London to go dark for 20th anniversary of Earth Hour

At 8:30pm this Saturday (March 28^th), out-of-home (OOH) advertising landmarks in London including BFI IMAX, Piccadilly Lights, and both of the Westfield shopping destinations will ‘power down’ to mark the 20th year of World Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF’s) Earth Hour.

The outdoor locations owned by Ocean Outdoor will be joined by other prominent UK landmarks including The London Eye, London City Hall, 10 Downing Street, Oxo Tower Wharf, and Scottish monuments including Stirling Castle and Arbroath Abbey. 

Earth Hour, which is commemorated by millions across the globe, is one of the world’s biggest grassroots environmental movements.

Thousands of businesses and millions of people are expected to switch off their lights for 60 minutes in a moment of global unity for nature restoration, shining a light on the planet, the climate crisis, and the need for urgent change.

In central London, the Piccadilly Lights OOH estate will broadcast a five-minute countdown to the switch off moment at 8.30pm before turning completely dark.

The Lights, which only switch off to mark ceremonial moments of national mourning or in war, are participating with the agreement of its freehold owner, Landsec. 

BFI IMAX in Waterloo, which is now powered by 48,000 LEDs after being upgraded in 2024 to meet sustainability goals, will also switch off.

In addition, multiple outdoor screens across both Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City retail and leisure destinations will black out for the hour.

Tim Platt, BFI’s director of marketing and audience growth, says: “BFI IMAX is the number one IMAX cinema worldwide and its iconic advertising wrap is a major part of what makes the building such a landmark for brands and audiences alike.

“We’re delighted to partner with Ocean Outdoor once again, this time switching off the lights in support of WWF’s Earth Hour. Earth Hour is a moment for all of us to switch off from our busy lives, reflect, and reconnect with nature and the wellbeing benefits it provides.” 

Lisa Lee, executive director of brand, campaigns, and communications at WWF UK, adds: “When landmarks go dark and communities come together on March 28th, we’re celebrating two decades of collective action, with Earth Hour having evolved from a symbolic switch-off moment into people giving millions of hours of their time for the Earth in unique ways over the years.

“This time is an opportunity to reconnect with the natural world and each other. Everyone who participates becomes part of Earth Hour’s history and part of a growing movement to restore nature, both now and long after the lights come back on.”