London in winter may be cold and dark but it’s never short of Christmas spirit
And that’s largely thanks to the legendary Christmas lights that adorn the capital each year. So when do the Christmas lights in London get turned on? Well every neighbourhood has a slightly different date for their big switch-ons, with Oxford Street leading the charge on 3rd November. The bulk of the other displays will be turned on by mid-month, giving you plenty of time to see and snap them all before the big day.
And if you want to see a bunch of them in one go, jump on the top deck of the 139 bus, which runs from Waterloo, through Covent Garden, Piccadilly, Oxford Circus and Marylebone, up to Golders Green. Here are all the confirmed switch-on dates for London’s Christmas lights so you can start getting suitably festive.
Oxford Street | 3rd November
On 3 November, 5,000 bright star lights will once again illuminate London’s most iconic shopping street, officially marking the start of the festive season in the city. This year, Oxford Street is partnering with Great Ormond Street Hospital to raise funds through a Big Day of Joy on 7 November – a celebration that will fill the area with unmissable in-store experiences, festive entertainment and plenty of Christmas cheer.
Carnaby Street | 6th November
On Thurs 6th November Carnaby Street is unveiling ‘All is Bright’, a new festive display and the next phase in the area’s five-year sustainable lighting programme. There’ll be vibrant sculptural forms suspended above the street with the arches being decked out to provide the perfect selfie backdrop.
Regent’s Street | 6th November
Regent Street and St James’s ‘The Spirit of Christmas’ lights are returning on Thurs 6th November, with over 30 sparkling ‘spirits’ lighting up the West End. The display is made up of over 300,000 LED lights, with an illuminated Wishing Tree installation in St James’s Market where you can tap to make a donation to food rescue charity The Felix Project.
Covent Garden | 12th November
Covent Garden is bringing back its massive bells with bows and giant baubles that were on display in the Market Building last year for its ‘Theatre of Christmas’ celebration. There’ll also be over 300,000 twinkling lights across the neighbourhood and the 55ft Christmas tree will be returning too.
Marylebone Village | 12th November
The theme for the Village this year is Merry Marylebone and BBC London’s Jo Good and a special celeb guest will be turning on the display. And that’s not all with festive workshops, market stalls, music, a Ferris wheel and Santa’s grotto to check out.
Bond Street | 12th November
Bond Street’s Christmas lights are going up on 12th November, with over 80,000 LED bulbs illuminating the street in a display inspired by the Crown Jewels. It’s also made from recyclable, long-life materials, making the whole display more sustainable. The Ralph Lauren Giving Tree, in aid of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, will also be returning to the street for the festive season.
Old Spitalfields Market | 12th November
Old Spitalfields Market is marking the start of the festive season with an official lights switch-on event on Weds 12th November. You’ll be able to get some Christmas shopping done while also enjoying live music from the market’s gospel choir, roaming elves, live portraits by Ella De Souza, and festive workshops.
Chelsea | 15th November
Chelsea’s big Christmas switch-on is happening on Sat 15th November this year, with a big festive event featuring performances, seasonal food and drink, and more.
Fleet Street Quarter | 19th November
The lights are going up at Ludgate Circus on Weds 19th November, with a new Snoopy Sculpture Trail being installed throughout the area. It’s to celebrate 75 years of Peanuts and will feature a collection of artist-designed Snoopy installations, along with an audio trail.
Camden Market | 6th December
A winter wonderland is taking over Camden Market from 6th December, including a ‘ceiling of light’ installation suspended over Water Lane, numerous Christmas trees, and an Ice Palace Grotto, with live performances from the Big Sing and Camden Rock Choir on launch day.
