Harrods
Harrods Christmas decorations have been created in collaboration with Dior this year. Most of the outside and window displays have been decorated using a gingerbread theme. The installation is named “The Fabulous World of Dior”. It involves all 44 windows, the façade, a 3D light display, two pop-up boutiques, an interactive exhibition Kingdom of Dreams and a café – which will remain open until January 3rd 2023. You can expect an enormous Shepherd’s Star sculpture, gingerbread-themed displays, and Dior biscuits all around. Video link
Fortnum & Mason
This year, Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly has designed and put together 8 Christmas windows, each with its unique narrative. Keep a close eye on the antics of the cat and mouse in each scene - you never know what they’ll come up with next.
The building itself has again been beautifully decorated as a huge advent calendar. One specific detail to pay attention to on the Piccadilly side is the clocks between advent calendar doors 3 and 10, where you might catch William Fortnum and Hugh Mason bowing to each other hourly. The clocks chime every 15 minutes, and you can hear the gentle chiming of 18th-century airs from the bells. Many people don’t know that these bells were cast by the renowned Whitechapel Bell Foundry, who also cast the bells for Big Ben. Video link
Bond Street
Shoppers on Bond Street have delighted with the gorgeous peacock feather light display for the past eight years. But this year, they will be wowed by an even more magnificent sight as inspiration is drawn from The Crown Jewels and other world-renowned jewellery brands.
The new lighting concept was devised early 2021 to mark the Platinum Jubilee of UK’s longest-serving monarch. Now, Bond Street pays a graceful tribute to HRH Queen Elizabeth II with stunning lights that shine a spotlight on Bond Street’s longstanding royal connections.
Another attraction on Bond Street is the stores themselves. The Cartier store decorations are always striking and something that many people specifically go and see every year. Our other favourites include Hermes, Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior stores on New Bond Street. It’s well worth walking the street end-to-end to not miss anything. Video link
South Molton Street
Adjacent to Oxford Street, South Molton Street is a festive location where you can take pictures of Christmas lights. It’s easy to reach from Oxford Street or Bond Street. A line of tall blue arches runs between two big trees at either end of the street, and they’re decorated with gold stars and twinkling blue lights, making for a beautiful scene. If you’re due some shopping, South Molton Street also has a variety of places to visit, from beauty and cosmetics to jewellery and clothing. If coffee is more your style, they’ve got that covered too. Video link
Oxford Street
The Oxford Street Christmas lights are a London tradition dating back to the 1950s. This year, the lights were turned on on November 2nd. The Oxford Street Christmas lights are always a sight to see. This year, the lights are made of thousands of stars and look beautiful against the dark night sky. Video link
Selfridges
Upon designing his store in London, Harry Gordon Selfridge was adamant about the windows being the biggest in the world. So when he opened the Selfridges store in 1909, he also brought the idea of dressing storefronts for Christmas to England— which started a great British tradition.
All in all, there are 15 different windows to explore, each with its take on traditional food related holiday moments. From November 25th until Christmas day, Santa and his crew of disco ball Christmas puddings will pay daily visits to the stores’ Christmas Shop and other festive stops throughout the store. Not only will they greet customers, but they’ll also help spread some holiday cheer.
The inside of the store is decorated for Christmas too. Especially the disco balls above the escalators are a sight to see. Video link
Regent Street
One of London’s most well-known Christmas lights installations is the Spirit of Christmas in Regent Street. The street had the first Christmas lights in London, a tradition starting in 1954. The angels shine a light on Regent Street and are a popular place to visit. The lights go from Oxford Circus to Piccadilly Circus and, together with the double-decker busses, provide a great London Christmas picture backdrop. Video link
Carnaby Street
Carnaby Street Christmas lights are another location that many want to visit to see what they have come up with this time. This year, Carnaby’s Christmas light theme is “Carnaby Celebrates”. 14 different installations along the street and surrounding areas highlight iconic moments from Carnaby’s past. These include some of the most iconic images in music history, from Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody to the Rolling Stones tongue, a giant snowman, colourful palm trees from Carnaby Carnival, and underwater scenes from the fan favourite Under The Sea. Carnaby Street is usually one of the busiest spots for Christmas Light spotting. Video link](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0n_i1jtdXU&t=513s){:target=”_blank”}
Covent Garden
The Christmas tree in Covent Garden is always a sight to behold. It is sourced from the same place as the tree of the Royal Family. When decorated with beautiful lights and ornaments, it brings joy to shoppers and visitors alike. The tree is located in the heart of Covent Garden and is the perfect place to take in the Christmas spirit. Video link
A Covent Garden Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a photo in the Market Building’s South Hall sleigh! The sleigh is an 1884 carriage reconditioned and hand-painted by British artist James Gemmill. The materials used are all sustainably sourced.
Dolce Gabbana is teaming up with Covent Garden to create a pop-up store in the heart of London. The store will be open until January 15th 2023, and it’s sure to be a hit among luxury shoppers. The store (cube) is very colourful, and you can’t miss it when visiting Covent Garden.
Seven dials
Seven Dials is a lovely location just North of Covent Garden, with various shops available, ranging from food to coffee, clothing to cosmetics. One of our favourite locations is the Seven Dials Market, where you can find food from all over the world, and maybe a pint or two if you go looking. The entrance of the market, Cucumber Alley, is a perfect place if you need a gift, with The Pop-Up Club offering a plethora of handcrafted, sustainable gifts like artwork, jewellery and ceramics, from high-quality artisan producers that are local to the Seven Dials Market area.
Also located in Seven Dials, you shouldn’t miss Neal’s Yard. Neal’s Yard is worth a visit any time of year, but the Christmas decorations make it even more special. Video link
Leicester Square
Leicester Square offers a Christmas market every year; this year is no exception. The decorations are already up, and the festivities are in full swing. The Christmas market at Leicester Square has a variety of international cuisine to sample, including German bratwurst, Spanish churros and French crêpes. Make sure to try a mulled wine while you’re there! Video link
Leicester Square Christmas marker also offers entertainment, such as the La Clique show in Leicester Square inside the Spiegeltent.
Trafalgar Square
Every Christmas, Norway sends native spruce to the UK as a token of gratitude for its support during World War II. The Christmas tree is the centrepiece of the festivities in Trafalgar Square. In addition to the tree, there is also a Christmas Market selling all sorts of Christmas goodies, making it a great place to spend some time and get into the Christmas spirit! Video link
