Welcome to my first-ever UK post! Everyone who knows me well knows how much I love returning to the UK and what a special place this country has in my heart. I have been looking forward to writing this post for a while now. It will not be just about London, but better – London during Christmas. Expect to find a list of the Christmas lights in London you absolutely must put on your bucket list.
The Christmas lights in London are one of the nicest I have ever seen (coming from a person who has visited a fair share of Christmas-decorated capitals). London during the festive period is truly magical. I am talking Christmas markets, shiny decorated streets, and shops on every corner, Christmas theme parks, and festive spirit everywhere you go.
Here is the ultimate London Christmas Lights Trail for 2023 and all the pit stops you absolutely must make on the way to experience the best of the Christmas lights in London!
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LONDON CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TRAIL 2023
Even though Christmas time is over, you are not too late to catch the Christmas lights in London.
Below are the best Christmas lights locations and their timings for the 2023/2024 season:
- Oxford Street Christmas lights – open until 5th January
- Regent Street Angels – open until 3rd January
- Carnaby Christmas lights – open until 14th January
- Covent Garden Christmas decorations – open until 5th January
- New Bond Street – open until 10th January
You might also enjoy: THE LIST OF FREE THINGS TO DO IN LONDON
1. Oxford Street Christmas Lights
Here is the best Christmas lights in London walking route to see all the important locations:
Start your Christmas lights trail on Oxford Street to see the “Sky Full of Stars” display. Instead of starting from the Oxford Circus which is the busiest part anyway, start from the Tottenham Court Road instead – this way you will be able to admire the lights with less crowds. Slowly make your way west towards Regent Street.
Oxford Street Christmas lights are open every day starting early afternoon up until 5th January 2024.
Oxford Street Christmas Lights
2. Regent Street Christmas Angels
The Regent Street Angels are hard to miss. As soon as you reach Oxford Circus you will see them on your left-hand side, together with plenty of tourists trying to catch the best shot. There is a good reason for the crowd – Regent Street is one of the best-decorated streets with the most magnificent lights you will see. Take a walk down the street up until Conduit Street, where you turn right towards your next destination.
Rumour has it the Regent Street Angels will be back in November 2024.
Regent Street Christmas Angels
Travel Tip: To view the lights on Regent Street from a greater perspective, why not catch a bus instead? You have several options:
- City double-decker buses numbers 12, 94, 139, or 159, a ticket costs £1.75.
- London Christmas Lights Bus Tour, covering 90min of Christmas lights sightseeing from the top of a Christmassy bus
Chosen for you: A SIMPLE GUIDE TO LONDON PUBLIC TRANSPORT
3. New Bond Street Christmas Lights
The traditional peacock feather lights on Bond Street have this year been replaced with new, crown-jewel-like displays, giving Bond Street a fresh look as a courtesy to the late Queen Elizabeth II. In addition, each shop on this famous jewelry street showcases its own lights. You will find everything from the Ralph Lauren Giving Tree for Bond Street to Casa LOEWE’s penguin decorations.
New Bond Street Christmas Lights
Bonus: While walking towards New Bond Street, stop by Sketch, a fine dining restaurant. For the best experience, have an afternoon tea or perhaps a dinner. If you choose to dine at the restaurant, make sure to make a reservation in advance.
4. Annabel's Christmas Display
Just a short walk from Bond Street is the next Christmas lights pit stop – Annabel’s on Berkeley Square. This elegant private club’s facade is dressed in a different theme each year. In 2023, you will be able to catch it with a hot air balloon as a symbol of hope and inspiration, designed in collaboration with The Caring Family Foundation.
5. Burlington Arcade Lights
Your next stop is at the Burlington Arcade – a 19th-century covered shopping arcade, famous for its jewelry, perfume, and watch shops.
6. Fortnum & Mason Advent Calendar
Right across the street from the Burlington Arcade is Fortnum & Mason. London’s famous upmarket department store has a tradition of turning into a massive red advent calendar each year with traditional window displays. Hint: it’s as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside!
Bonus: If you are a big books and bookshops fan, you must pass by Hatchards, London’s oldest bookshop which claims to be the oldest one in the UK. The bookshop was one of Oscar Wilde’s favourites back in the day and up to today it hosts book signings from famous authors.
Fortnum & Mason Christmas Decoration
7. Carnaby Street
Finish your London Christmas lights walk in style. Passing by the Picadilly Circus, turn back on Regent Street and then right to Carnaby Street, a pedestrian shopping street full of colorful light displays.
Carnaby Street Christmas Lights
London Christmas Lights in Other Areas of London
If you instead happen to stroll around other areas of London, these are some of the best Christmas lights to pin to your map:
- Winter Wonderland Theme Park in Hyde Park
- Covent Garden’s Christmas displays
- Hay’s Galleria in Southwark
- London’s Christmas by the River by the Tower Bridge
- Leadenhall Market next to Bank
- Immersive Experience by Föy Graphic Design Studio at Tottenham Court Road
- Book Christmas Tree at St. Pancras Train Station
London Christmas Lights in Other Areas of London
I truly hope my 2023 London Christmas lights guide comes in handy when planning your London adventure.
And if you are looking for accommodation in London – Booking.com is the place to consider.
Stay tuned as more London-related posts will be up for reading soon!
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Hi, it's Neja
I am an expat from Slovenia,
living in Milan since 2021 and writing a travel blog for all of you who are curious about life in Italy or traveling in Europe.
Follow me on my journey and learn everything about Italy and the European destinations.
