Brighten up those dark nights with the best light shows in London this winter, from the Canary Wharf Winter Lights in January to Christmas at Kew during the festive season. We've rounded up our favourites to suit every taste and budget.
Get ready to fill your Instagram feed with colourful snaps and make the most of winter in the capital with our pick of the best light trails and light festivals London has to offer from November to March.
Looking for more Christmas things to do in the capital? Check out London's top Christmas markets, or tick off our pick of 10 top Christmas lights in London.
Light shows and festivals in London at a glance
- ❄️ Canary Wharf Winter Lights – Best for a free interactive trail
- ✨ Christmas lights bus tour – Best for a festive display roundup
- 🎄 Chelsea Winter Village and Illuminations – Best for a family-friendly day out
- 👼 RHS Glow at Wisley – Best for an out-of-town light show
- 🌟 Illuminated River – Best for a free year-round light installation
How we chose the best light shows and festivals
We've handpicked this list of light shows and festivals primarily based on Visit London author expertise, including first-hand visits, local knowledge and many years of experiencing and writing about what's on in London.
Our recommendations also consider annual visitor data and feedback, ensuring a variety of experiences for different tastes, ages, budgets and locations.
Jump to the best light shows in London
Light festivals in January 2027
Canary Wharf Winter Lights – best for light-up art installations
Marvel at spectacular displays during the Winter Lights festival in Canary Wharf, as the area transforms into a free light-up gallery. Returning for its 11th edition in January with the theme RE(IMAGINE), see the area glow in the wintry dark as you discover artworks and immersive installations created by artists from across the world.
This year's theme encourages artists to look through a new lens, whether that means reusing, revisiting, recycling or realising an idea or thought in a new light. Look out for the full artist lineup in December.
Best for: Unique illuminated artworks
Good to know: Explore the installations dotted around the area, and find toilets and baby changing facilities using the handy map available to download on the official Canary Wharf website from January.
Winter Light at Southbank Centre – best for glowing riverside displays
Visit the free art installations dotted in and around Southbank Centre as part of its annual Winter Light display. Wander through the art complex and along the river Thames for an illuminating experience during the darker months.
If you're visiting around the festive season, stop by the Southbank Winter Market, open from 2 November to 3 January, to browse craft stalls and warm up with food and drink before you admire the lights.
Best for: Admiring riverside installations
Good to know: Some artworks along the trail will be installed early or taken down later, but visit between the above dates to see the full trail.
Immersive light shows and installations
Origins by Luxmuralis at St Paul's Cathedral – best for a light show with a historic backdrop
Step inside the wondrous St Paul's Cathedral as it is transformed into a canvas for Origins by Luxmuralis. Prepare to be amazed as light and sound flood the landmark, with projections of ancient maps, historic words and architecture mapped onto its Baroque interior alongside musical scores.
Level up the experience by adding access to the Whispering Gallery, which offers visitors a unique viewpoint of the show from up above. Access to this part of the cathedral is only suitable for children aged six and above.
Best for: An immersive show in a historic setting
Good to know: The show includes flashing lights and loud sounds throughout, so it might not be suitable for everyone. Be sure to arrive 15 to 30 minutes before your chosen time slot.
Snow Globe Climb at Up at The O2 – best for skyline views at night with a snowy twist
Buckle up for the unforgettable Snow Globe Climb at Up at The O2, a 52-metre-high (170 ft) summit culminating in an immersive winter treat. Take in the sweeping views of London's skyline at night before stepping inside the life-sized snow globe with falling snow – the perfect spot for a festive photo!
Every climb booked between these dates gives visitors free access to the snow globe. After you've summited the roof, you'll have 20 minutes to capture your own snowy photos and buy a glass of bubbles or a warm drink before descending.
Best for: A unique festive photo opportunity
Good to know: Wrap up warm and wear appropriate shoes. Arrive at Basecamp 15 minutes before your time slot, which is signposted just to the left of the main entrance to The O2.
