THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO LONDON CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
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This post is about where to see the best Christmas light displays in London
London is magical at Christmas and when it comes to Christmas lights, London is one of the best and brightest cities in the world.
From the beginning of November through to early January the city is lit up with spectacular displays of Christmas lights and light displays.
If you are planning a visit during this holiday season, seeing the London Christmas lights is one of the best things to do while you are here.
In this guide, you will discover 15 places to see the London Christmas lights, with photos of each so you know what to expect. There is also a map at the end of this guide with 3 different walking routes you can take to ensure you enjoy all the Xmas lights in London.
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This post is about Christmas in London and where the best Christmas light displays are in London
There’s so much to do in London at Christmas time. You should check out this guide to the best 15 things to do in London at Christmas. I have a guide to where the best London Christmas markets you simply must visit whilst in London. If Christmas lights are your thing then check out the best Christmas lights in London or the best Christmas window displays in London. If you’re stuggling to know what to pack for a trip to London this London packing guide can help.
HOW TO SEE THE LONDON CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
In December, the sun sets at between 3:45-4:00pm in England so that means there’s plenty of time in the evening to see the London Christmas lights.
Seeing the London Christmas lights is one of the best free things to do during the festive season. It’s also one of my favourite things to do to really get into the Christmas spirit.
Many of the Christmas lights on this list are in central London with the exception of a few, so they’re mostly located near the big tourist attractions of London.
There will be a walking map guide at the end of this post to show you exactly where to go to see the best London Christmas lights.
You could walk around and view all the Christmas lights in one night but I’d recommend you split it over a few nights.
If you’re short on time and want to see the lights in one evening you can book a tour of London that takes you along the sparkly, illuminated streets of London.
The London Christmas lights are turned on between early and mid-November so if you want to see all of the lights plan your visit for after November 20th.
The lights turn on when it starts to get dark from around 3pm to around 11pm.
The London Christmas lights are turned off during the first week of January.
REGENT STREET
Regent Street Christmas lights are known as ‘The Spirits of Christmas’ and they are one of the largest displays in the country. Regent Street actually started the tradition of public Christmas lights in London back in 1954.
The display features many ‘spirits’ soaring above your head providing a canopy of 300,000 twinkling lights and are an iconic sight during the holiday period, particularly when you add in a few big, red London double decker buses and the shops decorated for Christmas all around.
OXFORD STREET
Oxford Street is one of the busiest shopping streets in London and from the end of November thousands of stars twinkle overhead to create the ‘Sky Full of Stars’ Christmas lights display.
Whilst you’re on Oxford Street you could do a spot of shopping at some major department stores or just marvel at the amazing window displays in shops such as Selfridges.
Bus tour of the London Christmas lights : A popular thing to do in London at Christmas is to take a bus tour of the Christmas lights. If you fancy something a little different you can do the tour on a vintage bus. It’s a great way to see the lights if you’re feeling a little lazy and don’t want to do all the walking or if you have mobility issues.
MORE IN LONDON
MAYFAIR, SOUTH MOULTON STREET
South Molton Street is a pedestrianised street in Mayfair that from the beginning of November gets lit up blue.
Running along the street are illuminated blue LED arches with blue twinkling lights and stars. It’s a beautiful place to go for Christmas lights as it’s quite different from the other Christmas lights you will see around London.
CARNABY STREET
Carnaby Street is a trendy pedestrian shopping street in Soho, quite near to Regent Street.
Each year there is a different theme to the Christmas lights. Over the years they’ve done Bohemian Rhapsody lights in 2018, light displays made from recycled materials to highlight the oceans in 2019, a butterfly theme in 2021 to signify rebirth, transformation and hope.
Last year in 2022 the theme was ‘Carnaby Celebrates’ with lights used from the past 25 years as well as installations celebrating the Rolling Stones and Queen.
PICCADILLY
These lights are right next to Regent Street and run from from Green Park to Piccadilly Circus. They are similar in style to the spirits on Regent Street but if you look more closely you will see that instead of spirits, illuminated above you are figures of Anteros, the Greek god of requited love.
Fortnum and Mason is located on Piccadilly and should not be missed when you’re in the area, although you’ll have a hard job missing it! The outside of this store is decorated as a huge sparkly advent calendar and each day in December, another window is illuminated, counting down the days until Christmas.
NEW BOND AND OLD BOND STREET
Along these streets you will find a nod to the Royal family with huge crown and tiara light installations sparkling overhead. As you’re walking along the street taking in the festive Christmas lights you shuld also make sure you look in the windows of some of the shops along the street for some of the best Christmas window displays.
Shops like Cartier, Tiffany and Dior all decorate their storefronts and windows with fancy holiday displays that are a great sight at night.
