We may associate over-the-top Christmas decor and light installations that cost a dear penny in electric bills with our neighbours across the pond in the US – but it’s clear that with each year, the UK too amps up on festive grandeur.
And signalling the start of tinsel and baubles’ descent on every surface is the annual illumination display, taken up by most large cities across the country.
Everywhere from London to Liverpool has been colouring the night sky neon with ornate exhibits that use wiring, bulbs and lamps in the most creative of ways.
But while some are so stunning that they have become a tourist attraction in their own right – like Carnaby Street, which leaves shoppers in the capital fighting for their life just to get a chance to stand on a piece of pavement – others have sparked at best, confusion, and at worst, revolt.
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, for example, has divided opinions with his eclectic designs for Blackpool’s iconic illuminations – which include a ‘tribute to his beloved dogs’.
Elsewhere, Devon’s wince-worthy attempt had people comparing the design to ‘underwear hanging across the street’. However, historic York was praised for its enchanting ‘traditional’ style.
Christmas trees are another popular attempt to get local communities into the holiday spirit- but Antrim and Newport had residents raising eyebrows.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Jordana Ashkenazi, the Founder and Design Director of Element One House, has given her verdict on what brightened up the streets with Yuletide joy – and what would have been better left in the dark…
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen
The designer created three artworks called ‘Lusch Puppy’, which is a ‘tribute to his beloved dogs’
Jordana: I support creativity, but I genuinely don’t understand the thinking behind using public money to illuminate someone’s own dogs in regal costumes. This is supposed to be a Christmas display, yet there’s no festive theme whatsoever. Read the room and the demographic – this is Blackpool, not Disneyland, and even then I’d still question the thought process. Blackpool Illuminations are historic and iconic; this feels more like an in-joke than a contribution to any lasting legacy. Perhaps if he had put reindeer up there rather than dogs it might at least make some seasonal sense.
Verdict: Ridiculous
Scarborough
Scarborough had residents less than impressed with its attempts at a scattering of lights in the town centre
Jordana: It’s Christmas, and these are incredibly underwhelming. It almost feels like they’ve done half the job and forgotten to come back to finish it. There’s a real sense that a lot is missing. Christmas lights should create atmosphere and excitement, and it’s no wonder Scarborough’s Council has decided to stop paying for them each year when the result feels so flat.
Verdict: Underwhelming
Antrim
In Antrim, it was a rather solo-looking Christmas tree at a roundabout which invited questions – rather than festive spirit
Jordana: This feels very bare for a Christmas display. A single cone-shaped tree in a roundabout doesn’t really create any festive atmosphere. It looks more like a placeholder than a celebration. If this is meant to be the main Christmas feature, it’s hard not to feel disappointed. It lacks scale, sparkle and any real sense of occasion.
Verdict: Bare
Mousehole
Mousehole – a fishing village in Cornwall – is always known for its charming, festive lighting displays
The scenery included delightfully lit up displays which utilised the water around them in a stunning way
Jordana: The Mousehole Christmas lights are undeniably attractive in their setting, with the reflections on the water creating a festive atmosphere. However, the display feels let down by a lack of clear theme or coherence. A dragon appears alongside a Christmas tree, mixed with brightly lit boats, but there’s no obvious connection or narrative tying it all together. The result is a display that feels chaotic rather than magical. With a stronger, more focused theme, the lights could be far more impactful and easier for visitors to understand and enjoy.
Verdict: Chaotic
Angarrack
Angarrack, a village in West Cornwall, also opted to be less experimental with its sweet, traditional displays of common Christmas motifs
Jordana: Angarrack’s Christmas lights are charmingly traditional which gives them a certain nostalgic appeal. The animal figures are easy to recognise and there’s a sense of local effort and community spirit behind the display. However, the layout feels quite spread out and a little underwhelming, with large dark gaps between sections that reduce the overall impact. While pleasant enough, the display would benefit from being more concentrated or visually connected, creating a stronger sense of occasion rather than feeling like a series of isolated light figures.
Verdict: Traditional
Carnaby & Regent St
London’s famous Carnaby Street lights attracts millions of tourists each year – and with good reason
The ornate fixtures included symbols of angels, stars, and other traditional, festive figurines this year
London is decorated with star-shaped Christmas lights and festive holiday illuminations against the night sky
Jordana: Carnaby Street and Regent Street deliver exactly what you expect from London at Christmas – grand, beautiful and full of atmosphere. The lights transform the streets and make the whole area feel special, turning an ordinary walk into part of the festive experience. It’s a tradition we look forward to every year, and it never disappoints.
Verdict: Grand
Liverpool
Now in its fourth year, the light and sound experience returned to Liverpool Cathedral with more impressive displays
The audio-visual experience took a traditional setting and added a fun, festive and experimental flair to it
Liverpool One shopping centre was also lit up with Christmas trees, sprucing up the local high street
Jordana: Liverpool’s Christmas lights are bold and modern, particularly the large-scale projections that transform familiar landmarks with colour and movement. These feel more contemporary than traditionally Christmassy, but elsewhere in the city there are classic touches too, including Christmas trees and more familiar festive displays. The overall effect is confident and ambitious, blending modern spectacle with traditional elements in a way that reflects the city’s creative energy.
Verdict: Contemporary
York
Cosy Christmas lights in the shapes of stars and other festive imagery light up York, which is also known for its winter market
The Christmas tree added a festive, quaint charm to the streets of York during the holiday period
Jordana: York’s Christmas lights suit the city perfectly, favouring traditional festive charm over flashiness. The warm white lights, stars and decorated streets enhance the historic setting rather than overwhelm it, creating a cosy and welcoming atmosphere. Combined with the Christmas market and busy streets, the display feels classic, timeless and unmistakably Christmassy. It’s understated but effective, playing to York’s strengths and making the city feel especially magical at this time of year.
Verdict: Cosy
Tiverton, Devon
The light were first used in the town ten years ago when they were meant to showcase Christmas puddings – but sparked ridicule
Jordana: Tiverton’s Christmas pudding lights are memorable for all the wrong reasons. Instead of looking festive, the design unfortunately resembles underwear hanging across the street, which is hard to unsee once noticed. It’s a well-meaning attempt, but the execution distracts from the Christmas spirit rather than enhancing it.
Verdict: Poorly executed
Newport
The Christmas tree at the junction of High Street and Stow Hill in Newport had residents feeling more Grinch than Santa
Jordana: Newport’s Christmas display centres around a tall, modern tree that makes a clear visual statement in the heart of the city. It’s clean, contemporary and unmistakably festive, adding some welcome warmth to a grey winter street. That said, the decoration feels sparse and uneven, with no clear pattern, giving the impression that someone forgot to come back and finish the job. It’s not especially imaginative or rich in detail, but it does what it needs to do by marking the season and creating a focal point. A decent effort – just a little under-adventurous.
Verdict: Under-adventurous
Seaham
Residents of Seaham, in County Durham, expressed their upset and confusion at the sight of an ’embarrassing’ Christmas ‘tree’ that appeared along the seafront
Jordana: At first glance, Seaham’s Christmas display is confusing rather than striking. You find yourself wondering what it’s meant to be before realising it’s supposed to represent a Christmas tree. When lit at night it gains a little atmosphere, but the overall effect remains sparse and underwhelming. There’s very little detail to draw the eye, and it’s unlikely to hold your attention for long.
Verdict: Confusing
