The Best Christmas Lights in London

There are many festive activities on offer over the Christmas period: explore the Christmas Markets, go on a shopping spree to find the perfect gift for your loved ones, or treat yourself to a traditional British theatre experience with a Christmas inspired pantomime, ballet or Christmas carol concert…

Where to see the Best Christmas Lights in London ?

Nothing gets you in the Christmas spirit more than the sparkle of the festive lights. Some of them are truly breath-taking, but London is a big city and it can be difficult to know where to go to admire the most magical ones. Here is our guide to the best London Christmas Lights, and how to get there! Hop-on the Christmas Lights Bus Tour, and enjoy London's illuminations and feel the Christmas spirit.

• Oxford Street
• Regent Street’s ‘Spirit of Christmas’
• Carnaby Christmas
• Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree
• Covent Garden
• Bond Street
• Christmas at Kew Gardens

Oxford Street

Oxford Street Christmas lights were traditionally inspired by falling snowflakes. These 5 000 snowflakes were recently replaced by brand-new LED lights  and look like a veritable shower of stars. . The operating hours are reduced too, which has the effect of using two-thirds less energy than last year. 

The show doesn’t stop there, as the sparkly lights glitter above your head. The seasonal window displays lining the most famous shopping street in London are also a must-see. The Christmas lights switching in Oxford Street will take place on November 5th.

How to get there?
Yellow route: hop off at stop #17 Marble Arch or #18 Oxford Street
Blue route: hop off at stop #18 Oxford Street

Regent Street’s ‘Spirit of Christmas’

Regent Street is home to the largest light installations in the capital, with its famous ‘Spirit of Christmas’ lights. The iconic angels are sure to impress you with their 17-metre wing spans twinkling in harmony to create a ripple effect along the street. Discover the Regent Street Christmas lights from 7 November to 5 January.

How to get there?
Yellow route: hop off at stop #1 Coventry Street
Blue route: hop off at stop #26 Piccadilly 

Carnaby Christmas

The Carnaby Christmas lights are always the most distinctive in town. This year’s installation theme is “Expect the unexpected”. From Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody to sub-aqua scenes, 2022 will be a compilation of the best from the past 25 years, with elements of 14 different themes all incorporated.

It launches on November 7th, with the usual shopping and switch-on party taking place that evening. We can’t wait to see the most incredible lights in town!

How to get there?
Yellow route: hop off at stop #1 Coventry Street
Blue route: hop off at stop #26 Piccadilly 

Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree

If you like Christmas Trees, you’re in for a treat! The iconic Trafalgar Square is home to a giant Christmas Tree donated yearly (since 1947) by the city of Oslo, as a mark of gratitude for British support during World War II. It is decorated in traditional Norwegian fashion and its lighting signals the countdown to Christmas. The Mayor of Westminster, Norwegian Ambassador and governing Mayor of Oslo usually switch on the lights on the Trafalgar Square tree on the first Thursday in December.

And if you’re looking for a Christmas Market, you will find one of the city’s best Christmas markets just a stone’s throw away in Leicester Square.

How to get there?
Yellow route: hop off at stop #2 Trafalgar Square
Blue route: hop off at stop #25 Trafalgar Square

Covent Garden

Whatever the season, Covent Garden is a must-visit spot. It is packed with cute stores, great street performers and tasty restaurants. It gets even more charming at this time of the year with a massive Christmas tree (60ft-tall), iconic mistletoe, glitter balls, and some surprise installations… Come and discover all those installations from 7 November!

How to get there?
Yellow, blue and green routes: hop off at stop #5 Covent Garden

Bond Street

Got cash to burn? Or feel like doing a bit of window shopping? Why not head to Bond Street and rediscover this luxurious shopping district garlanded with spectacular lights for Christmas. Once you've admired the light displays, don’t forget to take a look at the exclusive shops' seasonal decorations.

This year, everything on Bond Street is changing as the famous peacock lights we've enjoyed for the past seven festive seasons are being replaced by royal-themed illuminations with over 90,000 LED lights.

How to get there?
Yellow route: hop off at stop #17 Marble Arch or #18 Oxford Street
Blue route: hop off at stop #18 Oxford Street

Christmas at Kew Gardens

Who said botanical gardens weren't worth a visit during the winter months? Kew Gardens lights up after dark with their magical winter trail that takes you around the park and through interactive installations that will delight the little and not so little alike. Don’t miss the great Palm House Pound finale!

The trail is about 2.6km and takes about 75 minutes to complete. Warm up with a hot drink and snack along the trail or head on down to one of the cafés once you’ve completed the trail. You will need to book tickets in advance.

To ensure you experience all the magic of the city and capture a glimpse of London’s best Christmas Lights, hop on board the 60 minute non-stop Christmas Lights Tour. Enjoy amazing views of the capital from the top deck as you listen to fascinating live commentary. The perfect London trip to get you feeling festive and in the mood for Christmas.

To complete your discovery of London and do your Christmas shopping, continue your visit with our new Tootwalk service. Discover our Royal shopping in St James's walking route available for free on the Tootbus app available on App Store and Play Store.

And if you want to add some warm drinks to your tour, why not give a try to our wintery Bar Bus? Cosy up on the most original rooftop bar and enjoy the magic of Christmas with this adults-only Christmas Lights experience.