Where to See the Best Christmas Lights in London (2025)

If there’s one thing London does brilliantly, it’s Christmas lights. The whole city twinkles – streets glow gold, shop windows sparkle, and even the buses seem cheerier. Here are the best places to see the Christmas lights in London to see the best of the city.

From the famous angels on Regent Street to the cosy cobbles of Covent Garden, there’s something truly magical about wandering the capital after dark in December. Whether you’re here for the photo ops, the festive food, or just a dose of Christmas spirit, here are the best places to see Christmas lights in London in 2025.

Oxford Street: the star-studded ceiling

London’s most famous shopping street flicks the switch on Monday 3 November 2025, the first of the big displays to go live this year. Look up to see 5,000 white stars –made from ~300,000 LEDs – suspended over the thoroughfare.

As ever, the display partners with GOSH Charity (look out for fundraising activities including The Big Day of Joy on 7 December).

Best photo: stand near Oxford Circus and shoot east or west to get a swoop of stars vanishing into the distance; go just after blue hour for a deep cobalt sky. If you’re window-shopping, build in time for Selfridges and John Lewis windows. Lights typically run late afternoon to around midnight.

Regent Street & St James’s: ‘Spirit of Christmas’ angels

A short hop away, Regent Street and St James’s unveil their sweeping angel (“Spirit of Christmas”) sculptures on Thursday 6 November 2025, running through 4 January 2026.

The avenue’s graceful curve makes this one of London’s most cinematic vistas – frame your shot at the Oxford Circus end for a procession of illuminated wings stretching down to Piccadilly. Detour into Jermyn Street and St James’s Market to catch satellite pieces (and, usually, charity tie-ins like the Wishing Tree).

Top tip: go on a weekday around 5-6pm, when the lights are on and the office crowd hasn’t fully surged.

Carnaby: the creative wildcard

Carnaby Street always brings the playful energy. For 2025 the display returns on Thursday 6 November under the title ‘All is Bright’, a reprise of last year’s sculptural installation, with multi-metre forms and tens of thousands of energy-efficient LEDs floating above the lane.

Wander the side streets (Kingly Court, Newburgh St) for extra vignettes and indie shopfronts dressed to the nines. Snap tip: the narrow street means you’ll want a wider lens; stand by the Carnaby arch for the classic frame.

Covent Garden: the 55-foot tree & gold bells

Covent Garden’s switch-on is Wednesday 12 November 2025, with 300,000+ lights across the piazza, the return of the gold bells in the Market Building, and the 55-foot British-grown tree taking centre stage. Expect carols, faux ‘snow’ at intervals, pop-ups, and late shopping.

Best angles: from the balcony of the Apple Market looking out to the tree; or a low angle by the Punch & Judy pub to catch the market building, tree and cobbles. It’s busy – arrive early or come late evening for clearer shots of the tree reflected in the wet stone if it’s rained.

Seven Dials & Neal’s Yard: twinkly side-streets

Five minutes from the Covent Garden piazza, Seven Dials strings its lanes with elegant swags and a central feature by the column. Duck into Neal’s Yard for fairy-lit windows and festive façades. It’s a softer, more intimate light scene – great for handheld portraits with bokeh behind. Combine with Covent Garden on the same night.

Bond Street & Mayfair: luxe and luminous

Bond Street tends to go big on brand-led motifs – recent years featured show-stopping installations inspired by heritage houses. Expect sparkling portals and glamorous window theatre through late November and December, with lights typically up until just after Twelfth Night.

Make a triangle with Old Bond Street → New Bond Street → Burlington Arcade to see polished displays with fewer crowds than Oxford Street.

Marylebone Village: cosy community glow

For a neighbourhood vibe, Merry Marylebone returns Wednesday 12 November 2025 (3–8pm) with the lights switch-on, live performances, market stalls and even Santa’s grotto.

The best bit? The high street is pedestrianised, so you can amble with hot chocolate and browse indie boutiques under the lights. If you’re with kids (or want calmer crowds), this is a charmer.

Leadenhall Market: Dickensian sparkle in the City

The ornate Victorian market looks made for Christmas. The switch-on is Thursday 13 November 2025 – arrive for the build-up from 5:30pm, with the big moment around 6pm beneath the central dome and its tall tree.

Go after hours to catch the arcade empty for photos of brass, glass and garlands glowing like a period film set. Great pre- or post-work stop if you’re near Bank/Monument.

Southbank Centre Winter Market & Winter Light

On the riverside, Southbank Centre runs its Winter season with alpine-style chalets, pop-up bars and twinkly riverside lights – perfect for a stroll from Waterloo Bridge to the London Eye.

Dates publish close to the season (typically early Nov into late Dec), but you can bank on festive food classics (cheese toasties, truffle burgers, mulled everything) and atmospheric light pieces dotted along the Queen’s Walk. Go at dusk to see the reflections dance on the Thames.

Trafalgar Square: the Norwegian tree tradition

London’s most famous Christmas tree—gifted annually by Oslo—takes pride of place in Trafalgar Square. The lighting ceremony traditionally falls on the first Thursday of December (expect early-evening carols and a big crowd); the tree then stays up into the first week of January before being recycled.

Swing by after dark to see it mirrored in the fountains, then continue to Leicester Square’s market.

Christmas at Kew: the ticketed show-stopper

For a destination light trail, Christmas at Kew (Kew Gardens) is London’s most magical evening out. 2025 dates run roughly mid-November to early January with timed entry from ~4.20pm to 10pm; key nights sell out fast, so book early.

Expect kilometre-long trails through illuminated woodland, mirrored lakes, lasers over Palm House, a fire garden, and festival-style food huts. Quiet Access sessions are available on set dates. Logistics: enter via your ticketed gate (Victoria/Elizabeth/Brentford), allow 75–120 minutes, and bring layers; it’s mostly outdoors.

A one-evening Christmas-lights walking route (West End loop)

Start: Oxford Circus (5:00pm) for Oxford Street’s stars.
Regent Street (5:20pm): walk south for the angels; quick detour to St James’s if time.
Carnaby (6:00pm): cut through Liberty to Carnaby’s installation and Kingly Court for a warm-up drink.
Piccadilly → Leicester Square (6:45pm): cross to snap the angels from Piccadilly Circus, then on to the square’s market lights.
Finish: Covent Garden (7:30pm–8:30pm): gold bells, the 55-ft tree, and late-evening “snowfall.”
This loop minimises Tube rides and keeps you mostly pedestrian. Add Bond Street or Seven Dials if you have extra energy. (Dates/availability as noted above.) (Londonist)

Practical tips for seeing London’s lights

Aim for weekdays and shoulder hours. Dusk on a Tuesday is calmer than 7pm on Saturday. (Most displays illuminate from late afternoon to around midnight.)
Bring a warm drink and layers. You’ll linger longer if you’re cosy by the river or under open arcades.
Photography: stabilise your phone on a post for sharp shots; shoot during blue hour for richer colour; use portrait mode in narrow lanes like Carnaby.
Combine with markets. Southbank and Leicester Square are easy add-ons for snacks and atmosphere.
Book ticketed trails early. Kew sells out fast—especially weekends and pre-Christmas dates.

Honourable mentions (if you’re in the area)

Belgravia (Elizabeth Street & Eccleston Yards): warm, villagey feel with a switch-on party and live music around mid-November.
King’s Cross / Coal Drops Yard: design-led installations and boutique windows (dates vary; check listings closer to the time).
Spitalfields & Old Spitalfields Market: classic tree + market lights for an East London fix.