Oxford Street - Christmas Lights

Christmas Lights

Each Christmas Oxford Street is decorated with festive lights. The Christmas lights began in 1959, five years after the neighbouring Regent Street began the tradition. The lights were abandoned in 1976 and 1977 due to economic recession, returning in 1978 when Oxford Street organised a laser display.

In mid- to late-November a celebrity turns on the lights and they remain lit until 6 January (Twelfth Night). The following celebrities have turned on the lights since 1981:

• 1981 — Pilin Leon (Miss World, Venezuela)
• 1982 — Daley Thompson
• 1983 — Pat Phoenix
• 1984 — Esther Rantzen
• 1985 — Bob Geldof
• 1986 — Leslie Grantham, Anita Dobson
• 1987 — Derek Jameson
• 1988 — Terry Wogan
• 1989 — Gorden Kaye
• 1990 — Cliff Richard
• 1991 — Westminster Children's Hospital
• 1992 — Linford Christie
• 1993 — Richard Branson
• 1994 — Lenny Henry
• 1995 — Coronation Street Cast
• 1996 — Spice Girls
• 1997 — Peter André
• 1998 — Zoë Ball
• 1999 — Ronan Keating
• 2000 — Charlotte Church
• 2001 — S Club 7
• 2002 — Blue
• 2003 — Enrique Iglesias
• 2004 — Emma Watson, Il Divo, Steve Redgrave
• 2005 — Westlife
• 2006 — All Saints
• 2007 — Leona Lewis
• 2008 — Sugababes
• 2009 — Jim Carrey
• 2010 — Children from Kids Company
• 2011 — The Saturdays
• 2012 — Robbie Williams