Where (& When) To See Christmas Lights In London 2024
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London in all of its twinkly glory
It may not be the season just yet, but London is readying itself for the festive season. If you’re a fan of twinkling lights in all different colours, shapes and sizes, the British capital really is one of the best cities on Earth to visit come Christmastime. While you enjoy Christmas shopping and festive street food and stave off winter’s icy chill with woolly scarves and hot chocolates, here’s exactly when and where to see Christmas lights in London this year.
Where To See Christmas Lights In London 2024
CGI of Sloane Street’s 2024 Christmas lights
Chelsea
Chelsea’s annual Christmas Light Switch-On will return in November, casting a warm glow across the prestigious neighbourhood. The King’s Road will be part-pedestrianised to celebrate, making way for a local Christmas market, face painting, cookie decorating, and delicious mulled wine. Santa himself will press the all important switch at 5pm, joined on stage by a local little helper and triggering a marvellous 360-degree display, as well as music and fresh snow.
When? Chelsea Christmas Light Switch-On will take place on Saturday 16 November, with the lights shining every evening from then until January.
Oxford Street’s 2023 Christmas lights. (Doug Peters/PA Wire)
Oxford Street
London’s main shopping street is once again partnering with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity and lighting up the sky with its annual iconic starry light display. The real heart of London’s annual Christmas lights, Oxford Street runs through the heart of the West End and is home to hundreds of world-famous brands and flagship stores, many sporting beautiful festive window displays come winter. To celebrate another year of its partnership with GOSH, the street will host its Big Day of JOY on 7 December, transforming the destination into even more of a Christmas wonderland with street performances, in-store activities and more festive experiences.
When? Oxford Street’s Christmas lights will be switched on everyday from Tuesday 5 November 2024.
Regent Street
Oxford Street’s friendly neighbourhood, Regent Street’s classic ‘Spirit of Christmas’ lights will return for the 2024 festive season, with 30 huge iconic sparkling angels spreading across the sky – comprising from than 300,000 LEDs.
When? Regent Street’s Christmas lights will be switched on everyday from 7 November until 5 January.
CGI of Carnaby Street’s 2024 Christmas Lights
Carnaby Street
Pioneers of the quirkier Christmas light displays, Carnaby Street’s theme for 2024 is ‘Into The Light’ and marks the area’s first step into a long-term, more sustainable lighting scheme which will last for five years. Designed by London-based creative production and design studio Sculptivate, the installation will feature mesmerising hourly light displays, with six metre-long sculptural light forms suspended above the street, and thousands of energy-efficient LED bulbs glowing in the sky. Think all the Carnaby quirkiness with an extra dollop of modernism.
When? Carnaby Street will be lit up from 7 November 2024 until Christmas.
Covent Garden’s 2023 Christmas Lights
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is magical year-round, but especially picturesque come Christmastime. A magical, British-grown, hand-selected 55 ft Christmas tree will arrive in the Piazza later in November, joining the historic plaza’s 40 gigantic bells adored with bows, 12 giant baubles and eight spinning mirror balls.
When? Covent Garden will be lit up from 12 November 2024, kicking off a seven week festive programme of pop-ups, shopping experiences, live entertainment and more.
Seven Dials
A stone’s throw away, a brand new lighting scheme will sweep the streets of Seven Dials, with more than 150,000 LED lights casting a glow across the streets, including within the much-loved Neal’s Yard.
When? Like Covent Garden, Seven Dials will be lit up from 12 November 2024.
2023 lights
Marylebone Village
Merry Marylebone will return in 2024, with festive activities, artisan market stalls and live music flooding the pretty streets. And, of course, there’s the all important light switch on, casting a festive glow over the whole of Marylebone for the rest of the season. The lights are always switched on by a celebrity guest, and 2024 is no different – but it’s being kept a secret for now. Stars in recent years include Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Fearne Cotton and Roman and Martin Kemp.
When? Merry Marylebone will take place from 3–8pm on Wednesday 13 November, and the Christmas lights will shine every evening from then on right up until Christmas.
2023 display
The Shard
Londoners can spot the Shard piercing the sky from plenty of spots around the city, and the skyscraper is joining in with the festive shenanigans again this season with a special light show at its tippy top (the top 20 floors of the building). Inspired by Britain’s most-loved Christmas carols, viewers from up to 40 miles away will be treated to 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.
When? The Shard will light up every evening from 14 November up until Christmas.
Christmas At Kew
Is this the country’s best winter light trail? We think so. The annual Christmas at Kew extravaganza brings a dose of festive magic to the world’s largest and most diverse botanical collection. Think immersive light installations, tasty food stalls and festive drinks, all surrounded by beautiful plants and trees.
When? Christmas at Kew runs from 4.20–10pm on selected dates from 13 November 2024 until 5 January 2025 at Kew Gardens, London. Tickets from £21.50. Booking ahead is essential. kew.org
Lord Mayor of London to Switch On Christmas Lights at City of London’s Leadenhall Market. (© Lucy Young)
Leadenhall Market
Over in the City, Leadenhall Market will get the annual festive treatment in mid-November, with the beautifully old covered market bedecked with a colour-changing LED display, as well as huge baubles, fir tree gardens and a twinkling light tunnel.
When? Leadenhall Market’s light switch on takes place on Thursday 14 November from 5.30pm.
Skate at Somerset House
Somerset House
Somerset House’s annual ice rink pop-up comes with lots of festive cheer, including festive feasting, pop-up shops, mini wooden chalets and, of course, Christmas lights.
When? Skate at Somerset House runs from 13 November 2024 until 12 January 2025. You need a ticket to skate (book yours here), but it’s free to pop down and see the lights – and it’s certainly worth the trip.
Belgravia Christmas light switch on, 9 November 2022 (c) John Nguyen/PA Wire.
Belgravia
This quaint neighbourhood beside Victoria is a lovely place to get some Christmas shopping done in peace – and there will be festive lights to guide you from mid-November.
When? Belgravia’s Christmas lights will be turned on at 4pm on Sunday 17 November, and everyday from then on until Christmas.
Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland
What began in 2005 as a small Christmassy fun fair has evolved into London’s largest annual festive event. Taking over Hyde Park every winter, Winter Wonderland is fit to burst with rides, bars, food stalls, and seriously impressive Christmas lights.
When? Winter Wonderland runs from 21 November 2024 until 5 January 2025 at Hyde Park, London. Tickets are free during off-peak times, and either £5 or £7.50 at peak times. Booking ahead is essential. hydeparkwinterwonderland.com
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Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square’s iconic annual sky-high Norwegian fir tree will return in December – always the final switch-on event in the festive lights calendar.
When? The tree will be lit up at 6pm on 5 December 2024.
Where Else?
These London spots light up every year, but their 2024 plans are still TBC:
- St Christopher’s Place – aka St Christmas Place
- Bond Street
- Mayfair – which will be getting a fresh set of opulent lights, we hear
