As well as London’s legendary twinkling lights displays and festive Candlelight concerts that are bringing festive cheer to the city this winter, there are many beautiful Christmas light festivals, light trails, and light shows to see too! So, without further ado – here are the best Christmas light festivals in London for 2024–2025:
1. Winter Light at the Southbank Centre, from November 21, 2024 to February 2, 2025
The Southbank Centre’s Winter Lights have returned once more for the ’24/’25 season, with a dazzling collection of outdoor artworks that brighten up the area gloriously. Oh, and there’s no need for a ticket for this one. You can just turn up and marvel at the displays of light and colour. Check out their website for further details.
📍 Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
🚇 Nearest station is Waterloo.
2. Christmas at Kew, until 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 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. Winter Light Trail at Vauxhall City Farm, until December 22, 2024
The Winter Light Trail at Vauxhall City Farm, running from November 30 to December 22, 2024, transforms the compact urban farm into a twinkling winter wonderland. This festive event offers visitors a magical experience with illuminated gardens, animal interactions until 4 PM, and special attractions like Santa’s Grotto on weekends.
The farm, which is fully wheelchair accessible, opens its doors at 3 PM on selected days, allowing guests to enjoy the enchanting lights, visit the Christmas market (on December 14-15), and savour hot drinks and food from the farm café. This charming holiday event provides a perfect blend of urban farming experience and festive cheer, making it an ideal outing for families and friends during the holiday season in the heart of London
📍 165 Tyers Street, London SE11 5HS.
🚇 Nearest train station is Vauxhall.
4. Glow at RHS Wisley, until January 5, 2025
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 trail promises to treat visitors to “the brightest night of the year” with more light, fire, and fountain displays than ever before. Guests can expect “spectacular new views and playful, enchanting features” – with the chance to enjoy some festive food and do a bit of Christmas shopping to boot! Find out more and grab your tickets at the website.
📍 RHS Garden Wisley, Woking GU23 6QB.
🚇 Nearest station is West Byfleet.
5. Christmas in Chelsea, until December 29 2024
Head to Chelsea for this brand-new light trail that has completely transformed the historic grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Grab a well-earned mulled wine from their Festive Market, before exploring the property’s Ranelagh Gardens, which showcases several fabulous installations, all putting the spirit into the season over the festive period. For more information on this fresh addition to London’s long list of winter light festivals, click here to read our article. If you’re already convinced, snag your tickets here!
📍 Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4SR.
🚇 Nearest stations are Sloane Square and Victoria.
6. Epping Ongar Light Fantastic, until 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.
7. Fulham Palace Festive Light Display, until December 22, 2024
The London Illuminated Light Trail at Fulham Palace offers a enchanting winter wonderland experience. Running from November 28 to December 22, 2024, the trail transforms the grounds of Fulham Palace into a magical festive landscape. Visitors can explore the illuminated gardens adorned with thousands of lights, creating a captivating atmosphere
The event features additional attractions such as boutique shopping, fire pits for toasting marshmallows, festive food and drink options, and live entertainment including circus displays and magic shows.
Tickets are available online and at the gate, with prices ranging from £6.95 for children to £14.95 for adults.
📍 Fulham Palace, Bishop’s Avenue, London SW6 6EA.
🚇 Nearest train station is Putney Bridge.
8. Canary Wharf Winter Lights, from January 21, 2025 to February 1, 2025
The largest free Christmas light festival in London will return once more in 2025 to light up the dark winter evenings. 11 new installations will join the area’s permanent fixtures and returning displays from past years to brighten up the area even more than usual. Some of the installations are even making their UK, or world, debut. It’s also FREE, with no need to get a ticket or anything, just walk around and marvel at the displays. Check out our article for more information.
📍 Throughout the Estate, Canary Wharf, E14.
🚇 Nearest station is Canary Wharf.
9. 12 Days of Christmas, on York Square throughout Christmas
Experience “the 12 days of Christmas” at this enchanting trail taking over York Square for the festive season. Search high and low, around this dazzling sector of Chelsea to find all of the characters from the lyrics of the beloved Christmas carol.
From lords-a-leaping to mads-a-milking, French hens and five gold rings, it’s the perfect, festive family outing, especially if you’ve got some last-minute shopping to do. Best of all, it’s completely free to see–making it a great option if you’re looking after the pennies this Christmas. For more information, read our article here.
📍Duke of York Square, 80 King’s Road, SW3 4LY.
🚇 Nearest train station is Sloane Square.
10. Shard Lights, until December 31, 2024
While we’re on the topic of free things to do, The Shard, London’s tallest building, will once again transform into a spectacular beacon of festive cheer with its annual Shard Lights display. Starting from November 14, 2024, the top 20 storeys of the iconic skyscraper will be illuminated every evening from 5:30 PM to midnight.
The light show will feature four 15-minute sequences repeating every hour, each inspired by popular Christmas carols: “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” “Jingle Bells,” “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” and “Deck the Halls.” The illumination utilises 575 LED light units, creating a dazzling spectacle visible from up to 40 miles away.
📍The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9SG.
🚇 Nearest train station is London Bridge.
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!