Tour the best London Christmas lights with our handy guide to this year's spectacular displays, from the elaborate designs that hang above Oxford Street, Regent Street and Carnaby Street to the lights that decorate Covent Garden.
Most Christmas lights in London are switched on in November until early January, transforming the capital's streets, venues and landmarks with eye-catching festive installations.
From royal estates and world-famous landmarks to festive shopping hotspots, discover the best places to see Christmas lights in London. Explore our interactive map and London Christmas lights walking route, check the official switch-on dates and don't miss our expert tips on how to make the most of the city as it is magically decked out for Christmas.
Make sure to add London's top Christmas shows to your winter itinerary. Or, check out the top light festivals in London that illuminate the city year-round.
Best Christmas lights in London 2026 at a glance
- 👼 Regent Street and Oxford Street – best for spectacular Christmas canopies
- ✨ Covent Garden and Seven Dials – best for an immersive festive atmosphere
- ❄️ Carnaby Street and Soho – best for creative displays and colourful lights
- 🎄 Battersea Power Station – best for a dramatic landmark backdrop
- 🌟 London Christmas lights bus tour – best for sightseeing from a different perspective
How we chose the best London Christmas lights
We've handpicked this list of London Christmas lights primarily based on Visit London author expertise, including first-hand visits, local knowledge and many years of experiencing and writing about Christmas in London.
Our recommendations also consider annual visitor data and feedback, ensuring a variety of experiences for different tastes, ages, budgets, and locations, and only featuring displays we deem distinctly London.
When do Christmas lights go up in London?
Most London Christmas lights in 2026 will switch on in mid-November and stay illuminated until early January. Check the official switch-on dates for each light display below.
10 best Christmas lights in London
From the twinkling Oxford Street Christmas lights to the beautiful angels illuminating Regent Street, check out our pick of the top London Christmas lights you can't miss in 2026.
1. Carnaby Christmas lights – best for colourful designs and 90s nostalgia
See Soho's beloved Carnaby Street light up with a pop of colour from early November. This year's Press Play on Christmas theme is set to bring a dose of British 90s nostalgia to the street with a vibrant neon light display.
Pop into Liberty London at the end of the street to see its landmark decorations and Christmas shop, and look out for the annual Soho Kids Christmas Lights dotted around the area during your West End visit.
Best for: Colourful displays and Christmas storefronts
Good to know: Set in the heart of Soho, Carnaby is surrounded by Christmas dining, shopping and more. Make time to explore the surrounding shops and refuel at Kingly Court or other nearby restaurants. Book tickets for the Christmas Lights Walking Tour to tick off London's top festive displays with an expert guide.
2. Regent Street Christmas lights – best for enchanting angel light displays
Be wowed by the glowing angels that famously hang above Regent Street and St James's every year during the festive season. The enchanting Spirit of Christmas display features more than 30 sparkling spirits, plus some new additions this year, so keep an eye out!
Hop aboard a Christmas Lights London by Night bus tour for unmatched views of the Regent Street spirits and surrounding displays. Visit the Wishing Tree at nearby St James's Market, where you can tap to donate £5 to Felix – a charity that rescues and redistributes surplus food to those in need across the UK – and set off its twinkling lights.
Best for: A postcard photo opportunity
Good to know: The lights run on a timer set from 3pm to midnight each day. This famous shopping street lined with flagship stores gets very busy during the festive season, so we recommend visiting on a weeknight if you can.
3. Christmas at Battersea Power Station – best for a festive village feel
See Battersea Power Station sparkle this Christmas, as thousands of lights are hung around this shopping, dining and entertainment destination. Look out for the giant light up baubles and candy canes dotted along Electric Boulevard, and visit the 12-metre (40ft) Christmas tree in Malaysia Square.
Look out for plenty more Christmas things to do in Battersea, including a Santa's Workshop (27 Nov-24 Dec) and ice skating for children, and Christmas markets and seasonal performances for all to enjoy throughout the festive season.
Best for: A Christmas destination
Good to know: This year, watch Santa and his dancing elves abseil down the Power Station on 22 November. And, look out for the festive food and drink stalls around Malaysia Square between 5 November and 3 January.
