From the twinkling Oxford Street Christmas lights to the beautiful angels illuminating Regent Street and the shimmering decorations that make Leicester Square even brighter, see the world-famous London Christmas lights by foot or on a Christmas lights bus tour as the city is gloriously decked out for Christmas.
The locations below usually host some of the best Christmas lights in London, which you can see from November until early January – check back later for confirmed details of London's top Christmas lights for 2026.
1. Leicester Square Christmas lights
Get in the Christmas spirit at Leicester Square where you can usually see large light-up decorations stretched along the area's streets to create a joyful scene over the festive season. Make sure to drop by the market's wooden chalets for gifts, check out the Skate Leicester Square ice rink and keep your eyes peeled for exciting performances that often take place in the area.
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2. St Martin's Lane and Piccadilly
Watch London's West End sparkle with the St Martin's Lane and Piccadilly festive light installations. Christmas lights inspired by Anteros, the Greek god of requited love, hung above Piccadilly again last year, while colourful lights lined St Martin's Lane with a nod to the area's theatres.
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3. Oxford Street Christmas lights
Be amazed by some of the most spectacular Christmas lights in London and admire the seasonal window displays across Oxford Street. Last year's Oxford Street Christmas lights featured the return of sustainable shining stars brightening up the skies above the famous street. Make sure to bag your tickets for Winter Wonderland, just a short walk away, for a host of festive activities and entertainment.
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4. South Bank Christmas lights
Stroll along the riverside area of South Bank during winter and you'll be greeted with beautiful garlands of glittering Christmas lights. Admire the illuminated artworks dotted around the area as part of its annual Winter Light display, browse wooden chalets at Southbank Centre's Winter Market, take an Illuminated River boat tour, or bag tickets to a festive show.
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5. London Eye Christmas light show
Switched on by the cast of Christmas Karma, the London Eye turned into a Christmas wreath in an array of festive colours during the countdown to Christmas last year, with garlands and twinkling lights decorating the waterfront leading up to the iconic London attraction. Raise a glass to the festive season at breathtaking heights with the London Eye Champagne Experience.
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6. King's Cross and Coal Drops Yard Christmas lights
Visit King's Cross and Coal Drops Yard, which are packed with cool installations for Christmas in London. Expect an exciting lineup of festive fun including decorated Christmas trees, bustling Christmas markets and special activities across the trendy district.
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7. Carnaby Christmas lights
Explore one of the capital's coolest areas as it glows during the festive season. Last year, the Carnaby Christmas lights shone above the quirky street in vibrant colours during an immersive light show. Snap shots in front of the festive displays lining Carnaby Street, before exploring surrounding independent boutiques and Kingly Court – perfect for some Christmas shopping!
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8. Regent Street Christmas lights
Experience the magic of Christmas as the beautiful Regent Street Christmas lights set the West End aglow with a seasonal sparkle. See the magnificent spirits glittering above the entire length of Regent Street and its surrounding streets for the 11th year, while hunting for luxury gifts and London Christmas ornaments.
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9. Christmas at Battersea Power Station
Visit Battersea Power Station over the festive season and you'll see the area dressed up for Christmas with sparkling lights and Christmas trees. Spot the giant decorations in and around the iconic building as you enjoy a spot of Christmas shopping in the shops and winter markets, before trying out the riverside ice-skating trail with sweeping views of the Thames.
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10. London Christmas lights bus tours
Hop aboard an open-top bus for a top-notch view of London's light displays! See the city covered with twinkling lights on a festive bus tour weaving its way through some of the best Christmas lights in the capital. Or marvel at the magnificent views with mince pies, mulled wine and festive tunes with a singalong Christmas lights bus tour. Check back nearer the time for ticket details.
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11. Covent Garden Christmas lights
Amble around the cobbled streets of Covent Garden and Seven Dials, which are transformed into a winter wonderland over the festive period. Marvel at the Covent Garden Christmas lights, which in 2025 saw the return of the much-loved gigantic gold bells, baubles and mirror balls illuminating the 19th-century piazza, and don't forget to stop by the magnificent Christmas tree.
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12. Marylebone Village Christmas lights
Admire the twinkling lights and garlands that light up Marylebone Village as the chic area celebrates the Christmas season. Walk past quaint boutiques and top restaurants adorned with wintry wreaths, ornaments and lights during a visit to this popular shopping hub.
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13. Soho Kids Xmas Lights
Look out for the brightly coloured Christmas lights that are on display across Soho. Last year, panels were once again created by local primary school children as part of an initiative to spark creativity in the young community and add a touch of festive cheer to every street corner during the dark wintry nights.
