Where to Find the Best Christmas Lights in London [2025]

Winter is a magical time to visit the UK capital, and no more so than when the best Christmas lights in London are in full swing! The whole city is lit up like one big festive party, and it’s an awesome sight to witness during late November or December.

Whether you’re planning a Christmas shopping trip to London, are staying in the city for the celebrations on 25th or are heading there for a New Year to remember, you must include at least some of the London Christmas lights on your itinerary.

This post will introduce you to illuminated London at Christmas. We’ll take you through the city’s finest December sights and tell you which tours of the London lights are the best ones to take. 

Don’t head to London in December or even during the second half of November or the start of January until you’ve read this guide. London in winter is totally enchanting – and even more so when the city’s all lit up for Christmas!

Read on so you too can see this amazing spectacle during your late autumn or winter visit to London!

🎄 17 of the best Christmas lights in London 

Oxford Street Christmas lights

• Closest tube: Oxford Circus
• Dates: 4 November

Oxford Street is London’s shopping central, so where better to start your tour of the city’s brilliant Christmas lights? Traditionally, Oxford Street lights are the first Christmas lights in London to be switched on.   

The entire street is illuminated by a spectrum of dazzling lights; in 2025, Oxford Street will feature over 300,000 eco-friendly LED lights including over 5,000 stars. Individual stores go all-out to impress every potential customer so you’ll also be treated to fabulous window displays. 

Regent Street Christmas lights

• Closest tube: Oxford Circus or Piccadilly Circus
• Dates: 6 November

Regent Street is not to be outdone by its neighbour Oxford Street and in 2025 it will be adorned by 45 graceful angels lighting up the famous street below them. Regent Street shops go all-out to beat their rivals for the best Christmas lighting and window display title.

Carnaby Street Christmas lights

• Closest tube: Oxford Circus or Piccadilly Circus
• Dates: 6 November

Carnaby Street has been famous since the 1960s for its boho vibe – and its Christmas lights display reflects that perfectly.

Every year has a different theme and past themes include butterflies and rainbows. In 2025, Carnaby Street will recreate 2024’s ‘Into The Light’ star illuminations but with a new twist by using multi-coloured lights.

Piccadilly and St James’s Christmas lights

• Closest tube: Piccadilly Circus
• Dates: Early November

The upmarket area around St James’s and Piccadilly is home to The Ritz hotel and Fortnum and Mason’s department store.

You can enjoy dazzling displays while you dip in and out of shops, or stop for refreshments or a late afternoon tea. It’s within easy reach of many of the other best lights in London too.

New Bond Street Christmas lights

• Closest tube: Bond Street
• Dates: 14 November

As a street lined with designer stores, New Bond Street doesn’t mess about when it comes to central London Christmas lights. Keep an eye on the shop windows, which are dressed to impress in all their designer finery. Part of the street will be pedestrianised for Christmas 2025 so you can enjoy the lights without traffic.

Mayfair and Belgravia Christmas lights

• Closest tube: Piccadilly Circus
• Dates: 16 November

The Mayfair and Belgravia Christmas lights around the South Molton Street area are always spot-on. Expect upmarket glitterati here, reflecting the well-heeled clientele who shop at this area’s ultra fashionable boutiques. For a stylish Christmas light show in London, head here. 

Leicester Square Christmas lights

• Closest tube: Leicester Square
• Dates: 6 November

Leicester Square spreads joy to the world – well, London at least – when it comes to fine festive displays. The space makes these some of the best central London lights to see between bar-hopping, after dinner in Chinatown or before watching a movie. 

In 2025, Leicester Square will also host a daily Christmas market selling festive food, drink and gifts. Plus, for the first time ever, there’ll also be a pop-up ice skating rink for the Christmas period.

Covent Garden Christmas lights

• Closest tube: Covent Garden
• Dates: 12 November

You can always count on Covent Garden for entertainment in many forms – and it’s no different when it comes to Xmas lights in London. Step into the market and you’ll see it transformed by thousands of twinkling lights and a huge 55 foot tree. 

The theme for 2025 is ‘The Theatre of Christmas’ so you can expect decorations inspired by the theatres which surround Covent Garden.

Seven Dials Christmas lights

• Closest tube: Covent Garden or Leicester Square
• Dates: Early November

The quirky Seven Dials shopping area between Covent Garden and Soho sees the cobbled lanes lit up by some of the prettiest winter lights in London. It’s a little off the beaten tourist track too.

South Bank Christmas lights

• Closest tube: Waterloo
• Dates: 3 November

South Bank should be on your Christmas lights in London hit-list. The Christmas market here runs from 3rd November until January 4th. 

