15 best places to see the London Christmas lights

What are some of the traditions you enjoy in the run up to Christmas?

For me, it’s seeing the streets lit up, well, like Christmas trees. The lights provide a gentle warm-up to the manic festive period that lies ahead.

The luminous display of sparkle in different colors also lets you enjoy Christmas well before it arrives.

They’re perfect for people like me who are slow runners when it comes to getting ready for the big day.

Christmas in London is a sparkly time of the year. Around the capital, streets, department stores and smaller courtyards add their own festive displays.

If you’re planning on visiting, add some sparkle to your trip with these 15 places to see the London Christmas lights.

A must for any UK bucket list, it's really one of the best times to visit the city.

15 best places to see the London Christmas lights

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1. Oxford Street

Oxford Street is the principle shopping street in central London. A long stretch of road (1.9km/1mi), it’s where you’ll find flagship stores of big-name brands.

During the Christmas period, an estimated 30 million people are said to visit the famous street.

Oxford Street is also home to some of the biggest department stores in the capital, such as Selfridges and John Lewis.

A street to suit all pockets, there are also 2 branches of popular budget retailer, Primark, for eagle-eyed bargain hunters.

The nearest tube station is Oxford Circus, a stop that gets crazy busy especially during rush hour (5 to 7pm). Saying that, plan your visit accordingly.

Oxford Street Christmas lights

The switching on of the Oxford Street Christmas lights is a popular annual event.

It takes place in November (dates can differ) and usually on a Thursday night. This is traditionally the day for late-night shopping and perfectly coincides with the London Christmas lights.

Another reason to attend is that they usually invite a well-known celebrity to switch on the lights. On some occasions, there’s also been live music to entertain the watching crowds.

The Oxford Street Christmas lights typically follow a theme each year, such as a flock of birds. In 2023, the display consisted of 4,250 white stars made up of 300,000 sparkling lights.

Map: where to find the Christmas lights in London

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2. Regent Street

Sharing a junction with Oxford Street is another iconic London shopping street.

Regent Street is another top attraction for visitors and springs to life at Christmastime. Stores along this stretch are a little more highbrow and will make probably leave a painful dent on your bank balance.

Renowned toy store, and every kid’s dream, Hamleys, is on Regent Street, as are designer shops Burberry and Mulberry.

Regent Street London Christmas lights

Like Oxford Street, the light switching ceremony typically takes place in November. In 2023, Regent Street brought back its popular ‘spirit of Christmas angels’ theme.

The street celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2019 where it transformed the street into a pedestrian-only zone.

You can catch the London Christmas lights in Regent Street up until after the new year.

3. Carnaby Street

Home of the swinging 60's in London, Carnaby Street has always been the cool kid on the block.

And when Christmas arrives, you can be sure that the display at Carnaby Street will be unlike any other.

Take 2019. Its aqua-tastic ocean theme included a 5m whale blowing bubbles alongside rows of luminous display. The theme was in aid of Project 0, an ocean conservation charity, with the display representing different areas in need.

Innovative Carnaby Street

Everything was made from reusable and recycled material, helping to promote the ethos of sustainability.

As the photo shows, one of its past themes was all about the ‘love’ revolution of the 1960s. The fun display was to celebrate the opening of the exhibition 'You Say You Want a Revolution?’ at the V&A.

Several of the shops along Carnaby Street also get into the festive lights mood. Many of the stores usually have special discounts and events to entice shoppers inside.

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4. St Christopher’s Place

Tucked between a narrow passage off Oxford Street is the slim entrance to St Christopher’s Place.

Though hidden away from the main shopping street, the area’s popular with visitors given its many shops and eateries.

Its London Christmas lights display may not be as extravagant as its neighbor, but nonetheless they’re a magical sight.

Look out for the arrow pointing towards the entryway on Oxford Street. Once you spot the visual display, you’ll know you’re in the right place.

5. Selfridges

With the title of the largest store on Oxford Street, Christmas is one of the biggest dates in the calendar for Selfridges.

Stretching across 650,000ft of space, Selfridges sells both luxury and affordable brands. Like most department stores, they also have several excellent places to eat and a women's shoe display to drool over.

