Apple puts Brits on the wall for Christmas in Battersea

In what could be a lovely Christmas-related stunt, Apple is inviting any UK residents with an iPad to join in a competition to draw Christmas trees which will be displayed on the iconic chimneys at Battersea Power Station.

It works like this: If you have an iPad you are invited to design a Christmas tree on the tablet and submit it for a chance to have it projected onto Battersea Power Station’s river-facing chimneys and wash towers.

Brits on the wall

The winning public entries will be projected alongside commissioned designs contributed from established artists and notable figures, such as Sir Stephen Fry (former Faithfuls ‘Big Dog’) and David Shrigley OBE. The competition is being hosted by Munya Chawawa.

The competition opens November 3, with submissions accepted until midnight, 23 November. Apple will unveil the winning submissions and artist contributions on Battersea Power Station’s chimneys and wash towers on December 4 at 5pm, and these will include 24 winners of the public award.

From 6-22 November, all 39 Apple Store locations across the UK will host special 30-minute Today at Apple sessions dedicated to helping peoplecreate and submit Christmas tree designs.

What Apple said

“Using the power and versatility of our most capable iPad lineup yet, we’re excited to bring Christmas cheer to Battersea Power Station and inspire festive creativity across the nation,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “It’s inspiring to see such remarkable talent across multiple mediums — all brought together alongside Munya Chawawa. We can’t wait to experience these creations next to the incredible contributions from the public.”

How to enter a tree

• Download the template to iPad via apple.com/uk/apple-christmas-trees then open a drawing app to get started.
• Create the Christmas tree.
• Submit entries via apple.com/uk/apple-christmas-trees. Submissions will be accepted until midnight, 23 November.
• Visit apple.com/uk/apple-christmas-trees to enter and your-tree-on-battersea.com for full terms and conditions.

In 2023, the Battersea tradition began when world-renowned artist and keen iPad art creator, David Hockney offered up Bigger Christmas Trees, which he created on iPad Pro. In 2024, Aardman, the creators of Wallace & Gromit, used iPhone 16 Pro Max to produce a short animations of Wallace and Gromit building Christmas trees.

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