Today I want to bring you my guide to where to find the best Christmas lights in London. All across the city, festive displays brighten up the night sky throughout the season. From the famous ones on Regent Street to the local ones in Marylebone, they’re fun to see throughout the UK capital. To help you get to the most beautiful ones, I’ve put together the A Lady in London guide to London Christmas lights. I’ve included a map, too.
Best Christmas Lights in London
Christmas light displays span the city from Kew Gardens to Old Spitalfields Market and beyond. Illuminating streets and squares, they make London one of the best places to visit in the UK at Christmas.
London’s major Christmas light displays are switched on in celebrity-led ceremonies at the beginning or middle of November. They stay up until early to mid-January, so there’s plenty of time to see them.
The dates of some ceremonies have already been announced, and you can see them below. For the ones that haven’t, I’ll update this post as they make their timings public. Make sure to bookmark this post or pin it on Pinterest so you can check back for updates.
How to See the Lights
So what’s the best way to see the Christmas lights in London? I prefer going on foot so I can soak up the details and take photos and videos. There are plenty of other options, though.
If you want to follow in my footsteps, you can go on my free self-guided Christmas lights walk in London or do my Christmas itinerary to see the highlights. They have all my favorite places to take in the illuminations.
If you prefer a guided tour, you can take a Christmas walking tour, bus tour, or black cab tour to see the lights. You can look at options and book one here. They’re easy ways to take in the best of the festive season.
Tips for Seeing the Christmas Lights
Whatever you choose to do, remember that the London weather is unpredictable and it can get rainy and very cold in the winter months.
It’s a good idea to wear warm clothing and bring an umbrella with you. If you’re in the UK, I recommend this umbrella. If you’re elsewhere, this one is perfect.
My winter packing list can help as well, and my guide to what to wear in London has good general tips for you. They’ll help you stay warm and dry while you admire the installations.
Where to Stay to See the Lights
When it comes to accommodation in London, you have no shortage of options. Whether you want to stay in one of the most festive hotels in London at Christmas or rent an apartment somewhere local, the city has a lot to choose from.
Given most of the lights are in the heart of the UK capital, basing yourself in the city center is a good option. You can see my blog posts about the best area to stay, the best hotels in London for your style, the top quirky hotels in London, and pubs with rooms for more ideas.
You can also find deals and book accommodation in London here. With so many choices, you’re sure to find a place that fits your Christmas style.
1. Regent Street Christmas Lights
First on my list of places to see the best Christmas lights in London is Regent Street. The theme of these lights changes every few years, so it’s fun to keep coming back and seeing what’s new.
The Regent Street Christmas lights follow the curve of the road from Oxford Circus to Piccadilly Circus. They brighten up the night sky and add festive cheer to the famous high street shops and hotels that line the street.
This year the Regent Street lights switch-on ceremony will take place on November 7, 2024. If you want to see them and the other displays around the area, you can take one of my free self-guided Christmas walks in London or go on a tour.
2. Covent Garden Christmas Lights
Next on my list of the top Christmas lights in London are the ones in Covent Garden. From the covered piazza to Seven Dials, St Martin’s Lane, Slingsby Place, St Martin’s Courtyard, and beyond, this part of the UK capital goes all-out during the Yuletide season.
My favorite place to see the festive lights in Covent Garden is in the piazza. Not only do the twinkling bulbs add seasonal cheer, but there’s also a giant Christmas tree.
Add to that larger-than-life decorations hanging from the ceiling and installations throughout the area, and this place is perfect for photos and videos.
This year the Covent Garden Piazza lights switch-on ceremony will take place November 12, 2024. If you want to see all the lights in the area, you can do my free self-guided Covent Garden walk or go on a tour.
3. Bond Street Christmas Lights
The Christmas lights in Mayfair are spread throughout the neighborhood. From Mount Street to South Molton Street, Bond Street, Savile Row, and Piccadilly, there’s no shortage of festive installations in this party of the city.
The most famous are on Bond Street, where giant displays light up the sky as the sun goes down (which can be as early as 3:45pm in December). They brighten the night above the famous luxury goods shops that line the road.
In fact, it’s worth heading to Bond Street to see the shopfronts as much as it is to see the lights. Every year the likes of Cartier and Tiffany & Co outdo themselves in sprucing up their facades for the Christmas shopping season.
