The Best Christmas Light Displays in London
Look up! London’s dazzling light displays are back to fill the darkening days with festive cheer in the lead-up to Christmas - here’s our guide to all the brilliant Christmas lights in London
From Marylebone Village to Leadenhall Market, crowds of people will flock (you have been warned!) to see the dazzling Christmas light displays put on in iconic London locations - including the busy (but beautiful) thoroughfares of Regent’s Street and Oxford Street, Carnaby Street and Covent Garden.
Each display will be switched on at a different date, and will most likely stay switched on until January 6 (traditionally known as the ‘Twelfth Night’). tHere’s what we know so far about each display and the dates they will be switched on:
Trafalgar Square - 4th December
This year marks the 78th anniversary of the annual gift of a Christmas tree to the people of London from the City of Oslo, given as a token of gratitude for British Support to Norway during the Second World War. The tree will be in Trafalgar Square until Monday 5 January 2026, the twelfth night of Christmas, before being recycled.
Every year the Trafalgar Square tree’s lights are switched on at a grand event by the Mayor of Westminster and the mayor of Norway’s capital city Oslo. The festivities will include:
- The Choir of St-Martin-in-the-Fields singing some well known Christmas carols led by the Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army
- A poem to the Tree written and read by children who live in Westminster
- Display by The Corps of Drums from the Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Collingwood
- Performance by Det Norske Jentekor, The Norwegian Girls’ Choir, conducted by Anne Karin Sundal-Ask
The light switch on is at 6pm. The ceremony will conclude at 6.30pm.
Tree-lighting night is magical but packed; arrive by 4 pm to secure a spot!
Oxford Street
For many Londoners, the countdown to Christmas begins with the switching on of thousands of Christmas lights on Oxford Street, London’s busiest shopping thoroughfare, sparking the inevitable frenzy of Christmas shopping. It’s an enchanting experience every year (so long as you don’t bump into your fellow shoppers!), and 2025 is no exception, with a whopping 300,000 bulbs along Oxford Street, all combining to light up the long stretch with 5000 stars!
Once again, Oxford Street will be partnering with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity) to raise funds for seriously ill children this Christmas. This will see the street host The Big Day of Joy on December 7, with a series of in-store activities and festive experiences designed to raise money for GOSH.
Regent Street and St James’s
It’s a special one this year for Regent Street and St James, with 2025 marking the 10th anniversary of their ‘Spirit Of Christmas’ display that has become synonymous with the area. Regent Street was the very first street in London ever to get the Christmas light treatment - the famous ‘Spirit of Christmas display has seen 45 angels illuminate the busy shopping thoroughfare ever since 1954 - that’s 70 years! The same display stretches down Regent Street, St James’s, Jermyn Street and St James's Market, with additional twinkling displays on nearby Glasshouse Street, Swallow Street, and the Quadrant Arcade.
Back for 2025 is the illuminated Wishing Tree on St James's Market. To see the tree come to life with twinkling lights, tap to make a donation to food charity The Felix Project, (a London charity fighting hunger and food waste).
Regent Street and St James's Christmas lights are lit from 6 November 2025-4 January 2026.
Carnaby Street
Just a short detour from Regent Street, Soho’s trendy Carnaby Street (that funky West End shopping destination for the cooler members of your clan) always puts on a fantastic display. In fact when Carnaby Street lights up, Christmas in London feels officially underway, creative, colourful and so effortlessly cool.
Carnaby Street’s ‘All is Bright’ installation is where fashion meets festive fun. Over 60,000 energy-efficient LEDs form sculptural shapes above Soho’s pedestrian lanes, while boutiques host live DJs and in-store parties. The big difference in the 2025 display is the chunky, Minecraft-esque star/cracker-shaped lights will radiate in a multitude of bright colours — in contrast to last year's white colour. The lights are designed to be used for at least the next four Christmas seasons.
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a London must at any time of the year, but at Christmas it is truly magical and 2025 promises a season of even greater spectacle. This year’s theme, ‘The Theatre of Christmas,’ captures the essence of Covent Garden’s character—an open-air stage of light, song, and celebration. The centrepiece is the magnificent 55-foot Christmas tree, draped in ribbons and baubles and adorned with thousands of twinkling bulbs. Around it, more than 300,000 lights will shimmer across the historic market buildings and arcades, creating a scene that always feels timeless.
The 12th November switch-on marks the start of a seven week long calendar of Christmas events, with special pop-ups, family events, choirs and surprise performances plus plenty of mulled wine and mince pies and a special Christmas sleigh photo opportunity in the Market Hall.