What better way to start the festive season than to wander among the artisan stalls, mulled wine in hand, while witnessing one of the city’s most magical light displays? Expect a few illuminated arty installations too.

London Eye Christmas lights

• Closest tube: Waterloo
• Dates: tbc

If you’re looking for Insta images among the Christmas lights of central London, don’t miss the London Eye. You’ll get to see festive London from one of the best vantage points in the city.

Read – Complete Guide to the London Eye

The Shard Christmas lights

• Closest tube: London Bridge
• Dates: tbc

Don’t miss seeing one of London’s landmark buildings lit up to a festive theme. Not somewhere you might think of when visiting lights around London, but don’t miss it if you’re in the locale.

Tower Bridge Christmas lights

• Closest tube: Tower Hill
• Dates: Mid November

Tower Bridge looks magical at any time of the year but Christmas feels extra special as the walkways and towers of the famous bridge are covered in twinkling lights.

You could also visit the Tower Bridge Christmas market, see the decorations in Hay Galleria or cosy up in an igloo at the Coppa Club overlooking Tower Bridge. This eatery is famous for its riverside location and igloos, and it’s even more spectacular in winter.

Chelsea Christmas lights

• Closest tube: Sloane Square
• Dates: 15 November

Include Sloane Square on your London Christmas lights walking route to see the smart end of town. All the shops and restaurants take part, so expect stunning window displays and the scent of mulled wine in the air. 

The festive launch on 15th November will include a pedestrianised zone from Sloane Square to Walpole Street which will be lined with festive stalls and food.

Marylebone Christmas lights

• Closest tube: Baker Street
• Dates: 12 November

To experience what feels more like a Christmas village in London, head to Marylebone High Street. 

The lights are switched on during ‘Merry Marylebone’ which in 2025 takes place on 12th November from 3pm. Local eateries and shops offer special festive deals and you can expect live music and special guests. It’s a community event in aid of women who are homeless so if you’re in the capital on this day, we highly recommend getting into the festive spirit with a trip to Marylebone.

King’s Cross Christmas lights

• Closest tube: King’s Cross
• Dates: November – December

It’s not all about Harry Potter in this part of London. Head to Coal Drops Yard and Granary Square for enormous Christmas trees (bigger than Covent Garden) and thousands of twinkly lights or shop under the illuminated stars at the Canopy Market.

Coal Drops Yard hosts different themed markets over the Christmas period such as an illustrators market and a Mexican themed Christmas market. Check out the dates and themes here.

Kew Gardens Christmas lights

• Closest tube: Kew Gardens
• Dates: 14 November – 4 January

Kew Gardens is pretty enchanting at any time of year, but especially during the festive season. 

In 2025, visitors can enjoy a magical trail packed with illuminated displays, trees and walkways adorned with lights and an illuminated fountain display in front of the famous Palm House.

Tickets are limited and pre-booking is essential. Check timings and availability here.

⭐️ 13 of the best Christmas lights in London tours

One of the simplest and best ways to see the Christmas lights in London is to take an open top bus tour. You’ll get to view the lights from up high and can concentrate on the lights rather than where you’re walking or driving.

An alternative is to take a walking tour of the lights and festive markets. If you want to book a London Christmas lights tour, here are our top recommendations with a brief description of each. Or find out more about all of the top Christmas tours in London in this post.

Christmas lights by night on an open-top bus

• Duration: 1.5 hours

• Destination: Central London

• Meeting time: Varies

• Meeting point: London Eye

• What’s included: Transport, tour guide, audio guide

• What’s not included: Meals, drinks, hotel pick-up, tips

On this open-top bus tour lasting 1.5 hours, you’ll see the lights and sights of the London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Paul’s Cathedral and Tower Bridge.

Vintage bus Christmas lights tour

• Duration: 75 minutes

• Destination: Central London

• Meeting time: Varies

• Meeting point: Grand Hotel, Northumberland Avenue

• What’s included: Vintage transport, tour guide

• What’s not included: Meals, drinks, hotel pick-up, tips

Fancy seeing the Christmas lights in style? Jump aboard an iconic 1960s Routemaster which will whisk you around the city for 75 minutes. This London lights tour includes Harrods, Oxford Street and other key sites.

Tootbus London Christmas lights tour

• Duration: 45 minutes

• Destination: Central London

• Meeting time: Varies

• Meeting point: Varies

• What’s included: Transport, tour guide, Santa hat, Christmas playlist

• What’s not included: Meals, drinks, hotel pick-up, tips

A Tootbus comes complete with a Santa hat, audio guide and a Christmas playlist. Illuminated places to see include Trafalgar Square, Regent Street and Piccadilly Circus.

