Each year London turns on the style with its Christmas lights. The whole city seems to come alive with glitter, sparkle and some pretty creative displays.
The best way to see the lights is to just wander round. London is much more walkable than you might think so I’ve put together a walk that covers the best Christmas lights in London.
Starting at Tottenham Court Road, the self guided walk takes in the displays and installations of Central London – Oxford Street, Regent Street, Bond Street, Leicester Square, The Strand and Covent Garden.
While the walk can be done in around two hours you should leave yourself plenty of time. It’s a stroll not a sprint so build in some time to enjoy the lights, do some window shopping and generally take in the festive atmosphere.
Keep your eyes peeled as well, many of the side streets and alleys you pass will be decorated too so you’ll want to stop off and explore those.
Self guided walk around London Christmas lights
We start our walk at Tottenham Court Road which is on the Central and Northern Line tube lines.
Exit the tube station and head west along the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street.
Oxford Street
You know the Christmas season has begun when the most famous shopping street in the city, Oxford Street, turns on their Christmas lights.
Last year, they had a new display of stars criss crossing the street. It was an Instagram dream.
Stroll along Oxford street until you reach Oxford Circus. Turn left along Regent Street, catching a glimpse of their spectacular display. Don’t worry we’ll head back to that later in the walk. Head towards Carnaby Street via Great Marlborough Street (take a look a Liberty’s Christmas window display as you pass).
Carnaby Street
This year Carnaby Street is celebrating 25 year of installations and lights. To mark the occasion, they have put on a captivating display featuring some of the iconic pieces from previous years.
The lights run along Carnaby Street, Foubert’s Place, Ganton Street and Newburgh Street. Look out for the huge snowman and
As always, Carnaby Street put on a wonderful, yet thought provoking, display along fundraising for a worthy cause. This year, the lights are in collaboration with Choose Live, a charity that raises funds and supports refugees around the world.
It can get very crowded at either end of Carnaby Street. As an example, when I visited one early December evening in 2019 for the first version of this post, there was at least seven photographers with tripods and lots of tourists, shoppers and workers on their way home jostling for position to get the best shot.
I returned at the end of November this year and it wasn’t quite as crowded but not far off.
TIP: Head past the crowds and wander along the street. Half way down less crowded and you can still enjoy the lights and get some great photos.
Once you’ve taken in all Carnaby Street has to offer, head back up to Oxford Street and head west in the direction of Marble Arch.
St Christopher’s Place
One of London’s hidden gems. Set back just off Oxford Street St Christopher’s Place is easy to miss. Look out for the little alley way off Oxford Street or head along the side of Selfridges.
With pedestrian streets lined with boutiques and restaurants, it is the ideal place to rest those weary feet and take in the festive atmosphere.
This year they have an all new display with sparking coloured discs hanging over the streets.
(photos from 2019 display)
Time to hit the road again. Head slightly back on yourself along Oxford Street towards Bond Street.
Bond Street
The home of luxury shopping in London. A spectacular light installation marks the start of Bond Street – see below, you can’t miss it!
In a change from the usual peacock feathers, Bond Street has an all new royal inspired theme. The dazzling display was originally planned to celebrate Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee however, it is now a lovely tribute to the late Queen.
Taking inspiration from the Crown Jewels (and perhaps some of the high-end jewellery shops along the street), the installation is made up of lights in the design of crowns, tiaras and necklaces.
Bond Street is less crowded than Oxford Street and with it’s wide pavements and less traffic, provides a much more pleasant walk.
You can also window shop the high end shops. Look out for their displays, some go all out for Christmas. Look out for Stella McCartney, the shop front is lit up like a Christmas tree.
Head back to Regent Street by cutting across Burlington Gardens. Make quick pit stop and wander through the Burlington Arcade which has its Christmas decorations up through the length of the arcade.
Bond Street’s previous display of Christmas lights.
Continue along Burlington Gardens to Regent Street. Or if you wandered through the whole arcade head onto Piccadilly to reach the bottom of Regent Street
Regent Street
Not be outshone by its neighbours, Regent Street, always puts on a spectacular display.
The Spirit of Christmas is usually one of London’s largest light installations. Spirits and angels light up the length of Regent Street and St James. It is a stunning sight.
This year, to make a more environmentally friendly display, the lights are only switched on between 3pm and 11pm.
Leicester Square
At the bottom of Regent Street, head across Piccadilly Circus and into Leicester Square. Technically this is Christmas Market rather than lights but they do have lights hanging from the trees and it makes a nice break in the walk so hopefully I can get away with it!
The market is free to enter, you just have to go through a security check first. It is fairly small but has plenty of stalls to get a drink and snack or just browse the festive goods on offer.
Covent Garden is pretty much next door to Leicester Square. Just keep walking in a straight line past the tube station and onto Cranbourn Street and into Long Acre or Garrick St/Floral Street. However, before rushing there, it is worth making a slight detour to The Strand.
The Strand
When you think of London Christmas lights The Strand (or Northbank as it’s calling itself nowadays – does anyone actually call it that? I don’t think so?) probably doesn’t spring immediately to mind.
While it may lack the glamour of some of the other streets on this walk, the starry lights draped across the street provide some festive cheer without the crowds.
Another worthy Detour: If Christmas markets are your thing, head down to Embankment via Villiers Street and cross the Hungerford Bridge to Southbank. The winter market stretches along the river with stalls offering handmade gifts and warming street food.
Halfway along The Strand you can head up to Covent Garden, look out for Bedford Street, Bull Inn Court, or Southampton Street and wander up to the Piazza.
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a great place to visit at any time of the year but it’s Christmas sparkle turns it into a winter wonderland that is more than worth a visit.
Giant mirored baubles (see if you can spot yourself in them) and mistletoe hang from the ceiling in the market and 115,000 lights decorate the piazza and nearby streets. Outside there is a huge Christmas tree covered with lights. The light are on from 11am – midnight.
This year, you can get an insta worthy festive photo with a traditionally decorated sleigh in the South Hall of the Market Building.
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From Covent Garden stroll along Garrick Street and Monmouth Street to Seven Dials for the final display on the walk.
Seven Dials
One of my favourite displays, the Seven Dials light installation covers the roads leading up to the Sundial pillar monument. The lights draped over the streets and trees are simple but very effective, a real starry night in London.
(photos from 2019 display)
Other places to see Christmas lights in London
Of course, many places light up for Christmas in London. I’ve chosen displays that are all within walking distance for this tour. However, if you wish to explore further here are some more displays…
Further afield, heading towards the outskirts of London there are fabulous installations at Winterfest in Wembley and Kew Gardens with their Christmas at Kew event.
Buildings lit up for Christmas
It’s not just London’s main streets that go all out for Christmas. Don’t forget to look up. Many building’s (and even construction cranes) light up for Christmas. Ones to look out for include…
- The Shard – a light display every 30 minutes
- Tower 42 – usually has a Christmas tree lit up on top
I hope you enjoyed that walk around some of London’s best Christmas lights. Let me know your favourites in the comments below, or if you think I have missed any out.
You may also like
- Things to do in London at Christmas
- Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park
- Christmas at Kenwood – a spectacular light trail for all ages
Your pictures are stunning, it’s made me want to go and do this walk