Marylebone Village
Every year, the charming Marylebone Village in west London puts on the Merry Marylebone event to mark the switching-on of its Christmas lights, hosted by BBC broadcaster (and local resident) Jo Good, this year Jamie Laing was the celebrity guest pushing the button to illuminate the village. Previous celebrity guests include presenter and author Fearne Cotton, singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor and the father-and-son duo Martin and Roman Kemp!
The event takes place between 3pm and 8pm, and guests experience an unforgettable evening filled with seasonal activities, including artisan market stalls, Christmassy craft workshops, late-night shopping offers, festive experiences and gifts, specially curated menus from favourite brands and restaurants, as well as a variety of exciting activations including a charity tombola, live music, a ferris wheel and Santa's Grotto. This year’s event was in support of local charity The Marylebone Project, which provided life-changing help for homeless women.
Old Spitalfields Market
Old Spitalfields Market transforms into a winter wonderland when it switches on its Christmas lights. The iconic covered space will light up in glorious colour on Wednesday, November 12 and organisers planned quite the festive party, from music sets, face painting, a gospel choir performance and even roaming elves spreading seasonal cheer.
Of course, no day out would be complete without tucking into a warming treat (or two). Marketgoers can indulge in mulled wine, spiced apple cider and mince pies before browsing all the spectacular independent stalls. Traders and the surrounding retail stores will stay open later too, so there'll be plenty of time to find the perfect gift for that someone special. The celebrations don't just stop there either as Old Spitalfields Market has unveiled a full festive programme including a Kids Festive Treasure Trail, community sing-alongs and Santa Saturdays with Father Christmas himself. The market is also offering late-night shopping every Wednesday from November 19 to December 24, with in-store deals, buskers and choirs.
Christmas at Kew
Enter a botanical world of festivities this year and visit Christmas at Kew Gardens, where the popular botanical garden and its parks are completely transformed into an after-dark festivity adorned with sparkling tunnels of light, reflections dancing on the lakeside and trees drenched in arrays of colours.
Running daily from 4.20pm to 10pm (with last entries at 8pm) from Friday 14th November to Sunday 4th January, take a walk under the stars, exploring the trail at your own pace and pausing for spiced drinks or toasted marshmallows along the route. It’s ticketed, timed and exquisitely organised – the perfect winter’s night out for couples or families
Paid event, advance booking required with special discounts for Kew members.
Leadenhall Market
Step inside Victorian London for one of the city’s most atmospheric switch-ons, Leadenhall Market and for those who don't know Leadenhall Market it’s where they filmed for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter films - and well worth a visit on any day, but at Christmas it is very special. With its glass-roofed arcades and gilded ironwork, glowing each year with garlands, baubles and an 18-foot tree beneath the central dome.
On Thursday 13 November 2025 the lights will be switched on at 6pm. The sheltered setting makes this event weather-proof and wonderfully photogenic. It’s ideal for a post-work visit – grab a drink in one of the market’s historic pubs and watch as the lights flicker into life overhead.
Chelsea
On Saturday 15th November Chelsea transforms into a winter wonderland, with the Christmas lights being switch on along Kings Road from Sloane Street to Walpole Street in an all-day Christmas extravaganza. Family entertainment, live bands and food stalls create an elegant street-party atmosphere. As twilight falls, trees and shopfronts glow in a coordinated cascade of white and gold.
This is London at its most polished – a neighbourhood celebration that balances glamour with friendliness. Stay after the lights for dinner or a stroll beneath the illuminated plane trees of Sloane Square.
Discover one of London’s most-loved festive experiences at its new home in Duke of York Square. From 13 November to 16 December, a breathtaking display of over 30,000 white roses will light up Chelsea, offering visitors the chance to reflect and remember loved ones in support of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
Belgravia
One Christmas Light event that stands out as a must-see is the Belgravia Christmas Lights Switch-On 2025, a sparkling celebration that’s become one of the most beloved festive things to do in London for families and visitors alike. This annual switch-on party in elegant Belgravia brings a warm community vibe to the festive season, making it the perfect outing to kickstart the Christmas spirit.
The neighbourhood’s Georgian streets transform into a winter playground of music, laughter, and light, with Elizabeth Street at the heart of the celebration and this year, beloved broadcaster and author Gyles Brandreth will do the honours of switching on the Christmas lights.
Taking place on Sunday 16 November visitors can meet Father Christmas and his elf, as well as enjoying family-friendly entertainment including Winter Sprites, a Living Snow Globe, Angels on stilts, and a festive hula hooper. The event is run in partnership with the Belgravia Traders Association and charity partner NSPCC and promises an afternoon steeped in festive joy and community spirit.