As we speak I need to convey you my information to the place to seek out the very best Christmas lights in London. All throughout town, festive shows brighten up the evening sky all through the season. From the well-known ones on Regent Road to the native ones in Marylebone, they’re enjoyable to see all through the UK capital. That will help you get to probably the most stunning ones, I’ve put collectively the A Girl in London information to London Christmas lights. I’ve included a map, too.
Finest Christmas Lights in London
Christmas mild shows span town from Kew Gardens to Previous Spitalfields Market and past. Illuminating streets and squares, they make London among the finest locations to go to within the UK at Christmas.
London’s main Christmas mild shows are switched on in celebrity-led ceremonies initially or center of November. They keep up till early to mid-January, so there’s loads of time to see them.
The dates of some ceremonies have already been introduced, and you may see them under. For those that haven’t, I’ll replace this submit as they make their timings public. Be certain that to bookmark this submit or pin it on Pinterest so you possibly can test again for updates.
Tips on how to See the Lights
So what’s one of the best ways to see the Christmas lights in London? I desire occurring foot so I can take in the small print and take images and movies. There are many different choices, although.
If you wish to comply with in my footsteps, you possibly can go on my free self-guided Christmas lights stroll in London or do my Christmas itinerary to see the highlights. They’ve all my favourite locations to soak up the illuminations.
Should you desire a guided tour, you possibly can take a Christmas strolling tour, bus tour, or black cab tour to see the lights. You’ll be able to have a look at choices and ebook one right here. They’re straightforward methods to soak up the very best of the festive season.
Ideas for Seeing the Christmas Lights
No matter you select to do, do not forget that the London climate is unpredictable and it may possibly get wet and really chilly within the winter months.
It’s a good suggestion to put on heat clothes and convey an umbrella with you. Should you’re within the UK, I like to recommend this umbrella. Should you’re elsewhere, this one is ideal.
My winter packing listing will help as effectively, and my information to what to put on in London has good basic ideas for you. They’ll show you how to keep heat and dry when you admire the installations.
The place to Keep to See the Lights
In terms of lodging in London, you haven’t any scarcity of choices. Whether or not you need to keep in some of the festive inns in London at Christmas or lease an condo someplace native, town has lots to select from.
Given a lot of the lights are within the coronary heart of the UK capital, basing your self within the metropolis middle is an effective choice. You’ll be able to see my weblog posts about the very best space to remain, the very best inns in London in your fashion, the highest quirky inns in London, and pubs with rooms for extra concepts.
You can too discover offers and ebook lodging in London right here. With so many decisions, you’re positive to discover a place that matches your Christmas fashion.
1. Regent Road Christmas Lights
First on my listing of locations to see the very best Christmas lights in London is Regent Road. The theme of those lights adjustments each few years, so it’s enjoyable to maintain coming again and seeing what’s new.
The Regent Road Christmas lights comply with the curve of the street from Oxford Circus to Piccadilly Circus. They brighten up the evening sky and add festive cheer to the well-known excessive road outlets and inns that line the road.
This yr the Regent Road lights switch-on ceremony will happen on November 7, 2024. If you wish to see them and the opposite shows across the space, you possibly can take one in all my free self-guided Christmas walks in London or go on a tour.
2. Covent Backyard Christmas Lights
Subsequent on my listing of the highest Christmas lights in London are those in Covent Backyard. From the lined piazza to Seven Dials, St Martin’s Lane, Slingsby Place, St Martin’s Courtyard, and past, this a part of the UK capital goes all-out through the Yuletide season.
My favourite place to see the festive lights in Covent Backyard is within the piazza. Not solely do the twinkling bulbs add seasonal cheer, however there’s additionally a large Christmas tree.
Add to that larger-than-life decorations hanging from the ceiling and installations all through the realm, and this place is ideal for images and movies.
This yr the Covent Backyard Piazza lights switch-on ceremony will happen in November (date TBA). If you wish to see all of the lights within the space, you are able to do my free self-guided Covent Backyard stroll or go on a tour.
3. Bond Road Christmas Lights
The Christmas lights in Mayfair are unfold all through the neighborhood. From Mount Road to South Molton Road, Bond Road, Savile Row, and Piccadilly, there’s no scarcity of festive installations on this celebration of town.
Essentially the most well-known are on Bond Road, the place large shows mild up the sky because the solar goes down (which will be as early as 3:45pm in December). They brighten the evening above the well-known luxurious items outlets that line the street.
In reality, it’s value heading to Bond Road to see the shopfronts as a lot as it’s to see the lights. Yearly the likes of Cartier and Tiffany & Co outdo themselves in sprucing up their facades for the Christmas procuring season.
