Winter Lights Festival – 10th Edition (2026), Canary Wharf
London’s most dazzling winter event returns bigger, brighter, and more imaginative than ever. Celebrating a decade of illuminating the city, the 10th Edition of Winter Lights transforms Canary Wharf into a surreal dreamscape of light, colour, and immersive experiences.
Running Tuesday 20 January – Saturday 31 January 2026, from 5pm to 10pm, this free outdoor festival is one of London’s must‑see winter highlights.
[canarywharf.com]
Introduction
The 2026 Winter Lights Festival marks a major milestone — 10 years of light art at Canary Wharf. This year’s edition features 16 spectacular installations created by acclaimed international artists, all unified under the theme “DREAMSCAPE.”
Designed to evoke surreal, ethereal, and deeply human experiences, DREAMSCAPE invites visitors into a world of playful imagination, sensory immersion, and moments of pure wonder.
History of the Festival
The very first Winter Lights Festival took place in 2015 with just six small installations. A decade later, it has grown into one of the UK’s most established light art events, showcasing 160 installations across nine previous editions and building a lasting legacy of public art.
Five artworks from past festivals have been permanently installed throughout Canary Wharf — meaning the festival’s glow lasts year‑round.
To mark the 10th anniversary, artist Anna Lomax has designed a special limited‑edition DREAMSCAPE poster available on‑site during the festival.
What to See: 16 Global Installations
This milestone edition features 16 stunning light artworks by renowned creators from the UK and around the world. Highlights include:
- FloWeЯ PoWeЯ – Aerosculpture / Jean-Pierre David & Christian Thellier (France)
- In Bloom – Kumquat Lab (UK)
- Aether – Architecture Social Club (UK)
- Hulahoop – Scale (France)
- Out of Body Experience – Alaa Minawi (Netherlands / Palestine / Lebanon)
- Lacto-Reacto-Light – Jack Wimperis (UK)
- Trispheric Garden – Reelize.Studio (Australia)
- For Ever and Ever and Ever – Anna Lomax (UK)
- Sol – Artistic Latvia / Janis Petersons (Latvia)
- Blueprint – Studio Vertigo (UK)
- Sanctuary – Ithaca Studio (UK)
- Un-Reel Access – KAPPA / Patrick & Kaori Jones (UK/Japan)
- Colour Rush – Liz West (UK)
- Manifestation – Marcus Lyall (UK)
- At the Hand – LACROIX (Canada)
- Amplitudes – Limbic Cinema (UK)
A festival map will be released in early January.
[canarywharf.com]
Where to Eat & Drink Nearby
While not part of the official festival information, Canary Wharf is filled with warm, welcoming spots perfect for a winter night out. You’ll find everything from cosy cocktail lounges to riverside dining — ideal for recharging between installations. Just steps from the artworks, you can enjoy:
- Restaurants in Crossrail Place
- Riverside bars along the docks
- Global cuisine inside the shopping and dining malls
(This section is curated for user value; not sourced from the official festival page.)
NX London Hostel Highlight
Stay at NX London Hostel, your comfortable and affordable home base with direct connections to Canary Wharf. After an evening wandering through glowing installations, return to a friendly and warm environment — the ideal way to experience London in winter.
How to Get There from NX London Hostel
- Walk to Tooting Broadway Station.
- Northern Line → London Bridge.
- Transfer to the Jubilee Line toward Stratford.
- Arrive at Canary Wharf Station.
You’ll find installations throughout the estate — just step outside and follow the lights!
(Transport directions authored by me; not from the source site.)
Tickets & Practical Info
- Price: FREE — no booking required.
- Dates: 20–31 January 2026
- Time: 5pm–10pm nightly
- Location: Across Canary Wharf
- Accessibility: The entire district is designed for easy navigation.
[canarywharf.com]
Key Takeaways
- Celebrates 10 years of Winter Lights at Canary Wharf.
- Features 16 breathtaking installations from global artists.
- The 2026 theme is DREAMSCAPE — surreal, uplifting, and immersive.
- Completely free and easy to explore through London’s most modern district.
- Perfect winter outing for families, couples, photographers, and art lovers alike.
Final Thought
After a decade of illuminating London’s darkest month, the Winter Lights Festival still finds new ways to spark imagination. Wander through glowing portals, shimmering sculptures, and dreamlike creations — and discover why Canary Wharf in January shines brighter than ever.