4. Chelsea Christmas lights – best for a family-friendly festive day out
Bring the whole family to experience Chelsea's Christmas lights this winter, as 21 miles (34 km) of botanical-inspired lights are set to illuminate Sloane Street alongside a host of festive experiences.
Pay your respects at the Ever After Garden (5 Nov-21 Dec), with more than 30,000 illuminated white roses set to light up Duke of York Square in remembrance, and follow The Firefly Festive Forest (12 Nov-1 Dec) trail, which features more than 30 individually artist-designed Christmas trees along Sloane Street until 1 December.
Best for: Family-friendly festive experiences
Good to know: Meet Santa at Anya's Grotto, or enjoy the festive light trail, fairground rides and Christmas market at Chelsea Winter Village. Check out more top family Christmas activities in London.
5. Christmas at Churchill Arms – best for an extravagant festive scene
Nothing says Christmas like heading to a cosy London pub, and Notting Hill's Churchill Arms has a particularly magical twist worth visiting for alone.
Self-proclaimed the "most Christmassy London pub", this west London institution is covered top to bottom with real conifer trees, twinkling decorations and thousands of lights, casting a joyful glow on the street corner each year.
Best for: A cosy Christmas pit stop
Good to know: Bar and restaurant tables are first-come, first-served and walk-in only throughout the Christmas season, so get there early to secure a spot and enjoy the festivities. Find more unusual things do in London this Christmas.
6. Covent Garden Christmas lights – best for iconic decorations and theatre lovers
Wander through the cobbled streets of Covent Garden and Seven Dials, transformed into a winter wonderland during the festive period. This year, the iconic gold bells, baubles and more than 300,000 lights return to illuminate the 19th-century piazza.
Spot the giant 50-metre (164 ft) Christmas tree and, new for this year, The Forest of Theatre, a collection of Christmas trees inside the Market Building, each inspired by a well-known West End theatre production, including Mamma Mia! The Musical, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, My Neighbour Totoro and more.
Tie in your visit to the area with the star-shaped Leicester Square Christmas lights (1 Nov-6 Jan) and St Martin's Lane Christmas lights (3 Nov-6 Jan), inspired by Theatreland.
Best for: Fans of West End theatre
Good to know: Visit the area on the hour every hour between midday and 9pm to experience a 2-minute snow flurry from 4 to 31 December!
7. London Eye Christmas light show – best for a landmark light display
See one of London's most distinctive landmarks sparkle over Christmas, as the London Eye is illuminated with a free light show of bright colours and festive symbols every night from 14 November.
Level up your experience with a Festive Flight, where each ride on the London Eye booked during the festive season will feature a decorated pod and audio narration from Santa!
Make sure to check out South Bank's Winter Market (2 Nov-3 Jan) and Winter Light (27 Oct-31 Jan), just a short stroll away.
Best for: A London icon at Christmas
Good to know: Every London Eye ticket booked from 14 November counts as a Festive Flight ride. Experiences such as Santa in the Sky, Festive Champagne Flight and Festive Afternoon Tea must be booked separately.
8. King's Cross and Coal Drops Yard Christmas lights – best for Christmas trees and festive art
See King's Cross and Coal Drops Yard dressed up for the Christmas season, with lights and decorations focused on festive traditions with a twist.
Admire King's Boulevard, decorated with a free open-air gallery of art benches. Visit the Remixed Roller Rink, explore several themed winter markets, including the Mexican Christmas Market, Crafty Fox Christmas Market and Christmas Under the Canopy. And don't miss this year's "Cracking" Christmas tree, designed in collaboration with Aardman.
Best for: Christmas experiences in one place
Good to know: Check back soon for more confirmed details about the King's Cross Christmas lights.
9. Oxford Street Christmas lights – best for a Harry Potter-themed display
Experience London's famous Oxford Street at Christmas, adorned with some of the most spectacular lights and seasonal window displays.
Last year's Oxford Street Christmas lights featured the return of its sustainable shining stars, brightening up the skies above the street. In 2026, expect a Harry Potter-themed twist to mark the opening of the new Harry Potter flagship – the largest of its kind in the world!
