Where to Find the Best Christmas Lights in London [2025]
Winter is a magical time to visit the UK capital, and no more so than when the best Christmas lights in London are in full swing! The whole city is lit up like one big festive party, and it’s an awesome sight to witness during late November or December.
Whether you’re planning a Christmas shopping trip to London, are staying in the city for the celebrations on 25th or are heading there for a New Year to remember, you must include at least some of the London Christmas lights on your itinerary.
This post will introduce you to illuminated London at Christmas. We’ll take you through the city’s finest December sights and tell you which tours of the London lights are the best ones to take. You’ll need this guide if you’re visiting London in December (or even in November). London in winter is totally enchanting – and even more so when the city’s lit up for Christmas!
Our Christmas in London planning guide covers the festive season from the lights switch-on in November to the New Year’s Day parade. Once the lights are on, our West End Christmas lights walk takes in Oxford Street, Bond Street, Regent Street, Carnaby and Covent Garden in one evening, with a map and a printable PDF.
🎄 17 of the best Christmas lights in London
Oxford Street Christmas lights
- Closest tube: Oxford Circus
- Dates: 3 November
Oxford Street is London’s shopping central, so where better to start your tour of the city’s brilliant Christmas lights?
This is traditionally the first location in London to switch on Christmas lights. The entire street is illuminated by dazzling lights (over 300,000!) and stores go all-out to impress potential customers.
Regent Street Christmas lights
- Closest tube: Oxford Circus or Piccadilly Circus
- Dates: 6 November
Regent Street has a stunning display of 45 enormous angels lighting up the street below. Shops compete to beat their rivals in the best Christmas lighting stakes.
Carnaby Street Christmas lights
- Closest tube: Oxford Circus or Piccadilly Circus
- Dates: 6 November
Carnaby Street has been famous since the 1960s for its boho vibe and its annually themed Christmas lights display reflects that.
For the 2025 festive season, Carnaby Street will recreate last year’s spectacular star illuminations but this time with coloured lights.
Piccadilly and St James’s Christmas lights
- Closest tube: Piccadilly Circus
- Dates: Early November
The upmarket area around St James’s and Piccadilly is home to The Ritz hotel and Fortnum and Mason’s department store. You can expect elegant street lights to match!
It’s a great place to shop for gifts, stop for refreshments or a late afternoon tea. Plus, it’s within easy reach of many of the other best lights in London too.
New Bond Street Christmas lights
- Closest tube: Bond Street
- Dates: 14 November
As a street lined with designer stores, New Bond Street doesn’t mess about when it comes to central London Christmas lights.
For Christmas 2025, part of this famous street will be pedestrianised so you can enjoy the lights – and shopping – without traffic.
Mayfair and Belgravia Christmas lights
- Closest tube: Piccadilly Circus
- Dates: 16 November
The Mayfair and Belgravia Christmas lights around the South Molton Street area are a delight. Expect upmarket glitterati here, reflecting the well-heeled clientele who shop at this area’s ultra fashionable boutiques. For a stylish Christmas light show in London, this is the place to visit.
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Leicester Square Christmas lights
- Closest tube: Leicester Square
- Dates: 6 November
You can catch Leicester Square’s Christmas lights while bar-hopping, after dinner in Chinatown or before watching a movie.
Leicester Square will also host a daily Christmas gift market featuring festive food and drink and, for the first time, there’ll also be a pop-up ice rink.
Covent Garden Christmas lights
- Closest tube: Covent Garden
- Dates: 12 November
You can always count on Covent Garden for great entertainment and that includes its Christmas lights. Step into the market and you’ll see it transformed by thousands of twinkling lights and a huge 55 ft high tree.
Seven Dials Christmas lights
- Closest tube: Covent Garden or Leicester Square
- Dates: Early November
The quirky Seven Dials shopping area between Covent Garden and Soho sees the cobbled lanes lit up by some of the prettiest winter lights in London. It’s a little off the beaten tourist track too so it’s a good location to avoid crowds.
South Bank Christmas lights
- Closest tube: Waterloo
- Dates: 3 November
South Bank is also one to add to your Christmas lights in London hit-list. You can also visit the Christmas market which runs from 3rd November 2025 to January 4th 2026.
What better way to start the festive season than to wander among the stalls, mulled wine in hand, while witnessing one of the city’s most magical light displays? Expect a few illuminated arty installations too.
London Eye Christmas lights
- Closest tube: Waterloo
- Dates: tbc
If you’re looking for Insta images among the Christmas lights of central London, don’t miss the London Eye. Past themes have included snowy and starry skies plus Santa Claus.
