There are such a lot of nice issues to do at Christmas in London however one in all my favourites is totally free, wandering this London Christmas lights strolling route and absorbing all of the twinkling decorations across the metropolis.
Annually there appear to be extra added, to not point out the festive gentle trails, with the vast majority of the lights switched on a while within the first half of November and staying on till early within the New 12 months, usually not less than January 3 though all switched off by January 6.
You’ll discover a particular Christmas lights bus tour if you happen to don’t fancy strolling the entire route, nevertheless it’s arduous to beat simply strolling from one location to a different, possibly stopping for a few of London’s finest sizzling chocolate, visiting one of many London Christmas markets or maybe teaming it with an opportunity to fulfill Santa in London.
E book the Tootbus London Christmas lights bus tour right here
London Christmas lights strolling route with children
Should you’re following my London Christmas lights strolling route with children, you may simply break it up into smaller sections and go to them on completely different events, or hop on a bus to offer little legs a break – the 139 bus route is an effective choice.
You’ll be able to’t see all of the London Christmas lights from a bus, even if you happen to handle to get the coveted prime deck entrance row – Carnaby Road and Covent Backyard are each pedestrianised, for starters – and you may anticipate to take a seat in site visitors at busy occasions, nevertheless it’s an excellent compromise.
The stretch between Oxford Road (round Selfridges) and Southampton Road (for Covent Backyard) has the best focus of lights, though the route continues to Waterloo if you happen to fancy heading to the South Financial institution and its festive market (or if you happen to’re beginning there, it’ll lower out lots of the stroll).
You too can begin the stroll at any level on the route – lots of related Christmas lights strolling routes in London start round Piccadilly, for instance, however there’s no proper technique to do it… and also you’ll all the time should detour somewhat bit if you wish to attempt to see each final one.
One of the best time to see the lights is clearly after darkish, however with the solar setting round 4pm as soon as December arrives that provides you loads of time. Heading off as quickly as nightfall falls is usually the perfect concept with children – you received’t be strolling too late with youthful ones, and you may miss among the night crowds, though London is all the time busy within the run-up to Christmas.
London Christmas Lights strolling route map
You’ll be able to stroll this route in both route, from Covent Backyard by way of to Mayfair or vice versa, in addition to detouring from Piccadilly up by way of Bond Road in the direction of Oxford Road, then over to Carnaby Road and Regent Road.
Permit not less than two hours to stroll the complete route, which is round 4 miles lengthy – you may want longer if you happen to’re stopping to take pictures or dodging the crowds, and frog-marching everybody from A to B isn’t going to get anybody within the festive temper.
I’ve plotted the areas on a London Christmas lights map so you may select what works finest for you, or divide the route into sections – your personal private self-guided Christmas lights strolling tour. Have a really merry stroll!
Stop1: Covent Backyard
My favorite place to begin a Christmas lights stroll of London, Covent Backyard all the time has loads of festive extras from its big glowing tree to faux snow and Santa’s sleigh, to not point out numerous pop-up occasions within the piazza.
Final yr, the previous favourites of large baubles, mistletoe and mirrorballs took a again seat with a brand new set of bells and bows hanging excessive above the market that are again for 2025.
Covent Backyard Christmas lights: Have to know
The festive occasions going down in Covent Backyard at Christmas often begin in mid November, with the official switch-on date barely earlier within the month. 2025 switch-on date Nov 12
As you stroll in the direction of Trafalgar Sq., you may go through Leicester Sq., which has its personal Christmas market and a brand new ice rink for 2025 – it’s often very busy and doesn’t have London’s finest Christmas lights, so personally I’d are inclined to keep away from it at the moment of yr
Cease 2: Trafalgar Sq.
Yearly since 1947, the folks of Norway have given the folks of London a 19m Christmas tree as a gesture of appreciation for the town’s help throughout the Second World Battle.
It’s one thing of a Christmas custom for Londoners to affectionately poke enjoyable on the towering Christmas tree, which continues to be dwarfed by Nelson’s column. I’m positive it seemed wonky final yr, nevertheless it wouldn’t be Christmas with out it.
There’s additionally a small Christmas market within the sq., near the Nationwide Gallery and you may typically hear carols right here as nicely.
