Oxford Street’s Christmas lights have officially been switched on for 2026, with a Harry Potter-themed display illuminating London’s West End — and a Guinness World Record set on the night.
Fans gathered on Sunday 9 November to witness the switch-on, which stretched from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road and featured lights inspired by the wizarding world. A highlight of the evening was a Guinness World Record attempt for the most people casting a magic spell simultaneously.
The record was set by thousands of fans chanting “Lumos” in unison. Will Munford, a Guinness World Records adjudicator, said: “I’m delighted to confirm that Harry Potter fans are officially amazing, as they successfully set the new Guinness World Record for the Most People Casting a Magic Spell Simultaneously.”
“It’s been a magical evening in London and a brilliant example of people power at its best. It was incredible to see fans come out in their thousands to be part of it, celebrating these Christmas lights and the world of Harry Potter, and many of them are now Guinness World Records title holders to boot.”
The event was hosted by Hits Radio and Magic FM DJs and featured a two-and-a-half-hour stage show with appearances from celebrities including Kimberly Wyatt, Fleur East, Marvin Humes, and Kat Shoob. Harry Potter actors Nick Frost (Rubeus Hagrid) and Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwick) were joined on stage by TV and radio personality Sam Thompson to switch on the lights at 6.45pm. A spectacular firework display followed, lighting up the newly pedestrianised section of Oxford Street.
Mr Davis said: “The show is a wonderful reimagining of everything that we know has come before. You’ll see Hogwarts and the wizarding world in a very different way, which is fabulous.”
Mr Frost said: “It’s been amazing, I have loved being Hagrid and it’s a real honour to get to be him.”
The Harry Potter-themed lights, created to mark the upcoming HBO Max series Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, appear alongside Oxford Street’s iconic star decorations. Four 16-metre-wide illuminated displays represent the Hogwarts houses — Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each display features 30 floating candles and forms part of the largest ever takeover of Oxford Street’s festive lights.
The installations took more than three months to design and incorporate more than 75,000 LED lights. A Great Hall-inspired Christmas tree also stands in Hanover Square, decorated with Harry Potter-themed ornaments and a magical snowfall effect. The tree forms part of the wider celebration marking the launch of the new HBO series and the recent opening of the Harry Potter Shop Oxford Street, the UK’s largest official Harry Potter flagship store.
The 2026 display marks the biggest ever takeover of the historical Oxford Street Christmas lights. Sunday’s event followed the switch-on itself, and the festive season continues with the Capital Jingle Bell Ball at The O2 on 5 and 6 December.
