London's Canary Wharf Winter Lights festival has returned for its 2026 edition, offering a captivating escape from the city's dark winter evenings. This free event, running until the end of January, transforms the financial district into a luminous wonderland, with installations from international artists that are more immersive and emotionally resonant than ever before.
An Immersive Winter Spectacle
Established as one of London's premier free winter attractions, the Canary Wharf Winter Lights festival invites visitors to wander through docks, squares, and rooftops adorned with glowing artworks. Open every evening from 5pm to 10pm, the festival continues to offer its magical experience without any admission charge, making it accessible to all.
This year's theme, DREAMSCAPE, sets the tone for an other-worldly journey. From hypnotic optical illusions to reflective gardens and celestial displays, the installations are designed to captivate and inspire. Here are the five standout artworks that you simply cannot miss during your visit.
FloWeЯ PoWeЯ by Aerosculpture (France)
Located at Westferry Circus, this installation is one of the most mesmerising displays in the festival's history. FloWeЯ PoWeЯ initially appears almost invisible, but as light begins to move, it utilises the optical illusion of 'persistence of vision' to create spirals of colour that form glowing, flower-like shapes in mid-air. These ethereal blooms seem to materialise and dissolve before your eyes, offering a truly hypnotic experience.
Trispheric Garden by REELIZE.STUDIO (Australia)
Cabot Square's fountain has been transformed into a portal to another dimension with Trispheric Garden. Six illuminated pyramid-shaped obelisks encircle the water, each containing mirrored orbs that scatter light across the surface like celestial constellations. As you navigate the space, the reflections shift and multiply, blurring the lines between reality and imagination, creating a calm and contemplative atmosphere.
Sol by Artistic (Latvia)
Nestled within the Crossrail Place Roof Garden, Sol is a quietly beautiful installation that brings the solar system down to earth. Softly glowing planets, including Earth, Mercury, Venus, and the gas giants, hover just above head height among the trees and plants. Each planet is said to symbolise different gifts such as love, courage, wisdom, and creativity, offering a soothing reminder of our place in the universe.
Amplitudes by Limbic Cinema (UK)
At Eden Dock, Amplitudes immerses visitors in a living waveform. Jets of water act as a floating screen, capturing projections of animated waves that shimmer in sync with sound. The visuals and music blend seamlessly, with the shapes bending and blurring in the wind, ensuring that no two viewings are identical. For a perfect photo opportunity, capture this installation as the DLR passes by in the background.
Aether by Architecture Social Club (UK)
Montgomery Square hosts one of the festival's most powerful installations: Aether. This grid of glowing lights, suspended in space, responds in real time to sound, translating music into movement. Watching sound take on physical form is deeply affecting, making this piece both technically impressive and emotionally resonant.
Planning Your Visit
The Canary Wharf Winter Lights 2026 festival runs from 20 to 31 January, with evening hours from 5pm to 10pm. To enhance your experience, you can download the Winter Lights map via the free Canary Wharf app, allowing you to plan your route and ensure you don't miss any of these stunning installations.
Whether you're seeking a moment of tranquillity, a burst of inspiration, or simply a magical evening out, this festival offers something for everyone. Don't miss your chance to explore these five unmissable light artworks before the month ends.
