Лондоне зажгли рождественскую иллюминацию на знаменитой Carnaby Street](https://wave.rbc.ua/ukr/trips/londoni-zasvitili-rizdvyanu-ilyuminatsiyu-1793868934.html) - Primary source: "Press Play on Christmas" theme, 1990s aesthetics, Sculptivate studio, Kingly Court decor, music and photo zones. No discrepancies found.

## FAQ

### What is the theme of this year's Carnaby Street Christmas display?

The display is titled "Press Play on Christmas" and is dedicated to the aesthetics of the 1990s British Christmas.

### Who developed the holiday concept?

According to WAVE (RBC-Ukraine), the concept was developed by the studio Sculptivate.

### Which other areas, besides Carnaby Street, are decorated with lights?

The lights also cover the adjacent Kingly Court, which houses various restaurants, cafes, and shops.

### What activities are available for visitors?

Organizers have arranged music performances with 90s hits and Christmas songs, photo zones, and special offers from local venues.