There are so many nice issues to do at Christmas in London however one in all my favourites is totally free, wandering this London Christmas lights walking route and absorbing all of the twinkling decorations across the metropolis.
Each yr there appear to be extra added, to not point out the festive mild trails, with nearly all of the lights switched on a while within the first half of November and staying on till early within the New Year, usually not less than January 3 though all switched off by January 6.
You’ll discover a particular Christmas lights bus tour for those who don’t fancy walking the entire route, but it surely’s arduous to beat simply strolling from one location to a different, perhaps stopping for a few of London’s best sizzling chocolate, visiting one of many London Christmas markets or maybe teaming it with an opportunity to fulfill Santa in London.
London Christmas lights walking route with youngsters
If you’re following my London Christmas lights walking route with youngsters, you’ll be able to simply break it up into smaller sections and go to them on completely different events, or hop on a bus to offer little legs a break – the 139 bus route is an effective choice.
You can’t see all of the London Christmas lights from a bus, even for those who handle to get the coveted high deck entrance row – Carnaby Street and Covent Garden are each pedestrianised, for starters – and you’ll anticipate to sit down in visitors at busy instances, but it surely’s a superb compromise.
The stretch between Oxford Street (round Selfridges) and Southampton Street (for Covent Garden) has the best focus of lights, though the route continues to Waterloo for those who fancy heading to the South Bank and its festive market (or for those who’re beginning there, it’ll lower out quite a lot of the stroll).
You also can begin the stroll at any level on the route – quite a lot of comparable Christmas lights walking routes in London start round Piccadilly, for instance, however there’s no proper solution to do it… and also you’ll at all times should detour a little bit bit if you wish to attempt to see each final one.
The best time to see the lights is clearly after darkish, however with the solar setting round 4pm as soon as December arrives that provides you loads of time. Heading off as quickly as nightfall falls is usually the best concept with youngsters – you received’t be walking too late with youthful ones, and you’ll miss among the night crowds, though London is at all times busy within the run-up to Christmas.
Many locations have but to substantiate their switch-on dates for 2024, so a lot of the dates under are TBC and might be up to date because the information is confirmed
London Christmas Lights walking route map
You can stroll this route in both path, from Covent Garden by to Mayfair or vice versa, in addition to detouring from Piccadilly up by Bond Street in the direction of Oxford Street, then over to Carnaby Street and Regent Street.
Allow not less than two hours to stroll all the route, which is round 4 miles lengthy – you may want longer for those who’re stopping to take images or dodging the crowds, and frog-marching everybody from A to B isn’t going to get anybody within the festive temper.
I’ve plotted the places on a London Christmas lights map so you’ll be able to select what works best for you, or divide the route into sections – your personal private self-guided Christmas lights walking tour. Have a really merry stroll!
Stop1: Covent Garden
My favorite place to begin a Christmas lights stroll of London, Covent Garden at all times has loads of festive extras from its large glowing tree to faux snow and Santa’s sleigh, to not point out plenty of pop-up occasions within the piazza.
Last yr, the outdated favourites of large baubles, mistletoe and mirrorballs took a again seat with a brand new set of bells and bows hanging excessive above the market, and so they’ll be again for 2024 as nicely.
Covent Garden Christmas lights: Need to know
The festive occasions going down in Covent Garden at Christmas normally begin in early November, with the official switch-on date in the direction of the start of the month. 2024 switch-on date Nov 6 (TBC)
As you stroll in the direction of Trafalgar Square, you’ll be able to go through Leicester Square, which has its personal Christmas market – it’s normally very busy and doesn’t have London’s best Christmas lights, so personally I’d are inclined to keep away from it right now of yr
Stop 2: Trafalgar Square
Every yr since 1947, the individuals of Norway have given the individuals of London a 19m Christmas tree as a gesture of appreciation for the town’s assist in the course of the Second World War.
It’s one thing of a Christmas custom for Londoners to affectionately poke enjoyable on the towering Christmas tree, which continues to be dwarfed by Nelson’s column. I’m certain it appeared wonky final yr, but it surely wouldn’t be Christmas with out it.
