Create some sparkle over the 2023 festive season with the best of the London Christmas lights. Explore iconic boulevards, hidden neighbourhoods and famous stores dappled in illuminated cheer.
By - Paul Healy | Published - 17 Dec 2023 | Go to - Comments & Questions
The London Christmas lights are a big celebration in a town that loves to entertain.
While the scent of roasted chestnuts wafts in the air, explore grand architecture twinkling under dazzling lights.
Few cities in the world put on a Christmas display quite like London.
Several of the best Christmas lights are centrally located within easy walking distance of each other. At the end of this guide, we have a walking tour that collects the best of the London Christmas lights.
1. OXFORD STREET CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Oxford Street is the retail capital of London. Thousands of brilliant white stars form a canopy over the longest shopping strip in Europe.
The 2023 season will see the return of the Feel the Magic campaign, which will see Oxford Street transformed into a festive wonderland.
Retailers will share some of the Christmas cheer. Each week you’ll find exclusive deals, gifts, and experiences in the stores along Oxford Street. Don’t miss the window displays at Selfridges.
2. NEW BOND STREET CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
New Bond Street is rapidly overtaking other locations to become the top destination for London Christmas Lights.
The design for 2023 features over 90,000 LED’s forming tiara-like entrances as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.
The highlight this year is Cartier who has adorned their facade with an upside-down house suspended from a giant red balloon. Chanel, Christian Dior, and Piaget also have great decorations.
3. SAVILE ROW CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Savile Row, the home of bespoke tailoring has adorned their famed street with a Christmas nod to their industry.
Golden sheers cut through a glittering swathe of fabric to mark the festive season. The display includes 5,154 low-energy LED lights and the decorations are printed on 100% recycled plastic.
Just around the corner from the very busy New Bond Street lights, you’ll often be able to stroll Savile Row all by yourself.
4. ANNABEL’S
Annabel’s is a private members club in Mayfair with a magical Christmas façade.
The display features a massive hot air balloon as a symbol of hope and inspiration. In collaboration with The Caring Family Foundation’s Food from the Heart campaign, the project supports initiatives to tackle child poverty and food insecurity.
It’s a beautiful Christmas display and one of the highlights on our London Christmas Lights walking route.
5. FORTNUM & MASON CHRISTMAS WINDOW DISPLAY
Fortnum & Mason has been a favourite of the Royal Family since Queen Victoria times.
In the 1730s they started providing picnic baskets to the elite. Today, Fortnum & Mason ship around 120,000 picnic baskets a year.
Each Christmas they decorate the façade to look like a giant advent calendar, glowing a passionate red.
Fortnum & Mason is just through Burlington Arcade near Savile Row and New Bond Street.
6. REGENT STREET CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
The tradition of Christmas lights in London began in Regent Street in 1954.
Today, 16 “spirits” with a 17-meter wingspan cover the street with a canopy of 300,000 twinkling lights. It’s one of the most famous Christmas streets in London and the display is magical.
The decorations stretch from Langham Place down to Waterloo Place. There are smaller displays connecting some of the side streets.
The best section is between Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus.
7. CARNABY STREET CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Carnaby Street was a popular hangout for famous musicians like Jimi Hendrix, The Kinks, and the Rolling Stones. It’s where the Mods, Punk, and New Romantics were born.
For 2023, the magic is back with Carnaby Universe. A vibrant display of neon and light waves will be illuminated on 8 November 2023.
Marking the entrances of Carnaby Street, from Beak Street and Great Marlborough Street, the renowned arches will be adorned with shimmering discs and neon lights. Don’t miss the nearby shop windows at Liberty.
8. PICCADILLY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Officially part of Regent Street, Piccadilly has recently started its own Christmas installation.
The lights feature dramatic large-scale figures of Anteros, the Greek god of god of requited love. A statue of Anteros has stood in Piccadilly Circus since 1893.
The winged canopy of lights is one of the most impressive in the city.
With old-school London glamour and some of the most prestigious addresses in the city, Piccadilly is great to stroll down any time of year. At Christmas, it’s a little more magical.
9. SEVEN DIALS CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
The central focal point at Seven Dials is a column bearing 6 sundials. It was an unfortunate early commission before the present 7-road junction was completed.
At Christmas, this error of civic planning is adorned with giant wispy star of lights. It’s a whimsical Christmas display in one of our favourite parts of London.
Wander off in every direction from Seven Dials to get a taste of some of the best of secret London. You’ll find concept stores, independent restaurants, and hidden squares.
10. COVENT GARDEN CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Covent Garden’s feature piece is the huge Christmas tree with 30,000 red and white twinkling lights. Behind the tree, 40 giant bells and 12 huge baubles with spinning mirror balls decorate the North and South Halls.
Central Avenue at Covent Garden houses one of the best Christmas markets in London.
Around the plaza, the outdoor dining spots provide a cool spot to hang out. There’s plenty of mulled wine, hot chocolate, and wine bars with cozy interiors.
For more details, read our guide to Christmas at Covent Garden.
11. MARYLEBONE VILLAGE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Take a more relaxing stroll through the London Christmas lights at Marylebone Village. Not far from Oxford Street, it’s a much more subdued light display.
While in the area, pop into Daunt Books, one of London’s best independent bookstores. Just around the corner on Paddington Street, Opso (W1U 5QL) has some of the Greek food you’ll find in the city.
