Where to see the best Christmas lights in London
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Few things signal the arrival of the festive season quite like the return of Christmas lights in London. From Oxford Street to Greenwich via Chelsea and Carnaby Street, London’s most iconic districts come to life around early to mid-November, inviting families to join in the countdown and raise a cup of mulled wine or a steaming hot chocolate to the illuminations. From twinkling stars to glittering angels, there are plenty of reasons to stop for a second and admire the spectacles put on – these are the best Christmas lights in London to see for yourself in 2025.
When do Christmas lights in London start?
Christmas lights in London start turning on in early to mid-November. All of the key attractions and streets are illuminated by the last week of the month. Most of the major light switch-ons purposefully happen on different days, so there's a chance to attend more than one festive evening if you're in town.
When do Christmas lights in London end?
The Christmas lights are taken down in the first week of January. However, lights may stay around longer if they're part of a winter exhibition or showcase.
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Regent Street
Look up to the heavens between splurges in the flagship stores dotted along Regent Street, and you'll see more than 300,000 glittering LED lights. The Spirit of Christmas display returns for its 10th anniversary this year, marking a beloved sign that the festivities are upon us. 2025 also sees the return of the illuminated Wishing Tree in St James’s Market, where a £5 tap donation lights up the tree in support of The Felix Project, a charity fighting food waste and feeding those in need across the capital.
Address: Regent Street, London, W1B 4EA
Oxford Street
The street that most locals usually avoid like the plague becomes an attractive place to wander down in the lead up to the festive season, when Christmas lights give Europe’s busiest shopping street a heart-warming glow. One of the capital’s earliest displays to shine bright, from Tuesday 5 November, there will be a scattering of LED lights to gaze at between trips to flagship stores, including Liberty. Oxford Street hosts the ‘Big Day of JOY’ in support of GOSH (Great Ormond Street Hospital) Charity from the first Monday of November, transforming the neighbourhood into a glittering hub of festive activity with in-store activities and family fun. While you're in such a central location, consider stopping by one of London's swankiest hotels or restaurants and indulging in a Christmas afternoon tea.
Address: Oxford Street, London, W1D 1BS
King's Cross, Coal Drops Yard
The 60-foot Norwegian spruce is just the tip of the iceberg across King's Cross and Coal Drops Yard. Studio Mieke Meijer returns for 2025, lighting up Coal Drops Yard with illuminated sculptures, each one crafted by hand from a lightweight yet super-strong aluminium skeleton. Besides the lights and the tree, there’s plenty to stick around for. Keep an eye out for events such as the Wine Car Boot and Mexican Christmas Market, and try out the seasonal menus in the area’s 100-plus restaurants and bars before heading to the Curling Club for some competitive action.
Address: King’s Cross, London, N1C 4DQ
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Marylebone Village
Marylebone Village transforms into a festive wonderland during the second week of November, as BBC broadcaster and local resident Jo Good leads a line-up of live music and local school choir performances throughout the afternoon. A jam-packed schedule of wreath-making and Christmas candle-painting workshops follow, bringing crafty energy to the neighbourhood as visitors dart in and out of the countless boutiques and restaurants.
Address: Marylebone High Street, London, W1U
Christmas at Kew
Don’t miss the annual winter light trail at Kew's Royal Botanical Gardens as it illuminates the grounds over the festive period. Wander through the twinkling light tunnels, watch as the water features sparkle and be dazzled by the magical colours flooding the trees, all before catching the mesmerising display at Palm House. Pay a visit to Father Christmas and warm up with a hot spiced cider or hot chocolate for the ultimate winter evening out. These are Christmas lights in London with a twist.
Address: Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, London TW9 3AE
Trafalgar Square
The lively lighting ceremony of central London’s show-stopping Christmas tree dates back to 1947. The towering Norwegian spruce is a gift from Norway to London, thanks to British support during World War II. The tree is always decorated in traditional Norwegian style, with distinctive strings of vertical lights, while energy-efficient bulbs (and a stringent tree-recycling programme) help keep things sustainable.
Address: Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN
Covent Garden
Always a favourite among central London’s Christmas lights displays, Covent Garden returns with a spectacular show for 2025. From the second week of November, the Christmas lights illuminate the bustling shopping destination, with decorations at every turn and a 55-foot Norwegian Spruce at the centre. 150,000 lights illuminate Seven Dials and the Market Building, while ‘festive Thursdays’ feature live performances from West End casts, golden theatre ticket giveaways, and exclusive shopping and dining offers.
