The Best Christmas Lights Displays In London + 2023 Dates

I do not shy away from letting people know how much I adore London at Christmas, and I love spending a week chasing the beautiful lights displays around the city in the brisk air. Of course, the iconic Regent’s Street angels and the ever-changing stunning lights of Carnaby are go-to favourites for Londoners and visitors alike, but there are also many other displays you should not miss and that will guarantee to bring nothing but joy into your life.

The ten locations below host some of the most glorious Christmas lights displays in London, which you can admire from November until early January – so the Christmas spirit is felt for a lot longer than a few days in December. 

What are you waiting for? Grab your camera can and get ready to marvel at the most incredible Christmas light displays around London.

Travel and Accommodation In London 

London is one most well connected cities in the world on a local level, so whether you stay in central London or as far as zone 5 on the tube, you will be no more than a 40 minutes ride from these magical light displays.

However, if you would like to be as close to all the Christmas activity as possible, here are three incredible accommodation options in Central London:

• Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
• Fitzrovia Hotel
• Cheshire Hotel Central London

Best Christmas Lights Displays In London + 2022 Dates

Christmas at Kew Gardens

Have an enchanted evening exploring a twinkling trail filled with alluring immersive installations, trees bathed in light and a spectacular finale lighting up of the Palm House at Kew Gardens – all while downing mulled wine and scoffing down minced pies. 

Dates: 15^th November – 7^th January 

Southbank Centre Winter Market 

Witness this wonderful riverside area in all its glittering glory as trees and pathways are illuminated by garlands, fairy lights and Winter Light art installations while sipping on mulled wine and eating churros that you bought from South Bank Centre’s incredible Winter Market. Don’t forget, this is one the best places to see the London Eye in all its sky-high prestige as well!

Dates: 2^nd November – 26^th December  

Oxford Street

Oxford Street is usually the first London district to switch on its Christmas lights. Its 300K+ stars will dangle above you as you zip in and out of stores – bringing lots of light to your holiday shopping excursions.

Dates: 2^nd November onward 

Covent Garden and Apple Market

The cobblestone streets of Covent Garden transform into a winter wonderland every year, and I mean that literally. Even though snow is a hit or miss with this city – you can guarantee the snow machines will be on, the giant Christmas tree will be dominating the 19^th-century piazza, and mistletoe chandeliers will be hanging around for everyone to appreciate. To escape the cold, you can wander off the streets and into the beautifully decorated Apple Market for a unique shopping experience.

Dates: 8^th November onward

Marylebone Village

Marylebone is known to be one the most sophisticated areas in Central London but remains underrated when it comes to its Christmas displays. Sparkling and chic beauty come to life through twinkling garlands in the sky, wintry wreaths on boutique doors and lovely ornaments in shop windows in this shopping hub each year. Its definitely a preferred option over Oxford Street if you want to avoid the crowds.

Dates: 9^th November onward

Mayfair and Belgravia 

Gaze into a dazzling midst of blue arches and silver stars as you wander South Molton Street to have an unforgettable vision of another one of London’s famous exhibitions.

Dates: 16^th November onward

King’s Cross and Coal Drops Yard 

This part of London always has something exciting and unexpected to showcase its love for the festive season – in 2021, it was a colourful industrial take on a traditional Christmas tree surrounded by a buzzing Christmas market and this year, the Kings Cross / St Pancras Station has gone viral for its Christmas tree built out of books. I wonder what else 2023 will have to offer!

Dates: 9^th November onward

Leicester Square 

Large light-up stars hang from trees, over little wooden chalet-style market stalls creating a very small-town atmosphere that all the romantics will adore. It’s a cosy setting amidst the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city and where the delicious chocolate scents of chocolate fill the air.

Dates: 8^th November – 7^th January 

Carnaby Street

Year after year, Carnaby brings something unique to the London Christmas light show by following a fun theme (who can forget the stunning butterflies of 2021 or quirky 2022 installation that celebrated past festive displays and Queen lyrics?) and this year is not different. The 2023 theme is  is ‘Carnaby Universe’, so a solar system of neon lights hangs over in all its glittering glory.  

Dates: 8^th November onward

Regent’s Street

No one can visit London during this season and miss the giant angels that fly over Regent’s Street in full angelic magnificence. This would 100% be the place to capture your postcard-perfect picture of London at Christmas while hunting for luxury gifts for yourself and your loved ones. 

Dates: 9^th November – 2^nd January 

Practical Information About London

Location: England, United Kingdom

National Languages: English 

Currency: Sterling Pound

Neighbouring Countries: Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland