London Christmas Lights Switch-Ons and Winter Markets: Banners, Posters and Wayfinding Boards for Organisers

Good winter market signage does a quiet job. It tells people where to go, what is on and when to come back. If you organise a light switch-on or a winter market in London, this guide shows which printed sign suits which spot. We will keep it simple.

Why Winter Market Signage Matters Before the Lights Go On

People turn up curious and a little lost. They want to know where the entrance is, which way the stalls run and when the countdown starts. Clear signs answer all of that before anyone has to ask a volunteer. (Volunteers are busy enough, trust me.)

Signs help the people running the day, too. A map poster cuts down on the same five questions. A clear banner tells latecomers they found the right place. Small things, big relief.

London’s festive season is already under way. These dates are confirmed so far:

• Southbank Centre Winter Market: from 2 November 2026.
• Carnaby Street lights: 4 November 2026.
• Regent Street lights: 5 November 2026.
• Leadenhall Market lights: 19 November 2026.

A few other big switch-ons fall in early November too. Your own event might land later, which is good news. It gives you time to plan your signs without a last-minute scramble.

Match Each Sign to Its Spot

Think of your site as three zones. Each zone has its own weather, and your sign has to suit it.

The Open-Air Zone

Gates, fences and street frontages. Wind, drizzle and cold all land here. This is the home of PVC banners, Foamex and waterproof posters.

The Sheltered Zone

Covered arcades, doorways with a roof, the porch of a hall. A pull-up banner can work here. It does not belong out in open weather.

The Indoor Zone

Halls, shops and community rooms. Foam board is the tidy choice for directions and labels.

Which Sign Goes Where? Your Quick Cheat Sheet

PVC Banner Printing for the Outdoor Edge

PVC banner printing is the workhorse of any outdoor display. The PVC banner is the outdoor banner option, so it suits the front of a market, a gate or a long fence. Put the event name in big letters. Add the date underneath. That is about it. The PVC banner page lists a same-day option at checkout.

Someone walking past on a cold evening gives a banner two seconds. Maybe three if there is a queue. So keep the message short.

Here is what usually works:

1. Use one main message, such as the market name or "Lights on tonight".
2. Pick dark text on a light background, or the other way round. Avoid mid tones.
3. Make the letters bigger than feels sensible, then make them bigger again.
4. Stand across the room and squint at your artwork on screen. If you cannot read it, a passer-by will not either.

ExactPrint prints the artwork you send, so check your spelling and dates before you upload. A typo on a banner is hard to unsee once it is up.

Event Posters That Cope With the Weather

Event posters do the detail work. A banner shouts the name, and a poster explains the rest. For outdoor spots, go for waterproof posters, since a normal paper print and a wet December do not get along.

Two sizes cover most jobs:

• The A1 waterproof poster measures 594 x 841mm. It has room for a site map or the full programme.
• The A2 waterproof poster measures 420 x 594mm. It suits a stall list, a "what's on tonight" notice or a thank you to local traders.

ExactPrint’s A1 and A2 waterproof poster pages both list a same-day option at checkout.

A handy trick is to give each poster one job. One shows the map. One shows the timings. One tells people where to find the next stall. Nobody wants to read a poster that tries to do everything.

Pull-Up Roller Banners for Sheltered Entrances

A pull up roller banner is tall and slim. It catches the eye without taking much floor space. Many people search for a roller banner when they want a quick welcome sign, and for good reason.

The 800 x 2000mm pull-up roller banner suits sheltered spots. Think of a covered arcade entrance, a hall doorway with a roof or a lobby. It is not a sign for open ground. If your entrance has no cover, choose a PVC banner instead.

A good pull-up banner carries one clear message at eye level. Put the event name near the top, since that is where people look first. Smaller details can sit lower down. The banner page lists same-day delivery across London.

Wayfinding Foam Board Signs for Indoor Spaces

Once people are inside, wayfinding foam board signs take over. Foam board is a paper-faced foam core, made for indoor and short-term outdoor display. It is light and flat, so it reads well in a hall or a shop unit. In this guide we keep it indoors.

The A1 foam board measures 594 x 841mm. That is large enough to read from a good few steps away. Here are three jobs it does well:

• Pointing the way to stalls, with big arrows
• Naming rooms, such as "Craft Stalls" or "Kids' Corner"
• Showing which way to the toilets, because someone always asks

Need a board outdoors? Look at Foamex instead. It is a printed PVC board and the option for tougher or longer outdoor use. The A1 Foamex is the same A1 size, so your artwork can move across easily. ExactPrint’s A1 foam board and A1 Foamex pages both list same-day printing and mounting.

Three Slip-Ups to Dodge

Even tidy organisers trip over the same few things.

• Too much text. If a sign needs a paragraph, it really needs a second sign.
• Wrong sign, wrong spot. A foam board by the gate looks sad on a wet night. Pick the zone first, then pick the print.
• Late decisions. Plans change and dates move. Then it is the night before and everyone is panicking. Settle your details early, so your winter market signage is not rewritten in a rush.

A Simple Plan Before You Order

Printing is the easy part. Planning is where the real work sits. Try these steps:

1. Walk your route from the start. Note every spot where someone might hesitate.
2. Mark each spot as open air, sheltered or indoor.
3. Match each spot to a sign using the cheat sheet above.
4. Write one short message per sign.
5. Check the sizes, spelling and dates on every file.
6. Send your artwork and check the product page for current details.

Street displays and events can come with their own rules. Ask your local council or the event organiser what applies to your plans.

Light Up the Night with Signs People Can Read

Good winter market signage is not about fancy tricks. It is about the right sign in the right spot. Use PVC banners, Foamex and waterproof posters outside. Keep pull-up banners to sheltered doorways. Save foam board for indoor directions.

Whether you run a traders' association stall row or a community evening in London, start with your busiest entrance. A clear PVC banner there tells everyone they are in the right place. After that, the rest of the signs fall into line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which signs can I use outside at a winter market?

Choose PVC banners, Foamex or waterproof posters for outdoor spots. Foam board and pull-up banners suit indoor or sheltered places only, so keep them away from open weather and wet ground.

Can I use a pull-up banner at a market entrance?

Yes, if the entrance is sheltered, like a covered arcade or a doorway with a roof. In open weather, a PVC banner is the better match because it is made for outdoor display.

What poster size works for a market map?

An A1 waterproof poster at 594 x 841mm gives you space for a full map. An A2 waterproof poster at 420 x 594mm suits stall lists. Pick the size by how far away people will stand.

Is foam board waterproof?

No. Foam board is a paper-faced foam core made for indoor and short-term outdoor display, but it is not waterproof. For longer or tougher outdoor use, look at Foamex, which is a printed PVC board, or choose a waterproof poster for your outdoor spots.

Can I send my own artwork for printing?

Yes. ExactPrint prints the artwork you supply, so check your spelling, dates and sizes before sending. A typo on a banner or board is hard to fix once it is printed and on display.