Thu. Dec 19th, 2024

Oxford Street Christmas Lights Switch On

Singer and actress Rita Ora will switch on the 58th Oxford Street Christmas Lights.The show will be hosted by Capital Breakfast’s Roman Kemp and Vick Hope, with performances from UK pop acts Matt Terry and 5 After Midnight. The event, which officially marks the start of the festive season in London, will be held in partnership with children’s charity NSPCC and Sky Cinema. Over 750,000 bright white LED bulbs and 1,778 baubles will decorate the mile-long stretch of Oxford Street, in London’s West End. Tuesday 7 November, from 5pm Entry is free

Carnaby Christmas Carnival

 Carnaby launch their brand new Christmas Carnival installations with an experiential shopping party with events, discounts, drinks and DJs. An immersive light switch on will take place at 6pm with a party playlist from legendary DJ Norman Jay MBE. Carnaby Street shoppers will then be able to enjoy 20% discount at over 100 brands in Carnaby as well as on street entertainment and exclusive offers. Brands include Sweaty Betty, We Built This City, Skinny Dip, The Kooples, Benefit and Puma. Restaurants and bars include Pizza Pilgrims, Dirty Bones, Le Bab, Señor Ceviche.  Thursday 9 November, 5-9pm Entry is free

Seven Dials Loves Christmas

Festival choir Some Voices will lead the Christmas light switch on with seven festive songs performed from the seven streets up to the central monument. Other festive activities on the night include free wreath making on Earlham Street and street entertainment. Brands including Benefit, Pierre Herme, FRESH, Larsson and Jennings and Rixo will be offering a 20% discount, and there will be a free gift wrapping station on Neal Street. A free glass of Scandinavian warm wine will be available from Nordic Bakery, and free street food tacos by Monmouth Kitchen. Thursday 16 November, 5-9pm Entry is free

Regent Street Christmas Lights Switch On

The largest lights installation in the capital, ‘The Spirit of Christmas’ is returning for 2017, and is re-imagined with new colours amongst the 300,000 LED lights. Taking inspiration from the shopping hub’s earliest Christmas lights in 1954, the glitzy display featuring large-scale spirits glows above Regent Street and the surrounding streets of Piccadilly for the second year this Christmas. The street will be closed to traffic and fully pedestrianised from Oxford Circus to Piccadilly Circus until 9pm for the live countdown, with VIP appearances and live entertainment. Thursday 16 November, 4-9pm

St. Martin’s Courtyard

The courtyard will be transformed into a festive winter forest adorned with blue and silver holly leaves, miniature forest creatures and a sprinkling of snow. There will also be live music from 10-piece brass band, Brasstermind, complimentary Prosecco, a S’mores bar, exclusive shopping discounts and in-store activities. A giant snow globe will be installed with free polaroid photos for shoppers. Brands and restaurants offering discounts of up to 20% off include & Other Stories, Barbour, Eileen Fisher, L. K. Bennett, Lorna Jane, Pretty Ballerinas, Suda Thai and The Covent Garden Academy of Flowers. Thursday 23 November, 5pm-9pm Entry is free

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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