Soho Kids Xmas Lights 2024 switch on event 2024

This year, themes of lighting, identity of place and migration are explored in six decorations, along with 49 others from previous editions set up in Soho for Christmas.

Six primary school children will see their Christmas lighting designs illuminate the streets of Soho as part of the 4th annual Soho Kids Xmas Lights project this winter.

The showcase, featuring designs from pupils at Soho Parish Primary School, is inspired by their local area and will be revealed at a switch-on event on Tuesday, November 12, in Soho.

The children’s creations serve as a reminder that children live and study in Soho and have a role to play as future contributors to the city, says founder Antonio Capelao from Architecture for Kids CIC.

Mr. Capelao, who trained as an architect, is a design tutor at the Welsh School of Architecture in Cardiff and the founder of Architecture for Kids CIC. He said:

We’re so excited to produce the 4th annual edition of the Soho Kids Xmas Lights. The initiative aims to inspire a sense of agency and creative involvement in shaping the local legacy among schoolchildren. This year, we’ve focused on the themes of light, identity of place, and migration, working together with our project partners to help the children develop and design Christmas lights inspired by their local area.

Through a series of design workshops led by the project’s co-producers, Mr. Capelao, Ms. Hannah Peaty, and the Learning Team from the Migration Museum, the children researched the local area where their school is located and where the Christmas lights will be exhibited.

The pupils were introduced to the concepts of the built environment and migration during a field visit to Soho Square, where they learned about the migration history of Soho and its role in shaping the local urban fabric.

Ms Peaty, Assistant Head at the school, added:

We are delighted to be able to take part in this project for a 4th year running. It has become such a highlight of the year, which the children really look forward to, with anticipation, to see whose designs will be lighting up the streets of Soho each Christmas. We highly value opportunities for children to engage in creative projects that will inspire and motivate them as well as serve the community. This project, which builds children's awareness of the different areas of architecture and celebrates the unique identity of the local environment, is such a valued and unique opportunity for us to take part in.

More than 100 school pupils used their investigations to develop designs responding to the themes of lighting, identity of place and migration, drawing on aspects of their local and personal identities. 

Sophie Draper, RIBA Learning Manager from the Royal Institute of British Architects, said:

The Royal Institute of British Architects has supported the Soho Kids Christmas Lights project for the previous three years. We believe this to be an extremely valuable project that helps children connect with and learn about the architecture of their immediate neighbourhood through the very creative medium of creating Christmas lights. The lights themselves bring joy to the streets of Soho and give the children a presence in an urban area not often associated with children. The lights enable the children’s interpretation and experiences of their local neighbourhoods to be displayed in the streets where they live, learn and play. It is for this reason that RIBA continues to support and endorse the programme.

The children’s designs were judged by a committee consisting of residents, local business owners, architects, academics, artists, members of Westminster Council, and the Assistant Headteacher of Soho Parish Primary School.

The six winning designs will be exhibited alongside 49 lights from the previous three editions. This year’s lights have been transformed into Christmas street light panels by Floodlighting & Electrical Ltd and will be on display in Soho from Tuesday, November 12, until Sunday, January 5.

Councillor Patrick Lilley, Lead Member Soho - West End ward added:

Few projects delight and inspire the children of Soho Parish as much as Soho Kids Xmas Lights. From the first page of their designs to the installation of several dozen lighting installations right across Soho Kids Xmas Lights are an annual joyful eye opener.  I am proud to help Westminster Council to play a part in making Soho Kids Xmas Lights happen and bringing our diverse communities together.

The Soho Kids Xmas Lights project, inspired by primary school pupils in Newburgh, Scotland, has been running in Soho, London since 2021. Its success has inspired a similar initiative launching in Cardiff on November 14, called Cardiff Kids Xmas Lights, which was also co-founded by Antonio Capelao and Dr. Melina Guirnaldo Diaz. This initiative encourages other communities to celebrate local heritage and children’s creativity through festive displays.

The Soho Kids Xmas Lights project is sponsored by the Ward Budget Fund at Westminster Council, Shaftesbury Capital, Hines, RIBA Learning, Location Assist, Randall & Aubin, Sophie’s, Jack Solomons Club, The French House, Soho Housing, Kiln Restaurant, Mountain Restaurant, Karma Sanctum Hotel Soho, Soho Maintenance Ltd, CTS Cleaning Solutions Ltd, Soho Printstore, and GoFundMe, with support from the Architecture for Kids CIC, Soho Parish Primary School, Migration Museum, NLA, the National Gallery, University College London, Welsh School of Architecture, the LIA, the Soho Business Alliance, the Soho Society and Soho Radio.

Mr Capelao added:

The project wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our partners and supporters, so I want to say a huge thank you to them. And I really look forward to seeing them all for our celebratory switch on event in November, where the children’s visions will come to life on the streets of Soho.

Ms Barbara Brownlee, CEO Soho Housing Association said:

Soho Housing Association are delighted to be supporting this project in the local community for another year.

Rupert Power, Chair of the Soho Business Alliance Managing Director of Sophie’s Steakhouse & bar & Jack Solomons Club said:

The children’s Christmas lights brings a big brightness to Soho for the entire community.

Jamie Poulton, Director Randall and Aubin said:

Randall and Aubin are delighted to support the Soho Parish School Christmas lights , it is a wonderful and uplifting to have our own lights designed by the children from the school in Soho . They certainly bring the spirit of Christmas to our streets for the 4th year, long may it continue.

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