The child co-designed light project returns to Soho for its 5th annual edition!
Presented by award-winning Architecture for Kids CIC, the Soho Kids Xmas Lights is a joyful, creative, and community-led project that transforms the streets of Soho into a glowing gallery of child-designed Christmas lights. Now in its fifth year, the project was founded in 2021 by Antonio Capelao, in collaboration with Soho Parish Primary School, and inspired by a long-standing tradition in Newburgh, Scotland. The success of Soho Kids Xmas Lights has since inspired similar initiatives, including Wigan’s Icons (2023) and Brixton Winter Wonder Lights (2024). In January 2024, Cardiff Council’s Child Friendly Cardiff invited Antonio to co-create the inaugural Cardiff Kids Xmas Lights in Canal Quarter, with secured funding for three consecutive years.
Each year, pupils from Reception to Year 5 are invited to co-design original light panels based on three core themes:
- Lighting
- Identity of Place
- A changing annual theme — this year: Women in Soho
These themes are explored through four days of hands-on workshops led by Antonio Capelao, with support from a team of educational and cultural partners including Hannah Peaty (Deputy Head, Soho Parish), Sophie Draper (RIBA Head of Learning), Clare Lynch (audio producer and local historian), and Jane Hamlyn (Frith Street Gallery).
This year’s theme, Women in Soho, invites pupils to explore the often-overlooked stories of women who have shaped the area’s cultural and creative identity over the past three centuries. Focusing on Golden Square, children learned about four pioneering 18th-century women in the arts—Elisabetta de Gambarini, Angelica Kauffman, Dorothea Jordan, and Frances Alsop—who worked and/or lived in Soho. They also discovered the contributions of four contemporary women continuing that legacy today: Jane Hamlyn (Frith Street Gallery), Nica Burns (Nimax Theatres), Mieko Shimizu (Street Records), and Jasmine Morris (BBC Young Composer of the Year 2020 and former Soho Parish pupil). Through this theme, the project encourages all pupils to recognise and celebrate the achievements of women in their community—past and present—and to see Soho as a place where creativity, diversity, and inclusion thrive.
Over 100 designs are submitted each year. A community jury—made up of residents, artists, educators, and professionals—selects six winning entries. This year’s jury included representatives from RIBA Learning, The Soho Society, The National Gallery, Westminster City Council, the Institute of Education UCL, the Bartlett UCL, Welsh School of Architecture Cardiff University, and local businesses, and stakeholders. Some designs are awarded by RIBA for outstanding creativity.
The winning pupils, along with other colleagues, then curate the final exhibition in a special workshop supported by Frith Street Gallery. Their designs are transformed into bespoke LED light panels by Floodlighting Electrical Ltd and installed by Sparkx.
From 19th November to 5th January, the streets of Soho will shine with 61 light panels - including six new designs and 55 from previous years - each one a reflection of the children’s creativity and their connection to the neighbourhood.
Please consider contributing and sharing our message here: GoFundMe
Sponsors and Special Thanks:
TBC
Christmas Trail:
Explore the renowned streets of Soho and discover the unique Christmas light display. Walk the Christmas trail by following the MAP
Soho Kids Xmas Lights 2025:
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