Read – Complete Guide to the London Eye
The Shard Christmas lights
- Closest tube: London Bridge
- Dates: tbc
Don’t miss seeing one of London’s landmark buildings all lit up in colour. If you’re in the locale, it’s worth seeing.
Tower Bridge Christmas lights
- Closest tube: Tower Hill
- Dates: Mid November
Tower Bridge looks magical at Christmas as its towers and walkways are adorned with thousands of twinkly lights.
You can also visit the Tower Bridge Christmas market nearby, the beautifully decorated Hay Galleria or cosy up and enjoy the views from an igloo in the Coppa Club.
Chelsea Christmas lights
- Closest tube: Sloane Square
- Dates: 15 November
Include Sloane Square on your London Christmas lights walking route to see the smart end of town.
This year’s festive launch is on 15th November and will include a pedestrianised zone lined with festive food and gift stalls. All the shops and restaurants take part, so expect stunning window displays and the scent of mulled wine in the air.
Marylebone Christmas lights
- Closest tube: Baker Street
- Dates: 12 November
To experience what feels more like a Christmas village in London, head to Baker Street tube then Marylebone High Street.
The Christmas lights switch on is called ‘Merry Marylebone’ which this year takes place on 12th November from 3pm. Local eateries and shops offer special festive deals plus there’ll be live music and special guests.
It’s a community event fundraising for women who are homeless so if you’re in the capital on the 12th, we highly recommend checking it out.
King’s Cross Christmas lights
- Closest tube: King’s Cross
- Dates: Early November – late December
It’s not all about Harry Potter in this part of London. Head to Coal Drops Yard and Granary Square for some of the tallest Christmas trees in London and thousands of lights.
Coal Drops Yard hosts a variety of themed markets over the festive season such as an illustrators market and a Mexican market. Check out dates and themes here.
Kew Gardens Christmas lights
- Closest tube: Kew Gardens
- Dates: 14 November – 4 January
Kew Gardens is pretty enchanting at any time of year, but especially during the Christmas period.
In 2025, visitors can enjoy a 1.5km trail packed with illuminated trees and walkways, light displays and an illuminated fountain display in front of the iconic Palm House.
This is a very popular event with Londoners so pre-booking is essential here.
⭐️ 13 of the best Christmas lights in London tours
One of the simplest and best ways to see the Christmas lights in London is to take an open top bus tour. This way you get to view the lights from up high and won’t have to navigate around other pedestrians or traffic. An alternative is to take a walking tour of the lights and festive markets.
If you want to book a London Christmas lights 2025 tour, here are our recommendations with a brief description of each. Or find out more about all of the top Christmas tours in London in this post.
Christmas lights by night on an open-top bus
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Destination: Central London
- Meeting time: Varies
- Meeting point: London Eye
- What’s included: Transport, tour guide, audio guide
- What’s not included: Meals, drinks, hotel pick-up, tips
On this open-top bus tour lasting 1.5 hrs, you’ll see the lights and sights of the London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Paul’s Cathedral and Tower Bridge.
Vintage bus Christmas lights tour
- Duration: 75 minutes
- Destination: Central London
- Meeting time: Varies
- Meeting point: Grand Hotel, Northumberland Avenue
- What’s included: Vintage transport, tour guide
- What’s not included: Meals, drinks, hotel pick-up, tips
View the Christmas lights in London in style riding on a 1960s Routemaster will whisk you around the city for an hour-and-a-quarter. This London lights tour includes Harrods, Oxford Street and other key sites.
Tootbus London Christmas lights tour
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Destination: Central London
- Meeting time: Varies
- Meeting point: Varies
- What’s included: Transport, tour guide, Santa hat, Christmas playlist
- What’s not included: Meals, drinks, hotel pick-up, tips
A Tootbus comes complete with a Santa hat, audio guide and a Christmas playlist. Illuminated places to see include Trafalgar Square, Regent Street and Piccadilly Circus.
Christmas Eve London illuminations bus tour
- Duration: 105 minutes
- Destination: Central London
- Meeting time: Varies
- Meeting point: London Victoria bus stop 1
- What’s included: Transport, tour guide, Christmas gift
- What’s not included: Meals, drinks, hotel pick-up, tips
This tour even includes a Christmas gift. You’ll also see Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, the London Eye, the City and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Christmas Lights and Festive Sights walking tour
- Duration: 3 hours
- Destination: Central London
- Meeting time: To be agreed
- Meeting point: Covent Garden
- What’s included: Local tour guide, mulled wine or hot chocolate
- What’s not included: Meals, tickets, transport, tips
This private walking tour of London can be tailored to fit where you want to see.