While the store’s very British inside and out, Selfridges was actually founded by a Chicago native. Harry Gordon Selfridge — after whom the store’s named — arrived in 1906 with a dream of opening his own store.

Selfridges Christmas window displays

Today, the store still maintains it reputation for flamboyancy and theater. Its finest example of this are the Christmas shop window displays.

Even without stepping into the store, you’re immediately enticed by the bold displays to the outside world. Unique, experimental and always fun to watch, the Selfridges window displays are an event in itself. The store had their first unveiling of the windows in 2019.

In 2018, the Christmas windows had a rock n roll inspired Santa Claus for every frame. For 2019, they unveiled their ‘Christmas for modern times’ theme with a purple-coat wearing Santa riding a scooter.

6. New Bond Street

Another shopping district that branches off Oxford Street is New Bond Street. This plush district is lined with expensive designer shops, and leads to the high-end area of Mayfair.

It’s also in this area where you’ll find the fabulous 5-star hotel, Claridges. As well as being an iconic luxury hotel, it also serves up one of the best afternoon teas in London.

The Christmas lights display are definitely worth a look along New Bond Street. They add an extra dash of glitter to the already glamorous street.

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7. Harrods

A short tube or bus ride away in Knightsbridge, is one of Selfridges’ main rivals in the department store stakes.

Harrods is the glitzy, ritzy and ostentatious of them all, with a blinding London Christmas lights display to match.

Founded in 1849 by Charles Henry Harrod, the store started life selling groceries. It holds the title of the largest department store in Europe, with 330 departments occupying a 5-acre (20,000 m2) site.

Like Selfridges, Harrods also has a themed window display. Its past themes have included the story of The Kingdom of Christmas.

8. Covent Garden

One of my favorite places in London at Christmas is Covent Garden.

A popular destination for shoppers, as well as for night owls, there are plenty of festive traditions to enjoy.

The area, near to the heart of London Theatreland, is bursting with bright lights in the piazza and surrounding streets.

In the piazza are several shops, restaurants and the Covent Garden market. And it’s usually here, where the baubles, ivy and lights come together to create a magical display.

Covent Garden Christmas lights

Just a few minutes’ walk from the piazza is Long Acre. Not only is it where you’ll find more shops, but it’s also the setting of even more Christmas lights.

I particularly like the small, yet, impressive set that you each year on Slingsby Place. The side street leads onto St Martin’s Courtyard, where a wine bar, several restaurants and lights await.

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9. Seven Dials

Not far from Long Acre and Covent Garden is the small, yet very charming, Seven Dials.

Its name comes from the fact that 7 streets converge at one road junction. At the center is a pillar with 6 sundials — the 7th being the column.

Its unique converging center, plus the surrounding boutique shops and restaurants, make Seven Dials a firm local favorite.

At Christmas, the area blossoms even further with its light display. Sophisticated and timeless, Seven Dials is the ideal trigger to boost your festive mood.

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10. Trafalgar Square

Despite the grand space of the square in central London, there’s not so much in the way of Christmas lights.

However, Trafalgar Square does have another equally festive resident, and that’s the annual Christmas tree. The official lighting of the tree normally happens in the first week of December.

The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree

The tree in the square has been a tradition since 1947. It was a way for the city of Oslo to thank Britain for its support during World War II.

At the beginning of December, a Norway Spruce, usually over 20m tall makes its appearance in Trafalgar Square.

The tree, which is around 50 to 60 years old, remains up throughout the festive period until 6 January. After the festivities are done, the tree’s recycled, chipped and used for compost.

Trafalgar Square also has other festive events, such as Christmas caroling, which you can watch, or join in.

11. Hyde park — Winter Wonderland

Every December, Hyde Park Corner tube station sees a higher number of visitors passing through its barriers. The reason? The annual event that is Winter Wonderland.

Stretching across Hyde Park, Winter Wonderland is free to enter, though there are ticketed attractions.

There’s plenty to see at the festive event and it’s suitable for all ages.

Choose from over 100 rides, attractions and shows. Winter Wonderland has several places to eat and drink and it also hosts London’s biggest Christmas market.

Winter Wonderland ticketed attractions

The below attractions are some of the ticketed events from past years at Winter Wonderland. Some may be repeat attractions while others will be one-off events.