CHURCHILL ARMS
The Churchill Arms is a local pub in Kensington that does Christmas in an epic way. They add an incredible 22,000 lights to their already elaborate façade.
Churchill Arms was built in 1750 and was frequented often by Winston Churchills grandparents.
When it isn’t Christmas the exterior of the pub is decorated with flowers everywhere. And I mean everywhere!
In December, Christmas trees are put all over the outside and thousands of lights are strung along the outside of Churchill Arms and the inside gets decorated spectacularly too.
The Churchill Arms is one of the most festive pubs in London
The exterior Christmas lights do not come on until 6 pm even though it is dark by 4 pm.
KEW GARDENS LIGHT TRAIL
Kew Gardens is to the south west of London and is always a wonderful evening out at Christmas time. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it’s easy to see why.
There is a beautiful light trail that is amongst some of the best Christmas light displays in London. The gardens turn into a festive, enchanted woodland.
The trail is a short 2.7km that takes about 40 minutes to walk it. It will take longer to walk as you will be distracted taking in the wonderful sights of the incredible light installations.
There are over a million lights along the pathways to light the way and guide you along the trail.
Check out the Kew Gardens website for information on tickets.
COVENT GARDEN
Covent Garden is one of my favourite places in London. It’s massively touristy but I don’t care, I love it!
During December it becomes a great festive location in London with a huge Christmas tree, Christmas decorations and lights and the usual famous, comedic street performers.
There are over 115,000 Christmas, twinkly lights in Covent Garden that all surrounding the market and decorating their iconic 55-foot-tall tree.
There’s also a special treat of snow fall on the hour between 12-7pm every day from 9th November - 27th December.
The Covent Garden Christmas lights are on from 7am - 11pm every day from 9th November to 3rd January
See the lights, go shopping, take a break and have mulled wine or hot cider, or dine at one of the restaurants or outdoor cafes. Covent Garden is a must-see while in London.
BELGRAVIA
Belgravia is a neighbourhood that sits to the west of Buckingham Palace and to the south of Hyde Park. This area is quieter than places like Oxford Street and Covent Garden and has more of a residential vibe.
The Christmas lights in Belgravia has sparkling lights across Motcomb Street, Elizabeth Street, Pimlico Road, Eccleston Yards, and Halkin Arcade where festive displays are shown in the windows of local shops and bars.
SEVEN DIALS
Seven Dials is in the West End of London where seven streets converge on a roundabout. Standing within this roundabout is a pillar with six sundials.
This area is covered in Christmas lights on the roundabout and on the seven streets that lead off of the circle.
As well as the beautiful Christmas lights there are festive workshops, seasonal food and street entertainment.
TRAFALGAR SQUARE
A tradition that was started in 1947 is that a tree is gifted from Norway to the UK.
Just after World War II Norway gifted a Norway spruce to London as a thank you for the British support during the war. The tradition stuck and each year Trafalgar Square has a Norway spruce twinkling with Christmas lights.
The lighting ceremony takes place the first Thursday of December. It’s a popular event to attend, with Christmas carols and a band.
The tree has become somewhat of a running joke the past few years as it seems to get less and less spectacular over the years. I’ve been there myself and seen what looked like a very sorry looking, half dead, half drooping tree.
It is however, a fun sight to see and the story behind it is heartwarming.
LEADENHALL MARKET
Historic Grade II listed, Leadenhall Market is always a spectacular sight during the Christmas season.
There is a giant Christmas tree inside Leadenhall Market with lights twinkling all around. The building itself it extremely impressive without the magic of Christmas so add in the lights and it becomes magnificent.
You can also enjoy activities such as a wreath-making workshop.
THE SHARD
The Shard features Western Europe’s highest Christmas lights that transform the top 20 storeys of The Shard into a colourful spectacle.
The Shard’s lights will turn on for their Christmassy display from December 6th and it can be spotted throughout London as it’s so high up.
COAL DROPS YARD
There is so much going on at Coal Drops Yard. There is an alpine inspired wonderland with ski chalets, glowing sculptures, Christmas markets and a huge curling rink.
There also a huge 50ft Nordmann fir tree in Coal Drops Yard which is decorated with ski related items and neon lights. The whole area has an amazing Christmas vibe.
You can try your hand at curling on the ice rinks at Coal Drops Yard.
There is an amazing geometric tree sculpture by artist, Liliane Lijn which you can venture inside to immerse yourself in light.
CHRISTMAS IN LONDON ON A MAP
This map shows the best Christmas markets, Christmas lights and Christmas window displays in London. As well as 3 walking tours you can follow to see the best of London at Christmas.