Best for: Potterheads and Christmas shoppers
Good to know: More details on the Oxford Street Christmas lights are to come. Fans of Harry Potter should check out Warner Bros. Studio Tour transformed into Hogwarts in the Snow for the festive season!
10. Bond Street Christmas lights – best for festive lights with a royal twist
Discover Bond Street, one of the capital's most luxurious shopping districts, garlanded with spectacular Christmas lights. Last year, the festive Crown Jewels light display returned, celebrating the area's long-running royal connections.
Also stop by Mayfair's Savile Row, which has previously displayed giant illuminated shears to reference its tailoring heritage. Snap photos of the iconic facade outside Annabel's, then wander the neighbourhood, spotting more festive lights, Christmas trees, and shop window displays that add a warm glow to the streets.
Best for: Christmas window shopping
Good to know: Check back for more details on the Bond Street Christmas lights once they're officially announced.
Looking for more festive light displays? Discover the spectacular illuminations at Christmas at Kew, or explore our guide to the best light trails and festivals in London.
London Christmas lights walking route and map
From iconic illuminated shopping streets to spectacular festive decorations, see London sparkle this festive season with our self-guided London Christmas lights walking route.
We suggest allowing around four to five hours to complete the route, including time for photos and exploring along the way. Start at around 3.30pm in late November or December to catch the lights as dusk falls, and make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
3.30pm: Marylebone Village
Start your journey at Marylebone Village in north-west London, where seasonal decorations and twinkling lights provide the perfect introduction to London at Christmas.
Don't miss: Browse the independent shops along Marylebone High Street for one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts, and warm up with a hot drink from one of the cafes.
Nearby highlight: Search for the perfect present for the book lovers in your life at Daunt Books, and explore more things to do in the area with our complete guide to Marylebone.
Duration: 20 minutes
Walk to the next stop: 15 to 20 minutes to Oxford Street
4.15pm: Oxford Street
Make your way to Oxford Street, London's world-famous shopping destination, to find a spectacular Christmas canopy of star-shaped lights.
Don't miss: Spot the elaborate festive displays at major department stores such as Harrods and Selfridges, and look out for this year's Harry Potter-themed twist, celebrating the opening of the new flagship.
Good to know: Oxford Street is particularly busy in the run-up to Christmas. Allow extra time if you're planning to browse the shops.
Duration: 15 to 20 minutes
Walk to the next stop: 10 to 15 minutes to New Bond Street
4.45pm: Bond Street and Mayfair
Head to New Bond Street, where glamorous shopfronts provide a backdrop for its seasonal display, previously inspired by the Crown Jewels. Continue into Mayfair to discover beautifully decorated streets, Christmas trees and impressive window displays.
Don't miss: Keep an eye out for festive displays around the surrounding streets and squares, including the striking Christmas facade that decorates Annabel's each year.
Nearby highlight: Walk to the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, which hosts an annual Christmas pop-up shop.
Duration: 20 minutes
Walk to the next stop: 5 to 10 minutes to Savile Row
5.20pm: Savile Row
Stop by Savile Row for festive decorations displayed among distinguished tailoring houses, which last year featured giant shears as a nod to its heritage as the home of British tailoring.
Nearby highlight: Explore the elegant shops the line Burlington Arcade, or spend more time in the area with our local guide to Mayfair and St James's.
Duration: 10 minutes
Walk to the next stop: 10 minutes to Regent Street
5.40pm: Regent Street
Prepare for one of London's most iconic Christmas scenes as you arrive at Regent Street. Take your time to walk beneath the famous illuminated angels as they stretch along this grand shopping street.
Don't miss: Look out for a new surprise addition to the Spirit of Christmas light display for 2026.
Photo tip: Stand back from the busiest sections of the street to capture the angels against the curve of the buildings.
Duration: 15 to 20 minutes
Walk to the next stop: 5 minutes to Carnaby Street
6pm: Carnaby Street and Soho
Walk to neighbouring Carnaby Street to see this year's colourful display inspired by the 90s, and look out for more lights dotted around Soho, designed each year by local schoolchildren.