This yr the Bond Road lights switch-on ceremony will happen in November (date TBA). If you wish to see all of the lights within the space, you are able to do my free self-guided Mayfair stroll or go on a tour.
4. Carnaby Road Christmas Lights
One other place to see the very best Christmas lights in London is Carnaby Road in Soho. This pedestrianized street is known for its annual illuminations.
Carnaby Road options brightly coloured lights that radiate out into the slender passages round it. They alter annually, so it’s value going again many times to see what’s new for the season.
This yr the Carnaby Road lights switch-on ceremony will happen on November 8, 2024. If you wish to see all of the lights within the space, you are able to do my free self-guided Soho stroll or go on a tour.
5. Oxford Road Christmas Lights
Extra of London’s greatest Christmas lights will be discovered on Oxford Road. Every winter, large seasonal shows mild up the evening sky on this well-known thoroughfare.
Many locals and guests come right here to do their Christmas procuring. It’s enjoyable to see the Oxford Road Christmas lights as you make your approach down the street and round Oxford Circus within the vacation season.
This yr the Oxford Road Christmas lights switch-on ceremony will happen on November 2, 2024. It’s one of many largest and most anticipated occasions of the season, and there’s all the time a significant movie star current to flip the swap.
If you wish to see all of the lights within the space, you are able to do my free self-guided Marylebone stroll or go on a tour.
6. Sloane Road Christmas Lights
Over in Chelsea, Sloane Road and its offshoots are decked with Christmas lights every festive season.
From Knightsbridge to Sloane Sq., the street itself has a number of mild shows suspended above the luxurious items outlets and inns that line it.
Sloane Sq. and the King’s Street additionally glow with lights and decorations. The latter is a enjoyable place to buy Christmas items, too.
This yr the Sloane Road lights switch-on ceremony will happen on November 16, 2024. If you wish to see all of the lights within the space, you are able to do my free self-guided Chelsea stroll or go on a tour.
Alternatively, if you wish to take within the Sloane Road Christmas lights and well-known London department shops like Harrods and Harvey Nichols, you are able to do my Knightsbridge stroll.
7. Marylebone Christmas Lights
One other of my favourite locations to see Christmas lights in London is Marylebone. The world round Marylebone Excessive Road and Devonshire Road brightens up annually with annual shows and decorations.
There’s additionally Merry Marylebone. It’s an annual occasion the place lights and procuring go hand-in-hand. For one afternoon and night, you possibly can take pleasure in watching the lights go on, festive actions, artisan market stalls, dwell music, and late-night shopping.
This yr Merry Marylebone and the lights switch-on ceremony will happen on November 13, 2024. If you wish to see all of the lights within the space, you are able to do my free self-guided Marylebone stroll or go on a tour.
8. Previous Spitalfields Market Christmas Lights
One other place to see the very best Christmas lights in London is Previous Spitalfields Market. This beloved place within the East Finish is stuffed with seasonal cheer, from illuminated shows to decorations and outlets.
This yr the Previous Spitalfields Market Christmas lights switch-on ceremony will happen on November 13, 2024, and there’s lots to get enthusiastic about.
The occasion will function Christmas procuring, dwell festive music, and seasonal workshops. There will even be mulled wine, minced pies, and different British Christmas meals, drinks, and desserts from the road meals stalls.
If you wish to see all of the lights in and across the market, you are able to do my free self-guided Spitalfields stroll. It can take you in all places from Brick Lane to the facet streets.
9. Leadenhall Market Christmas Lights
A number of the greatest Christmas lights within the Metropolis of London will be present in Leadenhall Market. This beautiful Victorian quantity stood in as Diagon Alley within the Harry Potter films, and it’s simply as magical at Christmas as it’s at different instances of yr.
Leadenhall Market’s Christmas decorations embrace an annual tree beneath the atrium, a number of twinkling lights, and festive garlands in and across the outlets.
This yr the Leadenhall Market lights switch-on ceremony will happen on November 14, 2024. If you wish to see all of the lights within the space, you are able to do my free self-guided Metropolis of London stroll or go on a tour.
10. South Financial institution Christmas Lights
One other enjoyable place to see Christmas lights in London is the South Financial institution. The annual Christmas market takes over the realm across the Royal Competition Corridor, bringing cheer to the Thames.
Strolling across the South Financial institution and shopping the festive market is likely one of the hottest issues to do in London at Christmastime. From the chalets to the leisure and lights, there’s lots to like about it.