VIDEOS FROM CHRISTMAS IN LONDON
WALKING TOURS OF THE LONDON CHRISTMAS LIGHTS 2023
On the map above there are 3 different walking routes you can do to see all of the very best London Christmas lights as well as taking in the Christmas window displays and markets.
They are great walking tours if you want to see the lights without having to spend a penny on a tour.
If you don’t quite trust your map reading skills or you fancy a stress free, hassle free tour of the London Xmas lights you can book a tour via London bus or bike.
To fit all of London Christmas lights in in one evening would get a little repetitve and you wouldn’t have the time to really enjoy them and the Christmas markets that you’ll stumble across along the way so I recommend these walking tours of London Christmas lights to do be done over 2 or 3 nights.
Walking Tour #1 Piccadilly, Bond Street, Oxford Street, Regent Street, Carnaby Market - taking in Fortnum & Mason, Liberty London, Hamleys
This walking loop is 3 km/2 miles and takes about 40 minutes, without stops.
Start this walking tour at Piccadilly Circus. Piccadilly Circus Tube Station is on the Bakerloo (brown) and the Piccadilly (purple) line. First walk west down Piccadilly (towards Green Park), visiting Fortnum and Mason on the way. Turn right onto Old Bond Street and as you walk up Old and New Bond Street you can enjoy the festive storefronts of Cartier, Dior, and Tiffany. From New Bond Street, turn left onto Brook Street and when you arrive at Bond Street Tube Station then turn right onto South Moulton Street where you will see the illuminated blue archways and lights. This will take you to Oxford Circus. Turn right on Regent Street. Just off Regent Street to the left is Liberty London. Then come back on to Regent Street and as you walk down you can visit Hamley’s, take a left to visit Carnaby Street. Come back on to Regent Street and follow it round back to Piccadilly Circus.
Walking Tour #2 Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and Seven Dials
This walking loop is 2km/1 mile and takes 30 minutes
Start this walking tour at Leicester Square. Leicester Square tube station is on the Piccadilly (purple) and the Northern (black) tube line. You can enjoy the Christmas market in Leicester Square before you start the walk if you’d like. Walk south to Trafalgar Square. In Trafalgar Square, see the Christmas tree and visit the Christmas market. From Trafalgar Square, walk east along the Strand and turn left onto Bedford Street. Keep going until you hit Covent Garden. Here you can enjoy the lights, do some shopping and if you’re there on the hour you can experience snow fall! When you’re finished at Covent Garden walk north on James Street, continue straight onto Neal Street. You then need to left left onto Earlham Street to Seven Dials. From Seven Dials, walk down Monmouth Street, turn right on Cranbourn Street, and take this back to Leicester Square.
Walking Tour #3 Belgravia, Winter Wonderland, CHurchill Arms & Harrods
This walking loop is 9km/1 mile and takes about 2 hours although much of it is through Hyde Park where you’ll be enjoying Winter Wonderland. If you wanted to skip the Churchill Arms it becomes a 2km route.
Start this walking tour at Hyde Park Corner. Hyde Park Corner tube station is on the Piccadilly (purple) line. Head south on Grosvenor Place and take a quick right onto Grosvenor Crescent. Follow this round until you get to Belgravia Square where you can see the Christmas lights there. Take a right down Chesham Place and go right down Hans Place. Go left down Hans Road and you will see Harrods there. Marvel at the window displays or go inside to the seventh floor and take a look around their special Christmas shop. Head south down Brompton Road, on to Cromwell Gardens and Cromwell Road past the V&A Museum and The Natural History Museum. Turn right up Queens Gate where you will get to Hyde Park. Time for a quick left on to Kensington High Street, a right on to Kensington Church Street where you will see the famous Churchill Arms. Retrace your steps back to Hyde Park and go in to enjoy Winter Wonderland. When you’ve had as much Christmasy fun that you can handle for one evening head out back to Hyde Park Corner tube station if you’re getting the tube back to your accomodation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When are London's Christmas lights switched on?
Official dates have yet to be confirmed for when London will switch on it’s Christmas lights for 2023 although there are usually sometime in mid November. Check back later for offical confirmed dates on when the lights are switched on in London. Once lit they'll be on nightly until early January.
Where are London Christmas lights?
London has Christmas lights all over the city. Some of the best are on Regent Street, Piccadilly, Oxford Street and Kew Gardens. Check out the map above for a guide to the 15 best Christmas light displays in London for 2023.
When's the best time to see the West End Christmas lights?
In terms of times of day, the lights go on late afternoon when it gets dark around 3:30-4pm so anytime after that you can see the Christmas lights in 2023.
In terms of crowds there’s never really a quiet time to see the lights. It’s London. It’s Christmas time. It’s busy! Weekdays are likely to be slightly less busy than weekends and the earlier in December you go (or even late November) the quietier it is.