This year the Bond Street lights switch-on ceremony will take place in November (date TBA). If you want to see all the lights in the area, you can do my free self-guided Mayfair walk or go on a tour.
4. Carnaby Street Christmas Lights
Another place to see the best Christmas lights in London is Carnaby Street in Soho. This pedestrianized road is famous for its annual illuminations.
Carnaby Street features brightly colored lights that radiate out into the narrow passages around it. They change each year, so it’s worth going back again and again to see what’s new for the season.
This year the Carnaby Street lights switch-on ceremony will take place on November 8, 2024. If you want to see all the lights in the area, you can do my free self-guided Soho walk or go on a tour.
5. Oxford Street Christmas Lights
More of London’s best Christmas lights can be found on Oxford Street. Each winter, giant seasonal displays light up the night sky on this famous thoroughfare.
Many locals and visitors come here to do their Christmas shopping. It’s fun to see the Oxford Street Christmas lights as you make your way down the road and around Oxford Circus in the holiday season.
This year the Oxford Street Christmas lights switch-on ceremony will take place on November 2, 2024. It’s one of the biggest and most anticipated events of the season, and there’s always a major celebrity present to flip the switch.
If you want to see all the lights in the area, you can do my free self-guided Marylebone walk or go on a tour.
6. Sloane Street Christmas Lights
Over in Chelsea, Sloane Street and its offshoots are decked with Christmas lights each festive season.
From Knightsbridge to Sloane Square, the road itself has lots of light displays suspended above the luxury goods shops and hotels that line it.
Sloane Square and the King’s Road also glow with lights and decorations. The latter is a fun place to shop for Christmas gifts, too.
This year the Sloane Street lights switch-on ceremony will take place on November 16, 2024. If you want to see all the lights in the area, you can do my free self-guided Chelsea walk or go on a tour.
Alternatively, if you want to take in the Sloane Street Christmas lights and famous London department stores like Harrods and Harvey Nichols, you can do my Knightsbridge walk.
7. Marylebone Christmas Lights
Another of my favorite places to see Christmas lights in London is Marylebone. The area around Marylebone High Street and Devonshire Street brightens up each year with annual displays and decorations.
There’s also Merry Marylebone. It’s an annual event where lights and shopping go hand-in-hand. For one afternoon and evening, you can enjoy watching the lights go on, festive activities, artisan market stalls, live music, and late-night browsing.
This year Merry Marylebone and the lights switch-on ceremony will take place on November 13, 2024. If you want to see all the lights in the area, you can do my free self-guided Marylebone walk or go on a tour.
8. Old Spitalfields Market Christmas Lights
Another place to see the best Christmas lights in London is Old Spitalfields Market. This beloved place in the East End is full of seasonal cheer, from illuminated displays to decorations and shops.
This year the Old Spitalfields Market Christmas lights switch-on ceremony will take place on November 13, 2024, and there’s a lot to get excited about.
The event will feature Christmas shopping, live festive music, and seasonal workshops. There will also be mulled wine, minced pies, and other British Christmas food, drinks, and desserts from the street food stalls.
If you want to see all the lights in and around the market, you can do my free self-guided Spitalfields walk. It will take you everywhere from Brick Lane to the side streets.
9. Leadenhall Market Christmas Lights
Some of the best Christmas lights in the City of London can be found in Leadenhall Market. This stunning Victorian number stood in as Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter movies, and it’s just as magical at Christmas as it is at other times of year.
Leadenhall Market’s Christmas decorations include an annual tree beneath the atrium, lots of twinkling lights, and festive garlands in and around the shops.
This year the Leadenhall Market lights switch-on ceremony will take place on November 14, 2024. If you want to see all the lights in the area, you can do my free self-guided City of London walk or go on a tour.
10. South Bank Christmas Lights
Another fun place to see Christmas lights in London is the South Bank. The annual Christmas market takes over the area around the Royal Festival Hall, bringing cheer to the Thames.
Walking around the South Bank and browsing the festive market is one of the most popular things to do in London at Christmastime. From the chalets to the entertainment and lights, there’s a lot to love about it.
This year the South Bank Winter Market will take place from November 1st to December 26th, 2024. It’s one of my favorite British Christmas markets. If you want to see all the lights in the area and beyond, you can do my free self-guided Thames walk or go on a tour.
