Where To See Christmas Lights In London: The Perfect Festive Guide By A Local
Are you planning to see the Christmas Lights in London in 2025 and wondering where to find them? This guide provides information on the best places to view Christmas lights, how to access them, and the switch-on dates for each light display.
For as long as I can remember, I have made the annual pilgrimage to see the capital's Christmas lights, which is undoubtedly one of the most festive things to do in London.
As a child, my mum and I would take the bus from Clapham to London. A wide-eyed Angie would be mesmerised by the twinkling lights strung across London streets, often swaying in the wind and sometimes covered by a dusting of snow.
Later, as a parent myself, I would bring my children to see the London Christmas lights. It was a magical event that heralded the start of the festive season and usually ended with hot chocolate, whipped cream and marshmallows at a nearby cafe.
I still enjoy my yearly trip to see the London Christmas lights all these years later. It is often a precursor to a night at one of London's theatres or a shopping trip to a top department store, such as the historic gem Fortnum & Mason, to buy Christmas goodies.
Whatever draws me to London in December, the capital's magical twinkling lights will always be a favourite part of my Christmas ritual, and I hope seeing the Christmas lights in London each year becomes one of yours, too.
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Closest tube lines to see London's Christmas lights
The good news is that the best London illuminations at Christmas are all close to each other. The London Christmas lights walking route is easy to complete during a day visit to London. Just take the tube to one of these stations, and you will find yourself in the right area to see the Christmas light displays.
Oxford Circus: Victoria, Bakerloo & Central Line
Piccadilly Circus: Piccadilly & Bakerloo Line
Green Park: Victoria, Jubilee & Piccadilly Line
Christmas Lights Route Map
This map highlights the most Christmassy streets in London. It will help you plan where to start your Christmas lights route.
Regent Street Christmas Lights
Regent Street and St James Christmas lights will be twinkling from November 6th 2025
I will start with the biggest and most spectacular London Christmas light display on Regent Street and St James. This iconic London street is where the tradition of displaying Christmas lights in central London began in 1954.
The Daily Mail reported that London looked dull at Christmas. The shop owners decided to rectify this by running twinkling lights from one side of the road to the other. The response was incredible, and other major London streets joined in with this festive idea.
Running from the corner of Oxford Street to the start of Picadilly, this is one of London's most famous streets. When Christmas arrives, it is a fabulous place to see some of London's best Christmas lights.
My mum told me about the time she worked at Liberty of London on Regent Street in the swinging '60s.
She recalls workers hanging precariously off ladders, tying the Christmas lights to the store's exterior fittings. What a spectacle it must have been!
Fast-forward to the present, and the tradition of hanging Christmas lights on Regent Street is still in full swing.
If you have ever seen an image of the London Christmas lights, it would no doubt be of the glorious golden angel figures heralding in the Christmas season with their outstretched wings.
Now lovingly known as The Spirit of Christmas, these angelic creatures are a sight to behold as they watch over London's most iconic shopping street.
Oxford Street Christmas Lights
Oxford Street Christmas lights will be twinkling from November 3rd 2025.
The Christmas lights in Oxford Street are another dazzling festive display in one of London's most iconic destinations and are a light show of which London can be proud.
In some of the larger department stores along Oxford Street, incredible Christmas window displays accompany the festive street lighting. Harry Selfridge brought the idea of Christmas window dressing to London from the United States.
Selfridges is also one of the best places to see Santa in London if you still have little believers in the family.
The Oxford Street Christmas lights theme is a stunning display of 5,000 dangling stars strewn across the main thoroughfare, illuminating it.
Remember to visit the Christmas lighting ceremonies in Marylebone Village and St Christopher's Place, close to Oxford Street.
South Molton Street Christmas Lights
Festive fun can come in small packages, as with South Molton Street.
This small, unassuming street leading off Oxford Street is home to a sensational light display at Christmas.
Walk along its gleaming streets and window-shop at some of London's most exclusive designer shops. It is also the birthplace of the luxury British fragrance brand Molton Brown.
New Bond Street Christmas Lights
The Christmas lights in New Bond Street will be twinkling from 12th November 2025.
I think the best Christmas lights to see in London are on Bond Street, where visitors can enjoy shopping beneath the most decadent lighting installations.
In 2022, a brand-new Christmas light display was unveiled as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.
