Last Updated on 5 December 2025 by Colette
This post features gifted experiences
Lightopia will not return for Christmas 2025 with the company behind Lightopia, Outreach Creative Limited, having filed for administration on 9th January 2023.
This year’s Lightopia London theme is “A Christmas Fantasy” – this neon winter wonderland offers an immersive, multi-sensory interactive light and lantern installation as well as a spectacular festive water show. The event runs from Thursday 17th November 2022 to Monday 2nd January 2023 if you want to slot it into your next London trip.
My lovely friend Cesca popped down to the Lightopia London opening night to check it out for you and here’s what she thought:
Lightopia London – “A Christmas Fantasy” at Crystal Palace Park
Firstly, I should say that I didn’t plan to go on my own. My first companion ended up having to go to a funeral, and then the substitute came down with Covid. Sigh! Undeterred, I found myself going to Lightopia on Thursday to see what it was like.
Here’s what I thought:
Is Lightopia London at Crystal Palace Park easy to find?
Parking at Lightopia London is limited and you’re advised to use public transport. I got the Southern train from Victoria straight to Crystal Palace. From the station it’s about a minute walk (longer if you have small people with you). I found the signage ok from the station – turn right as you leave then there’s a sign pretty much straight away.
I’ve been to Christmas at Kew, is Lightopia similar?
Yes and no. It’s obviously the same as they’re both lit up stuff in the dark (you can see why a career in marketing has eluded me), but Kew focuses on lights and is more musical. Lightopia is focussed on light up displays (which makes for gorgeous photos!) – so I would say they do feel quite different. Which is a good thing as then you can justify doing both during your festive season! Hurrah!
Is the walk round the Lightopia London trail far?
No, it was a lot shorter than I’d expected. I got round the whole thing in an hour. It would have taken longer with smaller people though! I would also say to wear sensible shoes – it’s quite steep and uneven in parts (some people with pushchairs were struggling) and it was wet, slippy and muddy in those parts. I thought the displays were well spaced out, this helped the crowd flow and meant things didn’t get too congested. It also meant there was something to keep your interest along the whole trail.
Favourite Lightopia London installation?
Ooh, tough one! The clangers (with actual clangers!!) was cool although the parents seemed more impressed than the children! I think my favourite was the sparkling trees – so simple yet so effective. (The Clangers were an opening night special so they won’t be at their installation normally!)
Is the light show on the water good?
Yes, the light show is worth seeing. It’s very festive which is lovely. But it is short, and as I discovered, if the wind blows the wrong way (1) you can see nothing and (2) you get drenched!
What can I have to eat and drink whilst I’m there?
The usual fare – German food, duck wraps, mulled wine, burgers, hot chocolates etc. None of them were cheap (although priced exactly as I’d expect for this sort of event in London at around £8 for food and £5 for a drink), so if you want to go on a budget I’d suggest you eat before you go.
What else can I do there?
There’s a selection of funfair rides which I didn’t visit because, you know, on my own, but they looked fun if you are there with friends or children. As usual they’re not cheap though – dodgems were £5 each!
What didn’t you like about Lightopia London?
I thought the sports stadium being behind us and fully lit took away from the atmosphere in parts – there’s very little that’s festive about floodlights – but that can’t be helped I guess though.
Can I go to Lightopia on my own?
Like most things in life, just because you can doesn’t mean you should! I did have a lovely time wandering round and thoroughly enjoyed myself but these things are always best enjoyed with family and friends.
Tickets for Lightopia London are available to book now priced from £16.50 for children and £24.50 for adults. Parking can be pre-booked at a cost of £10 but as Cesca says, this is limited and use of public transport is recommended.
Check out these posts next:
Cesca’s review of Christmas at Kew Gardens with tips
Our ultimate guide to Christmas
Christmas sight seeing in London with children
Festive light trails near Manchester
The best things to do with teens in Essex
If you have enjoyed this post and found it helpful, here are a few ways you can say thanks and support We’re going on an adventure:
Click here to buy me a virtual coffee – it’s like a little tip jar but with caffeine!
I’d love for you to tag me in any photos of your adventures on Social Media if one of my posts has inspired you to visit
Click here to leave We’re going on an adventure a Google Review
Share this post with your friends – you’ll be helping me and them!
Follow We’re going on an adventure on Facebook or Instagram
