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It’s (nearly) the end of October and there’s a nip in the air. If you’re already getting excited about the festive period, that can be hardly be helped: there are fewer than 10 weekends until Christmas.
If you’re the type to savour the Christmas period (rather than panic about present-buying), there’s a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks. Some of London’s biggest and best festive markets start welcoming visitors at the start of November (find a full list of markets and opening dates here), and soon the capital’s iconic neighbourhoods will sparkle with Christmas-themed displays.
But when exactly does each of London’s major Christmas lights displays officially turn on? We’ve got the lowdown. From Oxford Street and Covent Garden to Kew, here are the switch-on dates for the capital’s festive displays.
RECOMMENDED: The best Christmas lights displays in London.
When are London Christmas lights turned on this year?
Oxford Street
The longest shopping street in Europe will, as before, feature 5,000 stars consisting of 300,000 LED bulbs. Once again, the street is partnering with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity) to raise funds for seriously ill children. It’ll be the first major London display to light up for Christmas 2025.
Switch-on date: Monday November 3.
Regent Street and St James’s
Regent Street, Piccadilly, Jermyn Street, St James’s Market and more will feature the area’s usual ‘spirits’ display. Thirty of the graceful winged beings will look down on the quarter, while a Wishing Tree at St James’s Market will raise money for food distribution charity The Felix Project.
Switch-on date: Thursday November 6.
Carnaby Street
In 2024 Carnaby launched a brand-new programmatic lights display designed to last five years. This year Carnaby’s display is called ‘All is Bright’ and will apparently capture ‘the joy and optimism of the season while reflecting the creativity and vibrancy that make Soho unique’.
Switch-on date: Thursday November 6.
Covent Garden
Back in September Covent Garden (with Carnaby) was among the first to announce this year’s festive switch-on date. A whopping 300,000 lights will illuminate the Piazza, Seven Dials, Neal’s Yard and surrounding streets, while Christmas-themed cocktail bar Miracle at Henrietta will also return for 2025.
Switch-on date: Wednesday November 12.
Marylebone Village
On the day that Marylebone Village’s Crimbo lights are turned on for 2025, the high street will be pedestrianised for the occasion and Devonshire Street will host a main stage with live music and performances by local school choirs. The event will support homeless women charity The Marylebone Project.
Switch-on date: Wednesday November 12.
Leadenhall Market
Leadenhall is one of London’s most atmospheric and beautiful festive displays, and the covered arcade also hosts several events to help fill up stockings. The SoLo Craft Fair Christmas Market will take place on November 16 and December 7, and the Vintage Furniture and Flea Christmas Market will arrive on November 24.
Switch-on date: Thursday November 13.
Christmas at Kew
Kew Gardens’ lights display will have eight new installations this year – including, excitingly, one at the Great Pagoda. It’ll be the first time ever that 18th century Chinese-inspired structure will get a Christmassy makeover.
Switch-on date: Friday November 14.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Not a display as such but still a festive London attraction with a lot of Christmas lights, one of Winter Wonderland’s new-for-2025 attractions promises to be very visually pleasing indeed. ‘Luminarie Lane’ promises a new marketplace with its own light installation.
Switch-on date: Friday November 14.
How to get tickets for Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.
Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival
Canary Wharf’s Winter Lights Festival is not a Christmas show at all, but it’s a spellbinding visual attraction that will dazzle any festive lights enthusiast. The financial district will be once again transformed into a free-to-view outdoor gallery of light art, this time with the theme ‘Dreamscape’.
Switch-on date: January 20 2026.
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