With all the ‘switching on’ ceremonies of Christmas lights already taken place and celebrated, it’s time to discover the spectacular lighting displays taking place across the country this Christmas.
Illuminating Shakespeare -Shakespeare’s Birthplace
26th November 2015 – 19th December 2015
Thu/Fri/Sat – 4:00 pm-6:00pm
Stratford-upon-Avon
Illuminating Shakespeare is a lightshow that brings alive the great writer’s birthplace and early life. The light display is a sight to behold as the house is illuminated with dramatic visuals and visitors can explore each individual room which is open to all for free for this fantastic event.
The gardens of the house feature interactive illuminated scenes from the writer’s great works which includes fireflies dancing through the trees, silhouettes adorning the walls and letters tumbling down the footpath.
Visitors can record their special memories of Shakespeare which will be featured at a special event in January 2016 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s legacy.
Edinburgh’s Christmas 2015
22nd November 2015 – 6th January 2016
Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s Christmas is all set to bring the biggest Christmas festival in Scotland and the UK. Following the huge success last year attracting more than 3.6 million visitors, this year’s festival will see an expansion into other parts of the city with more free events.
Some of the spectacular lighting displays this year include ‘The Virgin Money Street of Light’ – An architectural display of more than 60,000 lights, stretching along the Royal Mile, from City Chambers to the Tron Kirk. The light display will take place on 30th November, set to music from various Edinburgh choirs.
St Andrew Square will transform into a winter wonderland with thousands of lights adorning the ice rink, the Big Wheel, the star Flyer, the extended Santa Land and the giant carousel which is the new addition to the square this year.
Gardens of Light Festival
19th November 2015 – 3rd January 2016
4:00 pm – 10:00 pm (except Christmas Day)
Bournemouth Gardens
Garden of Light Festival is one of the best Christmas lights displays in the country. This year the gardens will come alive once again with a dazzling display of festive lights with various attractions such as ice skating rink, Santa express, Christmas market, Moose bar and Christmas Stage.
Visitors can follow the trail of hanging lights and projections and explore the unique light pods in the gardens. The light pods are themed as, ‘under the pier’, ‘the light lounge’, ‘the enchanted beach hut’ and ‘hippodrome’. A new addition this year is the light installation inspired by traditional candlelit nights in the summertime and patterns of snowflakes, which is designed to deliver a brand new experience to visitors.
Mousehole, Cornwall
14th December 2015– 5th January 2016
6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Mousehole
The Christmas lights first began in 1963, when Joan Gillchrest, a local artist, hung a string of coloured bulbs along the quays of the Cornish fishing village. The idea inspired the locals and ever since then, the tradition has carried on till today, much bigger and more impressive, with 2014 marking 50 years of its existence.
The light display is a sight to behold, with floating lights in the harbour and the streets. There are sea serpents, fishing boats and whales colourfully displayed on the harbour with the main centrepiece being the Celtic cross on St. Clement Island, which is powered by a wind generator.
The whole village is lit up with strings of lanterns adorning the streets along with a giant Merry Christmas and Happy New Year sign on the hillside measuring up to almost a 150 ft.
Why not give your house that extra sparkle this Christmas? See our range of LED Lighting for inspiration.