London’s Christmas light switch-ons begin in early November. At many locations, the lights stay on for the whole festive season, but display and event lengths vary. Each date line shows the switch-on date or the event dates, depending on what has been announced for that location.
Highlights
- 🎄 Around 20 light displays across the West End, Chelsea, Kew Gardens, Greenwich and the City
- 📅 First switch-ons:Seven Dials on 2 November, Carnaby Street on 4 November and Regent Street on 5 November
- ✨ New this year: the last year of Bond Street's Crown Jewel lights, and Harry Potter-themed pieces on Oxford Street
- 🌿 Light trails at Christmas at Kew and Chelsea Winter Illuminations
- 🕯️ Lights on from early November 2026 to early January 2027
West End Christmas Lights – Leicester Square, St Martin’s Lane and Piccadilly
The Leicester Square lights feature star motifs inspired by the West End atmosphere. The Christmas market and the Skate Leicester Square ice rink are already open on the square, and on the night of the switch-on the programme includes performers from the musical Into the Woods, a Christmas choir and food stalls. St Martin’s Lane gets theatre-themed lights for the second year running, and the wintry light figures return to Piccadilly.
📍Leicester Square | Market and ice rink 31 October 2026 – 3 January 2027, lights on until 6 January 2027, switch-on time not yet announced
Seven Dials Christmas Lights
Canopies of light arch over the streets, reaching Monmouth Street and Earlham Street among others. The sundial pillar forms the display’s centrepiece.
📍Seven Dials | 2 November 2026
Oxford Street Christmas Lights
This year the familiar star lights are joined by illuminated Harry Potter-themed pieces. The theme ties in with the Harry Potter store opening on 4 November and HBO’s upcoming series Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
📍Oxford Street | Date not announced, expected 2–4 November
Carnaby Street Christmas Lights
This year’s Carnaby Street display is called Press Play on Christmas, and its colourful lights draw on the mood of the 1990s. On the switch-on evening there’s a light show and, from 4.30 pm, live music mixing 90s classics with Christmas songs. Kingly Court has a themed photo booth, and participating shops and restaurants offer one-night-only deals from 4 pm to 8 pm. The event is free, but you need to book a free ticket in advance.
📍Carnaby Street | 4 November 2026 | Programme starts at 4.30 pm, switch-on time to be announced on 2 November
Regent Street and St James’s Christmas Lights – Spirit of Christmas
James Glancy Design’s Spirit of Christmas display has lit up the area since 2016. Its winged figures reinterpret Regent Street’s 1954 Christmas lights, which showed angels playing trumpets. The current display features more than 30 light figures across St James’s Market, Glasshouse Street, Swallow Street and Quadrant Arcade, and a Christmas tree on Waterloo Place. On the switch-on evening, Regent Street is closed to traffic from 5 pm to 9 pm.
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📍Regent Street and St James’s | 5 November 2026
Ever After Garden, Duke of York Square
This memorial garden on Duke of York Square features more than 30,000 white roses, lit as part of an art installation. Visitors can donate to dedicate a rose to the memory of a loved one, with proceeds going to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
📍Duke of York Square, Chelsea | 5 November – 21 December 2026
Knightsbridge Christmas Lights
Brompton Road gets new Christmas lights with a design that nods to the area’s history. The installation will use modern technology and reusable materials.
📍Knightsbridge | 10 November 2026 – 5 January 2027
Marylebone Christmas Lights – A Very Merry Marylebone
The Devonshire Street lights are switched on at 6 pm. Local resident and BBC presenter Jo Good hosts the evening, and a celebrity guest yet to be announced will switch on the lights. According to the organisers, the plastic in the decorations comes from recycled bottles, and the lights use 95 per cent less energy than conventional lighting. The street also has performances, stalls, a Ferris wheel and a chance to meet Father Christmas.
📍Marylebone | 11 November 2026 | Lights on at 6 pm
Old Spitalfields Market Christmas Lights
The covered Old Spitalfields Market is decorated with Christmas lights and festive decorations in November.
📍Old Spitalfields Market | 11 November 2026
Bond Street Christmas Lights
The Crown Jewel lights feature 80,000 energy-efficient LEDs. 2026 is the last year for the current design, with a new look planned for 2027. The switch-on includes the lighting of Ralph Lauren’s Giving Tree in support of The Royal Marsden Cancer Hospital. Participating shops serve festive drinks and seasonal treats, and the shop windows complete the street’s look.
📍Bond Street | 12 November 2026 | Event 4 pm–8 pm, lights on at 7 pm
Covent Garden Christmas Lights
More than 300,000 lights are switched on at the launch of the festive season. Giant golden bells, mirror balls and baubles fill the Market Building, and a British-grown Christmas tree goes up on the West Piazza. The seven-week Theatre of Christmas programme draws on Covent Garden’s theatrical history.
📍Covent Garden | 12 November 2026
Chelsea Tree Lighting Ceremony
A Norway spruce of around 12 metres is lit at this ceremony on Duke of York Square. The programme includes street performers, carols and snowfall, and the square also gets star-inspired light figures.
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📍Duke of York Square, Chelsea | 12 November 2026
Kew Gardens Christmas Lights – Christmas at Kew
New works and tunnels of light illuminate the gardens along the festive trail. The route runs from the Palm House to the Temperate House, with music and other sound effects along the way. Father Christmas pays a visit, and there’s also a funfair and food and drink stalls. Adults-only evenings are held on 3 and 9 December.
📍Kew Gardens | Selected dates 13 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
London Eye Christmas Lights
During the festive season, the wheel’s evening light show is free to watch.
📍London Eye | 14 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
Cutty Sark and Greenwich
In Greenwich, the Cutty Sark’s masts are lit with Christmas lights. The area also has Santa’s grotto, an ice rink and a lantern procession.
📍Cutty Sark, Greenwich | Masts lit 18 November 2026, ice rink 18 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
Belgravia Christmas Lights – Belgravia Winter Market
The Christmas market on Elizabeth Street features stalls from independent British businesses and makers. Local food businesses serve seasonal treats and drinks, and the street’s boutiques stay open. A Christmas tree of around 4.5 metres goes up at Eccleston Yards.
Leadenhall Market Christmas Lights
The Christmas lights switch-on at this covered Victorian market is a traditional occasion, usually led by the Lord Mayor of the City of London.
📍Leadenhall Market | 19 November 2026, lights on at 6 pm
📍Elizabeth Street and Eccleston Yards | 22 November 2026 | Market 11 am–7 pm, tree switch-on time not yet announced
Chelsea Winter Illuminations and Chelsea Winter Village
Two festive events take place at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Chelsea Winter Illuminations is a light art trail of around 1.5 km with large-scale works and sound installations. Chelsea Winter Village brings together a Christmas market, food stalls, workshops, performances and funfair rides. Entry to the village is free daily from 4.30 pm, except on Christmas Day. Nearby King’s Road is also decorated for the festive season.
📍Royal Hospital Chelsea | 25 November – 28 December 2026, closed 25 December
The Shard Christmas Lights
The upper floors of The Shard are lit up for the festive season, and the lights can be seen from up to 60 km away.
📍The Shard | 2026 dates not yet announced (2025: 25 November – 31 December)
