The Best Christmas Lights in London 2026

There is something magical about the Christmas season, and who doesn’t love to see a nice Christmas lights display.

London hosts some of the most visited light displays in the UK. There are traditional and elegant displays, modern and bohemian displays, and light trails. London has so much to offer that will bring out the Christmas spirit within you – and will melt even the most stubborn Grinch-like attitude!

Well, it will come as no surprise that here at At Last Events, we love to explore iconic commercial Christmas light displays! Of course, we love designing them too, but let’s explore some of the most well known Christmas lights in London – and a few hidden gems you may not have discovered yet.

1. Regent Street THE iconic destination for those looking for amazing Christmas lighting! In the heart of London, the spectacular lights, the Christmas shopping, the historic buildings and the general buzz of the area combine to give the quintessential English Christmas feel! And of course, you have flagship department stores, such as John Lewis, Hamleys and Liberty London, who go all out on their commercial Christmas lighting to encourage shoppers to enter their premises!
   

   

   
   

2. Covent Garden The cobbled streets, the iconic covered market (Eliza Doolittle anyone?), and the architecture surrounding it, makes this the perfect old English Christmas destination. In recent years Covent Garden has been known for its oversized Christmas decorations and is a great Christmas experience, with lights in both the piazza and the market, entertainment, eating and drinking, and shopping. And you can stay dry on a cold wet December day in London!
   

   

   
   

3. Bond Street The home of many luxury brands, the Christmas lights tend to be more refined and elegant than many other West End locations. While other locations are looking to give the “Wow” factor, Bond Street lighting tends to focus on high end design. However, while the street lighting is more understated, the individual shop fronts themselves create their own spectacular festive light window displays.

   
   

4. Carnaby Street Made famous in the 60’s for its fashion style, it remains a wild child for Christmas décor! Where others may stick to a tried and tested style, Carnaby Street remains at the cutting edge. Every year brings a new concept often designed by artists or fashion brands. Generally, the displays are more immersive and have more of a feel of a light trail or tunnel. For a more modern take on Xmas lighting displays, this is the place to be.

   
   

5. Trafalgar Square For a more traditional look at Christmas displays, a London Christmas lights tour wouldn’t be complete without visiting the giant Norwegian Spruce that has become an iconic annual Christmas tradition. Of course, there is historic significance which makes a visit even more important – the tree is sent by the City of Oslo, on behalf of the Norwegian people, for the UK’s support during WW2.

   
   

6. Chinatown Obviously Chinese New Year is the big celebration for this area, but with its colourful lanterns and decorations, it’s still a great place to experience Christmas. Within easy reach of many of the must visit locations, this is a great place to stop and get food, either on the go or in a restaurant, and always has a great energy to help keep up your festive cheer!

   
   

7. St Katherine’s Dock & Winter By The River For something different, and maybe for those who would prefer to be away from the hustle and bustle of the urban areas, the waterside area may provide a calmer Christmas lights experience. Rather than big displays, the pubs, restaurants and boats at St Katherine’s Dock will usually be adorned with lights, with the water reflecting back those lights, as you enjoy a relaxing meal or walk. Still by the Thames, between Tower Bridge and London Bridge, is Winter By The River. As well as seeing the river skyline lit up, you can enjoy Christmas lights, festive food and drink, artisan craft stalls and independent traders, and sometimes workshops and entertainment. All while enjoying views of Tower Bridge!

   
   

8. Sloane Square & The Kings Road There are still impressive places to visit away from the West End. The Chelsea area provides elegant Christmas lighting without all the chaos of the West End and quite often the centrepiece is provided with the residents in mind, rather than tourists. In 2024 we created an immersive Christmas light installation in Chelsea incorporating a walk-through light tunnel that became a focal point for visitors during the festive season. Chelsea is great if you want to get away from the crowds but still have a London Christmas experience.
   

   

   
   

9. Hyde Park The iconic London park hosts a Winter Wonderland every year, accentuated by Christmas light installations and illuminated attractions. This is a full-on festive experience with rides, food & drink, markets and usually ice skating! This is the fun side of Christmas in London, rather than the elegant and decadent Christmas illuminations in other areas.

   
   

10. Kew Gardens Normally a ticketed event South of the River Thames, Kew Gardens offers a fantastic light trail through its grounds. Because this attraction is all about the lights, there are different types of Christmas lighting effects throughout the trail – from tunnels of light, to projections on trees! Light trails have grown in popularity over the years, and this would certainly be one of the most iconic!

    
    

11. And finally, we can’t ignore The City of London – a hidden gem! Not generally the go to place for tourists looking for Christmas lights, but so many commercial buildings put on a fantastic display! From Pan Pacific London who this year have a giant wreath adorning the front of their hotel, to the iconic Gherkin building with its fun Christmas illuminations, to the many restaurants and bars who illuminate their premises with festive lighting, a wander around the city is a must!
    

    

Our recommendation for a London Christmas Lights tour:

With so many places to visit, it can be difficult to know where to start! If you are planning on a few trips to London during the festive season, it may be best to incorporate your Christmas light viewing around those activities, whether that is shopping, socialising or going to the theatre! If you are planning on just one trip, we would suggest picking the places you really want to visit then taking a route that could incorporate some additional locations. And if you miss any out, you can always find another excuse to visit London!

Share your Christmas light photos

Christmas is a magical time of the year, and the effort that many locations and brands make is a sight to behold.

We would love to see your photos and videos of Christmas decorations and light displays – tag @atlasteventsuk on Instagram when you upload!

And if you are looking for a Christmas display yourself, why not see how At Last Events can brighten up your Christmas?

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Christmas in London FAQs

Q. What date is the 2026 Regent Street Christmas light switch on? A. It is currently scheduled for Thursday 6^th November at around 17:30. After that they typically are illuminated from 3-4pm every day until early January.

Q. What is the most Christmassy street in London? A. This depends on what you’re looking for, but people would say Regent Street. Set in the heart of the West End, it ticks boxes for Christmas lights at scale, Christmas shopping at flagship stores, historic architecture taking you back in time, and the energy created by the hustle and bustle.

Q. Are London Christmas lights free to visit? A. The great thing about most iconic London Christmas destinations is that yes, they are free to visit. More commercial enterprises such as the Kew Gardens light trail and Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park will likely incur an entrance fee – it’s best to check before visiting.

Q. How many days are there until Christmas Day? A. Take a look at our "Sleeps To Christmas" countdown to find out!