Back to News
The Shard Lights Up London in Colour for the Festive Season
Shard Lights has returned, transforming the 95-storey building into a multi-coloured timepiece, visible across the capital.
At 19:23 on Monday 4th December, Shard Lights will illuminate the top 20 storeys with a special light sequence made up of five distinct colours: blue, green, purple, magenta and red.
Evolving from 2016’s monochromatic display, this year’s Shard Lights will illuminate the sky with one of the five colours each day on rotation, running from dusk until dawn. Along with an array of visual effects including colour gradients, patterns and sparkles to mark every quarter of an hour and strikes on the top of the hour, Londoners and visitors alike will witness the passing of time building to a crescendo at midnight.
Shard Lights will also feature special, distinctive displays on the opening night from 19:23-22:00 and when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Real Estate Management (UK) Limited (REM), asset manager for The Shard, has collaborated with renowned lighting designer, Woodroffe Bassett to create the time-inspired installation. The installation – which took six months to design – uses over 16 kilometres of cable and 360 bulbs, installed by 25 staff over seven nights.
As Western Europe’s highest light show, it is designed to inspire Londoners and visitors to the city to take a moment out of their busy days to look up and admire the night sky.
As a beacon for modern London, the owners and occupiers of The Shard wanted to make a fitting contribution to this year's festivities in the capital. In an increasingly connected and '24 hour' city, we hope the lighting display from the top of the building adds to this year's sense of fun and spectacle for both Londoners and visitors alike.Michael BakerCEO, Real Estate Management (UK) Ltd
The Shard has also partnered with spoken word poet, Harry Baker and actress, Lauren Doughlin, to create a bespoke video, titled “Slow It Down” – celebrating the city, its culture, and energy.
The video, which launches this week, encourages Londoners to slow down and take in the beauty of the capital.
Harry BakerI travel a lot with my poetry and this last year I lived in Elephant & Castle. After a long trip, nothing reminds you you're home like coming across one of the bridges on the Thames and seeing the skyline as the sun comes down.
Spoken Word Poet
Having grown up in SE1, I love seeing the neighbourhood lit up for the festive season. It encourages you not to hibernate indoors but to put on your winter coat, round up some friends, sip on mulled wine, and soak up the atmosphere.Lauren DoughlinActress
Photography Competition The Shard is encouraging keen photographers of all ages to capture the display. Today the #ShardLights competition launches, inviting all to submit their images of the lights for a chance to win photography kit and experiences at The Shard. To find out more about Shard Lights, please visit www.the-shard.com/shardlights
