Now, while Christmas may not be technically here yet, we’re well and truly in the spirit. After all, it is December by now! The city’s Christmas lights have all turned on by now, and we’re simply loving the sight! London looks absolutely STUNNING when it’s decked out in fairy lights and glowing installations. So, we thought we’d put together a guide to where you can spot the city’s charming Christmas light displays.
1. Oxford Street
Oxford Street is leading the charge this year with the earliest Christmas lights switch-on in the city. They’re already shining brightly above the streets, having flipped the switch on November 3. The display is lighting up the area with a twinkling display that utilises 300,000 LED lightbulbs, which save around 75% more energy compared to standard bulbs.
2. King’s Cross
Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross transforms every year for Christmas, with lighting installations, public art, and an impressive Christmas tree. This year, they’ve brought back an impressive 50-foot traditional Christmas tree wrapped in thousands of twinkling low-power lights. And over in Granary Square, they’ve unveiled a brand new 60-foot Christmas tree. Head on down to enjoy the lights and see the area glowing with festive cheer.
3. West End Christmas Lights
The West End loves a bit of glamour, glitz, and bright lights. So naturally, they were among the first to get into the Christmas spirit with some festive displays. The area-spanning lights are a relative newcomer to the scene, having first turned on just three years ago, but they’ve become fast favourites. You’ll find glimmering displays stretching across St Martin’s Lane, Leicester Square, and Piccadilly, drawing inspiration from their surroundings.
4. Regent Street
The iconic Christmas angels have lit up once more along Regent Street for the Christmas season. 300,000 LED lights are sparkling over the area across the festive period, all the way up until January 4, 2026. It’s a special year for the lights, too, marking the 10th anniversary of the iconic ‘Spirit of Christmas’ display.
5. Carnaby Street
This world-famous shopping district in London always has a STUNNING display of Christmas lights each winter. And 2025 is no different. This year’s display features components from last year’s lights that have been repurposed into an all-new sight.
6. Covent Garden
One of London’s most stunning Christmas displays – comprising lights, festive decor, and a towering tree – can be found in Covent Garden. And they’ve been feeling Christmassy for a while now. They turned on their lights all the way back on November 12.
7. Marylebone Village Christmas Lights
Marylebone Village went all out for their lights switch-on, with a big ol’ event on the day. And now, you can enjoy a delightful festive buzz in the area, with gorgeous Christmas lights turning on in the evening each night.
8. Savile Row
London’s most fashion-forward street debuted its sartorial new Christmas lights back in 2023, and they’ve brought back the glimmering display for 2025. The display is inspired by the street’s tailoring pedigree, featuring glimmering suspended shears dangling over the streets.
9. Old Spitalfields Market
This historic London market transforms into a festive winter wonderland as Christmas approaches. They’ve switched on their lights and kicked off a festive programme for winter featuring everything from late-night Christmas Shopping Wednesdays to a Kids Festive Treasure Trail, and more.
10. Bond Street
Here’s a tres chic part of London that transforms every year for the Christmas season. As well as the stunning displays on the shopfronts themselves, Bond Street’s, erm, street receives a dazzling makeover. And this year, guests can wander along under a “spectacular display inspired by The Crown Jewels themselves”.
11. Strand Christmas Lights
These charming Christmas lights drew inspiration last year from the theatrical history of the iconic Savoy Theatre, and they’ve returned for 2025. Shining down over the Strand and Villiers Street, the display features over 93,000 glittering LED lights showing fairy figures flying through the air with glowing trails of light behind them. See the lights turning on each night throughout the festive season.
12. Leadenhall Market
One of London’s most stunning locations also puts on a gorgeous display come Christmas time. They’ve lit up the tree (and the rest of the market building) with a delightful array of decorations. They’re also treating visitors to twice-daily flurries of snow, for that white Christmas feeling.
13. The Churchill Arms
The Churchill Arms is a strong contender for the city’s prettiest pub. But it’s definitely the shoo-in winner for London’s most Christmassy pub. Every year, they go all out with an astonishing array of lights and Christmas trees decorating the pub (we’re talking multiple Christmas trees stuck to the roof and walls).
14. St Katharine Docks
A magical waterside celebration of the festive season has plopped down at St Katharine Docks this winter. The historic Marble Quay has transformed into a winter wonderland featuring a towering Christmas tree outside the Dickens Inn and maritime-themed Christmas lights adorned with charming motifs and lanterns. This year, visitors can also walk through a larger-than-life illuminated boat installation. How’s that for a super special Christmassy snap?
15. Kew Gardens
Does anyone do a more impressive display of lights for Christmas than Kew Gardens? We’re hard-pressed to think of anywhere else that shines quite as bright. And they’re back again for the season with their iconic Christmas at Kew light trail. Don’t delay – grab a ticket before it sells out!
16. Knightsbridge
For 2025, Knightsbridge unveiled a brand new Christmas lights display, inspired by the area’s history and the grand architecture of its iconic buildings. This year’s lights are striking and sustainable, made from over 3,000 recycled plastic bottles. Find them strung up along the street outside Harrods.
17. Chelsea
Chelsea puts on an expectedly charming Christmas lights display each year, and they’re now twinkling merrily down on us. Naturally, they also had a big ol’ street party to accompany the switch-on. And be sure not to miss out on a visit to the Chelsea Winter Village!
18. Belgravia
In a slight departure from previous years, Belgravia’s tour de force of a light show moved from early November to the middle of the month. They’re now glowing through the night and bringing festive cheer to the area. The display stretches across Motcomb Street, Elizabeth Street, Pimlico Road, Eccleston Yards, and Halkin Arcade.
19. Soho Kids Christmas Lights
They do things a little differently in Soho around Christmas time, with a heartwarming display that might be our favourite in the city. Scattered around the area, you’ll find Christmas lights designed by school children from the local area. We’re particularly partial to the Christmas crab and the Christmas pineapple.
20. Fleet Street Quarter
Fancy a treasure hunt alongside your Christmas light-gazing? Then you’re in luck, because London’s Fleet Street Quarter didn’t just switch on its lights; they’ve also debuted a stunning new trail of unique Snoopy sculptures to be found around the area. Can you find them all?
21. The Shard
London’s tallest Christmas lights are shining down over the city each night from November 25 onwards. And they’ve got an all-new lights display for 2025 with a heart-warming story. The display has been inspired by amateur artist Gustavo Zuluaga Villegas, who has been part of the housekeeping team at the Shard for eight years. Upon discovering his talent, the Shard commissioned a special painting from him, which is the basis of this year’s Christmas light show.
22. Connaught Village
Connaught Village is always on hand with some festive cheer to brighten up the dark nights in London. And this year is no different! They’ve decorated the area with neon love hearts, sending a cheery, love-filled message of joy to all. And they’ve also decorated their new Paddington Bear statue – making for the perfect Christmas selfie.
23. Trafalgar Square
Norway’s annual Christmas present to London is one of the last displays to turn on in London, and it does tend to split opinion. But it’s also an important symbol of connection, friendship and alliance. It’s been shipped over to our city and is now shining brightly in the middle of our capital.
So, there you have it: a guide to where to see London’s Christmas lights in 2025. Time to figure out how to work your phone while wearing gloves and grab some festive shots. And don’t forget the mulled wine!