Christmas Eve London illuminations bus tour

• Duration: 105 minutes

• Destination: Central London

• Meeting time: Varies

• Meeting point: London Victoria bus stop 1

• What’s included: Transport, tour guide, Christmas gift

• What’s not included: Meals, drinks, hotel pick-up, tips

This tour even includes a Christmas gift. You’ll also see Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, the London Eye, the City and St Paul’s Cathedral.

Christmas Lights and Festive Sights walking tour

• Duration: 3 hours

• Destination: Central London

• Meeting time: To be agreed

• Meeting point: Covent Garden

• What’s included: Local tour guide, mulled wine or hot chocolate

• What’s not included: Meals, tickets, transport, tips

This small group walking tour of London visits some of the major festive lights in the capital. In 3 hours you’ll visit Covent Garden, Oxford Street, Carnaby Street and more, whilst learning about British and London Christmas traditions from your guide.

Christmas lights tour by black London cab

• Duration: 3 hours

• Destination: Central London

• Meeting time: To be agreed

• Meeting point: Hotel pick-up

• What’s included: Local driver & tour guide, water & biscuits

• What’s not included: Meals & tips

A licensed London taxi driver and registered tourist guide will drive you around the capital for two-and-a-half hours in an iconic black cab. You can go wherever you like, or follow the driver’s expert knowledge and there’ll be plenty of photo stops en route. Unlike many Christmas tours, this tour is wheelchair accessible.

London Christmas lights tour by taxi

• Duration: 3 hours

• Destination: Central London

• Meeting time: To be agreed

• Meeting point: Hotel pick-up

• What’s included: Local driver & tour guide

• What’s not included: Meals & tips

This three hour private tour for up to 6 people is hosted by a real London cab driver who will expertly guide you through the streets of festive London. Guests are welcome to bring their own drinks and snacks on this tour.

Private London Christmas sites walking tour

• Duration: 3 hours

• Destination: Central London

• Meeting time: To be agreed

• Meeting point: Hotel pick-up

• What’s included: Local tour guide

• What’s not included: Meals, transport, entry fees & tips

Take a private walking tour with an expert guide to see the lights at Covent Garden, Leicester Square Christmas Market, Borough Market, Tower Bridge, Waterloo Bridge and Hyde Park. This tour ends at London’s famous Winter Wonderland.

Charles Dickens and A Christmas Carol walking tour

• Duration: 2 to 3 hours

• Destination: Old London

• Meeting time: To be agreed

• Meeting point: Hotel pick-up

• What’s included: Local tour guide

• What’s not included: Meals, transport, entry fees & tips

This tour visits locations featured in Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol and you’ll see plenty of festive lights along the way.

London Christmas lights and markets tour

• Duration: 2 hours

• Destination: Central London

• Meeting time: Varies

• Meeting point: Outside the National Gallery

• What’s included: Local tour guide

• What’s not included: Meals, extra drinks & purchases, tips

This walking tour will show you London’s Christmas markets, the Christmas tree with 40,000 lights, Trafalgar Square and ends at Winter Wonderland.

Personalised London walking tour with a local 

• Duration: 3 hours

• Destination: London 

• Meeting time: To be agreed

• Meeting point: Hotel pick-up

• What’s included: Local tour guide, mulled wine or hot chocolate

• What’s not included: Food, drinks, transport, entry fees & tips

A local guide will be chosen specifically for you with this walking tour, and it will be structured according to what you want to see in London at Christmas. You’ll also gain insights into how Londoners celebrate traditions.

Christmas markets walking tour of London

• Duration: 1.5 hours

• Destination: London Christmas markets

• Meeting time: Varies

• Meeting point: Varies

• What’s included: Local tour guide

• What’s not included: Food, drinks, transport, purchases & tips

You’ll see London’s best Christmas lights and markets on this highly rated, small group guided tour which includes a glass of mulled wine.

Christmas dinner party river cruise

• Duration: 4 hours

• Destination: River Thames

• Meeting time: Varies

• Meeting point: Westminster Pier, Victoria Embankment

• What’s included: River cruise, 3 course meal, drinks, DJ & dancing

• What’s not included: Extra drinks

There are plenty of lights and iconic sights to see on this nighttime cruise on the River Thames. The four hour boat trip includes a three course meal, wine, a DJ and dancing. It’s guaranteed to get you into the festive spirit! 

Which Christmas lights in London will you see?

Will it be Oxford Street in London at Christmas time, an open-top bus tour of the key sights or a trip out to a little London ‘village’?

Whichever you choose, Christmas light displays in London are among the world’s finest, so don’t miss out when you’re visiting the city in winter!