Gone were the sparkling peacock feathers and chandeliers that had delighted visitors for the past eight years. In their place are glistening crowns and pendants lit with 90,000 LEDs, a fitting tribute to our dearly departed Queen. I can't wait to see what's unveiled in 2025!
Visitors can also see some of London's best Christmas shop displays along Bond Street.
As always, the Cartier, Chanel and Chaumet stores are a Christmas extravagance matched only by Dior and Ralph Lauren. It's no wonder New Bond Street is one of London's most instagrammable Christmas spots!
Carnaby Street Christmas Lights
Carnaby Street Christmas lights will be twinkling from November 6th, 2025.
The most eccentric Christmas light displays in London are in Carnaby Street and are a magnet for visitors looking for something quirky.
Over the years, Carnaby's London lights have changed, ranging from pop idol tributes to outer space paraphernalia.
It's all in keeping with the fun-loving identity for which Carnaby Street has always been known and loved.
Covent Garden at Christmas
The Covent Garden Christmas season will start on November 12th, 2025.
With thousands of glistening lights in this famous spot, Covent Garden undoubtedly holds one of the top titles for having the best Christmas decorations in London.
No visitor to London who sees the leading London lights should miss out on experiencing its most famous market at Christmas, with its gigantic red bows and shiny golden bells hanging inside the historic Apple Market.
The magnificent Covent Garden Christmas tree towers above the piazza, purchased from the same farm that supplies Christmas trees to the Royal Family.
Wooden barrows spill over with seasonal flowers, and Christmassy aromas fill the air. Add a daily dusting of snow to the proceedings, and you have one of the best photo spots in London during Christmas.
For another burst of Christmas spirit, wander nearby Seven Dials to enjoy their smaller sparkling Christmas display.
If you don't want to walk from Regent Street, take the underground to Covent Garden station to see the Christmas decorations.
Other Places in London to See Christmas Decorations
Burlington Arcade
Burlington Arcade runs from Piccadilly to Burlington Gardens. It has a Victorian London feel and is home to unique shops.
Keep your eyes peeled for The Beadles, who guard the arcade and are part of Britain's oldest and smallest police force!
Leadenhall Market
Famous for inspiring HP Diagon Alley, this beautiful undercover market is lit up from November to January. London's Lord Mayor will light up the large central Christmas tree on 13th November 2025.
Trafalgar Square
See the largest Christmas tree in London lit up for the festive season. Norway gifts a tree to the capital each year, making it one of the must-see Christmas decorations in London.
The Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square will be switched on 4th December 2025.
Leicester Square
Visit the Christmas market in Leicester Square and get into the festive spirit. Strings of fairy lights and shiny decorations light up the trees while the aroma of mulled wine fills the air.
Southbank
Enjoy London's best walk at Christmas along the Southbank. Stroll beneath the lights entwined in the trees and visit the Christmas markets along the way.
Chelsea
Chelsea goes all out in the capital to impress with its Christmas decorations. Expect a magical day of festive activities with the big reveal of the 2025 lights.
Belgravia Christmas Lights switch on 16th November 2025.
London Christmas Lights Bus Tour
A London Christmas lights bus tour is an excellent alternative to walking around to see the displays.
The bus will take you along all the main roads, where you will see London's most extravagant Christmas light displays while giving you a bite-sized history lesson on London.
The open-top Christmas Light buses are good fun, but be prepared to wear warm clothes as it gets nippy in London in the winter months. Also, they can get caught up in traffic jams and are a bit jolty, so be prepared!
Conclusion
Christmas in London is one of the most magical destinations, and I hope this post has inspired you to visit.
Visitors can find Christmas lights and displays all over London, so wherever you wander, you'll be in the Christmas Spirit.
While in the capital, why not check out a Christmas market in London or treat yourself to afternoon tea or a cocktail at one of London's top hotels? The hotels all try to outdo themselves at Christmas with their interior decorations, and they are fabulous to see.
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Please Pin for Future Travel to London
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Angela Price: is an accomplished travel writer bringing extensive expertise and passion to the world of travel.
With over 40 years of globetrotting adventures under her belt and with a keen eye for unique experiences, she has established herself as an authoritative voice in travel, offering invaluable insights for fellow adventurers seeking to uncover the delights of worldwide destinations.
Her motto is “live life wandering not wondering”. Read more about Angie.