You may make a small detour all the way down to the Strand (both from Covent Backyard or earlier than heading in the direction of Piccadilly) to see the North Financial institution lights – the baubles are one other late change on, often early December (TBC) and never price going far out of your technique to see, however if you happen to’re heading to Skate at Somerset Home, it’s straightforward to identify them en route
Trafalgar Sq. Christmas: Have to know
The lighting ceremony takes place on the primary Thursday in December, on December 4, 2025.
Cease 3: Decrease Regent Road & Piccadilly Circus
From Trafalgar Sq., head in the direction of Waterloo Place for the glamorous St James’s Christmas tree earlier than heading up St James’s (Decrease Regent Road) itself to see the Spirit of Christmas angels and on in the direction of Piccadilly Circus.
Not solely is it much less busy right here, you may also get a peek down Jermyn Road to see a number of extra, whereas St James’s Market, simply off Jermyn Road and Haymarket, has an ‘earthbound’ spirit to pose with.
Piccadilly Circus doesn’t have its personal Christmas lights however the likelihood is that there’ll be a festive theme on not less than one of many big illuminated billboards which it’s well-known.
If you wish to shorten the stroll, you may head straight to Piccadilly Circus and even additional up Regent Road by bus
Decrease Regent Road Christmas lights: Have to know
The lights stretch all the best way up Regent Road from St James’s, Piccadilly and Jermyn Road so there’s loads of likelihood to see these. 2025 switch-on date TBC however anticipated to be Nov 6
Cease 4: Piccadilly & Fortnum & Mason
Take a brief detour down Piccadilly in the direction of Fortnum & Mason, which transforms its store home windows into an introduction calendar yearly, with numbers on the upstairs home windows.
It’s price taking a peek within the street-level home windows as nicely, as there’s all the time one thing new to identify. Final yr, you possibly can see animated recreations of the division retailer in miniature – together with presents attempting to get into the raise, and champagne bottles dancing on the staircase.
One of the best views are from throughout the street, by the Royal Academy, so cross (rigorously!) to get a have a look at the entire impact earlier than heading again in the direction of Regent Road. Or after all you may all the time cease in to select up a number of fancy Christmas decorations to your personal tree from the posh division retailer.
Above Piccadilly itself, there are extra winged angels – Anteros, to be exact, the god of unrequited love, and a nod to the well-known statue in Piccadilly Circus. Though everybody calls it Eros, there’s extra debate than you’d suppose, with loads of proof that it’s really Anteros or the angel of Christian charity.
Should you’re doing this Christmas lights stroll of London in a unique order, you may also wander from Piccadilly up the south finish of Bond Road to convey you to Oxford Road – scroll all the way down to cease 7 for extra particulars
Piccadilly Christmas lights: Have to know
Fortnum & Mason often unveils its Christmas shows in mid November
Cease 5: Regent Road
Should you’re in search of the Spirit of Christmas, you want to head to Regent Road the place the Christmas lights’ official title is the Spirit of Christmas angels.
One other favorite sight, you may also get some nice pictures of the angels above as the road curves spherical to the precise, and this yr, there are new lights within the streets main off Regent Road, together with Glasshouse Road, Swallow Road and the Quadrant Arcade.
Regent Road Christmas lights: Have to know
The lights stretch all the best way up Regent Road from St James’s, Piccadilly and Jermyn Road so there’s loads of likelihood to see these. They do change off barely earlier, round January 2-3 if you happen to have been planning a New 12 months go to. 2025 switch-on date TBC however anticipated to be Nov 6
Cease 6: Carnaby Road
Normally one in all my very own favourites, you may anticipate one thing extra inventive and fewer conventional alongside right here – and as Carnaby Road is pedestrianised, it’s additionally simpler to cease and take within the particulars (if you happen to can dodge the crowds).
With a theme of ‘All is Shiny’, this yr’s show is designed to constructed on final yr’s lights featured hourly gentle shows with some 6m gentle sculpture and star installations alongside the road as the subsequent step in a five-year evolution.
Earlier years have featured among the highlights of the previous quarter century, from lights impressed by Queen and the Rolling Stones to house. Hold an eye fixed out for extra lights within the alleys off Carnaby Road – the shows are smaller however so are the crowds.
