Key Highlights
- Alexander Armstrong switched on Fleet Street Quarter’s 2025 Christmas Lights to mark a long-term partnership between the area and the National Literacy Trust.
- The event launched the ‘Snoopy in the City’ Sculpture Trail, featuring 12 artist-designed Snoopy sculptures across Fleet Street Quarter from November 19, 2025, to January 16, 2026.
- This partnership aims to raise funds for the National Literacy Trust and celebrate storytelling in one of London’s most historic areas.
- The event included performances by the Fleet Street Quarter Community Choir and Bella Tromba, as well as festive shopping and dining experiences.
Fleet Street Quarter’s Festive Glow: A Partnership for Literacy
On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, the historic Fleet Street Quarter in London transformed into a beacon of festive joy as Alexander Armstrong, the acclaimed writer and presenter, officially switched on the Christmas lights. This event marked not just the start of the holiday season but also the beginning of a long-term partnership between Fleet Street Quarter and the National Literacy Trust.
Launching the ‘Snoopy in the City’ Sculpture Trail
The evening’s festivities kicked off with the unveiling of the ‘Snoopy in the City’ Sculpture Trail, created in collaboration with Wild in Art and Peanuts™. This unique trail featured 12 artist-designed Snoopy sculptures displayed across Fleet Street Quarter from November 19, 2025, to January 16, 2026. Each sculpture was inspired by the spirit of imagination and storytelling that connects both the area’s rich publishing heritage and the mission of the National Literacy Trust.
A Celebration of Community and Culture
The event took place at Ludgate Circus, the heart of Fleet Street Quarter. Hundreds of Londoners, workers, and visitors gathered to witness this historic district come alive with light, sound, and festive spectacle. Armstrong led the countdown before illuminating the twinkling lights that now light up the Quarter, creating a dazzling backdrop for a season of celebration.
The 2025 celebrations proudly mark the beginning of a landmark partnership between Fleet Street Quarter and the National Literacy Trust.
This partnership brings the charity’s vital mission to the historic heart of British journalism and publishing. As the birthplace of the nation’s printed press, Fleet Street Quarter provides a uniquely powerful backdrop for championing the importance of reading, writing, and communication.
With the area now entering an exciting new chapter, including looking ahead to its second annual literary festival ‘Festival of Words’ in 2026 and a strengthened commitment to culture, creativity, and community engagement, this partnership creates an authentic connection between Fleet Street’s storied past and its dynamic future.
Supporting the National Literacy Trust
The lights will remain on throughout the festive period, while visitors can explore the ‘Snoopy in the City’ Sculpture Trail until January 16, 2026. Each sculpture is available via a digital map and QR codes offering insight into the artists’ inspiration and the area’s history. Funds raised during the night’s event and throughout the season will help the National Literacy Trust continue its vital work to ensure every person has the literacy skills they need to succeed in life.
Alexander Armstrong, ambassador for the National Literacy Trust, expressed his excitement: “It’s a great privilege to start the festive season by switching on the lights here in Fleet Street, Britain’s home of storytelling, and to launch such a special partnership that highlights and supports the vital work of the National Literacy Trust. Reading opens doors, ignites imaginations, and connects generations, and that’s something truly worth celebrating this Christmas and beyond.”
Future Plans and Initiatives
The lights will shine as Fleet Street Quarter continues its commitment to supporting literacy across the UK. The 2025 celebrations also mark the launch of the National Year of Reading, a Department for Education initiative in collaboration with the National Literacy Trust, which aims to tackle the steep decline in reading enjoyment among children, young people, and adults.
Lady Lucy French OBE, Chief Executive of Fleet Street Quarter BID, added: “Fleet Street Quarter is a place where stories have always been born, from newspapers to novels, poetry to publishing. The launch of our partnership with the National Literacy Trust celebrates that legacy, making the world of words and stories accessible to everyone, connecting our cultural past with a brighter future for all.”
Together, Fleet Street Quarter and the National Literacy Trust will celebrate the power of words, inspire the next generation of storytellers, and reaffirm the district’s role as a place where ideas, learning, and imagination thrive. The partnership is timely as it aligns with the launch of the National Year of Reading in 2026, which aims to motivate people everywhere to see reading as modern, social, and personally meaningful.
