Southbank Winter Lights 2026 switch on tonight - here's the best time to visit
Southbank’s Winter Lights will glow once again this week.
Southbank is set to glow this week as it once again welcomes an array of illuminations during the cold winter nights.
Over the years Winter Lights at the Southbank Centre has become a new year staple for the river side spot bringing a little light and colour to the cold January nights.
Scattered outside the Royal Festival Hall, Hayward Gallery and the Queen Elizabeth Hall, there will be an array of artworks to discover.
In total, the 2026 Winter Lights trail will have 11 works, which include both new and old designs that have become familiar in the area.
Here's everything you need to know if you're planning to visit the 2026 Southbank Light Festival trail this January.
When do the 2026 Southbank Winter Lights start and end?
The 2026 Southbank Light Festival will launch tonight, January 7. The area is set to be lit up with artworks for just over a week until January 18.
Do you need a ticket for the 2026 Southbank Winter Lights?
No, the Southbank Light Festival is not a ticketed event and is free for all to visit and roam around its illuminations.
What time can I visit the 2026 Southbank Winter Lights?
The light trail is typically lit up from 5am to 10pm daily. Visitors will get the best views after dark as the illuminations really start to glow.
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