On November 5, 2026, one of the most famous shopping streets in the British capital, Regent Street, officially opened the Christmas season. The grand switch-on of the festive illumination took place the day before, transforming central London's main thoroughfare into one of the key symbols of the upcoming holidays. According to WAVE (RBC-Ukraine), the decoration has become a traditional annual event that the street joins as one of the first in the city.
The 'Spirit of Christmas' Concept
This year's festive display is titled 'Spirit of Christmas'. The central and recognizable element of the composition remains the large glowing figures of angels positioned above the street itself. These have long become the trademark of the Christmas season on Regent Street, attracting thousands of residents and tourists who take photos against the backdrop of the luminous wings. The composition is complemented by five large illuminated inscriptions — Joy, Smile, Wish, Love, and Hope — as well as stars and decorative heart-shaped arches bearing the street's name.
Scale and Technology: Over 300,000 LED Bulbs
According to the organizers, the installation was created using more than 300,000 energy-efficient LED bulbs. This approach provides a bright, multi-layered light canopy covering the entire width of the street while maintaining relatively low energy consumption. The combination of warm golden tones for the angel wings, cool star accents, and contour inscriptions creates an immersive lighting environment that reads as a single artistic work rather than just a set of fairy lights.
Grand Opening and Festive Performance
During the switch-on ceremony, Regent Street was closed to vehicular traffic, dedicating the space entirely to pedestrians. From 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, the street hosted musical performances, stilt-walker shows, dance acts, and other entertainment activities, turning the opening into a full-fledged street festival. This format allows the event to be more than just 'turning on the lights' — it creates a vibrant atmosphere from the very first evening of the season.
Schedule and Viewing Hours
The Christmas illumination will decorate Regent Street until January 5, 2027. The display will be lit daily from 3:00 PM to midnight, covering both daylight hours and the evening period when the street is most visited. Thus, the 'Spirit of Christmas' will serve as the primary lighting landmark of central London throughout the entire Christmas and New Year season, uniting the commercial, tourist, and cultural functions of one of Europe's most photographed streets.
