UK Student Life homepage
Study, work or travel in the UK. British culture and life.
Homepage
Search
A-Z index
Message Board
Contact us
Britain
Course
Life
Work
Links
English
Prepare
Personal
Travel
Ideas
Trips to Christmas markets from London
< Up
Ideas / Album / Oxford Street Lights
Christmas Lights turning on ceremonies in Oxford Street, London

In 2009 the Christmas Lights on Regent Street and Oxford Street and at St Paul's Cathedral were switched on at the same time on Tuesday 3 December 2009.
Each shared the theme "A Christmas Carol", to mark the release of the new Disney film version of the story by Charles Dickens (see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUBCBB5tL4I).
Entertainment at each location was from 5pm to 6:30pm, with the lights being switched on by the film's stars soon after 6:15pm.
The event was followed by the world premiere of "A Christmas Carol" in Leicester Square.



The Oxford Street stage was set up near Oxford Circus. The host was DJ Harriet Scott, from Heart Radio 106.2, together with Jason Donovan.


The theme of the lights is Disney's film "A Christmas Carol"

Jason Donovan

Harriet Scott

Performers from the West End musical "Sister Act" sang a couple of songs from the show (see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTnPt2QuGQ4)


Peter André was next on stage


Taio Cruz sang his hit song "Break Your Heart" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOg_IHwXWsk) as well as his latest single


The girl group The Saturdays performed next (see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGPwmr2FWn4)


There were a couple of short speeches by London officials


Boris Johnson, Mayor of London

The Deputy Lord Mayor of Westminster

There were the main stars at the simultaneous events in other parts of London


Opera singer Andrea Bocelli
in Leicester Square

Actor Bob Hoskins
at St Paul's Cathedral

Actor Colin Firth
in Regent Street

The Oxford Street lights were switched on by actor Jim Carrey, who stars as Scrooge in the film "A Christmas Carol". He was joined by the director Robert Zemeckis.


Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey plays Scrooge

Robert Zemeckis

The switch was pressed and the Christmas lights came on:



Finally, carols were sung at each of the venues. A world record was set for the most number of people singing a carol at the same time.


Back to top

HISTORY


The following people have turned on the Oxford Street lights:

2009 - Jim Carrey
2008 - Sugababes
2007 - Leona Lewis
2006 - All Saints
2005 - Westlife
2004 - Steve Redgrave, Emma Watson
2003 - Enrique Iglesias
2002 - Blue
2001 - S Club 7
2000 - Charlotte Church
1999 - Ronan Keating
1998 - Zoe Ball
1997 - Peter Andre
1996 - Spice Girls
1995 - Coronation Street Cast
1994 - Lenny Henry
1993 - Richard Branson
1992 - Linford Christie
1991 - Westminster Children's Hospital
1990 - Cliff Richard
1989 - Gordon Kaye
1988 - Terry Wogan
1987 - Derek Jameson
1986 - Den and Angie Watts
1985 - Bob Geldof
1984 - Esther Rantzen
1983 - Pat Phoenix
1982 - Daley Thompson
1981 - Pilin Leon (Miss World, Venezuela)

Back to top



LINKS


For photos of the lights in Oxford Street and other parts of London in other years, see the following links:
Christmas lights in 2008: Ideas/Album/ChristmasLights2008
Christmas lights in 2007: Ideas/Album/ChristmasLights2007
Christmas lights in 2006: Ideas/Album/ChristmasLights2006
Christmas lights in 2005: Ideas/Album/ChristmasLights2005
Christmas lights in 2004: Ideas/Album/ChristmasLights2004
Christmas lights in 2003: Ideas/Album/ChristmasLights2003
Christmas lights in 2002: Ideas/Album/ChristmasLights2002

Regent Street Christmas Lights: Ideas/Album/RegentStreetLights
Bond Street Christmas Lights: Ideas/Album/BondStreetLights
Trafalgar Square Norwegian Christmas Tree: Ideas/Album/NorwegianTree

British Christmas traditions: Ideas/Album/Christmas
Lincoln Christmas Market: Travel/Tours/England/Lincoln
Ideas for Christmas presents: Ideas/Gifts/Christmas
Making a Christmas cake: Britain/Food/Cooking/ChristmasCake

British and Irish pop music: Britain/Music
Events in the UK in November: Ideas/Events/November

Home page: Home

Back to top

© UK Student Life 2002-2009



* Search this website (www.ukstudentlife.com) or the web:
Google
 
Web www.ukstudentlife.com