Winter Lights Festival returns to Canary Wharf on 20th January

Canary Wharf’s Winter Lights festival will be returning this year for a very special tenth anniversary edition. Running from the 20^th until the 31^st of January, the festival is free to attend and will feature 16 light installations, including 6 brand new commissions created especially for 2026.

This year’s theme, Dreamscape, will welcome visitors into surreal and ethereal worlds through immersive, large-scale light artworks across Canary Wharf.

Highlight artworks from global artists include: 

• Trispheric Garden (REELIZE.STUDIO) – a shimmering ‘pond’ of illuminated obelisks and mirrored spheres, blending light and reflection to dissolve the boundary between reality and imagination 

• Sanctuary (Ithaca) – a newly commissioned immersive space of light and sound, offering a meditative refuge amid the bustle of Canary Wharf 

• Colour Rush (Liz West) – a kaleidoscopic light box on a mirrored plinth, multiplying colour and patterns for a fully immersive experience 

• For Ever and Ever and Ever (Anna Lomax) – a series of immersive light installations across Cabot, Canada and Jubilee Place, combining towering neon loops, recycled-glass infinity effectsand tranquil glowing monoliths to transform everyday spaces. 

A map of the lights can be viewed on the Canary Wharf website and via the Canary Wharf app if you want to plan ahead and there will be event stewards throughout the festival to help with directions. The festival has been designed with accessibility in mind, ensuring the artworks can be enjoyed by all.

For a full evening of activities, you can check out the Canada Square Park ice rink, The Winter Club immersive bar at Wood Wharf. Finally, pop up food stalls will be available across Montgomery Square, Jubilee Park and Union Square. You can expect wood-fired pizza, Moroccan dishes, crepes and crumbles.

Dates: 20th - 31st January 2026.

For more information click here.

Written by Alexandra Herlaut Reinhardt

Photography courtesy of Canary Wharf Winter