On a rainy London evening, when the Thames shimmered like a ribbon of silver silk and the city hummed with the quiet promise of Christmas, a curious little tale began to unfold. Three Nulty lighting designers hear the faint jingle of sleigh bells mingling with the rumble of a black cab. Discover Nulty’s journey through the city’s most magical illuminations in search of what truly gives Christmas lights their sparkle.

This year, Nulty brought a fresh twist to London’s festive season with an alternative take on the traditional Christmas lights tour, hosted by Wakem PR in collaboration with arc magazine. Nulty’s creative director Dan Blaker and fellow lighting designers Tiziana Regalado and Tom Hall set out to experience the capital’s most celebrated illuminations, while being chauffeured and narrated by the wonderfully whimsical internet (or Instagram?) sensation, Cabbie Karen.

Between the essential debates – “Mariah [Carey] or Michael [Bublè]?” and “Mince pie or panettone?” – (for the record, All I Want for Christmas and panettone emerged victorious), the designers offered informed insights into what makes Christmas lighting not just magical, but technically compelling.

As the team left Nulty’s studio, Karen eased the cab across Westminster Bridge, skirting the base of Big Ben before sweeping along the Embankment toward Waterloo Bridge, travelling via London’s most iconic seasonal displays. From the high-shine glamour of Bond Street to the animated installations on Piccadilly, and the spectacular schemes along Oxford Street. The group braved a decidedly unfestive downpour to explore the city’s brightest moments. While the tour promised light-hearted festive cheer, the trio’s extensive industry expertise naturally elevated the conversation.

With the city beginning to glow with its evening rhythm, the designers were asked which lighting techniques and colour temperatures best capture the spirit of Christmas.“Warm ambers,” offers Hall.

“Around 2200K gives the perfect festive warmth,” adds Blaker. Hall elaborates that a crisp, cool white can also elevate decorative lighting, which is ideal for adding those really sharp sparkles.

Passing by The Savoy, Cabbie Karen drove along the Strand, where the street’s signature seasonal displays immediately sparked excitement – and debate. All year long, we navigate after-dark lighting, but what distinguishes Christmas lighting from standard exterior schemes? Without hesitation came three answers: “flamboyance, grandeur, and kitsch!”.

Heading toward Pall Mall with the glow of the Trafalgar Square Christmas market slowly fading in the distance, Hall explains his preference for warm colour temperatures and smaller light sources to avoid any sense of harshness: “Festive lighting should be low-level, with more darkness, more warmth, and more intimacy”.  Regalado adds that integrating light around reflective surfaces creates the kind of sparkle that instantly signals celebration. To which Blaker agreed, noting that these techniques bring a welcome injection of drama and intimacy at this time of year.

Panettone in hand, the gang paused beside the Pall Mall Christmas tree. As the relentless rain continued to pour, everyone took refuge beneath its branches and the drenched designers were asked which colour of lights they tend to use on their Christmas tree – warm white, pure white or multicoloured? The verdict was unanimous… warm white!
A few mulled wines later, framed against the saturated glow of Winter Wonderland at Marble Arch, the trio faced another challenge: if they couldn’t use red, green or gold, what would be the colour of Christmas?

“Purple,” says Blaker, before breaking into a brief rendition of ‘Party Like It’s 1991’.

“A warm deep yellow,” Tom counters. “Close to gold, yes, but far more inviting.”

“Pink,” offers Regalado. “For its warmth, plus it has a dynamic and cheerful radiance”.

The designers then stepped out from under Marble Arch to wander beneath Oxford Street’s criss-crossed canopy of lights, where they discussed how Christmas lights make them feel:

“Cosy and homely,” says Hall.

“Nostalgic – a reminder of good times,” adds Regalado.

“Excited,” says Dan. “It’s like being a kid again.”
Cabbie Karen then guided the Nulty crew down Oxford Street towards Selfridges, where they stopped to admire both the lighting scheme and the window displays that both Cabbie Karen and the team singled out for praise.

Outside Selfridges, Blaker complimented the downpour, noting: “Even in this relentless rain, the atmosphere only gets better, as every light doubles itself in the puddles and across the wet surfaces. It’s like the whole street is sparkling twice”.

For the final question of the evening, it was Cabbie Karen’s turn. She was asked whether she considered herself Nulty or Nice. Without missing a beat, she beamed and declared: “Nulty!” 

Watch the joyful trip reviewing London’s festive lights and meet #CabbieKaren in the video below.