As we speak I need to carry you my information to the place to seek out the perfect Christmas lights in London. All throughout town, festive shows brighten up the night time sky all through the season. From the well-known ones on Regent Avenue 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 lovely ones, I’ve put collectively the A Woman in London information to London Christmas lights. I’ve included a map, too.
Greatest Christmas Lights in London
Christmas gentle shows span town from Kew Gardens to Outdated Spitalfields Market and past. Illuminating streets and squares, they make London one of many greatest locations to go to within the UK at Christmas.
London’s main Christmas gentle shows are switched on in celebrity-led ceremonies in the beginning 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’ll see them under. For those that haven’t, I’ll replace this publish as they make their timings public. Be sure to bookmark this publish or pin it on Pinterest so you may test again for updates.
See the Lights
So what’s the easiest way to see the Christmas lights in London? I want occurring foot so I can take in the main points and take pictures and movies. There are many different choices, although.
If you wish to comply with in my footsteps, you may 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 absorb the illuminations.
For those who want a guided tour, you may 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 e-book one right here. They’re straightforward methods to absorb the perfect of the festive season.
Suggestions for Seeing the Christmas Lights
No matter you select to do, keep in mind that the London climate is unpredictable and it could actually get wet and really chilly within the winter months.
It’s a good suggestion to put on heat clothes and produce an umbrella with you. For those who’re within the UK, I like to recommend this umbrella. For those who’re elsewhere, this one is ideal.
My winter packing listing may also help as nicely, and my information to what to put on in London has good common ideas for you. They’ll provide help to keep heat and dry whilst you admire the installations.
The place to Keep to See the Lights
In the case of lodging in London, you don’t have any scarcity of choices. Whether or not you need to keep in one of the vital festive motels in London at Christmas or hire an condominium someplace native, town has quite a bit to select from.
Given many of the lights are within the coronary heart of the UK capital, basing your self within the metropolis middle is an efficient possibility. You’ll be able to see my weblog posts concerning the greatest space to remain, the greatest motels in London to your type, the highest quirky motels in London, and pubs with rooms for extra concepts.
You can even discover offers and e-book lodging in London right here. With so many decisions, you’re positive to discover a place that matches your Christmas type.
1. Regent Avenue Christmas Lights
First on my listing of locations to see the perfect Christmas lights in London is Regent Avenue. The theme of those lights modifications each few years, so it’s enjoyable to maintain coming again and seeing what’s new.
The Regent Avenue Christmas lights comply with the curve of the street from Oxford Circus to Piccadilly Circus. They brighten up the night time sky and add festive cheer to the well-known excessive avenue outlets and motels that line the road.
This yr the Regent Avenue lights switch-on ceremony will happen on November 7, 2024. If you wish to see them and the opposite shows across the space, you may take certainly one of 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 coated 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 throughout 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 pictures 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 Avenue Christmas Lights
The Christmas lights in Mayfair are unfold all through the neighborhood. From Mount Avenue to South Molton Avenue, Bond Avenue, Savile Row, and Piccadilly, there’s no scarcity of festive installations on this social gathering of town.
Probably the most well-known are on Bond Avenue, the place big shows gentle up the sky because the solar goes down (which will be as early as 3:45pm in December). They brighten the night time above the well-known luxurious items outlets that line the street.
Actually, it’s price heading to Bond Avenue 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 Avenue 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 Avenue Christmas Lights
One other place to see the perfect Christmas lights in London is Carnaby Avenue in Soho. This pedestrianized street is known for its annual illuminations.
Carnaby Avenue options brightly coloured lights that radiate out into the slim passages round it. They alter annually, so it’s price going again repeatedly to see what’s new for the season.
This yr the Carnaby Avenue 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 Avenue Christmas Lights
Extra of London’s greatest Christmas lights will be discovered on Oxford Avenue. Every winter, big seasonal shows gentle up the night time 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 Avenue Christmas lights as you make your means down the street and round Oxford Circus within the vacation season.
This yr the Oxford Avenue 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 at all times a significant movie star current to flip the change.
