Christmas lights in London

There’s arguably nowhere in London more Christmassy than Covent Garden’s Piazza in December. Every year, the shopping district aims to outdo itself for sheer festive pizzaz. In 2026, the theme is once again ‘The Theatre of Christmas’, which means that there’ll be decorations taking inspiration from the nearby playhouses and the performances in them. And of course, this year will also see the return of Covent Garden's 55ft Christmas tree, decked with 30,000 lights 

Meanwhile, the roof of the Market Building is adorned with 40 gigantic bells, 12 giant baubles and 8 spinning mirror balls in a reprise of its oh-so-festive annual display. There'll also be pop-ups and events to enjoy as the season unfolds, including mulled wine stations and a Santa's sleigh photo op. 

Best for: extravagantly OTT festive magic

Switch on date: Thursday November 12

Regent Street was actually the very first road in London to be adorned by Christmas lights back in 1954 – a tradition that happily still continues to this day. Each winter, the display comes to life as one of the most impressive in the capital and features 45 angels designed to look like they’re playing the trumpet. Very festive, very fun and very grand – the whole thing is made up of thousands of individual LED lights. See them for yourself from 3pm-11pm daily until January. 

Best for: sheer angelic prettiness

Switch on date: Thursday November 5

Oxford Street is one of the most iconic areas for London’s Christmas lights, and for good reason, given that a hefty proportion of us Londoners will see them lighting our way as we do battle for Yuletide gifts. As is now tradition, the lights this year are made from eco-friendly materials, including LED lights and recycled plastic. They get switched on with surprisingly little fanfare, but make up for it once illuminated. Featuring over 300,000 individual lights – including 5000 twinkling stars – they shine from 4pm to midnight daily until early January. 

Best for: the biggest display in town

Switch on date: early November

If you’re looking to splash your cash on something high-end and fancy in London, Bond Street won’t steer you wrong. It’s fitting, then, that the area’s Christmas lights are inspired by some serious bling: the crown jewels. Evoking jewel-studded crowns, pearl necklaces and sparkling tiaras, the display features more than 80,000 energy-efficient LED bulbs crafted from recyclable, long-life materials, reducing energy consumption by 75 percent compared to previous installations.

Best for: getting a selfie that makes it look like you’re wearing a massive glowing crown

Switch on date: Thursday November 12

Dash away from the Oxford Street crowds with a detour into pretty Carnaby Street, which is known for switching it up with imaginative Christmas light displays each year. This year, it's arranging its eco-friendly rectangles of light into a colourful new format: designers Sculptivate have created a display called 'Press Play on Christmas', inspired by 90s British childhoods and the joys of gaming. 

Best for: retro nostalgia

Switch on date: Wednesday November 4

If you want to enjoy spectacular festive lights without having to elbow shoppers out of the way, then Kew Gardens' annual Christmas event is the way to go. This 3km light trail is full of stunning illuminations and glowing colours that bounce off the reflective surfaces of its grand greenhouses and huge lake. 2026 features new displays including colour tunnels and immersive soundscapes, plus the traditional fairground, visit from Father Christmas and warming winter snacks from food vendors. This year will also feature adults-only evenings for the first time, if you're looking for a magical date night location.

Best for: treating yourself to a festive evening out

Switch on date: Friday November 13 

You can’t really miss the Churchill Arms. For most of the year, the Irish-owned Kensington pub’s exterior is a bonanza of exploding foliage in pinks, purples, yellows, reds and everything in between. But at Christmastime, it gets a special festive makeover featuring over 80 Christmas trees and a mind-boggling 22,000 individual lights. The exterior decor is a clue to the eccentricity at the heart of this fabulous old boozer, a sort of living tribute to Winston Churchill (whose grandparents were reportedly regulars) festooned with bric-a-brac, Union Jack bunting and busts of the wartime Prime Minister. It’s the perfect place to sink a festive pint or two, perhaps alongside some dishes from its top-tier Thai kitchen, which the owner reckons was London’s first.

Best for: a cheeky pint after

Switch on date: Thursday November 12

The Epping Ongar Lights Express is a train journey like no other. In the weeks before and after Christmas, the steam trains that run on the nearest heritage line to London will be decorated with tons of colourful LED lights and whisk passengers along its illuminated tracks. It boasts a fully immersive lightshow set to music and you can pretend you’re at a Taylor Swift concert with the interactive LED wristbands handed out at the beginning of the trip. Each ride lasts about an hour and refreshments are available to purchase before boarding.

Best for: Christmas sing-a-longs 

Switch on date: Saturday November 14

There's something extra-magical about twinkling Christmas lights when they're reflected in water. So head to Fulham Pier for a dose of tranquil Thames-side wonder. This shopping and dining destination is transforming itself into a light-filled winter woodland this Christmas, with special Friday night entertainment including live music and craft workshops, plus a pop-up gift wrapping station at the weekend. 

Switch on date: Thursday November 12

Savile Row’s Christmas lights always pay tribute to the trade that surrounds the street below, nodding to its tailoring history in unique designs over the years. This Christmas, the Row is lit up by giant golden shears cutting their way through twinkling fabric, celebrating the craftsmanship of those who have been and continue to be part of the street’s tradition. Not only are they a gorgeous sight, but they’re also sustainable, using LED bulbs that use extra-low energy and featuring 3D-printed sections that are made out of 100 per cent recyclable plastic.

Best for: understanding London’s textile heritage

Switch on date: Wednesday November 12