Key information
Request reference number: MGLA191022-1661
Date of response:
Summary of request
Your request:
1. As separate figures, the anticipated cost of Christmas lights, Christmas trees and other Christmas decorations for the Christmas period starting this year.
2. Please also provide the actual cost of Christmas lights, trees and other decorations for each annual Christmas period from 2018 up until the most recent date available.
3. Anticipated energy consumption for Christmas lights for the Christmas period starting this year, as well as actual consumption for each Christmas period from 2018 up until the most recent date available.
4. The daily schedule for Christmas light activity, for this Christmas period and for each annual Christmas period from 2018 up until the most recent date available.
5. Will you or have you cancelled any switch-on events this year? If yes, please provide the reason(s) for cancellation.
Please find below the information we hold within the scope of your request:
1. The GLA does not yet hold this information regarding costs. You may wish to make a request in mid-January at which point we will be likely to hold final costs.
2. Costs incurred by the GLA for facilitating the transportation and the installation of the Oslo Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square are as follows. Westminster City Council also contributes:
2021 - £27,306 cost to the GLA
2020 - £21,834 cost to the GLA
2019 - £24,354 cost to the GLA
2018 £22,363 cost to the GLA
3. The GLA does not hold information regarding energy consumption.
4. The GLA does not have a daily schedule of activities but each year the lights on the Oslo Christmas tree are switched on in early December. The tree and lights are usually taken down in the first week of January. The lighting ceremony dates 2018-2021 are below:
2018 – Thursday 6 December
2019 – Thursday 5 December
2020 – Wednesday 2 December*
2021 - Thursday 2 December
*In 2020 there was filming only and no public event because of reduced activity due to COVID-19.
For 2022 we are awaiting an announcement from Westminster City Council which you can follow using the link below.
5. The GLA has not and is not planning to cancel any switch-on events this year.
If you have any further questions relating to this matter, please contact me, quoting the reference MGLA191022-1661.