Lord Mayor of London to switch on Leadenhall Market's Christmas lights

The Lord Mayor of London will switch on Leadenhall Market's Christmas lights at 6pm - complete with pyrotechnic firework fountains.

The eight-metre tall Christmas tree will be decked with a colour changing LED light display, complementing the large baubles and fir tree garlands throughout the Market. New this year, a twinkling light tunnel, complete with smatterings of snow, will bring festive cheer to Beehive Passage.

Children from primary schools across the capital will provide carols for the ceremony, performing seasonal songs as part of the London Youth Choir from 5.15pm, before the countdown begins for the Lord Mayor’s speech and Christmas light switch on at 6pm.

The Lord Mayor’s switch on is appropriate given former Lord Mayor Richard ‘Dick’ Whittington gifted the previous stone structure of Leadenhall Market to the City of London in 1411. This was replaced in 1881 with Leadenhall Market’s current stunning wrought iron and glass architecture – including a magnificent central dome depicting a starry night sky.