There’s additionally a small Christmas market within the sq., near the National Gallery and you’ll typically hear carols right here as nicely.
You could make a small detour all the way down to the Strand (both from Covent Garden or earlier than heading in the direction of Piccadilly) to see the North Bank lights – the baubles are one other late change on, on December 2, and never value going far out of your solution to see, however for those who’re heading to Skate at Somerset House, it’s straightforward to identify them en route
Trafalgar Square Christmas: Need to know
The lighting ceremony takes place on the primary Thursday in December, on December 5, 2024 (TBC).
Stop 3: Lower Regent Street & Piccadilly Circus
From Trafalgar Square, head in the direction of Waterloo Place for the glamorous St James’s Christmas tree earlier than heading up St James’s (Lower Regent Street) itself to see the Spirit of Christmas angels and on in the direction of Piccadilly Circus.
Not solely is it much less busy right here, it’s also possible to get a peek down Jermyn Street to see a couple of extra, whereas St James’s Market, simply off Jermyn Street and Haymarket, has an ‘earthbound’ spirit to pose with.
Piccadilly Circus doesn’t have its personal Christmas lights however the likelihood is that there’ll be a festive theme on not less than one of many large illuminated billboards which it’s well-known.
If you need to shorten the stroll, you’ll be able to head straight to Piccadilly Circus and even additional up Regent Street by bus
Lower Regent Street Christmas lights: Need to know
The lights stretch all the best way up Regent Street from St James’s, Piccadilly and Jermyn Street so there’s loads of likelihood to see these. 2024 switch-on date Nov 7 (TBC)
Stop 4: Piccadilly & Fortnum & Mason
Take a brief detour down Piccadilly in the direction of Fortnum & Mason, which transforms its store home windows into an creation calendar yearly, with numbers on the upstairs home windows.
It’s value taking a peek within the street-level home windows as nicely, as there’s at all times one thing new to identify. Last yr, you may see animated recreations of the division retailer in miniature – together with presents attempting to get into the raise, and champagne bottles dancing on the staircase.
The best views are from throughout the street, by the Royal Academy, so cross (fastidiously!) to get a have a look at the entire impact earlier than heading again in the direction of Regent Street. Or after all you’ll be able to at all times cease in to select up a couple of fancy Christmas decorations to your personal tree from the luxurious division retailer.
Above Piccadilly itself, there are extra winged angels – Anteros, to be exact, the god of unrequited love, and a nod to the well-known statue in Piccadilly Circus. Although everybody calls it Eros, there’s extra debate than you’d assume, with loads of proof that it’s truly Anteros or the angel of Christian charity.
If you’re doing this Christmas lights stroll of London in a special order, it’s also possible to wander from Piccadilly up the south finish of Bond Street to convey you to Oxford Street – scroll all the way down to cease 7 for extra particulars
Piccadilly Christmas lights: Need to know
Fortnum & Mason normally unveils its Christmas shows in mid November
Stop 5: Regent Street
If you’re searching for the Spirit of Christmas, you have to head to Regent Street the place the Christmas lights’ official identify is the Spirit of Christmas angels.
Another favorite sight, it’s also possible to get some nice images of the angels above as the road curves spherical to the appropriate, and this yr, there are new lights within the streets main off Regent Street, together with Glasshouse Street, Swallow Street and the Quadrant Arcade.
Regent Street Christmas lights: Need to know
The lights stretch all the best way up Regent Street from St James’s, Piccadilly and Jermyn Street so there’s loads of likelihood to see these. They do change off barely earlier, on January 2 for those who had been planning a New Year go to. 2024 switch-on date Nov 7 TBC
Stop 6: Carnaby Street
Usually one in all my very own favourites, you’ll be able to anticipate one thing extra inventive and fewer conventional alongside right here – and as Carnaby Street is pedestrianised, it’s additionally simpler to cease and take within the particulars (for those who can dodge the crowds).
Last yr’s lights had a theme of area and the universe, with planets, moons, nebulas and galaxies swirling above the road.
