Best 10 Christmas Lights in London
Best 10 Christmas Lights in London
It does not take too long after Halloween for London to dazzle, dazzle, dazzle the skies and bring on the festive spirit in style. Experience the magic of Christmas in the heart of London. Christmas lights display in London is incredible and special. The dazzling array of winter lights all over London has brought a irrepressible sparkle and much festive cheer to brighten up winter nights. London’s sparkly winter destinations will be buzzing again. For some festive fun and cheer at Christmas, come over to London and experience the best 10 Christmas lights in London.
This article lists the best 10 Christmas lights in London you could visit during the festive season to experience the magical dazzling lights in London.
Georgina says: Get on your walking shoes and explore London City by night 🙂 The best time to view these lights and to capture good photos from various angles is in the evenings after the shops close for business. Less crowd. You could easily walk from one block to another (except the Winterfest in Wembley which is about 25 minutes train journey from central London and Kew Gardens which is about 30 minutes) to view. Most of my night-time photos in this article were taken between 10:00 pm and 01:00 am. I am sure you would love an adventure such as this too, if you so desire. I think this is an experience to top any list.
Best 10 Christmas Lights in London – An Unbelievable Dazzling Array of Sparkles
Every year, the dazzling Christmas lights display in London are a must-see event. The following best 10 Christmas Lights is by no means an exhaustive list. However, it should top any list.
1 | Carnaby Street London Christmas Lights Display
Carnaby’s Christmas lights are always a special treat. The theme that Carnaby chooses to highlight each year relates to current issues that are close to people’s hearts.
In 2019 Carnaby chose a quirky underwater theme. It teamed-up with ocean conservation charity Project 0 for this sustainable display. The display featured bubble-blowing whale, glittering underwater creatures such as giant clusters of jellyfish and 200 illuminated vampire squid. All made using recycled and reusable materials.
The 2020 Christmas Lights display was another event that reflected the spirit of Londoner’s and what we have all been experiencing this challenging year. Carnaby teamed up with charity, Choose Love to display a message of Hope and Kindness with bright pink neon lights. Each light displays a positively strong message such as ‘Give’, ‘Heart’, ‘Hope’, ‘Love’, just to name a few, making Carnaby Street as one of the best 10 Christmas lights in London.
In 2021, along with a partnership with Choose Love, a display of over 600 fluttering neon butterfiles illuminates Carnaby this Christmas.
FREE Event | November 8 2022 – Early January 2023 | Location: Carnaby Street, Soho | Nearest Station: Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Piccadilly Circus | Website: https://www.carnaby.co.uk/
2 | Regent Street Angels | Best 10 Christmas Lights in London
The glorious and amazing golden angels over Regent Street are back this year. Adding that glittering sparkle to our festive cheer in London. “The Spirit of Christmas” by Regent Street this year is better, bigger and dramatic representing “spirits” sweeping through the length of the street.
Looking up at the sweeping canopy of twinkling lights in varying shades of white creating a coordinated ripple effect is simply quite magical – making Regent Street sparkle and dazzle bright in the moonlight. This is one Christmas lights display that brings light, warmth and joy to everyone who come to experience Regent Street lights in London at Christmas. Switched on in the evenings only, from 4 pm to midnight to ensure a sustainable display.
FREE Event | November 9, 2022 to early January 2023 | Location: Regent Street, London | Nearest Stations: Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus, Tottenham Court Road | Website: https://www.regentstreetonline.com/
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3 | Christmas at Kew Gardens: Christmas in London
Christmas at Kew is a perfect festive winter event of magical light trail across its gardens. Their sparkling after dark trail holds new surprises each year for visitors young and old. A sell-out event, visitors can expect to enter a botanical world of magical colours and enchanting optics of a mile long of illuminations. The trail features trees with swirls of neon lights, glowing cherry blossom walkway, singing Rose Garden and so much more. The magical evening draws to a close with the Temperate House springing to life with illuminations. A dancing spectrum of colours to seasonal music envelopes the iconic glasshouse.
