London’s Christmas Lights will add an even more magical touch to your sightseeing this winter. Find out when the dazzling lights will be switched on.
Carnaby Street (from 7 Nov)
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This year’s theme for Carnaby Street Christmas lights is ‘Into the Light’. Expect several six-meter-long sculptural light forms suspended over the pedestrian shopping street, featuring hourly light displays. Chunky star-shaped displays will adorn each end of the street, while Kingly Court will be draped with cascading curtains of light.
Covent Garden (from 12 Nov)
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A whopping 260,000 LED lights will illuminate the Piazza, Seven Dials, Neal’s Yard and surrounding streets for this brand-new light scheme in Covent Garden this year. Don’t miss the 55-ft-tall Christmas tree, dripping in a spectacular 30,000 LED lights. The giant golden bells and baubles will return to the market buildings, as well as the towering tree outside St Paul’s Church on the western side of the Piazza.
Marylebone Village (from 13 Nov)
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Marylebone Village is a very festive place to be this Christmas, with its Christmas lights switch-on and annual Merry Marylebone event. Taking place from 3pm-8pm on 13 November, experience everything from artisan market stalls and live music to late-night shopping, festive activities and more. A very special guest will turn on the lights at 6pm. As for the main stage on Devonshire Street, expect many musical and choral performances. Other festive fun includes wreath-making and bauble-making, Santa’s Grotto and a Ferris Wheel.
Belgravia (from 17 Nov)
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From Sunday 17 November (11am-4pm) discover Belgravia With Bells On. Motcomb Street, Elizabeth Street and Eccleston Yards will become a magical wonderland with dazzling white lights. Meet Father Christmas, his elves and live reindeer, spot The Snowman from Sadler’s Wells, and say hello to characters from The Nutcracker, roaming Elizabeth Street. The glittering Christmas lights will be switched on by Principal Ballerina Marianela Nunez at 3.45pm on Elizabeth Street. Afterwards, shop hand-crafted gifts, from candles and jewellery to socks and slippers at The Eccleston Yards Christmas Market, and enjoy live music, mince pies and spiced mulled wine.
Leicester Square (12 Nov-9 Jan)
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Regent Street (from 7 Nov)
Regent Street will be bringing glitz and glamour with its iconic Spirit of Christmas lights. Made from 300,000 LED lights the beautiful angel structures will light up the famous shopping street, Jermyn Street and St James’s Market from Thursday 7 November.
Oxford Street (5 Nov)
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Christmas shopping? If you need any more reason to head to Oxford Street, prepare to be amazed by some of the most spectacular Christmas lights in town and admire the seasonal window displays. This year’s Oxford Street Christmas lights feature the return of sustainable shining stars brightening up the skies above the famous street. Winter Wonderland (from 21 Nov) is just a short walk away.
Kew Gardens (13 Nov-5 Jan)
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A fan-favourite every year, the annual after-dark festivities return to Kew Gardens this year. Wander through sparkling tunnels of light, past dancing waterside reflections and trees drenched in jewel-like colours. The grand finale at the Palm House is a panoramic light display that will impress all ages. Spot larger-than-life illuminations and say hello to Father Christmas along the way. Independent street food vendors dotted along the route offer tasty festive delights to warm you up.
Seven Dials (12 Nov)
Seven Dials is a gorgeous corner of the city, made extra special during Christmas. The pretty cobbled streets are full of hidden gems, quirky boutiques and eclectic restaurants, making it the perfect place for Christmas shopping. This year, a brand-new festive lighting display makes its debut, weaving through the streets of Seven Dials, including Monmouth Street and Earlham Street. It will feature stunning curving light canopies, creating a tunnel of warm light from end to end.
Duke of York Square, Chelsea (from 16 Nov)
On the swanky side of town, Chelsea’s Sloane Square, Sloane Street, Duke of York Square, Pavilion Road and King’s Road will be a hive of entertainment before the switch-on on Saturday 16 November. Perfect for all ages, make an evening of it with the whole family. There will be a Christmas market, crafts, entertainment, refreshments and much more. A very special guest, Father Christmas himself, will turn the lights on at 5pm.
Bond Street (November, TBC)
Bond Street is one of the capital’s most luxurious shopping districts. See it decked out with spectacular Christmas lights and look out for the exclusive stores dressed in their festive finest and window displays draped in grand decorations.
