Friends of Lush
Referral link associated with a free Celebrate Bath Bomb offer.
Visit Friends of Lush
Changing Perceptions on Sight Loss in Style
Your guide to London Christmas lights 2026, including switch-on dates, times and some of my favourite festive spots to visit.
Christmas is just around the corner, and November marks the beginning of London’s Christmas light switch-ons, with some of the capital’s most famous streets set to be transformed into a sparkling winter wonderland.
The first major switch-ons will take place on 4 November at Carnaby Street, followed by Regent Street on 5 November, when its famous Christmas angels will once again illuminate the West End.
If you’re looking to attend a Christmas light switch-on in London for the festive season of 2026, I’ve put together a complete guide with everything you need to know, including the dates, times and some of the best places to visit.
London certainly knows how to put on a spectacular display at Christmas, and there are a few places I always recommend visiting during the festive season.
One of my personal favourites is Liberty London, with its beautiful Tudor-style building, distinctive timber-framed exterior and whimsical Christmas decorations.
See more fashion, travel, beauty and accessible lifestyle content on Instagram.
Follow @fashioneyesta2012Another place I would highly recommend visiting is Selfridges on Oxford Street, which is famous for its extravagant Christmas window displays.
Another favourite is Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly, which is renowned for its enchanting Christmas window displays and beautifully decorated storefront.
Of course, there’s also Regent Street, home to London’s famous Christmas angels. Seeing the magnificent illuminated figures suspended above the street is one of the most iconic sights of Christmas in London.
New Bond Street is equally beautiful, with its elegant, jewel-inspired decorations adding a touch of festive glamour to Mayfair.
For somewhere a little different, I would also recommend exploring Kensington, particularly around Kensington Church Street, where you’ll find some beautiful decorations and the famous Churchill Arms pub, which transforms its exterior with Christmas trees and thousands of fairy lights.
Finally, The OWO on Whitehall is another place I would recommend including on a Christmas walk around London especially due to its proximity to The Strand.
So, when are London’s Christmas lights being switched on this year?
Here are the dates for some of the capital’s biggest Christmas light switch-ons and festive displays for 2026.
| Date | Location | What’s happening |
|---|---|---|
| 1 November | Leicester Square | Star-shaped Christmas illuminations return to Leicester Square. |
| 3 November | St Martin’s Lane | Festive switch-on at 4.45pm, with entertainment inspired by London’s Theatreland. |
| 4 November | Carnaby Street | The 90s-inspired Press Play on Christmas lights are unveiled, with music from 4.30pm. |
| 5 November | Regent Street & St James’s | The famous Christmas angels return, with Regent Street closed to traffic for a festive event from 5pm to 9pm. |
| 5 November | Battersea Power Station | Its festive season begins, with illuminated decorations, giant baubles and a 40ft Christmas tree. No formal public switch-on ceremony is announced. |
| 10 November | Knightsbridge | Christmas illuminations return to Brompton Road and surrounding streets. |
| Date | Location | What’s happening |
|---|---|---|
| 11 November | Marylebone Village | The Merry Marylebone celebrations take place from 3pm to 8pm, with the lights switched on at 6pm. |
| 11 November | Old Spitalfields Market | Christmas shopping, festive music and entertainment, with the lights switched on at 6pm. |
| 12 November | Covent Garden | The golden bells, giant Christmas tree and more than 300,000 lights return for the annual switch-on celebration. Exact time TBC. |
| 12 November | New Bond Street | Traffic-free celebrations from 4pm to 8pm, with the lights scheduled to illuminate between 6pm and 7pm. |
| 12 November | Chelsea / Duke of York Square | Christmas tree-lighting ceremony with carol singing and festive entertainment. |
| 12 November | The Strand & Villiers Street | The fairy-inspired Christmas lights illuminate the historic streets. No formal public ceremony is planned. |
| 12 November | The Churchill Arms, Kensington | The famous Christmas-tree-covered pub switches on its lights from 6pm. |
| 12 November | Fitzrovia | A giant illuminated red-heart installation by artist Claire Luxton appears on Little Portland Street. |
| 12 November | Fulham Pier | Riverside Christmas light switch-on celebration and festive entertainment. |
| 15 November | Hampstead Village | Festive celebrations from 4pm to 7pm, with the Christmas lights switched on at 6pm. |
| Date | Location | What’s happening |
|---|---|---|
| 18 November | Greenwich Market | Annual lantern parade from 4pm, followed by the Christmas light switch-on at 5pm. |
| 18 November | Fleet Street Quarter | Christmas lights illuminate Ludgate Circus, alongside a Dennis and Gnasher-themed festive trail. |
| 18 November | Boxhall City | Ticketed Christmas switch-on event at 7pm, with festive entertainment. |
| 19 November | Leadenhall Market | Christmas tree switch-on at 6pm, accompanied by entertainment and festive decorations. |
| 19 November | St Katharine Docks | Waterside Christmas illuminations and festive celebrations. |
| 19 November | Walworth Road | Community-designed Christmas lights are switched on outside Walworth Town Hall. |
| Date | Location | What’s happening |
|---|---|---|
| 1 December | The Shard | Festive illuminations return to the top of London’s tallest building. |
| 5 December | Blackheath Village | Blackheath Lights Up for Christmas, with celebrations scheduled from 4.30pm to 5.30pm. |
Planning your London Christmas lights 2026 itinerary? Alongside the traditional street displays, there are festive attractions and illuminated trails opening throughout November.
These are worth adding to your Christmas itinerary if you’re looking for something a little more immersive.
| Opening date | Attraction | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| 13 November | Christmas at Kew | An illuminated trail featuring spectacular installations, music and seasonal displays throughout Kew Gardens. Ticketed. |
| 19 November | Hyde Park Winter Wonderland | The famous festive attraction returns with rides, seasonal entertainment, food and Christmas experiences. Advance booking required. |
| 25 November | Chelsea Winter Village & Illuminations | An illuminated trail through the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, alongside a festive village. The light trail is ticketed. |
If you’re feeling particularly eager to get into the Christmas spirit, the good news is that you don’t have to wait until the main switch-ons to start enjoying some festive magic.
Several famous London department stores have already unveiled their Christmas displays for 2026.
Selfridges unveiled its Christmas and the City windows on 22 October. This year’s displays take visitors on a festive journey through cities around the world, with scenes inspired by destinations including New York, Tokyo, Paris and London.
Fortnum & Mason unveiled its Christmas windows on 30 October. The 2026 theme celebrates the magic and nostalgia of Christmas at home, with seven beautifully decorated rooms brought to life by a Christmas fairy and the store’s much-loved mice.
Meanwhile, Liberty London has already welcomed visitors to its Christmas decorations and seasonal shopping displays, making it another lovely place to start your festive adventures.
Accessibility tip: If you’re planning to visit Christmas at Kew, the attraction is offering quieter access sessions on selected dates, including 21 November and 1, 16 and 26 December.
These sessions are designed to offer a more relaxed experience for visitors with disabilities and additional access needs, and must be booked in advance.
Before heading out to enjoy London Christmas lights 2026, check the official visitor information for Regent Street, Covent Garden and Christmas at Kew. Look for the latest event timings, accessible routes, transport arrangements and booking requirements before travelling.
If you’re looking for more Christmas inspiration beyond London, you might also enjoy my guide to visiting Lavenham in Suffolk at Christmas, one of England’s most beautiful medieval villages.
Which London Christmas lights are you most looking forward to seeing this year?
Let me know in the comments!
Fashioneyesta
Follow along for fashion, travel, beauty, accessibility and lifestyle updates.