New in 2020 was a tunnel adorned with canopy of starry lanterns.
The 2019 highlight of “Waterfall of Lights” cascading from their 18 metre high Treetop Walkway with “spiralling columns of light cascading from the canopy above” made a return for 2020. Another firm favourite year on year, Cathedral of Lights made a return as well.
This truly mesmerising experience is one not to miss as well, if you are in London.
Christmas at Kew is a ticketed event. Tickets must be purchased in advance. You can select a time slot that is convenient for you at the time of purchase.
Ticketed Event | Location: Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE | November 16, 2022 – January 8, 2023 | 4.20 pm – 10 pm | Nearest station: Kew Gardens, Disctrict Line on the Richmond branch | Website: Christmas at Kew 2022 for tickets availability and related information.
4 | Oxford Street London Christmas Lights Display
You know Christmas is here when you are in Oxford Street. The amazing seasonal window displays line up the infamous shopping street in the world and the sparkly lights above you.
In 2019, Oxford Street installed new and spectacular lights. The display featured 27 LED light curtains, made up of 222,000 sparkling lights draped over the length of the shopping street. In 2021 the lights were a tribute to NHS staff and key workers, with the name of a nominated ‘Hero’ appearing on lights display.
FREE Event | 2022 lights are here! November 2 to early January 2023 | Nearest Stations: Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Bond Street, Marble Arch and Piccadilly Circus | Website: https://www.oxfordstreet.co.uk/
As you walk along Oxford Street, look at the side roads too. The incredible Christmas lights display in Bond Street and South Molton Street are not to miss.
Suggested Read: London’s Christmas Lights | An Unmissable Festive Cheer
5 | New Bond Street | Best 10 Christmas Lights in London
New Bond Street, a glamorous part of London looks even more flamboyant with its giant illuminated peacock feathers.
The lights are technically white but radiate a dash of blue hues, illuminating the whole street.
As one of the best 10 Christmas lights in London, the magical lights at Bond Street does not just stop at brightening up the streets for the festive season, The window-displays of London’s grandeur shopping district adds sparkle and good cheer as the countdown begins for the reopening in December of their famed luxury boutiques, galleries and bars.
FREE Event | November 17 2022 – early January 2023 | Location: W1 | Nearest Underground Station: Bond Street – Central and Jubilee Lines | Website: https://bondstreet.co.uk/
6 | Mayfair/South Molton Street, London
There is no Christmas lights display in central London that is quite so sparkly blue as that in South Molton Street. A traffic-free shopping area, the street dazzles with starry-arches for pedestrians to walk through. These photogenic lights are not hung high up. You could walk up close and take a few selfies as festive memories.
Located just next to Bond Street Underground Station, you can’t miss it.
FREE Event | November 17 2022 – early January 2023 | Location: W1 | Nearest Underground Station: Bond Street – Central and Jubilee Lines
7 | Marylebone Village | Best 10 Christmas Lights in London
The sparkly lights are on in Marylebone Village. Bringing festive cheer and celebrations to the residents, businesses and visitors to this boutique filled neighbourhood.
FREE Event | Location: Marylebone, London | November 10, 2022 to early January 2023 | Nearest stations: Bond Street, Baker Street | Website: https://www.marylebonevillage.com/
8 | Kings Cross, London at Christmas
Kings Cross pulled out all the stops in 2020 by bringing not one but three unique Christmas trees together with all the festive finery. First though, you will find this illumination just outside Kings Cross Station.
8.1 | The Nemeton Tree, Granary Square
The Granary Square feature the 36ft high Electric Nemeton Tree, designed by local architecture practice, Sam Jacob Studios. It brings together the origins of Christmas tree traditions, a fairy-tale forest and the symbolism of midwinter tree with modern architecture.