Ever After Garden – best for taking a moment to pause, reflect and remember
Pay your respects at the Ever After Garden, where you can see more than 30,000 illuminated white roses light up Duke of York Square in Chelsea to remember lost loved ones across the winter season.
The installation is open daily and entry is free, but visitors are encouraged to dedicate a rose to a loved one for a small donation to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
Best for: Commemorating lost loved ones
Good to know: You can dedicate a rose in person at the garden or online through the official Royal Marsden website. The garden is open daily from 3pm to 9pm.
Christmas at Outernet – best for a free interactive experience
Step into an immersive winter wonderland at Outernet, as its rooms fill with themed projections and interactive exhibits over the festive season.
Last year, the Now Building welcomed back its Butterfly Trail, a free public art installation featuring a whimsical scene combining imagery of the natural world with magical, multicoloured artwork. It was also transformed into an ice palace, with cinematic visuals featuring a lifesized gingerbread house, Santa's workshop and snowfall.
Best for: A family-friendly immersive experience
Good to know: Check back soon for confirmed details of this year's winter light shows.
Illuminated River – best for a colourful year-round light display
Discover the capital's Illuminated River installations, which light up nine of London's bridges with colourful animations after dark, 3.2 miles (5km) from London Bridge to Lambeth Bridge.
Recognised as the longest art commission in the world, see the bridges glow from dusk until 2am every night of the year, with moving sequences intended to mimic the natural current of the river Thames that flows beneath. Experience the exhibition from the water during a relaxing river cruise or soak up views of the city glimmering at night on foot.
Best for: A free year-round illuminated stroll
Good to know: Walking the 3.2 miles from London Bridge to Lambeth Bridge takes around two hours at a leisurely pace; wear comfortable shoes and wrap up warm, or consider the Illuminated river cruise to see all the bridges comfortably.
Winter light trails
Christmas at Kew – best for a botanical wonderland after dark
Discover one of the most enchanting light trails London has to offer at Christmas at Kew. Meander through the gardens illuminated by twinkling lights, immersive displays and large-scale artworks, accompanied by music and soundscapes.
Say hello to Santa and warm up with hot festive food and drinks from multiple stalls along the trail before admiring the spectacular finale in front of the iconic 19th-century Victorian glass Palm House.
Best for: A festive evening for the whole family
Good to know: Opt for a more relaxed experience with dedicated adult-only evenings (3 and 9 Dec) and early access quiet sessions.
RHS Wisley Glow – best for festive horticultural displays
Make your way to Surrey on the outskirts of London for RHS Wisley Glow, the annual light trail set inside the RHS' flagship garden. This year, the seven-acre-long trail features a "field of fire", giant illuminated flowers, light shows, ponds and an enchanted garden inside the Glasshouse.
Make time to hunt for one-of-a-kind gifts from artisan market stalls and warm up with a hot chocolate, mulled wine and seasonal treats from food chalets along the way.
Best for: An out-of-town festive adventure
Good to know: Check out our review of RHS Glow Wisley with more information and top tips for your visit.
Chelsea Winter Village and Illuminations – best for a cosy village atmosphere
Follow the light trail around Royal Hospital Chelsea as it is transformed into a winter wonderland for Chelsea Winter Village & Illuminations. Admire large, glowing installations, listen to local choirs sing Christmas carols and browse the stalls at the Christmas market during your visit.
Warm up at The Winter Village with its fire pits, heated tipis and food stalls after strolling the 1.5km (0.93 miles) trail around Ranelagh Gardens. Or, join the curling club, hop aboard the fairground rides and take part in an artisan craft workshop to make the most of your visit.
Best for: A family-friendly winter wonderland
Good to know: Entrance to The Winter Village is free, but experiences such as the rides and craft workshops must be booked separately at the venue for an additional fee. We recommend booking tickets to the light trail in advance.
