In 2009 the Christmas Lights on Regent Street and Oxford Street and at St Paul's Cathedral were switched on at the same time on Tuesday 3 December 2009.
Each shared the theme "A Christmas Carol", to mark the release of the new Disney film version of the story by Charles Dickens (see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUBCBB5tL4I).
Entertainment at each location was from 5pm to 6:30pm, with the lights being switched on by the film's stars soon after 6:15pm.
The event was followed by the world premiere of "A Christmas Carol" in Leicester Square.

---

The Oxford Street stage was set up near Oxford Circus. The host was DJ Harriet Scott, from Heart Radio 106.2, together with Jason Donovan.

The theme of the lights is Disney's film "A Christmas Carol"

Jason Donovan

Harriet Scott

Performers from the West End musical "Sister Act" sang a couple of songs from the show (see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTnPt2QuGQ4)


Peter André was next on stage


Taio Cruz sang his hit song "Break Your Heart" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOg_IHwXWsk) as well as his latest single


The girl group The Saturdays performed next (see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGPwmr2FWn4)


There were a couple of short speeches by London officials

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London

The Deputy Lord Mayor of Westminster

There were the main stars at the simultaneous events in other parts of London

Opera singer Andrea Bocelli in Leicester Square

Actor Bob Hoskins at St Paul's Cathedral

Actor Colin Firth in Regent Street

The Oxford Street lights were switched on by actor Jim Carrey, who stars as Scrooge in the film "A Christmas Carol". He was joined by the director Robert Zemeckis.

Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey plays Scrooge

Robert Zemeckis

The switch was pressed and the Christmas lights came on:



Finally, carols were sung at each of the venues. A world record was set for the most number of people singing a carol at the same time.

Back to top

Acrobatic act ...

... inside a crystal bubble

Light walkers on stilts