The good thing is though it never really feels too overcrowded in my experience.
When do London's Christmas lights end?
Official dates of when London’s Christmas lights will end have not yet been released for 2023 but they are usually in early January around the 4th.
A good tip to see the Christmas lights with less crowds is to go after Christmas and New Year. All the lights should still be on during the first few days of January and the crowds will have dispersed a lot.
Do London's Christmas lights get switched off at night?
Many of London’s Christmas light displays won't be on all night this year, to avoid wasting energy.
Are London's Christmas lights energy efficient?
London’s Christmas light displays have definietly got better over the years in terms of being energy efficient.
Climate issues are something the London Christmas light organisiser have taken seriously and the West End has taken steps to make the Christmas light displays as energy efficient as possible.
All West End lights (that's Oxford Street, Regent Street, St James's, Bond Street, South Molton Street and more) use LED technology, which reduces energy consumption by 75% compared to regular lights.
The new Oxford Street star lights are 100% recyclable, made from recycled polymer and produced using 100% solar/photovoltaic energy and will be reused in future Oxford Street Christmas displays. Similarly, the new Bond Street lights use energy-efficient LEDs, and are made from recycled materials.
Is it worth visiting London at Christmas?
I absolutely love London and would recommend visiting at any time of year but there’s something magical about London at Christmas. It’s full of dazzling light displays, festive markets, ice skating rinks and so many other Christmas themed acitvities you can take part in to really get in the mood for the holidays.
What is the weather like in London at Christmas?
The weather is England is famously unpredictable but for the month of December the average high is 9°C/49°F and the average low is 5°C/41°F.
The days are short in December with the shortest day of the year on December 21st. Sunrise is around 8am and sunset is 3:30 - 4pm. This may seem like it could be a problem but a lot of the activities to do in London at Christmas are better in the dark - the Christmas trees, the lights, the markets etc.
It can be quite rainy in December with an average of 9 rainy days each month. Snow can fall in December but it is quite rare. If you’re lucky enough to be in London at Christmas time during the snow you’re in for a rare treat - and I’m very jealous as I’ve not managed to be there during a snowy December yet.
What are the best things to do in London at Christmas with kids?
If you will be visiting London during the Christmas holiday season, there is plenty of child friendly activites for all ages. You can visit Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, have Christmas-themed afternoon tea, go ice skating, visit Hamley’s, see the Christmas lights, and watch a holiday musical. All great activities for kids and adults alike.
CHRISTMAS LIGHT TOURS
BOAT TRIPS
TOP 10 LONDON EXPERIENCES
WHERE TO STAY IN LONDON
These are my favourite hotels in London for a range of budgets.
BUDGET TRAVELLER
Dover Castle Hotel is great for budget travellers costing around £40 per night during the festive season. It’s less than a mile from the Tower and London and Tower Bridge and offers dorm rooms at a great price in a handy location.
The Walrus Bar and Hostel is on the south side of the river just across from Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. It offers twin rooms with breakfast available close to Lambeth North and Southwark tube stations.
MID RANGE BUDGET
The Portico Hotel is located in Westminster so excellent for Big Ben and Houses and Parliament and most of the central London tourist attractions. Room are available for around £150 per night during the festive season.
Inhabit, Southwick Street is near Paddington Station and offers beautiful rooms. Breakfast is available at the hotel should you wish to eat before you head out on your day exploring the capital.
LUXURY ACCOMODATION
is located right by Hyde Park. It has breath taking views over the famous London skyline. There is a gym on site and two award winning restaurants.
this superb luxury hotel is located in the heart of the city overlooking the impressive Somerset House. You can stay here from £450 per night over the festive season. There is an amazing rooftop bar with spectacular views over London.
LONDON ESSENTIALS
Planning a trip to London? Here are some of the resources and tools I personally use to organise my travel plans to anywhere in the UK.
FLIGHTS : Find the best deals on flights to London using Skyscanner.
VISAS : Use iVisa to check if you need a tourist visa for the UK and apply for an expedited visa online. Use OneWayFly to obtain proof of onward travel/hotel reservation for your visa application if needed.
TRAVEL INSURANCE : Insure your trip with my preferred insurance for single trip and annual cover HeyMondo
AIRPORT TRANSFER : Pre-book your hotel transfer from Stanstead Airport, Gatwick Airport or Gatwick Airport
ACCOMMODATION : Find the best hotel deals in London on Booking.com.
BUS TICKETS : It is easy to book your transport once you’re in London but if you’d like to book in advance you can buy private transfers online through Bookaway .
DAY TRIPS : Find the best city tours and day excursions in London on Viator or Get Your Guide.
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