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 Avenue Christmas Lights
Over in Chelsea, Sloane Avenue and its offshoots are decked with Christmas lights every festive season.
From Knightsbridge to Sloane Sq., the street itself has a lot of gentle shows suspended above the luxurious items outlets and motels 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 Avenue 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 Avenue 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 Avenue and Devonshire Avenue 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 may 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. Outdated Spitalfields Market Christmas Lights
One other place to see the perfect Christmas lights in London is Outdated Spitalfields Market. This beloved place within the East Finish is filled with seasonal cheer, from illuminated shows to decorations and outlets.
This yr the Outdated Spitalfields Market Christmas lights switch-on ceremony will happen on November 13, 2024, and there’s quite a bit to get enthusiastic about.
The occasion will function Christmas procuring, dwell festive music, and seasonal workshops. There may also 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 all over the place 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 motion pictures, and it’s simply as magical at Christmas as it’s at different occasions of yr.
Leadenhall Market’s Christmas decorations embrace an annual tree beneath the atrium, a lot 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 Pageant Corridor, bringing cheer to the Thames.
Strolling across the South Financial institution and shopping the festive market is among the hottest issues to do in London at Christmastime. From the chalets to the leisure and lights, there’s quite a bit to like about it.
This yr the South Financial institution Winter Market will happen from November 1st to December twenty sixth, 2024. It’s certainly one of 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 perfect Christmas lights in London is St James’s. The shows listed below are a part of the Regent Avenue ones, and so they prolong all all through the neighborhood.
It’s price strolling round Jermyn Avenue, St James’s Market, and Piccadilly to absorb the festive lights and take in the decorations within the procuring arcades.
Locations like Fortnum & Mason are a number of the most well-known London department shops at Christmas, and there are nice Christmas timber in Waterloo Place and Pickering Place, too.
As I discussed earlier than, this yr the Regent Avenue lights switch-on will happen November 7, 2024. It’s price strolling from the primary thoroughfare to facet streets like Glasshouse Avenue and Swallow Avenue earlier than heading down into St James’s.
You can even 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 quite a bit to take pleasure in. The annual Christmas tree in St Pancras station is price popping over to see, too. It modifications yearly.
The enjoyable continues via New Yr’s Eve as nicely. Numerous eating places and motels within the space provide particular menus and occasions to ring within the coming 12 months.
13. Belgravia Christmas Lights
In the case of native areas, Belgravia is certainly one of my favourite locations to see Christmas lights in London. Numerous streets across the neighborhood come alive with lights, wreaths, and decorations for the season.
Fashionable locations to see lights right here embrace Motcomb Avenue, 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 Avenue. Well-known for its floral facades, this street is house to a number of the greatest Christmas decorations in London.
This yr the Belgravia Christmas lights switch-on social gathering will happen on Elizabeth Avenue 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 the case of pubs in London at Christmas, it’s arduous to beat the Churchill Arms in Kensington. The facade of this well-known watering gap is roofed in flowers all yr, however throughout the vacation season it will get a Christmas tree makeover.
The Churchill Arms seems to be festive with its forested frontage, full with tens of 1000’s of lights. For those who’re searching for someplace enjoyable for a seasonal meal or pint, it’s the proper spot (simply keep in mind they serve Thai meals, so don’t anticipate a conventional 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 may 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 Avenue and Leicester Sq.. The latter is house to an annual Christmas market with a lot 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 normal market, dwell leisure within the Leicester Sq. Spiegeltent, and nice gentle 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
As promised, I created an interactive Google map of all the sunshine shows I discussed on this weblog publish. You’ll be able to see it right here. I hope it helps you expertise the perfect of the season in London!
Christmas Lights in London
I hope this information to seeing the perfect 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 may 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 lookup at The Shard to absorb the festive lights on the high.
For those who miss out on the season, you may nonetheless see lights within the new yr. Canary Wharf Winter Lights runs from January twenty first to February 2nd, 2025, and it options gentle installations all through the realm.
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