As well as all of London’s legendary twinkling lights displays taking over the streets, there are many beautiful Christmas light festivals, light trails, and light shows to see in the city! So, without further ado – here are the best Christmas light festivals in London for 2024–2025:
1. Christmas at Kenwood, from December TBC
Christmas at Kenwood is back to turn Hampstead Heath into a glittering winter wonderland this winter. As night falls, the Christmas light trail will take you through a series of jaw-dropping installations, including the likes of a laser garden and a snowflake house. New for this year too are the interactive ‘Light Launchers’, the colourful ‘Retro Rubix’, a shower of light created by the stunning new installation ‘Reflections’, and the sensational ‘Son et Lumière’ finale light show. There’s also a fire garden, and plenty of festive food and drinks to keep you wam through the night. Find out more and grab your tickets at the website.
📍 Hampstead Lane, Hampstead, NW3 7JR.
🚇 Nearest station is Golders Green or Hampstead.
2. Christmas at Kew, from November 13, 2024 to January 5, 2025
Bringing light, colour, and Christmas sparkle to south west London, Christmas at Kew is back and it’s bigger than ever. Along a 2.7km trail, you’ll find more than a million twinkly lights adorning bridges, arches, trees, tunnels, and more. Marvel at the hugely popular Fire Garden, and be sure to snap a pic in the Instagram-dominating Christmas Cathedral. To keep you warm along the way, there are plenty of independent food stands and vendors – and yes, there will be plenty of mulled wine and hot chocolate too! There’s also a whole smattering of delicacies from street food pioneers KERB dotted all across the site. Find out more and grab tickets at the website.
📍 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond.
🚇 Nearest stations are Kew Bridge, Kew Gardens, and Richmond.
3. Glow at RHS Wisley, from November 27 to December 30 2024
Glow at RHS Wisley is back this winter with captivating Christmas light shows and spectacular displays, turning the space into the most festive garden around. This year’s all-new trail takes you through the massive, illuminated Glasshouse, past the Jellicoe Canal and the old Laboratory, and through Wisteria Walk, with more light, fire, and fountain displays than ever before. This year’s theme is ‘Christmas beach’, and outside, the Glasshouse Lake will be dolled up to the nines with glittering disco balls. Rock Garden and Oakwood will be all aglow, while the Alpine Meadow becomes a ‘field of fire’. They’ll also be hosting a mini Christmas market in the nearby village square, with all kinds of festive treats on offer. Find out more and grab your tickets at the website.
📍 RHS Garden Wisley, Woking GU23 6QB.
🚇 Nearest station is West Byfleet.
4. Christmas at Eltham Palace, from November 23 to December 22 2024
Combining a magical mix of light, colour, and sound, Christmas at Eltham Palace is back with another breathtaking winter experience within the palace’s grounds. Watch as Eltham Palace glows in the night, walk amongst the twinkling lights, and admire the ancient moat as you step back in time along the route and weave your way around the maze of light. You can also toast marshmallows and drink mulled wine – and let’s face it, what’s not to love about that? After all, it is the most wonderful time of the year. Sessions will run until December 30, and you can cop your tickets here.
📍 Eltham Palace, Greenwich, SE9 5QE.
🚇 Nearest station is Eltham.
5. Epping Ongar Light Fantastic, from November to January 2025
Fancy a light festival that throws a delightful train ride into the mix? Then you’ll want to grab your seat on the Epping Ongar Light Fantastic! Guests are treated to rail-side light installations, music, and plenty of cute illuminated displays as on-board narration guides you through a festive adventure. Find out more and get your tickets at the website.
📍 Station Approach, Chipping Ongar, Ongar, CM5 9BN.
🚇 Nearest station is Epping, from where you can jump on a heritage bus.
6. Canary Wharf Winter Lights, from January TBC
The largest free Christmas light festival in London will return once more in 2024 to light up the dark winter evenings. Over 18 installations will find the area even more aglow than usual, with old permanent fixtures from past years returning, and some installations making their UK, or world, debut. In the past many of the Canary Wharf Winter Lights installations have been interactive or responsive, and the whole thing just gets bigger and brighter each year! With many of the artists and works yet to be announced, keep an eye on the website to learn more as they reveal more…
📍 Throughout the Estate, Canary Wharf, E14.
🚇 Nearest station is Canary Wharf.
7. Winter Light at the Southbank Centre, from November TBC
The Southbank Centre’s Winter Festival has returned once more for the 2023 season, with everything from carols and winter raves to a film-inspired show (billed as Christmas Actually), queer Bollywood dance shows and comedy extravaganzas on the bill. That’s not even mentioning their epic light exhibition – which is back for the 2023 season and better than ever. Check out their website for further details.
📍 Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
🚇 Nearest station is Waterloo.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best Christmas light shows, Christmas light festivals and Christmas light trails in London and the surrounding area. If you’re looking to feel festive – then any one of these will get you in the mood!