Where to see the best Christmas lights in London

The busiest shopping street in Europe isn't just home to hundreds of shops, it also boasts one of the best Christmas light displays in the world. Countless stars twinkle above the street, and many of the retailers share in the Christmas cheer with festive window displays and decorations. In the evening, all the signs, shopfronts, traffic, and general bustle give the street yet another dimension. This year, Oxford Street will be illuminated with 300,000 lights in partnership with the Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Charity, which supports seriously ill children. The lights will come together to create 5,000 glowing stars along the street.

Carnaby Street never does Christmas by halves, and this year's “All Is Bright” theme is set to light up Soho from November 6. Expect their signature dazzling arches and bright installations, which combine classic festive sparkle with Carnaby's edgy vibe. The lights change every year, and past displays have included neon light waves and technicolour LED skies, so you can bet this one will be just as impressive. It's one of London's most immersive Christmas light displays.

Regent Street has been the heart of London's Christmas magic since 1954, and this year the 'Spirit of Christmas' lights return more dazzling than ever for their 10th anniversary. From 6 November, over 30 glittering angels crafted from 300,000 LED lights will float above Regent Street and St James's, bathing the West End in golden glow until 4 January. Don't miss the enchanting Wishing Tree in St James's Market, where a simple £5 tap lights it up in aid of The Felix Project.

London officially flips the festive switch when Covent Garden's Christmas lights come on, and this year they're back in full force. Over 300,000 lights will illuminate the Piazza, Seven Dials, Neal's Yard, and surrounding streets from Wednesday, November 12, turning the area into a proper London winter wonderland. Expect the return of the iconic 55ft British-grown Christmas tree and golden bells on the Market Building. And if mulled wine won't cut it, head to Miracle at Henrietta, the retro Christmas cocktail bar reopening on November 10 just down the road.

Though not a traditional Christmas lights display, the lights at Fortnum & Mason are very much a part of Christmas in London. The iconic 18th-century department store gets in the festive spirit by transforming its façade into a giant advent calendar. Different designers create beautiful installations according to the annual theme, with the building counting down to Christmas and revealing a new display each day.

The Seven Dials area in Covent Garden is one of the prettiest roundabouts in the city on the worst of days, so just imagine what some sparkling lights do to the place. Twinkling across the square and in the trees, these Covent Garden Christmas lights are an obligatory stop on any Xmas lights tour London travel agents come up with. They're worth the detour if you just happen to be in the vicinity too.

A quaint hidden gem next to Oxford Street, St Christopher's Place has a village feel to it throughout the year. During the holidays, that feel is amped up further with pretty Xmas lights and seasonal delights at the restaurants and bars lining the street and square. The pedestrianised area even goes one step further, renaming itself to St Christmas Place for the season. See? Quaint.

Old Spitalfields Market is officially kicking off the festive season with its Christmas Light Switch-On on Wednesday, 12 November. From 3pm, expect live music from Hoxton Radio, a gospel choir, roaming elves, festive workshops, and even live portraits by artist Ella De Souza. The big switch-on happens at 6pm, transforming the market into a full-on Christmas wonderland. While you're there, warm up with mulled wine, grab a mince pie, and get a head start on your gift list with handmade goodies from the market's independent traders.

For the holidays, Bond Street, both Old and New, puts on a royal Christmas lights display. Having featured massive peacock feathers for multiple years, they switched to a dazzling display inspired by the Crown Jewels in 2022. Even so, the Xmas lights sometimes fade into the background – Bond Street is home to some of the world's most luxurious retail brands, and they always try to outdo one another with their spectacular window displays.

The lighting of the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is one of London's most cherished festive traditions, and this year it happens on Thursday 4 December. The 25-metre Norwegian tree is gifted to London each year by the people of Norway, a tradition dating back to 1947, to thank Britain for its support during World War II. The Mayor of Westminster, the Norwegian Ambassador, and the Mayor of Oslo usually lead the countdown, switching on the lights in front of a huge crowd.