The Magical Ice Kingdom

The Magical Ice Kingdom tells the story of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

The UK’s largest ice experience, the cool experience was located inside a crafted world of snow and ice sculptures.

Visitors had to navigate their way through 500 tonnes of snow and ice sculptures of the wintry streets of London.

Santa Land

A fun, festive treat for your little ones, the trip to the land of Santa Claus is a must at Christmastime.

Brimming with restaurants and cafes, there’s also the chance to meet the man himself.

The grotto is open every day from 10am to 6pm* and it's absolutely free to meet him. On top of that, Santa also gifts children who’ve been particularly good.

Santa’s grotto is first-come first-served, so make sure to visit early, and on a weekday, to avoid the lines.

The Bavarian Village — London Christmas lights

Inject a little German influence into your day out at the Bavarian village at Winter Wonderland. Expect plenty of traditional-style chalets and outdoor seating plus tasty Bavarian food and drink.

Bratwurst, flame-grilled salmon, hot chocolate, mulled wine, and a range of German beers are all on the menu.

Christmas markets

The Christmas markets opened from 10am to 10pm*. With over 100 wooden chalets at London’s largest Christmas market, it came complete with fairy-lights and plenty of great gifts.

12. London Eye

The London Eye on London’s South Bank is an outstanding attraction that should need no introduction.

During Christmas, the individual pods on the giant ferris wheel illuminate the night sky. With a brilliant color display and panoramic views of the capital, its popularity shows no sign of waning.

Lines are typically long whatever time of the year you visit, so booking ahead is well advised. The nearest tube station to reach the London Eye is Waterloo.

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13. South Bank

The same area that’s home to the London Eye is also one of the best places to see the Christmas lights. Once the festive season descends upon the South Bank, so too, do numerous events.

Along with German-style yuletide markets, there are also live Christmas performances and family workshops. 

Above all, the light displays that dazzles along the South Bank is sure to lift anyone's spirit. It’s simple, free, and brings out the Christmas mood.

Wander along the river and enjoy the sights and the activity illuminated by the lights.

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14. More London

Admittedly, the area surrounding More London probably doesn’t feature on many Christmas lights list.

But, if you’d like to momentarily escape the city center — and see some Christmas lights — it’s a good alternative.

London Christmas lights at More London

The riverside destination is part of London Bridge City, along with Hays Galleria and Cottons Centre.

More London consists of a pedestrianized area with open-air sculptures and fountains lit by colored lights. It’s where you’ll also find City Hall, an amphitheater called The Scoop, as well as the Hilton London Tower Bridge.

Another reason I suggest visiting More London is to see the wonderful Tower Bridge (buy Tower Bridge entry tickets) from another perspective. Enjoy uninterrupted views, and the chance to also take some excellent photos in the process.

15. Kew Gardens

The saying ‘save the best till last’ couldn’t be any truer than the Christmas light displays at Kew Gardens.

Escape the center of London with a visit to the simply sublime garden attraction. A short and straightforward train ride from Waterloo, Kew botanical gardens (get entry tickets) are even more spectacular when lit by Christmas lights.

The winter trail at Kew is a light show spectacle. Take in the installations and glittering spiral trees around the grounds.

Christmas lights at Kew Gardens 

Stroll through the dazzling tunnel of light illuminated by thousands of pea-lights. Watch Temperate House transform by laser projections, and marvel at the singing holly bushes.

Festive events at Kew are bright, mesmerizing and screams Christmas. Tree canopies decked in seasonal colors, and a glowing treetop walkway are just a handful of other sights.

The trail ends with a show of jumping lights dancing across the water at Palm House Pond to Christmas songs.

Warm up on the trail with a mug of spiced cider, mulled wine or hot chocolate. There are also several stalls selling street food, such as sourdough pizza to pies.

Other activities to entice you to Kew at Christmas include a Victorian carousel and a helter skelter. Kew Gardens at Christmas is so popular that tickets sell out quickly.

If it sounds like something you’d like to visit, it’s advisable to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

What do you think of the London Christmas lights? Which of these displays would you most like to see in London? Leave me a comment below.

*information correct at the time of publishing

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. Thank you for your support.

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