Windsor Great Park Illuminated – best for enchanted woodland displays
Wander through the royal woodland as it lights up with spectacular installations for Windsor Great Park Illuminated. Follow the circular trail as you spot lights, projections, lasers, floodlit fountains and more.
Look out for festive photo opportunities along the way and stop by the firepit area, serving up food, mulled wine, hot chocolate and toasting marshmallows!
Best for: A festive adventure from London
Good to know: You can find traditional fairground rides in the Festive Village, but expect to pay extra for these.
Christmas at Blenheim Palace – best for a grand-scale festive spectacle
Wrap up warm and get ready for a magical Christmas evening at Christmas at Blenheim Palace, where the illuminated trail takes visitors around the grounds to see installations made up with more than one million lights and a chance to meet Santa along the way!
Make time to ride the light-up Observation Wheel, join an ice-skating session and browse the Christmas markets, selling everything from artisan gifts to hot drinks and festive snacks.
Best for: A Christmas day out to remember
Good to know: Enhance your visit with a combined ticket to this year's Cinderella-themed experience inside the stately house.
Santa's Winter Garden at Fulham Palace – best for Christmas magic for little ones
Bring the little ones to Santa's Winter Garden at Fulham Palace this festive season, where families are invited to enter the historic walled gardens, transformed into a magical Christmas wonderland.
Trail along the Candy Cane Walk, past the Jingle Bell Trees and through the Snow Maze to The North Pole Lodge, where you can warm up with a festive drink while children decorate biscuits and enjoy seasonal crafts. At the end of the trail, each family gets the chance to meet Santa and share their Christmas wishes!
Best for: A Christmas trail for young families
Good to know: This particular experience is encouraged for those who believe in the magic of Christmas. Adults over 16 must be accompanied by a child as part of a family booking.
Sculpture Trail in Fleet Street Quarter – best for families and comic fans
Perfect for families, you can discover the magical, free Dennis and Gnasher Mega Mischief Trail dotted around Fleet Street Quarter this year to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Dennis the Menace.
Find each of the 12 artist-designed installations, along with themed light projections paying homage to the beloved comic, as the quarter is taken over by Beanotown.
Best for: A dose of nostalgia
Good to know: Check the official website for more details about the trail, including an official map.
Christmas lights and festive displays
London Christmas lights – best for iconic seasonal street displays
Get into the festive spirit and walk beneath twinkling canopies of some of London's top Christmas lights, from the Regent Street angels and Oxford Street stars to Covent Garden's giant golden bell decorations.
Tick off lots in one go from the comfort of your seat aboard the Christmas lights bus tour, be led by an expert guide on the Christmas lights walking tour or follow our Christmas lights walking route and map.
Best for: Seeing the capital glow at Christmas
Good to know: Check out the top Christmas markets in London and stop by London's best Christmas trees during your adventure around the city; many are close to the light displays.
Greenwich Lantern Parade – best for a colourful neighbourhood light show
Head over to Greenwich for the beloved annual Lantern Parade, where local children parade handmade lanterns around the grounds of iconic spots, including the Old Royal Naval College and the Cutty Sark gardens.
Trail the glowing procession to Greenwich Market, where crowds count down to the Christmas switch-on at 5pm, followed by a live Latin jazz fusion band, a ballet dance performance and more live entertainment hosted by David Ribi.
Best for: A cosy local atmosphere
Good to know: The official parade takes place from 4pm to 4.50pm. Greenwich Market stalls are open as usual, so visitors can shop, eat and drink during the celebrations.
Shard Lights – best for an illuminated London landmark
Look high in the sky to see the most elevated seasonal light display in western Europe at The Shard, illuminating the building's top 20 storeys with festive iconography created by the hotel's in-house community.
This year, you'll see giant advent numbers displayed on the building counting down to Christmas before revealing each day's festive artwork. From 25 December to 5 January, the main festive animation will continue without the advent countdown.
Best for: A light show in the sky
Good to know: The display is set to turn on from 4pm each day, with each sequence repeating every 15 minutes.
