London

Carnaby Street
Clear winners this year are the decorations in and around Carnaby Street which take the form of swags of giant brightly coloured ‘paper chains’ with a reflective, holographic finish. They look fantastic, really festive, and they’re eco friendly, making use of sunlight by day and the local shops’ existing lighting at night.
Carnaby Street, W1F 9PB (www.carnaby.co.uk). Oxford Circus tube.
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Covent Garden
Next best is Covent Garden’s theatrical transformation. Sparkling silver branches arching overhead and dramatic chandeliers have made fairytale cathedrals of the market’s covered halls.
Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 9DD

Regent Street
Forget the fact they’re sponsored by Nokia and focus on the funky, futuristic design. The high-tech approach on Regent Street gives us big clusters of spheres, linked like scientists’ molecular models, that change colour depending on the movements of pedestrians, the level of sunlight and the wind speed. The effect is dramatic and original, if a bit agitating and not particularly seasonal. One for the tecchies.
Regent Street, W1B 5AH (www.regentstreetonline.com). Oxford Circus/Piccadilly Circus tube.

Southbank
The revamped Southbank Centre has commissioned a new display of Christmas lights by Turner Prize nominee Anya Gallaccio. It’s also bringing back David Batchelor’s 2006 commission, ‘Festival Remix’ an inspirational confection of festive lights and an old rubbish bin (get the effect at home by ditching the tree and decorating your wheelie bin instead). The switch-on ceremony takes place on Thursday; Sophie Dahl, who also did the honours in Bond Street earlier this month, will flick the switch on the Festival Terrace at 6.30pm, with the backing of a Voicelab Swell choir.
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX (www.southbankcentre.co.uk). Waterloo tube.

Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree
It’s been over 60 years since Oslo first sent us a fir tree as a symbol of Norwegian goodwill and it’s become a much-loved part of Crimbo in the capital. This year from December 6, as always, it will stand tall in the square with traditional white lights draped across its branches. Go, gaze, and down a glass of mulled wine at a nearby bar.
Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN. Charing Cross tube.

Imagination headquarters
For a single, stunning set-piece the facade of the Imagination headquarters is always worth checking out and this year’s no exception – although it’s obliged to compete with a depressing display of scaffolding next door. A supersized wreath takes up the best part of the very tall building, embellished with lights the intense blue of lapis lazuli.
Imagination headquarters, Store St, WC2

Oxford Street
Another year, another disappointment. Once again the Oxford Street Lights come up short with a display that’s heavy on sponsorship and light on imagination. As if Christmas isn’t commercial enough already. Avoid.
Oxford Street, W1A 1EX (www.oxfordstreet.co.uk). Oxford Circus tube.

Bond Street
If a ritzy atmosphere is more your style Bond Street’s pretty, traditional approach will probably appeal – there it’s conventional white lights (icicles and baubles) all the way, with no garish product placement to burst the bubble. Sophie Dahl turned on these stylish twinklers making her this year’s Christmas Bond girl. Ouch!
Bond Street, W1 (www.bondstreet.co.uk). Bond Street tube.