Stewards Line Traffic-Free Oxford Street Ahead of Harry Potter Christmas Lights Switch-On

London, United Kingdom – Stewards in high-visibility vests lined a traffic-free Oxford Street as barriers and screens went up ahead of the street's Harry Potter-themed Christmas lights switch-on.

Footage filmed on Monday, November 9, shows groups of stewards gathered along the empty road, crowd barriers carrying Harry Potter and HBO Max branding, and a giant screen displaying a test pattern.

The person who filmed the scene described it as "absolute chaos" and questioned emergency access, writing: "Am sure our beloved Mayor said Oxford St would be accessible to emergency services at all times."

The switch-on, held with the HBO series Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, was due that evening, with the lights scheduled to come on at 6:45pm, according to the organisers. Transport for London closed the stretch between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street to traffic on October 26.