A winter light event in Holland Park has been granted a premises licence by Kensington and Chelsea Council, following a licensing sub-committee hearing.

The event, proposed by GLOW Worldwide Limited, will feature a curated outdoor light art exhibition with illuminated artworks and seasonal projection, illuminated and animated light installations of a similar description to live music, recorded music, and dance, forming part of the curated outdoor exhibition. Licensable activities are proposed to run from 3pm to 10pm each day, with the premises open to the public until 10:45pm. The event will operate for up to 30 days in the first year and 35 days in subsequent years, between November 15 and December 31.

A site plan for the 'Glow 2026' event in Holland Park, London, detailing event boundaries, walking routes, and safety equipment.
A site plan for the 'Glow 2026' event in Holland Park, London, detailing event boundaries, walking routes, and safety equipment.

The Licensing Sub-Committee, chaired by Councillor Greg Hammond, heard representations from the applicant, objectors including the Friends of Holland Park and The Kensington Society, and council officers. Concerns raised by objectors included potential noise nuisance, public safety, and the impact on the park's tranquillity.

GLOW Worldwide Limited addressed these concerns, highlighting measures such as a comprehensive event safety management plan, SIA-licensed security staff, a noise management plan, and a dispersal plan to direct visitors away from residential streets. Entry to the event will be by timed ticket.

Key conditions agreed upon for the licence include:

  • A maximum capacity of 9,999 attendees. This figure represents the maximum capacity from a fire safety perspective rather than an anticipated number of visitors, with the number of people passing through the exhibition at any one time expected to be in the hundreds, though the total daily attendance could reach thousands.
  • Alcohol sales permitted for on and off-site consumption, with off-sales restricted to sealed containers and consumption limited to designated areas. Consumption of alcohol will be restricted to designated areas, with the alcohol management plan within the Event Safety Management Plan setting out the locations of all bars and sales points. Specifically, alcohol sold for consumption on the premises must be strictly controlled and only consumed in designated areas such as the North Lawn concession and on the Holland House south terrace. Glassware will be managed within designated licensed areas like the café and restaurant and will not be permitted in general event areas.
  • A noise management plan to prevent public nuisance, with amplified sound to be managed to avoid disturbance.
  • Measures to protect sensitive areas of the park, including the Kyoto Garden. Discussions are ongoing regarding the temporary relocation of koi carp and the management of visitor flow across the bridge. The applicant is also working closely with the council's agriculture team to ensure trees are not disturbed and the council's ecology manager to ensure wildlife is not disturbed, with advice from the Bat Conservation Trust.
  • A dispersal plan to guide visitors towards public transport.

The licence is tied to GLOW Worldwide Limited's concession agreement with the council, meaning it will be surrendered if the concession is terminated. The premises licence is sought solely to enable the operation of GLOW at Holland Park under the concession granted to Glow Worldwide Limited by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Glow Worldwide Limited undertakes that, if it ceases to hold any concession from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to operate GLOW at Holland Park, it will, within 28 days of so ceasing, give notice to the licensing authority surrendering the premises licence. The renewal, extension, or replacement of the concession, or the grant of a further concession, does not trigger this undertaking, and the premises licence continues for so long as Glow Worldwide Limited holds a concession to operate the event.

The committee also discussed the proposed conditions in detail, making amendments to ensure clarity and enforceability. The full reasons for the decision will be published in writing within five working days.

Public reports pack 13th-Aug-2026 10.00 Licensing Sub-Committee.pdf Agenda frontsheet 13th-Aug-2026 10.00 Licensing Sub-Committee.pdf