Christmas at Silverstone: Lap of Lights is back and bigger than ever
Silverstone is getting its tinsel out again this Christmas, transforming the home of British motorsport into a full-on festive playground. Lap of Lights, the illuminated drive-through experience that lets you cruise your own car around the actual Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit, is back from 12 December, and it looks bigger, brighter and better than ever.
If you’ve never done it before, Lap of Lights sees you join the grid at Silverstone in your own car, tune into the special Christmas radio station, and follow a trail of light tunnels, lasers, projections and festive scenes as you drive your way around one of the most famous pieces of tarmac in the world.
We tried it in 2021 — the last running of the event that’s been absent for a few years while Silverstone goes through a massive redevelopment — and it was far better than it had any right to be. It’s part motorsport bucket list, part family Christmas outing.
And yes, you genuinely drive the full Grand Prix layout, through all the famous corners like Maggotts, Becketts, Brooklands and Stowe, and down the long Hangar Straight, with each turned into animated light installations that react to passing cars. Sleigh-verstone, perhaps.
Add in a dedicated soundtrack from Elf FM and the general excitement of trying to identify each bit of track in the dark, and it becomes an oddly magical mix of adrenaline and Christmas cheer.
Silverstone actively encourages visitors to go all-in with the festive theme, too: fairy lights on the car, Christmas jumpers in the cabin, inflatable reindeer on the roof if you’re feeling brave. The whole thing is gloriously daft, but in the best possible way.
Off the track, the Ice Trak ice rink is back. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it remains the UK’s only ice rink located inside Formula 1 garages. Whether you’re showing off your moves or clinging to the barrier for dear life, it’s worth doing simply for the novelty of skating where Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have their cars rebuilt after an unscheduled meeting at Copse.
Santa will be in his own secret garage. Backed by Lego, kids can build their own Lego sleighs, although probably not with adjustable wings, hybrid powertrains or DRS. After that excitement, they’ll be able to sit down for a storytime with Santa.
The Festive Food Quarter returns with all the winter staples: hot chocolates, loaded fries, burgers, mulled drinks and whatever seasonal treat you pretend you’re only buying for the kids.
New for 2025 is a more interactive twist. There’ll be a downloadable Lap of Lights app for extra digital bits, giant screens showing festive messages, and upgraded lighting throughout. It sounds like the whole thing has been redesigned rather than lightly refreshed.
Silverstone Lap of Lights: When, where and how much?
Lap of Lights runs at Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire from 12 December to 3 January, with tickets starting at £50 per car
, and rising to £100 at peak times. Ice Trak sessions begin at £11.45 for adults and £8.45 for children, while Santa’s Garage is £18 for the kids. Silverstone says tickets are selling quickly, and some sessions have already sold out.
If you’re looking for an alternative to yet another Christmas market, this is a genuinely fun way to spend an evening. And how many chances do you get to drive the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit legally, at Christmas, with lasers?
He is the founder of Huff Media, publisher of Professional Pickup, Professional Van, Average Janes, Average Joes, and CALIBRE. His work focuses primarily on light commercial vehicles, pickups, and real-world vehicle use, with much of his time spent on manufacturer launches, industry events, and long-term vehicle testing.