London's iconic Battersea Power Station has announced a significant change to its winter calendar, confirming that its popular Winter Lights festival will not be returning in January 2026.
End of an Illuminated Era
The decision marks the end of a five-year run for the light trail, which first illuminated the Grade II listed building in 2020. It became a beloved winter fixture, continuing even after the site's official public opening in 2022. Each January, the festival transformed the exterior of the historic power station with a series of bright, artistic displays, drawing both London locals and visitors to explore the installations.
The 2025 event featured seven artworks around the now bustling shopping and leisure hub, including popular pieces like a neon ball of yarn and several interactive displays. Despite this success, the organisers have decided to take the events programme in a new direction.
A New Chapter for Battersea Events
A spokesperson for Battersea Power Station explained the reasoning behind the move. "After five successful years of hosting the Light Festival at Battersea Power Station, we have decided to evolve our events programme to deliver a variety of new and exciting visitor experiences," they stated. "Therefore we will not be hosting the Light Festival in its previous format for 2026."
The landmark is not abandoning light art entirely. As part of its refreshed cultural lineup, it will bring back the largest piece from the 2025 festival: James Glancy Design's 'Aurora' installation in Turbine Hall A. This ensures a remnant of the festival's magic remains on site.
What's Next for Visitors?
The focus is now on a broader year-round programme. Kicking off this new strategy, the immersive Planetarium Go! Experience will launch outside the venue at the end of January. This will be followed by the opening of the Ramses and The Pharaohs' Gold exhibition in the Neon events space adjacent to the Power Station.
While the specific format of the January light trail is discontinued, the commitment to hosting cultural and artistic events at the iconic London location remains stronger than ever. The team promises an "exciting line-up of new events and art partnerships" throughout the coming year.