Don't miss: Make sure to see Liberty London dressed up for the Christmas season, and set aside some extra time to visit the beloved Liberty Christmas Shop!
Top tip: Grab a bite to eat from Kingly Court if you're feeling peckish, or stop for a pint from one of the area's cosy pubs.
Duration: 20 minutes
Walk to the next stop: 10 to 15 minutes to St James's and Piccadilly
6.30pm: St James's and Piccadilly
Take a short stroll along the historic streets of St James's decorated for the festive season and on to Piccadilly, where Fortnum and Mason
Don't miss: Browse the independent shops along Marylebone High Street, where you can find one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts, and warm up with a hot drink to go from one of the cafes.
Nearby highlight: Search for the perfect present for the book lovers in your life at Daunt Books. Check out more things to do in Marylebone with our guide to the area.
Duration: 20 minutes.
Walk to the next stop: Around 15 to 20 minutes to Oxford Street.
7pm: Leicester Square
Stroll to Leicester Square, where you can browse the Christmas market stalls and pick up a warming seasonal treat before continuing to Covent Garden.
Don't miss: Book tickets to the Skate Leicester Square ice rink for a special festive experience in the heart of the West End.
Nearby highlight: Take a short detour into Chinatown to spot the famous red lanterns.
Duration: 20 minutes
Walk to the next stop: 10 to 15 minutes to Covent Garden
7.30pm: Covent Garden
Finish your Christmas lights walk in Covent Garden, one of the city's most magical festive destinations. Soak up the atmosphere and see the historic piazza and Market Building transformed with giant festive-themed ornaments.
Don't miss: Visit the giant Christmas tree and look out for the hourly snowfall taking place throughout December.
Top tip: Stay for dinner, a festive drink or browse the shops before heading home with the help of our guide to Covent Garden.
Duration: 30 to 40 minutes
Continue the journey by foot or public transport towards King's Cross and Coal Drops Yard, Camden Market, South Bank or Battersea if you want to see more, or save them for another day.
Add some of London's Christmas markets to your itinerary for the ultimate Christmas day out in London!
Download the Visit London app to find the locations of London's best Christmas light displays. Explore the capital's picture-perfect Christmas markets and find plenty more top things to do this Christmas in London.
London Christmas lights FAQs
When do the Christmas lights go on in London in 2026?
London Christmas lights are switched on at different times depending on the area. Most London Christmas decorations go up between November and December. Check back later in the year to find out the date that each of the top Christmas lights in London start twinkling over the festive season.Where are the best Christmas lights in London?
Make your way to central London to see some of the best Christmas lights in London. See the sparkling displays that usually line Oxford Street, Regent Street and Covent Garden – officially named some of the best places in Europe to see Christmas light displays!What is the best walking route to see London's Christmas lights?
Many of London's Christmas lights are a short walk apart in central London. Explore our suggested walking route from Chelsea and Mayfair to Oxford Street, Regent Street, Soho and Covent Garden. Or, plan your own journey using our handy map of London Christmas lights.
Are the Christmas lights in London free to visit?
Yes, most of the Christmas lights in London are on display in public areas and free to visit. Some experiences, such as the London Eye Festive Flight, Winter Wonderland or festive light trails, including Christmas at Kew and Chelsea Winter Illuminations, require a paid ticket.
What time do the Christmas lights turn on in London?
Each year varies slightly, but the Oxford Street Christmas lights were switched on from 4pm to 12am daily last year.How long do London's Christmas lights stay up?
London's Christmas lights usually stay up until early January. Some lights are also taken down at the end of December. Check the confirmed switch-on dates next to each light display above.
Can you see London's Christmas lights in one evening?
It's unlikely you'd be able to see all of London's Christmas lights in one evening. We suggest taking a Christmas Lights London by night bus tour or London Christmas Lights Walking Tour with expert guide to tick off the central London lights efficiently. But, it's recommended that you give a couple of days to see the breath-taking Christmas lights in other areas such as King's Cross, Battersea and Olympia.