Inspired by ancient Celtic religion, Nemeton or Nemeta (plural) were sacred spaces situated in natural environment, often involving trees. They were known as sacred groves, called Nemeton,
8.2 | Terrarium Tree at Coal Drops Yard, Kings Cross, London
At Coal Drops Yard, there is the sustainable creation Terrarium Tree by Botanical Boys.
The Terrarium Tree is 28 ft tall and feature 70 terrariums, each a living miniature garden surrounded by 168 mirrored baubles. Each comes in varying sizes.
8.3 | People’s Tree, Battle Bridge Place, Kings Cross, London
The final piece at Battle Bridge Place is the People’s Tree.
It is interactive, and multicoloured. It illuminates by the sensory movements of people when they place their palm over the sensory button.
Location: Kings Cross, London | 2022 | Nearest Station: Kings Cross Station | Website: https://www.kingscross.co.uk/
9 | St Pancras International, London and it’s Christmas cheer
In 2020, the magical Christmas tree at St Pancras, International was a beautiful 34ft high tree, dressed in pink. The ‘Tree of Hope’ pays tribute to the NHS and key workers who have carried the UK through the challenging times of 2020.
Adorned in 1200 metres of pink ribbons with printed messages of love, hope, and empathy together with a whimsical carousel at the base. Designed in partnership with EL&N, the tree carries a festive message ‘Wishing you a season of sweetness’ adding a festive feel to the somewhat quiet but a delightful concourse.
FREE Event | Location: Concourse, St Pancras International | 2022 TBC | Nearest station: Kings Cross St Pancras | Website: https://stpancras.com/
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10 | Wembley Park, London
Christmas is on at Wembley Park, home to the iconic Wembley Stadium. In 2020, the scheduled Winterfest and the ‘Reflections of Future’ illuminations were postponed to November 2021, but the ‘United in Light’ Christmas display was on.
The theme ‘United in Light’ featured the hugely popular London’s tallest LED tree at the Royal Triangle, outside London Designer Outlet. In 2020, the tree was adorned with a very special design and a heartwarming message of unity, hope and joy, ‘Aurora Arbour’ by artist, Siân Bliss. ‘Aurora Arbour’ is based on the concept of movements of a winter night’s sky. We can all see the same sky even when we are separated. Watch the video at the top of this article for a virtual experience.
In keeping with the spirit of unity, hope and joy, the Christmas Lights Display at Wembley Park also featured an inspiring artwork by East London artist, Tash Randolph. The artwork reflect the strength of the community facing the pandemic together at a time when they are asked to stay apart.
Along with the spectacular tree, the neighbourhood was lit up with digital animations of sunrises, moon cycles and aurora borealis across Bobby Moore Bridge. As well, visitors can take that perfect photo for their Instagram feed in the designated selfie spots.
2021 sees the immersive winter light trail with the theme “Reunited in Light”
FREE Event | Location: Wembley Park, | November 2022 – January 2023 | Nearest stations: Wembley Park Station – Jubilee and Metropolitan lines; Wembley Central Station – London Overground Line | Website: https://wembleypark.com/christmas-wembley-park/
Practical points to consider when visiting the best 10 Christmas Lights in London
Here is a quick look at some practical points and travel resources to consider when planning your special timeless trip to London during the festive season.
Guided tours to add value to your visit:
I would also suggest that you check out some evening tours around the city of London. Organised activities add value to experiences and you learn so much from a knowledgeable local guide. The following are great and fun to go for:
London: Christmas Lights Tour in a Black Cab
Best of London Sights and Sounds Tour – Private
If you like this article, you may also like other articles on Timeless Christmas in London:
Finally…what do I think…
I truly believe that Christmas in London is special! For some of us, I would go as far as to say that it is magical! If you have the opportunity to visit, please do visit us at Christmas.
Have a wonderful festive season, whatever you get up to 🙂
Georgina xx
