London’s West End is illuminated once again as the Ramadan Lights return, with Mayor Sadiq Khan marking the holy month through a high-profile switch-on celebration highlighting unity and diversity.
Every year, London’s West End glows with a new public tradition: an aerial light display that marks the holy month of Ramadan and invites people of all backgrounds to celebrate together. This year the installation returned to central London, a high-profile switch-on event led by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan that has, since 2023, become one of the capital’s most visible moments of pluralism and civic celebration.
The Ramadan Lights are more than just decorative illumination; they are a visual celebration of diversity, inclusion and interfaith respect in one of the world’s most multicultural cities.
What Are the Ramadan Lights?
The Ramadan Lights consist of thousands of color-changing LED lights and motifs stretched across Coventry Street, the vibrant pedestrian route connecting Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square in London’s West End. Designed around Islamic geometric patterns, stars and crescent imagery that evoke the lunar rhythm of the Islamic year, the lights illuminate the skyline every evening throughout Ramadan and into Eid al-Fitr. Each night, they turn on around sunset (often from about 5 pm) and remain lit until early morning.
The display typically begins with messages of “Happy Ramadan” and changes to “Happy Eid” at the conclusion of the fasting month. The lights are intended not just to beautify the city but to celebrate Ramadan in the heart of London in the same way that Christmas displays celebrate winter festivals.
Who Organizes and Funds the Lights?
The Ramadan Lights project is organized and funded by the Aziz Foundation, a UK-registered charity dedicated to cultural programming, education and community initiatives. The foundation partners with public groups including the Heart of London Business Alliance, Westminster City Council and local businesses in the West End to help deliver the installation and related community events.
In recent years, the program has expanded to include family lantern trails, interactive art installations in Leicester Square and a “Ramadan Delights” food experience featuring halal-friendly iftar options from West End restaurants.
Mayor Sadiq Khan’s Role
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London since 2016 and the first Muslim mayor of a major Western capital city, has become closely associated with the Ramadan Lights since their inception in 2023. As both a public official and someone who personally observes Ramadan, Khan has used Instagram and other social platforms to highlight the display and its message of unity.
In his official Instagram post about the 2026 lights, the Mayor shared short clips from the switch-on ceremony in the West End, featuring the lights illuminating the night sky over Piccadilly Circus. Alongside the images, his caption emphasized London’s cultural diversity, describing the lights as a moment when the city celebrates the spirit of Ramadan, community and togetherness.
Why London’s Ramadan Lights Are More Than Just a Display
The Ramadan Lights are part of a broader effort to normalize visible cultural celebrations of non-Christian festivals in public spaces, similar to how cities across the UK celebrate Diwali, Hanukkah and Christmas. Organizers and supporters say this visibility is important in an era marked by rising Islamophobia and skepticism toward Muslim communities in parts of the Western world.
By placing Ramadan celebrations in the West End, one of London’s most central, cosmopolitan and visited districts, the installation invites Londoners of all faiths and backgrounds to experience Ramadan visually and culturally. Locals and tourists alike stroll under the lights, take photographs and browse nearby restaurants offering halal cuisine, turning the corridor into a hub of evening life during the holy month.
Economic and Cultural Impact
Local businesses report increased footfall in the evenings during Ramadan since the installation’s launch. Restaurants, cafes and shops in the surrounding area benefit from the influx of visitors who come to see the lights and stay for dinner, shopping or socializing. Cultural commentators have also praised the program for providing an educational platform: the installation sparks curiosity and questions about Ramadan’s significance and Muslim traditions, helping demystify a festival many non-Muslims may not often encounter.
The lights have also inspired related artistic programming, such as interfaith exhibitions and storytelling events, that further enrich London’s cultural calendar throughout Ramadan.
What to expect if you visit
If you are planning to see the Ramadan Lights in London, here’s what to know:
- Location: Coventry Street, Piccadilly Circus and parts of the West End, one of London’s most iconic urban spaces.
- Timing: Typically lit each evening throughout Ramadan, from around sunset until late night or early morning. Dates vary based on the lunar calendar.
- More to Explore: Leicester Square installations, lantern trails and halal dining options nearby.
Check the official announcements from the Aziz Foundation or the Mayor’s verified accounts for the exact nightly timings and special events.
London’s Ramadan Lights have evolved from a novel idea into a beloved seasonal tradition that reflects the city’s cultural plurality. With the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan championing the lights through public appearances and social media, the installation stands as a vibrant symbol of inclusion and community. Whether you are a local resident, a visitor from abroad, or someone curious about Ramadan, the lights offer a compelling reason to experience London’s West End after dark, and to reflect on the shared values of celebration, unity and cultural understanding.
