London feels magical in the lead‑up to Christmas, and we love watching the city transform as the lights switch on from November. We spend many evenings after work wandering through the glowing streets, Christmas markets, and festive displays that brighten the darker months.
In this guide, we are sharing our favourite spots, tips, and a suggested walking route to help you enjoy the Christmas lights in London just as much as we do.
- Overview
- Map of the Best Christmas Lights in London
- How to See the Christmas Lights in London
- Best Places to See the Christmas Lights in London
- 1. Oxford Street – Switching Into Festive Mode
- 2. Regent Street – The Famous Angel Lights
- 3. Carnaby Street – Creative, Fun, and Always Different
- 4. Leicester Square – Christmas Market & Lights
- 5. Covent Garden – A Classic London Christmas Scene
- 6. Trafalgar Square – The Iconic Christmas Tree
- 7. Fortnum & Mason – A Festive Landmark
- 8. New Bond Street – Elegant Displays and Designer Windows
- 9. Winter Wonderland – A Festive Adventure in Hyde Park
- Where to Stay to Be Close to the Christmas Lights
- Tips for Visiting the Christmas Lights
- Final Thoughts
Overview
There is something about London in December that puts us in a festive mood the moment the lights switch on. As we live in London, we actually start noticing the festive decorations from early November, and they always lift our spirits.
We always make time to see the Christmas lights in London. Some evenings after work we will head out for a walk just to enjoy the lights, soak up the atmosphere, and ease into the season.
Every corner of the city seems to glow a little warmer, and wandering around the streets becomes a tradition we look forward to each year.
Below we have put together a route you can follow, and the places we love stopping at to enjoy the London Christmas lights.
Map of the Best Christmas Lights in London
To help you plan the perfect walk, here’s a suggested route that covers the most iconic festive spots:
Oxford Street → Regent Street → Carnaby Street → Leicester Square → Covent Garden → Trafalgar Square → Fortnum & Mason → New Bond Street → Winter Wonderland (Hyde Park)
Our recommendation is that you start from Oxford Circus tube station (for Oxford Street) and finish at Hyde Park for Winter Wonderland.
How to See the Christmas Lights in London
There are a few ways to explore the Christmas lights London UK depending on how you prefer to travel.
Walking (Free & Flexible)
This is our favourite way to take it all in. You can move at your own pace, grab a mulled wine along the way, and stop for photos whenever something catches your eye.
If you prefer a bit more structure, you can also join a guided London Christmas lights walking tour, which often includes fun facts about the displays and hidden festive corners.
London Christmas Lights Bus Tour (Great for a Relaxed Experience)
This is a lovely option if you want to admire the decorations comfortably while covering more ground. Route 139 or Route 159 passes Oxford Street, Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, and Trafalgar Square, so if the weather was a bit more miserable, this could be a good option.
Tip: try to get a front seat on the top floor of the double-decker.
You can also look for a London Christmas lights bus tour, which is especially popular at weekends. Sitting on the top deck gives you a great view of the Christmas lights of London as you pass by Regent Street, Oxford Street, and other festive hotspots.
By Bike (For the Adventurous)
If you are confident cycling in London, exploring the lights by bike can be a fun and unique experience.
Some companies offer a dedicated Christmas lights bike tour, taking you through the main festive streets and quieter back routes to avoid heavy traffic. It’s a great option if you want something more active and a bit different.
Best Places to See the Christmas Lights in London
Below are the spots that always make our Christmas walks magical.
1. Oxford Street – Switching Into Festive Mode
The Oxford Street Christmas lights in London are usually the first lights people think of when imagining winter in the capital. They stretch across the length of the street, and it’s a great starting point for your walk.
We usually come out of Oxford Circus tube station and begin our festive route here. It gets busy, but that’s all part of the seasonal charm. Having said that, on weekends it’s probably too crowded even for us.
2. Regent Street – The Famous Angel Lights
The Regent Street Christmas lights in London create one of the prettiest scenes in the West End. The sweeping “Spirit of Christmas” angels float above the street, glowing softly above the shoppers and buses.
They look lovely, but they’re often criticised for being the same every single year. We have seen them so many times that between us we must have at least six or seven photo collections with the angels from past winters.
3. Carnaby Street – Creative, Fun, and Always Different
We love Carnaby Street because of its creativity and the different displays that pop up each year. The Carnaby Street London Christmas lights are usually bright, themed, and full of personality.
In 2025 the decorations aren’t as striking as in previous years, but in the past there have been some incredibly colourful and imaginative displays that made this area stand out.
Tip: If you fancy a quick meal, we always recommend stopping by Kingly Court, a nearby three-storey venue featuring an eclectic array of bars and restaurants. We often go there to pick a nice place to eat from the many options inside.
4. Leicester Square – Christmas Market & Lights
Leicester Square has a cosy Christmas market that adds to the festive atmosphere, and the whole area feels transformed for the season. It’s always lively here, especially in the evenings, with plenty of stalls, decorations, and festive music adding to the mood.
In 2025 there’s even an ice rink right in the middle of the square – such a great addition, especially for anyone who wants to enjoy an ice rink in the heart of London.
We are in this area almost every week, as we love going to one of the cinemas in Leicester Square and then wandering around the market and nearby streets afterwards. It’s one of the places that really makes us feel like Christmas has arrived.
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5. Covent Garden – A Classic London Christmas Scene
Covent Garden feels magical with its huge tree, oversized baubles, and glowing market hall. It’s a classic place in London and a must‑visit at Christmas.
The whole area is beautifully decorated, and the atmosphere feels festive from the moment you step in. There’s often street performers gathering cheerful crowds, so make sure you stop to enjoy their shows too.
At certain times in the evening, there’s even fake snow drifting through the air, making it look like it’s gently snowing in Covent Garden.
Tip: Find the Punch & Judy Pub, grab a drink and go upstairs. That’s the best spot to see the market from above.
6. Trafalgar Square – The Iconic Christmas Tree
The tree is a gift from Norway each year. In all fairness, the Christmas tree isn’t anything spectacular, but it’s a long-standing tradition and an important symbol of friendship between the two countries.
The Christmas tree lights add a gentle glow to the square. There’s also a Christmas market here, which brings a lovely festive vibe and is definitely worth seeing even if the tree itself is quite simple.
7. Fortnum & Mason – A Festive Landmark
One of our favourite stops. The entire building becomes a Christmas calendar, and the building itself is beautifully decorated. Perfect photo opportunity!
If you get the chance, go in and check the Toffolossus biscuits – they are rather expensive but definitely worth trying. Thank us later. It’s also a nice place to pick up gifts or simply enjoy the festive displays.
8. New Bond Street – Elegant Displays and Designer Windows
The New Bond Street London Christmas lights always feel a bit grand. The nearby designer boutiques also create their own displays, which make this street worth the detour.
Some of the nicest displays come from Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior, Cartier and more — they really go all out with their festive façades.
Tip: Go later in November or in December. We went mid‑November 2025 and not all the shops had their displays ready yet, though we did see workers installing them. It’s definitely worth returning once everything is lit up properly.
Read More: 10 Places to Visit in London for Free
9. Winter Wonderland – A Festive Adventure in Hyde Park
Winter Wonderland isn’t technically a light display street, but it absolutely deserves a spot on the list. The whole area glows with festive rides, colourful installations, markets, and cosy food stalls.
It’s especially lively in the evenings, and you will find plenty of photo opportunities as you wander through the illuminated walkways and themed zones.
Tickets are required to visit Winter Wonderland. It’s open every day from 10am to 10pm (except Christmas Day), with last entry at 9:30pm. You can visit between 14 November 2025 and 1 January 2026.
Where to Stay to Be Close to the Christmas Lights
We would recommend booking your accommodation through an aggregator such as Booking.com or Trip.com to get the best rates. Use the widget below to find the best accommodation in London for the Christmas lights for your specific dates.
The West End is the easiest area if you want to be close to the displays. You can choose between Soho, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, or Mayfair.
Tips for Visiting the Christmas Lights
- Weekdays are quieter, and we always find the streets much easier to wander through after work.
- We like going after 6pm when the lights feel brighter and the atmosphere settles into that cosy evening glow.
- Keep warm — we have had nights where we underestimated how chilly London gets in December.
- Stop for festive drinks along the way; it’s one of those simple things that makes the walk even nicer.
Final Thoughts
We always look forward to wandering around and admiring the Christmas lights in London each year. It’s one of the moments in the season that genuinely makes us smile.
London transforms so beautifully in the lead‑up to Christmas, with the lights, markets, music, and little festive details turning familiar streets into something magical.
No matter how many times we do this walk, the city still finds new ways to surprise us. Take your time, enjoy the cheerful atmosphere, and soak in the way London comes alive at Christmas — it’s a season we truly love.
Ready to book? Below are some recommendations to get your trip started:
- Flights – we use flight aggregators such as Skyscanner and Google Flights to find the best options. You can find more information about finding cheap flights here.
- Accommodation – would recommend booking your accommodation through an aggregator such as Booking.com or Trip.com to get the best rates. We also use TripAdvisor to read reviews.
- Transport – consider Rentalcars.com for car renting or if you rely on public transport, you can use Omio for trains, coaches, ferries, airport transfers and even flights.
- Activities – a great option is GetYourGuide, Klook or Viator for tours, excursions, experiences and tickets to many tourist attractions.
- Travel money – we have Starling Bank accounts (UK residents only) with 0% fees on FX and a good Mastercard exchange rate. Revolut is another good option.
- Travel insurance – check SafetyWing for travel medical insurance that works for you and your specific needs.
- Internet abroad – with Airalo or Nomad you can access a wide range of eSIMs (digital SIM cards) available for different countries and regions.
- Luggage storage – if you need to store your bags whilst exploring the destination, you can use Radical Storage to find your closest luggage storage and enjoy your journey until the very end.
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