Address: Covent Garden Piazza, London, WC2H 7AR
Carnaby Street
Carnaby Street gets its festive makeover on Thursday 6 November, when a brand-new Christmas scheme, All is Bright, lights up the iconic shopping street with a dazzling display. Centrepoint, the charity committed to ending youth homelessness, returns as the official partner this year, aiming to raise awareness of homelessness and assist their life-changing work.
Address: Carnaby Street, London, W1F 9PS
Chelsea
Experience Chelsea at Christmas as the streets and storefronts glow under thousands of sparkly lights between November and January. The switch-on event is the perfect excuse for a family-friendly evening out – make a night of it with a visit to one of the best restaurants in Chelsea – but there's something for everyone throughout the season. A stone's throw away, Christmas in Chelsea transforms Royal Hospital Chelsea into an immersive winter wonderland. Until Sunday 28 December, amble along a heartwarming light trail through Ranelagh Gardens, peruse market stalls, warm up over hot chocolates or get involved in a seasonal workshop.
Address: Sloane Square, London, SW1W 8SB
Annabel's
“I wanted to capture the feeling of stepping into a childhood memory – a moment when the world felt full of possibility and light”, said Tatiana Kharchylava, Creative Director of The Birley Clubs, following the unveiling of Annabel's festive façade. The exterior of Mayfair’s glitziest private members’ club has transformed into an ornate wardrobe, with doors opening to reveal a winter realm of snow-dusted trees and shimmering icicles, guarded by a lion.
Address: Annabel’s, 46 Berkeley Square, London W1J 5AT
Connaught Village
This quiet village in the middle of London brings the Christmas spirit to its high street throughout the festive season. Various events, including wreath-making workshops and the 'Give a Little Love Tree' have been highlights in recent years. These are some of the best, and most underrated, Christmas lights in London.
Address: Connaught Street, London, W2 2AA
Leadenhall Market
The Lord Mayor of London kickstarts Christmas in the City of London at Leadenhall Market’s annual switch-on spectacular, complete with pyrotechnic firework fountains and the annual Christmas tree unveiling. Make a festive visit to the market and embark on a guided walk as local experts tell tales of Leadenhall Market's past and present.
Address: Leadenhall Market, Gracechurch Street, London EC3V 1LT
Savile Row
Savile Row's 2024 Christmas lights were inspired by the tools found in every tailor's workshop – fitting for the UK's leading tailoring district. They included giant illuminated golden shears cutting through a glittering swathe of ‘fabric’, with the message of ‘Savile Row Christmas’ twinkling against the night sky. In terms of sustainability credentials, the displays were composed of more than 5,000 extra-low-energy bulbs, while elements of the decorations are 3D printed from 100 per cent recyclable plastic. Expect much of the same in 2025, while exact details are to be confirmed.
Address: Savile Row, Mayfair
The Shard
Look towards the heavens as you amble about your festive duties and seek out The Shard’s glittering peak. The UK’s tallest building’s Christmas light show was created by hidden talent discovered working within The Shard’s glass walls. Twelve amateur artists, whose day jobs range from housekeeping to accountancy, were selected to collaborate to create the 60-minute spectacle of colour and movement. Catch a festive reindeer and a starry night scene among other displays across the top 20 floors until New Year’s Eve.
Address: The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9SG
St Katharine Docks
St Katharine Docks has transformed into a hidden winter wonderland this year, with a Victorian Christmas market running until the first weekend of January. Feast on festive food, clutch warming drinks, and peruse stalls packed with distinctive gift ideas underneath maritime-themed Christmas lights that adorn the entire estate. After exploring, pass the twinkling Christmas tree outside the Dickens Inn and check out the illuminated walk-through boat before cosying up in the historic pub with an Irish coffee.
Address: St Katharine Docks, 50 St Katharine's Way, London E1W 1LA
Spitalfields Market
Spitalfields Market has had quite the seasonal makeover, with twinkling LED lights shimmering above shoppers and hungry visitors seeking tasty treats. Snap the charming candy cane pillars along Lamb Street, and swing by Bishops Square to see how it shines with neon festive lights. There’s plenty to do besides, with more than 90 independent traders selling their wares across the market – plus an Arts Market in Crispin Place open between Friday and Sunday.
Address: Spitalfields Market, 65 Brushfield Street, London E1 6AA