Dancer Neil Jones – one of the shining stars of Strictly Come Dancing – drew in the crowds at Wembley Park last night (25 November 2021) as he switched on the Christmas lights to launch the stunning Winterfest 2021 – which will run through to 4 January 2022.
Local Quintain Living resident Neil was delighted to launch the mesmerising display, which features London’s largest LED tree – which is made up of 100,000 lights and standing 25 feet tall. The free-to-attend ‘Big Switch On’ event kicked off at 4.30pm, and some of the BTR News team soaked up the calm and vibrant atmosphere and community vibe at this fantastic event where Londoners turned out en masse for the 7pm switch on.
“I’m honoured to have switched on the Winterfest lights this year. It’s wonderful to have such a fun and exciting event right on my doorstep.”
Neil Jones
There was also several brand-new light art installations and commissions at Winterfest 2021 – including the world premieres of ‘Reunion’ from Kumquat Lab, ‘Reflections of the Future’ by Lucid Creates and ‘City Lights’ commissioned by local Brent artist Yoni Alter.
“Quintain Living residents enjoy so many benefits as a result of being based in the heart of Wembley Park. Christmas is always a lovely time for the local community, and we were delighted to see Neil and so many of his fellow residents celebrating in the spirit of the season as the lights were switched on last night.”
Danielle Bayless, Chief Operating Officer, Quintain Living
There were hours of entertainment including live bands, choirs, circus acts, pantomime performers, fire dancers and more. After the switch on, the revelry continuing at BOXPARK Wembley, where the Ultimate Bublé put on a superb tribute show for the event’s official afterparty.
Neil is among many other Quintain Living residents who have become increasingly involved in community life at Wembley Park. During lockdown, Neil launched monthly, free-to-attend online dance classes for his fellow residents, while earlier this year he used his choreographing and directorial skills to create the Olympic Step. Together with TikTok stars Marlon “Swoosh” Wallen and Keiran Lai, Neil’s incredible dance featured 48 dance steps for the 48 new steps leading to Wembley Stadium.
With the London Designer Outlet also on the doorstep, along with a variety of independent stores and markets, Wembley Park residents are spoiled for choice when it comes to their Christmas shopping this year. Feeling hungry? Pasta Remoli has a great variety of pasta dishes we tucked into, and Masalchi has some delicious Indian food from two-Michelin starred chef Atul Kochhar.
The neighbourhood is also ideally suited to those quieter moments that make up the magic of Christmas – sipping a steaming hot chocolate in the glow of the twinkling lights, sampling flavours of the holiday season from around the world at London’s largest BOXPARK, or just strolling through the crisp winter air with the sights and sounds of London all around. And all just a 12-minute hop on the Tube from Central London.