Previous years have featured among the highlights of the previous quarter century, from lights impressed by Queen and the Rolling Stones to underwater scenes and outsized robins. Keep a watch out for extra lights within the alleys off Carnaby Street – the shows are smaller however so are the crowds.
Carnaby Street Christmas lights: Need to know
Often one of many first units of lights to modify on in November. 2024 switch-on date Nov 8 (TBC)
Stop 7: Oxford Street
The capturing stars of Oxford Street have been a well-known sights for some time however there’s at all times one thing very uplifting about seeing them twinkle into life as darkness falls.
There had been a whopping 300,000 stars glowing above London’s busiest purchasing road final, all utilizing LED lights as soon as once more to make use of much less power. You may sponsor one to assist kids’s charity Starlight as nicely.
It is likely to be one of many metropolis’s busiest purchasing streets, however Christmas is all about giving in any case.
Oxford Street Christmas lights: Need to know
Another of the earliest units of lights to be switched on for those who’re visiting London at first of November. 2024 switch-on date Nov 5
Stop 7: Bond Street
The lights right here change every so often – the illuminated peacock tails that shimmered above the world round Bond Street, a reference to the society dandies (or peacocks) who as soon as strutted the streets right here, had been changed by a royal-themed show of crowns in 2022.
There had been a staggering 93,652 LED lights to avoid wasting power with out shedding any of the dazzling show – in all probability essentially the most stunning Christmas lights in London.
Four monumental crowns impressed by the Imperial State Crown hung above key junctions, with glowing gold, silver and pearl lights making a tiara-style gateway on the north with New Bond Street and south at Old Bond Street.
If you’re doing this Christmas lights stroll of London in a special order, it’s also possible to wander from Piccadilly up the south finish of Bond Street to convey you to Oxford Street
While you’re within the space, take a peek within the home windows of Selfridges on Oxford Street and don’t miss South Molton Street, subsequent to Bond Street tube, whose arch of sunshine is at all times a spotlight.
Bond Street Christmas lights: Need to know
One of the later shows to activate, they’re nicely value ready for. 2024 switch-on date November 16
Stop 8: Grosvenor Square & Berkeley Square, Mayfair
Raising cash for the Royal Marsden Cancer Society, the Ever After Garden in Grosvenor Square is again for the sixth yr, filling the sq. with over 20,000 illuminated white roses.
Visitors can dedicate the roses to family members they’ve misplaced, with the price of every flower elevating cash for the most cancers charity. It’s free for anybody to enter although, and whereas the sight at all times brings a lump to my throat, it’s a tranquil oasis among the many festive bustle.
From right here, it’s just some minutes to Berkeley Square the place personal members’ membership Annabel’s is at all times illuminated for the festive season. Last yr, there was a carousel theme, whereas earlier years have seen it remodeled right into a glowing gingerbread home. Fortunately you don’t have to pay the expensive membership payment to take a look.
Grosvenor Square lights: Need to know
The Ever After Garden closes sooner than among the different Christmas lights, ending on December 18, 2024. It opens mid-November (on November 14, 2024) so you continue to have a month to go to.
Want extra London Christmas lights?
If you’ll be able to’t get sufficient of the lights over central London – or if you end up round Victoria and South Kensington, there are some extra Christmas illuminations to be discovered.
Head to Belgravia to see the lights at Elizabeth Street, Motcomb Street, Eccleston Yards, Halkin Arcade and Pimlico Road, together with the glowing white bushes illuminating South Molton Street.
And in Knightsbridge, Harrods blazes with mild every year – to not point out some nice Christmas shows within the home windows.
Or you’ll be able to typically discover some vibrant lights down on the South Bank for Winter Lights, artwork installations which play with mild, with a backdrop of the festive market and the buildings lit up alongside the river Thames.
For extra festive enjoyable try my decide of the place to go for the best ice skating rink in London in addition to the best Christmas theatre in London with youngsters
Disclosure: This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Main picture/The Strand/Regent Street/Bond Street courtesy of Depositphotos, Instagram pictures as credited, all different pictures copyright MummyTravels
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