Christmas lights in London

Escape the Oxford Street crowds with a detour into pretty Carnaby Street, which puts on memorable Christmas light displays each year. Last year's sustainability-led installation ‘Into the Light’ was a bit controversial, with viewers reckoning that the eco glowing cuboid shapes didn't have the wow factor of previous efforts. It looks like the same display will be repeated this year, but there'll be a welcome splash of neon colour added to bring some jollity to Carnaby's skies.

Switch on date: Thursday November 6
Daily times: tbc

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 2025, the theme is '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. 

Switch on date: Wednesday November 12
Daily times: tbc

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. For 2025, Kew’s iconic Great Pagoda will be adorned with festive lights for the very first time, too. Keep yourself toasty along the way with warming winter snacks from food vendors curated by Kerb, and make sure say hi to Father Christmas himself as you walk past. 

Switch on date: Friday November 14
Daily times: timed entry slots available from 4.20pm-8pm

Flit to north London this Christmas and you'll find a magical light trail inspired by the world of Peter Pan. Glowing installations will let you follow Tinkerbell's fairy dust path from the Darling's family home in London to Neverland, a pirate-filled land of adventure. There'll be dramatic lighting and sound design to sweep you into the world of J M Barrie's story, plus street food stalls and hot chocolate vendors so you can warm up chilly hands. £1 from every  ticket will be donated to Great Ormond Street Hospital, the charity that Barrie gifted the Peter Pan rights to.  

Switch on date: Friday November 21
Daily times: timed entry slots available from 4.30pm-8pm

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.

Switch on date: tbc
Daily times: tbc