Winter Lights Festival Canary Wharf 2025: Free Event, Top Instagram Spots & Tips

by | Jan 22, 2025 | Blog, London

How about an evening with bright lights in the big city? Brightening up your winter evenings this January is the Winter Lights Festival at Canary Wharf—a place where the fast-paced cityscape meets the transformative world of art and light.

Whether you’re a Londoner or a first-time visitor, here’s everything you need to know about this sparkling event, including my top five Instagrammable spots you won’t want to miss!

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Illusion Hole


What You Need to Know Before You Go

  • Timing: The festival runs every evening from 5 PM to 10 PM and finishes on 1 February.
  • Wrap Up Warm: Canary Wharf can get chilly this time of year, so don’t forget your coat, gloves, and hat!
  • Grab a Map: Pick up a free map from the station to help navigate the 12 stops around the festival.
  • Pace Yourself: It takes about 90 minutes to 2 hours to explore all the installations, so take it slow and soak up the magic.

Pro Tip: Visit on a weekday if you can—weekends can get super busy!


My Top 5 Instagrammable Stops at Winter Lights

This year’s festival features 12 stunning installations, but here are my absolute faves for that perfect Instagram shot:

  1. Evanescent Droplets by Atelier Sisu (Stop 5)
    Head to Cabot Square to bounce around giant glowing orbs of light. It’s bright, playful, and completely magical!
  2. Illusion Hole by UxU Studio (Stop 12)
    Over at Eden Dock, this swirling light show in the water feels like stepping into another dimension. For the bestshot, wait for a train to pass overhead—it’s worth it!
  3. Mirage by Atelier Sisu (Stop 8)
    The rainbow hues of this stunning installation in Montgomery Square will leave you in awe. Perfect for that dreamy, colorful Insta snap.
  4. The Error by Vendel & de Wolf (Stop 3)
    Get ready for some UFO vibes at Westferry Circus. It’s quirky, otherworldly, and totally unique.
  5. Wave by Squidsoup (Stop 4)
    Head to UK Columbus Courtyard for a wave of mesmerizing multi-colored lights. This one’s a showstopper!
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Evanescent Droplets


Food, Drinks, and Warming Up

Exploring the Winter Lights Festival can work up quite an appetite! Luckily, Canary Wharf is packed with food stalls and incredible restaurants to keep you fueled.

After soaking up the lights, we headed to The Ivy to warm up in style, but there are plenty of other cozy spots to choose from. Whether you fancy street food or something fancier, there’s something for everyone.


Final Thoughts

The Winter Lights Festival at Canary Wharf is a must-see if you’re in London this winter. It’s free, fun, and totally Instagram-worthy! Just remember to dress warm, wear comfortable shoes, plan your route, and soak in the breathtaking art along the way.

Let me know in the comments which installation is your favourite—or if you’ve discovered a hidden gem I missed! 🌟

Planning your year? Take a look at my 2025 Calendar here:

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2025 Canva Calendar

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