Canary Wharf (21 Jan-1 Feb 2025)
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Once again, the award-winning Winter Lights installation will return to Canary Wharf. Bringing a bit of sparkle to those long January evenings, the spectacle will showcase illuminations by some of the most innovative lighting artists across the globe. Some pieces from previous years will return, alongside new commissions and some that have never been seen in the UK before.
Kings Cross and Coal Drops Yard (Nov TBC)
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Travelling via King’s Cross St Pancras? The twinkly lights of the hugely popular Christmas Canopy Market will return from 22 November (to 22 Dec). Remember to check out the “traditionally untraditional” installations in the area. In previous years, you could pose underneath the colourful lights and explore the Temenos sculptural festive forest on Granary Square, spot a giant terrarium tree in Coal Drops Yard and check out the interactive tree at Battle Bridge Place. Shop for gifts from the area’s trendy stores or join a festive craft workshop. The Christmas tree in Coal Drops Yard is truly spectacular, typically standing at a considerable height.
The Shard (14 Nov-31 Dec)
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Western Europe’s tallest building opts for a Christmassy spin on its usual lights. This year, Shard Lights is set to be will illuminate the nation’s favourite Christmas carols every evening from 5.30pm until midnight. Visible from more than 40 miles away, the light display will comprise four 15-minute festive light sequences every hour, with each sequence inspired by We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Jingle Bells, The Twelve Days of Christmas and Deck the Halls. At the switch-on event on 14 November, listen to Gareth Malone OBE conduct a six-person choir.
Trafalgar Square (5 Dec)
The annual gift from Norway, the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree, is typically illuminated on the first Thursday in December – that’s 5 December this year. Expect a magical event including carol singing and poetry reading, from 5.30pm until 6.30pm. All are welcome to the free event.
Out of town
Christmas at Waddesdon Manor (15 Nov-5 Jan)
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At this immersive experience inspired by the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty, enjoy beautifully decorated interiors, new light projections on the Manor façade, a glittering light trail in the gardens and the ever-popular Christmas fair. Soak up the sights, smells and sounds of Christmas with hand-selected stalls all housed in charming wooden chalets and surrounded by twinkling trees. Open Wed-Sun. Find out more.
Christmas at Bedgebury (15 Nov-1 Jan)
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More than a million lights, twinkling reflections and seasonal sounds fill the air with festive fun at Bedgebury. Enjoy some together time with family and friends, as you discover sparkling tunnels of light, lakeside reflections and colour-drenched trees. Don’t forget to take your children to glimpse Father Christmas along the way. Indulge in a spiced winter warmer, hot chocolate and seasonal treats from the Bedgebury café or street food vendors.
Christmas at Blenheim Palace (15 Nov-1 Jan)
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The after-dark illuminated trail will sparkle once again in the picture-perfect Blenheim Palace gardens. Pause for a moment of reflection, gaze at the mesmerising flickering flames in the fire garden and marvel at larger-than-life illuminations. Meanwhile, inside the Palace, visit Neverland as you follow Tinkerbell through the State rooms. Don your skates for this year’s brand-new experience, The Great Skate.
RHS Wisley (22 Nov-5 Jan)
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Wander the enchanting trail around the garden to see some of Wisley’s iconic sights in a new and dazzling light. Venture through Seven Acres and the Glasshouse, as well as other garden areas. Marvel at magnificent trees and shrubs bathed in a spectrum of light, fire candles and fountain displays, as well as the return of a spectacular horticultural display inside the Glasshouse. Along the twinkling trail, listen out for enchanting music and magical narration from Jack Frost – A Winter Story, written and narrated by Alan Titchmarsh.
Christmas at Hever Castle (from 22 Nov-3 Jan)
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Wrap up warm and enjoy a walk under the stars. Witness the enchantment of Hever Castle, gardens and lake festooned with fabulous colours and twinkling lights, capturing the spirit of Christmas. Bring torches and pop on your wellies to see the spectacular after-dark trail and the Castle’s much-loved landmarks lit up with glorious washes of colour. Enjoy shopping, dining and fairground rides. It begins at 4pm each day and takes around 1.5 hours to follow the Christmas Light Trail. Times vary; find out more.
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