This yr the South Financial institution Winter Market will happen from November 1st to December twenty sixth, 2024. It’s one in all my favourite British Christmas markets. If you wish to see all of the lights within the space and past, you are able to do my free self-guided Thames stroll or go on a tour.
11. St James’s Christmas Lights
Subsequent on my listing of the place to see the very best Christmas lights in London is St James’s. The shows listed here are a part of the Regent Road ones, they usually prolong all all through the neighborhood.
It’s value strolling round Jermyn Road, St James’s Market, and Piccadilly to soak up the festive lights and take in the decorations within the procuring arcades.
Locations like Fortnum & Mason are a few of the most well-known London department shops at Christmas, and there are nice Christmas bushes in Waterloo Place and Pickering Place, too.
As I discussed earlier than, this yr the Regent Road lights switch-on will happen November 7, 2024. It’s value strolling from the primary thoroughfare to facet streets like Glasshouse Road and Swallow Road earlier than heading down into St James’s.
You can too do my free self-guided Christmas lights stroll or go on a tour to see the highlights of Christmas in St James’s.
12. King’s Cross Christmas Lights
One other enjoyable place to see Christmas lights in London is King’s Cross. The festive enjoyable right here facilities round Granary Sq. and Coal Drops Yard on Regent’s Canal.
From twinkling lights to a large Christmas tree, winter actions, pop-up bars with Christmas cocktails, a Christmas market, dwell music, and nice procuring, King’s Cross has all of it.
Whether or not you need to take within the leisure, browse for items, or strive a tasting menu, there’s lots to take pleasure in. The annual Christmas tree in St Pancras station is value popping over to see, too. It adjustments yearly.
The enjoyable continues by way of New Yr’s Eve as effectively. A lot of eating places and inns within the space supply particular menus and occasions to ring within the coming 12 months.
13. Belgravia Christmas Lights
In terms of native areas, Belgravia is one in all my favourite locations to see Christmas lights in London. A lot of streets across the neighborhood come alive with lights, wreaths, and decorations for the season.
Fashionable locations to see lights right here embrace Motcomb Road, Pimlico Street, and Eccleston Yards. They’ve loads of festive shows to take pleasure in, to not point out outlets and eating places.
However my favourite of all is Elizabeth Road. Well-known for its floral facades, this street is house to a few of the greatest Christmas decorations in London.
This yr the Belgravia Christmas lights switch-on celebration will happen on Elizabeth Road on November 17, 2024. If you wish to see all of the lights within the space, you are able to do my free self-guided Belgravia stroll.
14. Churchill Arms Christmas Lights
In terms of pubs in London at Christmas, it’s laborious to beat the Churchill Arms in Kensington. The facade of this well-known watering gap is roofed in flowers all yr, however through the vacation season it will get a Christmas tree makeover.
The Churchill Arms appears to be like festive with its forested frontage, full with tens of 1000’s of lights. Should you’re on the lookout for someplace enjoyable for a seasonal meal or pint, it’s the proper spot (simply bear in mind they serve Thai meals, so don’t anticipate a standard British meal).
This yr the Churchill Arms Christmas lights and show will grace the pub’s facade by mid-November 2024 (date TBA). If you wish to see it and extra of town’s well-known watering holes, you possibly can comply with my pub itinerary.
15. Soho & Leicester Sq. Christmas Lights
One other enjoyable place to see Christmas lights in London is Soho. From well-known locations to native streets, this a part of town has no scarcity of seasonal shows to admire.
A number of the hottest are in Carnaby Road and Leicester Sq.. The latter is house to an annual Christmas market with a number of enjoyable chalets promoting items and meals.
This yr Christmas in Leicester Sq. will happen from November 6, 2024 to January 5, 2025. It options the standard market, dwell leisure within the Leicester Sq. Spiegeltent, and nice mild shows.
If you wish to see all of the lights within the space, you are able to do my free self-guided Soho stroll or go on a tour.
London Christmas Lights Map
Christmas Lights in London
I hope this information to seeing the very best Christmas lights in London has given you inspiration to hunt some out this season. They quantity among the many most festive issues about winter in London, and I’m positive you’ll love them as a lot as I do.
If you wish to see extra highlights of Christmas in London, you possibly can head to Trafalgar Sq. to admire the well-known Christmas tree and go to the market, go to Kew Gardens to see the illuminated shows, store in Connaught Village to take a look at the decorations, go to Hampstead for the festivities, and search for at The Shard to soak up the festive lights on the high.
Should you miss out on the season, you possibly can nonetheless see lights within the new yr. Canary Wharf Winter Lights runs from January twenty first to February 2nd, 2025, and it options mild installations all through the realm.
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