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14. Bond Street Christmas lights
Discover Bond Street, one of the capital's most luxurious shopping districts, garlanded with spectacular Christmas lights. Last year, the festive Crown Jewels light display returned, celebrating the area's long-running royal connections. Once you've admired the glow of the Bond Street Christmas lights, look out for the exclusive stores draped in grand decorations and window displays dressed in their festive finest.
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15. Savile Row Christmas lights
See upmarket Savile Row light up with its Savile Row Christmas lights, which last year once again featured giant illuminated shears in celebration of the craftmanship of the area that is lined by famous tailors.
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16. Christmas at Churchill Arms
Nothing says Christmas like heading to a cosy London pub, and Notting Hill's Churchill Arms has a particularly magical twist worth visiting for alone. Each year, the west London institution lights up with an extravagant display of twinkling trees, lights and decorations bringing a joyful glow to the west London street corner.
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17. Knightsbridge festive light display
Look up at the warm twinkling lights hanging over Knightsbridge as part of its annual light display. Last year, the decorations, made using more than 12,000 LEDs and 3,000 recycled plastic bottles, drew inspiration from the heritage and architecture of the area, framing the surrounding Christmas shopping district with a touch of festive magic.
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18. Christmas at Kew
Explore a twinkling trail with Christmas at Kew, where you can expect dazzling immersive installations, trees bathed in light and a spectacular finale lighting up the Palm House. Finish off the enchanting experience with a warming mulled wine and mince pies this Christmas in London.
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19. Chelsea Christmas lights
Head to affluent Chelsea in west London over Christmas and see it decked out with twinkling lights, Christmas trees and festive installations. Admire the dazzling displays along the famous King's Road, before visiting the twinkling roses at the Ever After Garden in Duke of York Square, or the Chelsea Winter Village and Illuminations.
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20. Belgravia Christmas lights
See the boutique-filled streets of Belgravia transformed for the festive season. Marvel at the Belgravia Christmas lights sparkling in wintry skies, search for your favourite seasonal window display and pose next to Insta-worthy light installations.
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21. Annabel's Christmas facade
Be amazed by Annabel's extravagant decorations that light up Berkeley Square each year. Last year, the festive facade was inspired by the magical world of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, featuring a giant lion stood beneath a glowing full moon and twinkling stars, with ornate gold details to mimic the natural beauty of the otherworldly location.
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22. The Berkeley festive light installation
Make your way to The Berkeley hotel in Knightsbridge to see its annual festive light installation. Created by the contemporary British artist duo, Rob and Nick Carter, last year's kinetic display, Aurora: Light in Motion, was composed of 150 neon beams that mimicked the flow of human movement, as visitors arrived and departed from the hotel's entrance, "echoing the rhythm of life within the hotel".
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23. Fleet Street Quarter Christmas lights
Ludgate Circus is set to illuminate Fleet Street Quarter with twinkling lights again this year. Stop by the central London junction to catch the bright festive lights against the wintry night sky with a view of St Paul's Cathedral in the distance.
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24. Fulham Pier Christmas lights
Head to west London to see Fulham Pier transformed into an enchanted winter wonderland for its Christmas light display. Last year saw an "Into the Woods" theme brought to life with giant pine trees, twinkling riverside paths and interactive digital artworks, along with a packed schedule of seasonal events.
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25. RHS Wisley Glow
Head to RHS Garden Wisley on the outskirts of London for the annual RHS Wisley Glow, which sees the beautiful garden light up with a touch of festive magic. Follow the seven-acre-long trail of illuminated trees, ponds, plants and light installations. Warm up with seasonal fare from food and drink chalets along the route.
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26. Festive Fun at Eltham Palace
Watch as the art deco Eltham Palace sparkles during the festive season, with light-up decorations and Christmas trees adorning the famous mansion inside and out. Learn about how Christmas was celebrated in times gone by with immersive displays to be discovered in every room.
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27. Silent Disco London Christmas lights walking tour
Take to the streets of London as they light up with festive sparkle on the Silent Disco London Christmas lights walking tour. Listen to a curated Christmas soundtrack and seasonal stories about each area as you walk under the iconic central London Christmas lights from Fitzrovia to Covent Garden. Check nearer the time for ticket details.
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28. London Christmas Lights Walking Tour with expert guide
Admire the festive charm of London on this 90-minute Christmas Lights Walking Tour through the capital's iconic streets. Discover the beautifully lit Regent Street, Carnaby Street, Ritz Hotel and more as your expert guide shares stories and traditions behind London's festive season. Check nearer the time for ticket details.
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29. Shard Lights
Gaze up at The Shard's annual Christmas lights show, Shard Lights, which last year featured a dazzling sequence designed by a member of The Shard's very own housekeeping team! Expect to see lights flash every colour of the rainbow along with some beloved Christmas icons from far and wide over the festive season.