Pick up a selection of mouth-watering hamper goodies at La Fromagerie on Moxon Street (W1U 4EU)
12. CHRISTMAS AT KEW GARDENS
Over Christmas, Kew Gardens are illuminated in a state-of-the-art light and sound spectacular.
A light trail transports you from one magic display to the next with music changing to match the presentation as you walk along.
The sky is illuminated by a hologram display in geometric shapes. Ingenious technology decorates the footpath with fun Christmas designs.
The highlight is the spectacular sound, light, and water show in front of the grand greenhouse.
Dates: 15 November 2023 to 7 January 2024 // Tickets: must be booked in advance.
13. BIGGER CHRISTMAS TREES, BATTERSEA POWER STATION
Artist David Hockney has adorned Battersea Power Station with a captivating Christmas display called “Bigger Christmas Trees.”
Draw on iPad, the Christmas display features 2 huge Christmas trees that light up the building in a 10-minute animation. It’s a fantastic addition to the 2023 London Christmas Lights.
The best viewpoint is from across the river. Cross over the brightly-lit Chelsea Bridge and walk back down in the direction of the power station.
14. HYDE PARK WINTER WONDERLAND
Winter Wonderland has entertained London with energetic Christmas festivities since 2007.
Half theme park, half Christmas market, it’s the gaudiest and most dramatic set of Christmas Lights in London.
Inside Ferris wheels, helter-skelters and roller coasters keep the adrenaline running. There’s an ice rink, shops and stalls, and more Christmas trinkets than you could possibly imagine.
Winter Wonderland is a buzzing Christmas atmosphere that the kids will love. To keep this popular attraction under control, tickets need to be pre-booked.
Dates: 17 November 2023 – 21 January 2024.
15. COAL DROPS YARD CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Over Christmas, King’s Cross is transformed into an alpine-inspired wonderland.
But it’s the whopping 47-foot Nordmann fir tree in Coal Drops Yard that really steals the show. It’s adorned with ski-related accessories and illuminated with neon lights. After the season, the tree will be ground down and used to make pine essence for candles.
It’s a great part of London that has recently undergone extensive urban renewal. It also has a cool Christmas market.
16. CHURCHILL ARMS CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
This institution in Kensington spends a cool £25,000 decorating its façade in plants every year.
At Christmas, it adds 80 Christmas trees and 22,000 lights to create an over-the-top display that can’t be missed.
It’s a fantastic addition to the London Christmas Lights. It’s a great pub for a festive pint, although it’s a popular place so seats can be difficult to obtain. They also do excellent Thai-inspired pub food.
17. HARRODS CHRISTMAS WINDOW DISPLAY
Harrods, a famous London department store, covers 5 acres and has 330 departments.
It also puts on quite a show when it comes to Christmas window displays.
Windows are lavishly decorated (often with the help of global brands) in the Christmas colours of red, white, and green.
Inside, there is a whole floor for fancy Christmas decorations. Don’t miss the iconic Harrods Food Hall – great for unique hamper items.
18. GROSVENOR SQUARE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
The Ever After Garden in Grosvenor Square is a memorial to raise funds for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
The garden features 20,000 illuminated white roses in the square which is kept otherwise dark. It’s a beautiful memorial and a lovely quiet place in London over Christmas.
It’s free to enter but can honour a loved one with a personal dedication on one of the roses for a £10 donation.
Dates: 16 November 2023 – 19 December 2023.
19. TRAFALGAR SQUARE CHRISTMAS TREE
Every year since 1947, Norway has donated the Christmas tree that stands in Trafalgar Square in gratitude to the British people for their support during World War II.
It’s over 20 metres high and selected from the forest surrounding Oslo several months in advance.
The tree is draped in traditional Norwegian lights which hang vertically, creating a festive atmosphere in front of the Trafalgar Square Christmas market.
SOUTH MOLTON STREET CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Unfortunately, the beautiful Christmas lights that adorned South Molton Street in Mayfair which you may have read about in other guides online are not returning for 2023.
It was our favorite of the London Christmas lights but this year it’s a rather unimpressive row of fairy lights with trees at either end of the street.
LONDON CHRISTMAS LIGHTS MAP
All the beautiful Christmas Lights on our list are located in central London, except for Kew Gardens. The below map includes a self-guided walking tour where you can see most of them and have a wonderful festive evening.
How to use our maps // Click on the top right corner to open in the Google Maps app. Click on the star to save to your Google account.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS LONDON – WALKING TOUR
You can visit many of these central London Christmas lights on our walking tour.
The entire walk is 5 kilometres and visits the most iconic streets and the best Christmas lights and decorations.
Head over to our London Christmas Lights Route which contains the full self-guided walking tour, and a map of the 2023 highlights.
MORE LONDON GUIDES
- To find the best area to stay over Christmas, read our guide to the best places to stay in London.
- Find that perfect gift with our guide to the best London Christmas Markets.
- Stay up to date with all the happenings at Christmas in Covent Garden, the capital’s most festive area.
- For all other great attractions and hidden gems, read our guide to the best things to do in London.
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- Paul & Mark.
Thank you so much for sharing this blog. Christmas is just around the corner and I am sure that this blog will definitely create a sense of excitement among the people in London. Keep up the good work.