It lasts for three hours, and you can enjoy Christmas shop window displays and some of the best Christmas markets in the city. You’ll also learn about Londoners’ Christmas traditions from your local guide.
Christmas lights tour by black London cab
- Duration: 3 hours
- Destination: Central London
- Meeting time: To be agreed
- Meeting point: Hotel pick-up
- What’s included: Local driver & tour guide, water & biscuits
- What’s not included: Meals & tips
A licensed London taxi driver and registered tourist guide will drive you around the capital for two-and-a-half hours in a black cab. You can go wherever you like, and there will be photo stops en route.
This tour has the added bonus of being accessible for wheelchair users.
London Christmas lights tour by taxi
- Duration: 3 hours
- Destination: Central London
- Meeting time: To be agreed
- Meeting point: Hotel pick-up
- What’s included: Local driver & tour guide, water & snacks
- What’s not included: Meals & tips
This three hour tour for up to six people is also hosted by a real London cab driver who’ll drive you through the festive streets of London.
Private London Christmas sites walking tour
- Duration: 3 hours
- Destination: Central London
- Meeting time: To be agreed
- Meeting point: Hotel pick-up
- What’s included: Local tour guide
- What’s not included: Meals, transport, entry fees & tips
Take a private walking tour with an expert guide to see the lights at Covent Garden, Leicester Square Christmas Market, Borough Market, Tower Bridge, Waterloo Bridge and Hyde Park.
Charles Dickens and A Christmas Carol walking tour
- Duration: 2 to 3 hours
- Destination: Old London
- Meeting time: To be agreed
- Meeting point: Hotel pick-up
- What’s included: Local tour guide
- What’s not included: Meals, transport, entry fees & tips
Although the theme of this tour is literary and historic London featured in Charles Dickens’ ‘Christmas Carol’ you will see plenty of festive lights along the way.
London Christmas lights and markets tour
- Duration: 2 hours
- Destination: Central London
- Meeting time: Varies
- Meeting point: Outside the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square
- What’s included: Local tour guide
- What’s not included: Meals, extra drinks & purchases, tips
This walking tour will show you London’s Christmas markets, the Christmas tree with 40,000 lights, Trafalgar Square and a tucked-away spot lit by Victorian-style street lamps.
Personalised London walking tour with a local
- Duration: 3 hours
- Destination: London
- Meeting time: To be agreed
- Meeting point: Hotel pick-up
- What’s included: Local tour guide, mulled wine or hot chocolate
- What’s not included: Food, drinks, transport, entry fees & tips
A local guide will be chosen specifically for you with this walking tour, and it will be structured according to what you want to see. You’ll also learn how Londoners celebrate Christmas and London Christmas traditions.
Christmas markets walking tour of London
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Destination: London Christmas markets
- Meeting time: Varies
- Meeting point: Varies
- What’s included: Local tour guide
- What’s not included: Food, drinks, transport, purchases & tips
Go to all the Christmas markets with this small group walking tour of London. You’ll visit Christmas markets on the South Bank, in Covent Garden and in Greenwich plus get to enjoy a mulled wine along the way.
Christmas dinner party river cruise
- Duration: 4 hours
- Destination: River Thames
- Meeting time: Varies
- Meeting point: Westminster Pier, Victoria Embankment
- What’s included: River cruise, 3 course meal, drinks, DJ & dancing
- What’s not included: Extra drinks
As this cruise on the Thames takes place at night, there are plenty of lights to see along the way! The four hour boat trip includes a three course meal, wine, a DJ and dancing too.
Which Christmas lights in London will you see?
Will it be Oxford Street in London at Christmas time, an open-top bus tour of the key sights or a trip out to a little London ‘village’?
Whichever you choose, Christmas light displays in London are among the world’s finest, so don’t miss out when you’re visiting the city in winter!
- London Travel Guide – links to everything you need to know to plan your trip
- Looking for accommodation? Read our guide to where to stay in London
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- How to get around London? Read our guide to using public transport in London and our guide to London’s main train stations.
- What to see and do – Complete London bucket list with guide to all the top sights and attractions & Guide to the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
- How to purchase tickets for London attractions – Guide to purchasing tickets for the lost popular London attractions & Best London bus tours reviewed
- Boat trips and cruises – Comparison guide to the best boat trips and cruises on the Thames
- Visiting on a budget? Read out budget guide to London with tips to save money when visiting
- Free things to do in London – Discover 32 free things to see and do in London
- Best day trips? Read our guide to the best day trips by train and our guide to the best tours from London
- Beatles fan? Read our guide to the Beatles in London
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