The Piccadilly Christmas lights are similar to the Regent Street ones in that they also feature a winged figure high above the street, but it's not the same one. It's inspired by the statue of the Greek god of unrequited love Anteros, Eros' lesser-known and less popular brother, atop the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain in Piccadilly Circus. The end effect is the same, however – a shimmering festive vista stretching down Piccadilly.

Marylebone Village is switching on its Christmas lights on Wednesday, 12 November, and they're making a full day of it. From 3–8pm, Marylebone High Street will be pedestrianised for festive markets, craft workshops, and general seasonal merriment. Over on Devonshire Street, expect choirs, street food, a Ferris wheel, and a special guest to help BBC's Jo Good flip the switch on the 100% recycled light display. There's also Santa's Grotto for the kids and a tombola for good measure. All proceeds support The Marylebone Project, so you can feel extra good while getting festive.

In winter, all sorts of festive installations and decorations sprout up around Coal Drops Yard, the redeveloped area in King's Cross. Past years have featured glowing sculptures, chalets, Christmas markets, and a majestic Christmas tree. There are plenty of food and drink vendors to keep you warm as you make your way around the festive displays too.

A visit to Kew Gardens is a classic Christmas bucket list item in London. The renowned botanical gardens are majestic throughout the year, and during the Christmas holidays they're festooned with lights in a series of magnificent displays, from tunnels of light to bejewelled trees. Note that unlike most of the Christmas light displays in this guide, the Christmas at Kew light trail isn't free to view.

Belgravia's Elizabeth Street is getting its festive glow-up on Sunday, 16 November, and it's a proper Christmas party. From 12–5pm, expect roaming Nutcracker characters, Father Christmas and his elves, plus family-friendly fun with jugglers and balloon modellers. The London Gay Men's Chorus, Fulham Brass Band, and Solid Steel will keep the street buzzing with live performances, and at 4.45pm the Christmas lights will be switched on, bathing the street in twinkly magic. Don't miss the pop-up market in nearby Eccleston Yards, where you can shop for stocking fillers, sip mulled wine, and get properly festive.

Greenwich Market's Christmas light switch-on is getting a magical upgrade this year with a glowing lantern procession through the Old Royal Naval College grounds. From 4pm, local schoolchildren will parade their handmade lanterns past Cutty Sark Gardens before gathering in the market for the big countdown. Once the lights are twinkling, performances from the Angelina Jandolo Dance Company and Stagecoach Choir keep the festive vibes going. Arrive early to browse the market stalls and grab something delicious from the food court, which stays open until 6pm.

The world-famous home of top-quality craftsmanship and bespoke tailoring is unveiling a brand-new Christmas lights display in 2023, inspired by its heritage and values. Giant golden shears cutting through a glittering swathe of fabric illuminate the famous street. They're made from 5,154 energy-efficient and planet-friendly LED bulbs, along with recyclable materials, in an effort to minimise waste and reduce energy consumption.

As befits an upscale neighbourhood such as Mayfair, the streets in this area boast beautiful Christmas lights during the festive season, accompanied by the tasteful decor local restaurants and retailers put up. One of the highlights of Mayfair's Christmas decorations can be found in South Molton Street, where you can walk through tall arches full of starry lights.

With roots going back all the way to 1321, when it served as a meat, poultry and game market, the beautiful Leadenhall Market has seen its share of Christmas joy. It's still one of the best places for Christmas lights in the capital, with its intricate architecture covered with sparkling displays, and a massive fir tree centrepiece tying it all together.

With its flowering facade, The Churchill Arms in Kensington regularly ranks among the UK's most beautiful pubs, and the proprietors go all out for the seasonal winter display. The pub is covered with more than 90 conifer trees and lit up with thousands of Christmas lights. It's a bastion of Christmas cheer that's impossible to miss if you're passing by, and definitely worth making the trip for if you aren't.

Chelsea's Christmas Lights Switch-On returns on Saturday, 15 November, marking the official start of the festive season along the iconic King's Road. The historic street, which runs from Sloane Square to Fulham, will be part-pedestrianised so you can properly soak up the twinkling lights strung overhead and the elegant Christmas window displays from the area's high-end boutiques. Expect an afternoon packed with live performances, gourmet food and drink, and plenty of festive sparkle.