Lumiere London Open Until 17 January 2016

Lumiere London, a spectacular free-to-attend four-night event, opened on Thursday night.

Developed by creative producers Artichoke and supported by the Mayor of London, Lumiere London will take place from 18:30 to 22:30 each night, until 17 January 2016.

Free to attend, the festival will re-imagine London’s urban landscape and architecture in 30 artworks across four main areas: King’s Cross; Mayfair and Grosvenor Square; Piccadilly, Regent Street, Leicester Square and St James’s; and Trafalgar Square and Westminster.

Lumiere London aims to attract Londoners and tourists alike into the heart of the capital during what is traditionally one of the quieter months of the year.

Festival visitors are being encouraged to explore the dazzling night-time gallery on foot, discovering parts of the capital for the first time and seeing familiar sights in a new light.

There are easy walking routes between many of the 30 exhibits and plenty of opportunities to stay and linger over a drink or a meal at the many venues and attractions along the way.

Suggested walking routes include: from Leicester Square through to Trafalgar Square and Westminster Abbey; from Piccadilly Circus to Grosvenor Square via Piccadilly Arcade and St James’s; along Regent Street via Carnaby to Oxford Circus; and from Euston Road to King’s Cross, Granary Square and beyond.

The festival map is available to download and will be distributed to festival visitors in London’s West End and King’s Cross during the event.

Founding Partner Bloomberg Philanthropies is working alongside Artichoke to enhance public engagement with Lumiere London and will host "The Heart and Soul of the City" on Friday, 15 January, an event at which Lumiere London artists will discuss and debate the life of the city, the public realm and how they can be transformed by communities and artists.

Artichoke has worked with Team London, the Mayor’s volunteering programme for London, to recruit over 200 volunteers from across the capital; from sharing knowledge of the city and recommending places to eat and drink, they will assist audiences in discovering more about the artworks and help make the festival a success.

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