Winter Lights Festival @ Canary Wharf

A series of light installations were displayed across Canary Wharf which was part of the Lumiere London festival this year. Many of the artworks are marvelled spectacles that are not only visually stunning but some are currently encouraged to interact with the artworks one way or another. The festival ran from 11 to 22 January 2016.

Some of the light installations can be found below:

The Luminous City - Nathaniel Rackowe

Light Sphere I - Tom Wilkinson

We Could Meet - Martin Richman

A Parallel Image - Gebhard Sengmüller

Moon - Iregular (Daniel Iregui)

Aura (2014) - Philips Lighting Design

Lumen Prize Exhibition - Lumen

The Pool - Jen Lewin Studio

My Light is Your Light - Alaa Minawi
Globoscope - Collectif Coin

Flawless - Gonzalo Bascuñan & Perrine Vichet

On the Wings of Freedom - Aether & Hemera

Infinity Pools - Stephen Newby

bit.fall - Julius Popp

Totem - Bitone Collective

Fantastic Planet - Amanda Parer

Southbank Centre's Winter Festival with NatWest 2014

Southbank Centre with NatWest have created a Winter Festival surrounding the Centre, along the Riverside Terrace and Queen’s Walk with chalets, giant rabbits and fun festivities. The festival started on 6th December 2014 and is to end on 11th January 2015.

Here’s some of the things that were on at the festival:

• Southbank Centre Express – Train before and under the Hungerford Bridge that heads to Festival Pier along Queen’s Walk and back.
• Christmas Market – Banks of chalets lined up near the Christmas Tree Maze and La Soiree selling food, drinks and gifts.
• Rekorderlig Cider Lodge – Cosy down to warm drinks and Scandinavian street food at the lodge in this Scandinavian-styled house.
• Viewing Deck Bar – Raised bar where you can settle down with a drink and enjoy the views of London, the Thames and the Southbank Centre Express.
• Christmas Tree Maze – A maze made up of 300 Black Forest trees.
• Christmas Tree Café – Get hot drinks from the café while enjoying the Christmas tree designed by BOO and Lyn Atelier on top of the café.
• Intrude: Giant Rabbits – Giant glowing rabbits created by Australian artist Amanda Parer.

To find out what else is upcoming and happening on at the Southbank check out their website.

#SCWinterfest

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 2014

Winter Wonderland play host to all winter festivities and activities in Hyde Park running from the end of November into the beginning of January the next year. This year it was held form 21st November 2014 to 4th January 2015. There are rides, attractions, cafés and bars to explore all of which fall into the following sections of the Wonderland:

• Santa Land – Home to Santa’s Grotto and a chance to meet Santa. There are food and rides in this section.
• Fairy Christmas Market, Nostalgic Victorian Fair and Angels Mart – An area lined up with cafés, bars and shops where you can find yourself in some festive treats, drinks and gifts.
• Arctic Circle – Ice and snow themed rides such as the Magical Ice Kingdom and North Pole Funhouse. You can find Bar Ice here where you can sit down with a drink in an environment made with ice.
• Bavarian Village – A place for the family to sit down and enjoy German festive traditions. You can sit down to German food, beer and music.
• Alpine Adventure – An area clustered with a mix of rides to try out.

You can find out further information on opening times and what's on at Winter Wonderland on their website.

#HPWW

Monty's Winter Garden

John Lewis (in partnership with Samsung) became home to Monty’s Winter Garden between the 8th November to 31st December 2014. The Winter Garden was housed on the roof terrace of John Lewis’s Oxford Street store.

Here are the things that were in the garden:

• Tupic – An “Inuit onspired shelter” complete with large expanse seating areas with a televised fireplace with an illustrious fragrance given off by the surrounding trees.
• Pose with Monty – An opportunity to get a picture with Monty and you can get it printed out in Monty’s House at the request of the staff helpers.
• Snug – A small “cosy hideaway” which has bed-like seating areas or a chance to lie down.
• Viewing Points – 2 viewing points that gives a panoramic view of London.
• Hot Chocolate Bar – Warm drinks and snacks provided by Hotel Chocolat.
• Monty’s House – Create festive treats with a chance to win one of Samsung’s products in the house.

Once the event has finished, the Winter Garden will be transformed back into the roof garden that it was before which can still be access during the week.  

#MontyThePenguin