This year, London is fully embracing the festive season with winter pop-ups, themed cocktails, and some of the most eagerly awaited Christmas lights in the city. With everywhere from Oxford Street and Covent Garden to the famous Harrods Christmas display, get ready to be completely dazzled.
From iconic streets to unique displays, here is your list of the top spots to see the best Christmas lights in London for 2026.
Christmas Lights In London 2026
1. Top Deck Christmas Lights Tour
- Date: 13th November - 30th December 2026
- Location: Departing from 8 Northumberland Avenue, Westminster, WC2N 5BY
- Price: £18.70 to £27.50
This vintage Christmas lights bus tour of London takes place on a classic open-top Routemaster, which has been festively decorated to get you in the spirit. The Classic Tour takes you on a journey via London’s most iconic Christmas light displays, spanning the likes of Oxford Street, Harrods and Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park.
Tickets are £18.70 for children and start at £27.50 for adults, with each guaranteeing a top deck seat for the best views and including a guide with commentary throughout the 75-minute experience.
Tour the very best
Christmas light attractions aboard this festive bus.
2. Covent Garden Christmas Lights
- Date: switching on November 2026 (exact date TBC)
- Location: The Market Building, Covent Garden, WC2E
- Price: free
Covent Garden will once again dazzle visitors with its renowned sparkling lights. Expect over 40 giant bells, festive sleighs, 12 enormous baubles, and a towering 40-foot Christmas tree - a true London Christmas staple.
The festive piazza is perfect for capturing those holiday moments, making it a must-visit among London Christmas lights displays.
The ideal stop-off for
Christmas, lights and a lovely time in the city.
3. Kew Gardens Christmas Lights
- Date: switching on Friday 13th November 2026
- Location: Kew Gardens, Richmond, TW9 3EG
- Price: starting at £25.50
Kew Gardens' Christmas light trail is back, transforming the gardens into a mesmerising winter wonderland. The display features glowing pavilions, tunnels, and beautifully lit trees, with warming street food vendors at the ready.
Slots start from 4.20 pm, with the last entry between 7pm - 7.40pm depending on the gate. This year, the event is open on Christmas eve until 9pm, with last entry between 6.20pm and 7pm depending on your gate. Kew Gardens offers one of the best Christmas light experiences in London for families and friends.
New for 2026: Adult-only evenings will take place on the 3rd and 9th of December so you can experience all the holiday magic in a child-free setting.
Browse around one of
the capital's most famous gardens this
Christmas.
4. Oxford Street Christmas Lights
- Date: November 2026 (exact dates TBC)
- Location: Oxford Street, London, W1B 1BS
- Price: free
One of the most iconic festive displays, Oxford Street lights up the city centre every year, drawing crowds from near and far. With recyclable materials and LED bulbs for energy efficiency, these lights are a shining example of London's festive spirit.
While the lights turn off at 11pm to preserve energy, they’re truly spectacular while they’re on.
The 2026 Oxford
Street Christmas lights are sure to give you starry
eyes.
5. Belgravia Christmas Lights
- Date: switching on Saturday 15th November 2026
- Location: Elizabeth Street, Belgravia, SW1X
- Price: free
Belgravia’s beautiful Elizabeth and Motcomb Streets create a magical scene with Christmas displays and lights that are perfect for some festive shopping and Instagram-worthy shots.
The nearby Eccleston Yards also offers a Christmas market with unique gifts, making it a top spot for holiday shopping.
Picture-perfect scenes are on the cards here.
6. Carnaby Street Christmas Lights
- Date: November 2026 (exact dates TBC)
- Location: Carnaby Street, Soho, W1F 9PB
- Price: free
Carnaby Street is a celebrated shopping destination, wedged between Oxford Street and Regent Street, with both independent and chain retailers promising the best in deals, and local restaurants putting on dinner, but you've come here to hear about this year's Christmas lights.
Going all out with a theme each year (with previous themes including 'electric' and 'rainbow'), visitors to the Carnaby Street lights can expect a dazzling display, switched on this November.
Carnaby Street transforms into a
magical world.
7. Neverland at Kenwood House
- Date: November 2026 (exact date TBC)
- Location: Hampstead Lane, Hampstead Heath, NW3 7JR
- Price: 2026 prices TBC. 2025 prices: adults £28; children £18; infant £1; family of four £88 (with cheaper prices for members)
If you're looking for a London Christmas lights tour, then check out Kenwood House's trail in Hampstead, which will be taking place from December to January. After making its big debut a few years ago, this stunning Grade I listed hotspot will be transformed yet again into an immersive winter wonderland.
Organisers are yet to reveal this year's theme, but last year followed Tinkerbell through the inside of Big Ben and the Lost Boys' secret tree trunk all the way to Captain Hook's pirate ship, so we're expecting something equally magical for 2026.
