Right this moment I need to deliver you my information to the place to search out one of the best 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 Road to the native ones in Marylebone, they’re enjoyable to see all through the UK capital. That can assist you get to essentially the most stunning ones, I’ve put collectively the A Girl in London information to London Christmas lights. I’ve included a map, too.
Finest Christmas Lights in London
Christmas mild shows span town from Kew Gardens to Previous Spitalfields Market and past. Illuminating streets and squares, they make London among the best locations to go to within the UK at Christmas.
London’s main Christmas mild shows are switched on in celebrity-led ceremonies originally 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 beneath. 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’ll be able to test again for updates.
Tips on how to See the Lights
So what’s one of the simplest ways to see the Christmas lights in London? I desire occurring foot so I can absorb the main points and take images and movies. There are many different choices, although.
If you wish to observe in my footsteps, you’ll be able to 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.
Should you desire a guided tour, you’ll be able to take a Christmas strolling tour, bus tour, or black cab tour to see the lights. You possibly can have a look at choices and e-book one right here. They’re simple methods to absorb one of the best 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 will possibly 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. Should you’re within the UK, I like to recommend this umbrella. Should you’re elsewhere, this one is ideal.
My winter packing record might help as properly, and my information to what to put on in London has good normal suggestions for you. They’ll assist you 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 haven’t any scarcity of choices. Whether or not you need to keep in one of the festive resorts in London at Christmas or lease an condominium someplace native, town has so much to select from.
Given a lot of the lights are within the coronary heart of the UK capital, basing your self within the metropolis middle is an efficient choice. You possibly can see my weblog posts about one of the best space to remain, one of the best resorts in London in your fashion, the highest quirky resorts in London, and pubs with rooms for extra concepts.
It’s also possible to 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 fashion.
1. Regent Road Christmas Lights
First on my record of locations to see one of the best Christmas lights in London is Regent Road. The theme of those lights adjustments each few years, so it’s enjoyable to maintain coming again and seeing what’s new.
The Regent Road Christmas lights observe the curve of the highway from Oxford Circus to Piccadilly Circus. They brighten up the night time sky and add festive cheer to the well-known excessive road retailers and resorts that line the road.
This 12 months the Regent Road lights switch-on ceremony will happen on November 7, 2024. If you wish to see them and the opposite shows across the space, you’ll be able to 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 record 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 in the course of 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 images and movies.
This 12 months 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 Road Christmas Lights
The Christmas lights in Mayfair are unfold all through the neighborhood. From Mount Road to South Molton Road, Bond Road, Savile Row, and Piccadilly, there’s no scarcity of festive installations on this celebration of town.
Probably the most well-known are on Bond Road, the place big shows mild up the sky because the solar goes down (which may be as early as 3:45pm in December). They brighten the night time above the well-known luxurious items retailers that line the highway.
In reality, it’s price heading to Bond Road 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 buying season.
This 12 months the Bond Road 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 Road Christmas Lights
One other place to see one of the best Christmas lights in London is Carnaby Road in Soho. This pedestrianized highway is legendary for its annual illuminations.
Carnaby Road options brightly coloured lights that radiate out into the slender passages round it. They modify every year, so it’s price going again repeatedly to see what’s new for the season.
This 12 months the Carnaby Road 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 Road Christmas Lights
Extra of London’s greatest Christmas lights may be discovered on Oxford Road. Every winter, big seasonal shows mild up the night time sky on this well-known thoroughfare.
Many locals and guests come right here to do their Christmas buying. It’s enjoyable to see the Oxford Road Christmas lights as you make your approach down the highway and round Oxford Circus within the vacation season.
This 12 months the Oxford Road Christmas lights switch-on ceremony will happen on November 2, 2024. It’s one of many greatest and most anticipated occasions of the season, and there’s at all times a significant movie star current to flip the swap.
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 Road Christmas Lights
Over in Chelsea, Sloane Road and its offshoots are decked with Christmas lights every festive season.
From Knightsbridge to Sloane Sq., the highway itself has numerous mild shows suspended above the posh items retailers and resorts that line it.