Carnaby Road Christmas lights: Have to know
Usually one of many first units of lights to change on in November. 2025 switch-on date Nov 6
Cease 7: Oxford Road
The capturing stars of Oxford Road have been a well-recognized sights for some time however there’s all the time one thing very uplifting about seeing them twinkle into life as darkness falls.
There have been a whopping 300,000 stars glowing above London’s busiest buying avenue final, all utilizing LED lights as soon as once more to make use of much less vitality. You would sponsor one to help youngsters’s charity Starlight as nicely.
It could be one of many metropolis’s busiest buying streets, however Christmas is all about giving in any case.
Oxford Road Christmas lights: Have to know
One other of the earliest units of lights to be switched on if you happen to’re visiting London at first of November. 2025 switch-on date Nov 5
Cease 7: Bond Road
The lights right here change once in a while – the illuminated peacock tails that shimmered above the realm round Bond Road, a reference to the society dandies (or peacocks) who as soon as strutted the streets right here, have been changed by a royal-themed show of crowns in 2022 and subsequent fashion-themed additions. This yr nonetheless TBC.
There are a staggering 93,652 LED lights to avoid wasting vitality with out dropping any of the dazzling show – most likely probably the most lovely Christmas lights in London.
4 monumental crowns impressed by the Imperial State Crown often hold above key junctions, with glowing gold, silver and pearl lights making a tiara-style gateway on the north with New Bond Road and south at Previous Bond Road.
Should you’re doing this Christmas lights stroll of London in a unique order, you may also wander from Piccadilly up the south finish of Bond Road to convey you to Oxford Road
When you’re within the space, take a peek within the home windows of Selfridges on Oxford Road and don’t miss South Molton Road, subsequent to Bond Road tube, whose arch of sunshine is all the time a spotlight.
Bond Road Christmas lights: Have to know
One of many later shows to activate, they’re nicely price ready for. 2025 switch-on date TBC however anticipated to be November 15
Cease 8: Grosvenor Sq. & Berkeley Sq., Mayfair
Elevating cash for the Royal Marsden Most cancers Society, the Ever After Backyard in Grosvenor Sq. is again for the seventh yr, filling the sq. with over 20,000 illuminated white roses.
Guests can dedicate the roses to family members they’ve misplaced, with the price of every flower elevating cash for the most cancers charity. It’s free for anybody to enter although, and whereas the sight all the time brings a lump to my throat, it’s a tranquil oasis among the many festive bustle.
From right here, it’s only a few minutes to Berkeley Sq. the place non-public members’ membership Annabel’s is all the time illuminated for the festive season, often in mid November. Beforehand there’s been a carousel theme, whereas it’s additionally been remodeled right into a glowing gingerbread home. Fortuitously you don’t have to pay the expensive membership payment to take a look.
Grosvenor Sq. lights: Have to know
The Ever After Backyard closes sooner than among the different Christmas lights, ending on December 16, 2025. It opens on November 13 so you continue to have a month to go to.
Need extra London Christmas lights?
Should you can’t get sufficient of the lights over central London – or if you end up round Victoria and South Kensington, there are some extra Christmas illuminations to be discovered.
Head to Belgravia to see the lights at Elizabeth Road, Motcomb Road, Eccleston Yards, Halkin Arcade and Pimlico Street, together with the glowing white bushes illuminating South Molton Road. Official switch-on Nov 16 2025 (although the lights could also be on earlier than this).
And in Knightsbridge, Harrods blazes with gentle every year – to not point out some nice Christmas shows within the home windows.
Or you may typically discover some vibrant lights down on the South Financial institution for Winter Mild, artwork installations which play with gentle, with a backdrop of the festive market and the buildings lit up alongside the river Thames. 2025 dates TBC however often from mid November.
There are additionally loads of Christmas lights within the Metropolis of London if you happen to’re venturing out of the centre.
For extra festive enjoyable take a look at my decide of the place to go for the perfect ice skating rink in London in addition to the perfect Christmas theatre in London with children
Disclosure: This put up incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
Major picture/The Strand/Regent Road/Bond Road courtesy of Depositphotos, Instagram pictures as credited, all different pictures copyright MummyTravels
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