Expect Instagram-worthy light and sound installations, plus festive hot drinks and food, including Christmas pizzas, a Joyeux Noel burger topped with pigs in blankets and a festive porker Yorkshire pudding wrap.
It doesn't get more
festive than this.
8. Leadenhall Christmas Lights
- Date: November 2026 (exact date TBC)
- Location: Gracechurch Street, City of London, EC3V 1LT
- Price: free
Leadenhall Market's display brings Victorian charm to the heart of the city. In previous years, the Lord Mayor led the switch-on event, revealing an 18ft Christmas tree with glittering baubles. We're expecting this year to be just as epic.
Details for this year's event are still under wraps, but check back here to get all the information as soon as it lands.
Expect giant
Christmas trees and glistening lights.
9. Old Spitalfields Market Christmas Lights
- Date: switching on Wednesday 11th November 2026
- Location: 16 Horner Square, City of London, E1 6EW
- Price: free
Watch in awe as the East London shopping and dining destination transforms into a twinkly wonderland this November. Old Spitalfields Market will be adorned with Christmas trees and decorations galore, with the official switch on happening on 11th November 2026.
The festivities for the light switch on begin at 3pm, where you can enjoy all the Christmas tunes, a gospel choir performance, festive workshops, roaming elves and more. Be sure to have your mulled wine and mince pie at the ready for the switch on at 6pm.
Head down early for
mince pies and mulled wine.
10. The Shard Christmas Lights
- Date: TBC - Expected mid-November
- Location: 32 London Bridge Street, Southwark, SE1 9SG
- Price: free
London's tallest landmark, The Shard, is known for its dazzling Christmas light show that's displayed hourly from dusk every night. The theme is yet to be announced, but we know The Shard throws everything at its light displays - so prepare for a good show.
Venture over to London Bridge when the initial date is announced, and catch the spectacular display for the very first time. The display will be visible from over 40 miles away, so you'll be able to catch it from different points across the capital. And if you're a tad peckish or fancy a tipple, head to Aqua Shard Bar for some of the best views in town.
575 LED lights never
looked so good.
11. The Churchill Arms
- Date: switching on Thursday 12th November 2026
- Location: 119 Kensington Church Street, Kensington, W8 7LN
- Price: free
The Churchill Arms is once again transforming into a winter wonderland, ushering in an extravaganza of festive cheer. A beloved tradition for over 30 years, manager James Keogh has decorated the iconic Notting Hill pub with over 90 conifer trees and a dazzling array of Christmas lights, creating a radiant festive landmark.
This charming boozer might just offer one of the most delightfully British Christmas celebrations around. With a festive atmosphere, hearty beers, and twinkling lights, it’s the ultimate place to soak in the holiday spirit. If that’s not Christmas cheer, we’re not sure what is.
Be sure to check out
this dazzling display next time you're in Notting Hill.
12. Harrods
- Date: TBC
- Location: 87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7XL
- Price: free
Harrods never fails to impress when it comes to their iconic Christmas displays. Over the years, we've seen showstopping light displays that dazzle visitors and this year is set to be no exception.
When visiting, be sure to pop into the Harrods Christmas Shop to get your velvet baubles, traditional wooden nutcrackers, London-themed decorations and 8ft Christmas trees (plus so much more). There's nothing like a little bit of luxury to get into the holiday spirit.
The famous
department store is lit up in style this Christmas.
13. Christmas Lights Walking Tour of London
- Date: various dates from 13th November
- Location: Entrance to Green Park, 150 Piccadilly, (next to The Ritz Hotel), London, W1J 9BR
- Price: from £16.50
The Christmas Lights Walking Tour of London takes you on a magical meandering trip through the capital’s twinkling streets and legendary landmarks. From the Bond Street ‘Mile of Style’ to the alleys of Carnaby Street and Covent Garden, you’ll see the city in full festive force.
As well as photo ops in Trafalgar Square, Regent Street, Fortnum and Masons, Oxford Street and more, you’ll take in some less frequented light displays and learn about London’s Christmas customs with your expert guide. All from just £16.50 a ticket.
See London in lights
at the most magical time of year.
14. Fleet Street Quarter
- Date: expected November 2026
- Location: Ludgate Circus, City of London, EC4A 2DQ
- Price: free
Get ready to kick off the festive season, as Fleet Street Quarter is flipping the switch on its Christmas lights in November at Ludgate Circus.
The annual sparkle-up promises a dazzling display. It’s a perfect excuse for a midweek festive wander, combining iconic lights, playful art, and seasonal cheer, and a must-see addition to any Christmas lights roundup this year.
Fleet Street Quarter's Christmas
lights (pictured).
Explore the best Christmas events in London to try in 2026.