Sloane Sq. and the King’s Highway additionally glow with lights and decorations. The latter is a enjoyable place to buy Christmas items, too.
This 12 months the Sloane Road 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 Road 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 realm round Marylebone Excessive Road and Devonshire Road brightens up every year with annual shows and decorations.
There’s additionally Merry Marylebone. It’s an annual occasion the place lights and buying go hand-in-hand. For one afternoon and night, you’ll be able to get pleasure from watching the lights go on, festive actions, artisan market stalls, dwell music, and late-night looking.
This 12 months 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. Previous Spitalfields Market Christmas Lights
One other place to see one of the best Christmas lights in London is Previous Spitalfields Market. This beloved place within the East Finish is stuffed with seasonal cheer, from illuminated shows to decorations and retailers.
This 12 months the Previous Spitalfields Market Christmas lights switch-on ceremony will happen on November 13, 2024, and there’s so much to get enthusiastic about.
The occasion will function Christmas buying, 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 in all places from Brick Lane to the aspect streets.
9. Leadenhall Market Christmas Lights
A few of the greatest Christmas lights within the Metropolis of London may be present in Leadenhall Market. This gorgeous Victorian quantity stood in as Diagon Alley within the Harry Potter films, and it’s simply as magical at Christmas as it’s at different occasions of 12 months.
Leadenhall Market’s Christmas decorations embrace an annual tree beneath the atrium, numerous twinkling lights, and festive garlands in and across the retailers.
This 12 months 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 looking the festive market is likely one of the hottest issues to do in London at Christmastime. From the chalets to the leisure and lights, there’s so much to like about it.
This 12 months 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 record of the place to see one of the best Christmas lights in London is St James’s. The shows listed here are a part of the Regent Road ones, they usually prolong all all through the neighborhood.
It’s price strolling round Jermyn Road, St James’s Market, and Piccadilly to absorb the festive lights and absorb the decorations within the buying arcades.
Locations like Fortnum & Mason are among the most well-known London department shops at Christmas, and there are nice Christmas bushes in Waterloo Place and Pickering Place, too.
As I discussed earlier than, this 12 months the Regent Road lights switch-on will happen November 7, 2024. It’s price strolling from the primary thoroughfare to aspect streets like Glasshouse Road and Swallow Road earlier than heading down into St James’s.
It’s also possible to 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 buying, 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 so much to get pleasure from. The annual Christmas tree in St Pancras station is price popping over to see, too. It adjustments yearly.
The enjoyable continues by New Yr’s Eve as properly. Numerous eating places and resorts within the space supply 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 Road, Pimlico Highway, and Eccleston Yards. They’ve loads of festive shows to get pleasure from, to not point out retailers and eating places.
However my favourite of all is Elizabeth Road. Well-known for its floral facades, this highway is house to among the greatest Christmas decorations in London.
This 12 months the Belgravia Christmas lights switch-on celebration will happen on Elizabeth Road 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 laborious to beat the Churchill Arms in Kensington. The facade of this well-known watering gap is roofed in flowers all 12 months, however in the course of the vacation season it will get a Christmas tree makeover.
The Churchill Arms seems festive with its forested frontage, full with tens of hundreds of lights. Should you’re searching for someplace enjoyable for a seasonal meal or pint, it’s the proper spot (simply bear in mind they serve Thai meals, so don’t anticipate a standard British meal).
This 12 months 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’ll be able to observe 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 few of the hottest are in Carnaby Road and Leicester Sq.. The latter is house to an annual Christmas market with numerous enjoyable chalets promoting items and meals.
This 12 months Christmas in Leicester Sq. will happen from November 6, 2024 to January 5, 2025. It options the standard market, dwell leisure within the Leicester Sq. Spiegeltent, and nice mild 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 possibly can see it right here. I hope it helps you expertise one of the best of the season in London!
Christmas Lights in London
I hope this information to seeing one of the best 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’ll be able to 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 search for at The Shard to absorb the festive lights on the prime.
Should you miss out on the season, you’ll be able to nonetheless see lights within the new 12 months. Canary Wharf Winter Lights runs from January twenty first to February 2nd, 2025, and it options mild installations all through the realm.
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