11. St James’s Christmas Lights
Next on my list of where to see the best Christmas lights in London is St James’s. The displays here are part of the Regent Street ones, and they extend all throughout the neighborhood.
It’s worth walking around Jermyn Street, St James’s Market, and Piccadilly to take in the festive lights and soak up the decorations in the shopping arcades.
Places like Fortnum & Mason are some of the most famous London department stores at Christmas, and there are great Christmas trees in Waterloo Place and Pickering Place, too.
As I mentioned before, this year the Regent Street lights switch-on will take place November 7, 2024. It’s worth walking from the main thoroughfare to side streets like Glasshouse Street and Swallow Street before heading down into St James’s.
You can also do my free self-guided Christmas lights walk or go on a tour to see the highlights of Christmas in St James’s.
12. King’s Cross Christmas Lights
Another fun place to see Christmas lights in London is King’s Cross. The festive fun here centers around Granary Square and Coal Drops Yard on Regent’s Canal.
From twinkling lights to a giant Christmas tree, winter activities, pop-up bars with Christmas cocktails, a Christmas market, live music, and great shopping, King’s Cross has it all.
Whether you want to take in the entertainment, browse for gifts, or try a tasting menu, there’s a lot to enjoy. The annual Christmas tree in St Pancras station is worth popping over to see, too. It changes every year.
The fun continues through New Year’s Eve as well. Lots of restaurants and hotels in the area offer special menus and events to ring in the coming 12 months.
13. Belgravia Christmas Lights
When it comes to local areas, Belgravia is one of my favorite places to see Christmas lights in London. Lots of streets around the neighborhood come alive with lights, wreaths, and decorations for the season.
Popular places to see lights here include Motcomb Street, Pimlico Road, and Eccleston Yards. They have plenty of festive displays to enjoy, not to mention shops and restaurants.
But my favorite of all is Elizabeth Street. Famous for its floral facades, this road is home to some of the best Christmas decorations in London.
This year the Belgravia Christmas lights switch-on party will take place on Elizabeth Street on November 17, 2024. If you want to see all the lights in the area, you can do my free self-guided Belgravia walk.
14. Churchill Arms Christmas Lights
When it comes to pubs in London at Christmas, it’s hard to beat the Churchill Arms in Kensington. The facade of this famous watering hole is covered in flowers all year, but during the holiday season it gets a Christmas tree makeover.
The Churchill Arms looks festive with its forested frontage, complete with tens of thousands of lights. If you’re looking for somewhere fun for a seasonal meal or pint, it’s the perfect spot (just remember they serve Thai food, so don’t expect a traditional British meal).
This year the Churchill Arms Christmas lights and display will grace the pub’s facade by mid-November 2024 (date TBA). If you want to see it and more of the city’s famous watering holes, you can follow my pub itinerary.
15. Soho & Leicester Square Christmas Lights
Another fun place to see Christmas lights in London is Soho. From famous places to local streets, this part of the city has no shortage of seasonal displays to admire.
Some of the most popular are in Carnaby Street and Leicester Square. The latter is home to an annual Christmas market with lots of fun chalets selling gifts and food.
This year Christmas in Leicester Square will take place from November 6, 2024 to January 5, 2025. It features the traditional market, live entertainment in the Leicester Square Spiegeltent, and great light displays.
If you want to see all the lights in the area, you can do my free self-guided Soho walk or go on a tour.
London Christmas Lights Map
As promised, I created an interactive Google map of all the light displays I mentioned in this blog post. You can see it here. I hope it helps you experience the best of the season in London!
Christmas Lights in London
I hope this guide to seeing the best Christmas lights in London has given you inspiration to seek some out this season. They number among the most festive things about winter in London, and I’m sure you’ll love them as much as I do.
If you want to see more highlights of Christmas in London, you can head to Trafalgar Square to admire the famous Christmas tree and go to the market, visit Kew Gardens to see the illuminated displays, shop in Connaught Village to check out the decorations, go to Hampstead for the festivities, and look up at The Shard to take in the festive lights at the top.
If you miss out on the season, you can still see lights in the new year. Canary Wharf Winter Lights runs from January 21st to February 2nd, 2025, and it features light installations throughout the area.
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