Shaftesbury Capital has announced that a brand-new light scheme will be coming to Carnaby Street this Christmas, including a first-of-its-kind approach for lights in London. Aligning with Soho’s reputation as a destination that champions creativity, innovation, and pioneering concepts, ‘Into the Light’ will also spark a more sustainable approach to the festive period.
Partnering with Sculptivate, the creative production and design studio based in London, the new Christmas lights are an example of the leading landlord’s innovation in public realm and consumer experience. The installations will feature over 60,000 fully programmable LEDs, with dynamic light displays daily in a first for London, creating stop-and-pause moments on one of the country’s most iconic shopping and dining destinations and enhancing the overall visitor experience.
‘Into the Light’ is contemporary in style, with focal points of large star installations at gateways on Carnaby Street, complemented by 6-meter-long sculptural light forms suspended along the street. The installation extends into Kingly Court, where cascading curtains of light will adorn the balconies, evoking a cosy, intimate atmosphere within Soho’s beloved alfresco dining spot.
The light structures, which have been made in the UK, will be powered by energy from renewable sources, and are intended to be a fixture of Carnaby Street Christmas for at least five years. The scheme can be adapted each year, as Shaftesbury Capital continues to innovate in its evolution of the visitor experience, adding something that can be re-used but is still capable of generating new reasons to enjoy all that Carnaby Street and Soho has to offer.
Michelle McGrath, Executive Director at Shaftesbury Capital, said: “Soho and Carnaby Street has an incredibly rich history of innovation, design and positively connecting with people. The new Christmas lights scheme on Carnaby Street, right in the heart of the west end, embodies this, with a long term investment which takes a creative and more sustainable approach. As with our other destinations, we passionately believe that this beautiful, well-designed and high quality lighting scheme with a longer term vision for Carnaby Street will build cherished Christmas experiences which inspire and excite Londoners and visitors alike.”
Andy Cobb, Founder at Sculptivate, commented: “London is globally recognised for its Christmas decorations, with Carnaby Street featuring every year in the ‘must see’ list for locals and tourists alike. With this new installation, we wanted to celebrate the rich heritage while pushing the boundaries of creativity, offering something that will not only return as a cherished tradition but also continue to captivate audiences. ‘Into the Light’ will transform Soho in the same way its predecessors have, while maintaining Shaftesbury Capital’s position as a real trailblazer in West End public realm.”
Carnaby Street’s new Christmas lights will be switched on Thursday 7th November, followed by six weeks of activity across the neighbourhood, echoing Shaftesbury Capital’s creative approach to the festive period.