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30. Christmas at Hampton Court Palace
Soak up the season with a side of history at Hampton Court Palace, which is usually dressed up inside and out in the style of a Tudor Christmas. Watch the royal palace glow with coloured illuminations, trees, wreaths and twinkling lights, and look out for seasonal events such as the annual Festive Fayre Christmas market.
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31. Camden Market Christmas lights
Hunt for stocking fillers at the quirky Christmas market stalls at Camden Market as it lights up for the festive season. Last year saw a "ceiling of light" lining the iconic area with a canopy of shimmering snowflakes, alongside giant pink and blue-lit Christmas trees.
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32. Best Christmas shop window displays in London
Admire the festive window displays at London’s iconic department stores as you embark on a spot of Christmas shopping. Twinkling lights cover the entire exterior of Harrods at Christmas and picture-pretty window displays add a touch of festive magic. Don’t miss the famous themed window displays of Fortnum & Mason and Selfridges at Christmas, or the iconic Liberty London Christmas decorations adorning its half-timbered facade.
Switch-on date: TBC
33. Canary Wharf Winter Lights
Once the festive fun is over, head to Canary Wharf as it illuminates the nights that follow with its annual Winter Lights exhibition. Spot glowing works of art dotted around the area from artists around the world in this year's theme of dreamscape.
Switch-on date: 20-31 Jan
London Christmas lights map
London Christmas lights walking route
Discover the best way to see lots of London Christmas lights in one go with this handy walking route. Be sure to start at dusk for the best experience.
- Start your journey in Chelsea looking at the hanging lights and shop displays along the King's Road.
- Head towards Belgravia to see the street lights and boutique shops dressed up for the season.
- Wander over to Mayfair to spot the area's annual light display and the magnificent facade at Annabel's.
- Stroll over to nearby Savile Row to catch the giant light-up decorations lining the famous street.
- Make your way north-west to the charming Marylebone Village Christmas lights.
- Walk to Oxford Street where you can catch the famous twinkling lights hanging overhead.
- Journey towards the luxury shops that line Bond Street to see its bright festive light decorations.
- Travel north to Regent Street where you can snap photos of the iconic Christmas angels.
- Take in the buzzy atmosphere leading to Soho and Carnaby Street for the area's many light displays.
- Wander to Leicester Square to see the lights and visit the Christmas market and ice rink.
- St James's is nearby and home to the festive displays of Liberty, Fortnum & Mason and more.
- Head to Covent Garden piazza where you'll be greeted with a winter wonderland!
Continue the journey by foot or public transport towards King's Cross and Coal Drops Yard, Camden Market, South Bank or Battersea if you want to see more, or save them for another day.
London Christmas lights information
When do the Christmas lights go on in London?
London Christmas lights are switched on at different times depending on the area. Most London Christmas decorations go up between November and December. Check back later in the year to find out the date that each of the top Christmas lights in London start twinkling over the festive season.
When do the Christmas decorations come down in London?
London’s glittering Christmas lights and festive decorations usually stay up until about 6 January, but may vary across different London areas.
Where can I see Christmas lights in London?
You can find London Christmas lights at must-visit locations across the capital, with twinkling lights and shimmering decorations in most central areas – see the roundup of the best London Christmas lights that light up the city in the countdown to Christmas for you to enjoy.
What time are the Christmas lights on in Oxford Street?
Each year varies slightly, but the Oxford Street Christmas lights were switched on from 4pm to 12am daily last year.
What streets are the Christmas angels on in London?
You can find the iconic shimmering spirits hanging above Regent Street in London.
Where are the best Christmas lights in London?
Make your way to central London to see some of the best Christmas lights in London. See the sparkling displays that usually line Oxford Street, Regent Street and Covent Garden – officially named some of the best places in Europe to see Christmas light displays!
Christmas at Kew – the enchanting annual Christmas display that transforms the famous botanical gardens – is also not to be missed. Get together with friends and family to follow the illuminated path around the gardens and experience the mesmerising and innovative light installations.
What is the most Christmassy street in London?
As London transforms over the festive period, you'll find Christmas cheer wherever you go. Head to Oxford Street to see some of the city’s most dazzling Christmas lights, and don’t forget to wander down nearby Carnaby Street for its cool displays.
Covent Garden is also typically transformed into a Christmassy wonderland at this time of year. Wander around the delightful 19th-century piazza for traditional lights and decorations.
Download the Visit London app to find the locations of London's best Christmas light displays. Explore the capital's picture-perfect Christmas markets and find plenty more festive things to do this Christmas in London.
