A local’s guide to the most beautiful Christmas lights and decorations in London, from Leicester Square to Duke of York Square, Oxford Street and Covent Garden!
Spending Christmas in London might be cold, but with steaming cups of hot chocolate and all the Christmas lights you can see in various areas, it’s nothing short of magical.
I love all kinds of hidden gems, secret villages inside London and beautiful neighborhoods, and if there’s one thing I can tell you, it’s that Christmas is not all about Oxford Street and Covent Garden.
You’ll find many more magical places in London adorned with huge Christmas trees, bows, and rows upon rows of glistening lights – here they are all!
Christmas Lights in London: 14 Wonderful Places to Visit
I am currently living between Rome and London and while the cold is something I shy away from, I can never bring myself to spend Christmas in another place but London.
There are lots of Christmas shop windows to enjoy, from Selfridges and John Lewis to the architectural Harrods, for starters.
Whether you’re a tourist or a local, if you don’t want to splurge on a Christmas menu, you still have the possibility to enjoy a free self-walking tour of posh areas.
See some of Mayfair’s hidden gems, enjoy the beautiful streets in Chelsea, the shimmering angels at Regent Street…
There are so many things to do during Christmas in London, but checking out the decorations and bright Christmas lights will definitely bring a jolly feeling to your heart!
Christmas Lights and Decorations in London: Burlington Arcade, Mayfair
Maybe one of the most underrated places to see Christmas lights in London, Burlington Arcade is located right off Piccadilly, and easily accessible from Mayfair and Green Park.
This is one of the most beautiful shopping arcades in London, and during winter, you will find there many unexpected Christmas-themed art installations.
The historic passageway was opened in 1819 as one of the earliest covered shopping arcades in London, and its glass roof lets a bright light bathe the walls of the arcade even when it rains.
Jewelry shops, watches, shoe shops and various boutiques are to be found there, and Fortnum and Mason and Hatchards, two of London’s best British shops, can be reached within a couple of minutes.
Simply a must-visit for whoever wants to see beautiful Christmas decorations, right in the heart of Central London!
Read: The Best Things to Buy in London
Christmas Lights and Decorations in London: Chelsea
Chelsea offers some of the most beautiful mews in London, and with its charity shops and cute coffee shops, it’s a great destination to taste British poshness.
Victorian and Georgian townhouses share the spotlight with floral cafes, luxury fashion shops and Michelin-starred restaurants, which make Chelsea a neighborhood to have on your bucket list.
This is also a perfect area to see Christmas lights in London if you’re in the western part of the city.
In addition, if you ever visit London in the spring, Chelsea is known for its floral installations, part of ‘Chelsea in Bloom’, incredibly instagrammable.
Read: The Best Charity Shops in London
Christmas Lights and Decorations in London: Battersea Power Station
If you’re looking for places to go ice skating in London, the Battersea Power Station ice skating rink is one of the most fun – and a perfect way to have a romantic date in London!
The iconic chimneys of Battersea Power Station make it one of the most beautiful buildings in London, and the industrial slash Art Deco architecture add even more richness to its striking beauty.
Battersea Power Station is also one of the coolest shopping centers in London, with many artisan and independent shops to visit for Christmas gifts.
In addition to Christmas lights and decorations, you’ll find in front of the shopping center various pop-up shops which range from hot chocolate stations to Jo Malone perfumes and candles.
Read: The Most Beautiful Bookshops in London
Christmas Lights and Decorations in London: Canary Wharf
One of the prettiest neighborhoods in East London, Canary Wharf is one of my favorite places to see Christmas lights and decorations from end of November.
Located on the Isle of Dogs, Canary Wharf is the perfect spot to visit to see hidden gems such as the funky traffic tree light, the Limehouse Marina and, of course, free views of the skyscrapers.
While the Winter Lights trail, which takes place in January, is nothing short of incredible, Christmas decorations are to be seen from November.
Pop by Canada Square and Westferry Circus to enjoy wonderful lights, colorful art installations and more – one of the best things to do in Canary Wharf when Christmas is lurking around the corner!
Read: The Best Free Rooftops in London
Christmas Lights and Decorations in London: Oxford Street
One of the most famous streets in London, Oxford Street is known for its many, many shops and absolutely gorgeous Christmas decorations in winter.
Marking the winter season, the turning on of the Christmas lights at Oxford Street takes place in November and attracts huge crowds.
A different theme is picked each year, with a common point: thousands of twinkling lights that make Oxford Street a must-visit photo spot for both locals and tourists.
Some of London’s best shopping centers and department stores are located on Oxford Street, and if you’re looking for properly British shops like Whittard of Chelsea, M&S and Selfridges, that’s the place to visit.
Read: The Best Shops on Oxford Street
Christmas Lights and Decorations in London: Carnaby Street
Carnaby Street is so famous you wouldn’t think there are hidden gems there, but there are – and on top of that, it’s another great spot to see Christmas lights in London during winter.
There is a distinct theme picked each year at Carnaby Street which usually revolves around environmentally-conscious topics.
One of the prettiest streets in London, Carnaby Street also offers lots of unique shops, coffee shops and restaurants and makes for a perfect destination during winter time.
Take some time to have lunch at Kingly Court, a hidden gem right off Carnaby Street and one of London’s best food courts – from Neapolitan pizza to Asian food, you’ll find it all to relax for a bit.
After visiting Carnaby Street and maybe shopping for clothes, head on over to Piccadilly Circus, another beautiful place to feel Christmas in the flesh.
Read: The Best Hidden Gems in Brick Lane
Christmas Lights and Decorations in London: Regent Street
One of the most iconic streets in London, Regent Street, like Oxford Street, is a must-visit to throw yourself in the festive wonderland den.
The wonderful arches adorned with twinkling angels attract hundreds, if not thousands of people on the daily.
On top of that, during Christmas season, many luxury shops, boutiques and restaurants also decorate their storefronts, making Regent Street that much more enjoyable to tread.
Of course, the shops on Regent Street are something to have on your bucket list: from Church’s shoes to Burberry and Jo Malone, they all have something purely British to offer.
Read: The Best Hidden Gems in North London
Christmas Lights and Decorations in London: Covent Garden
We’re not talking about Covent Garden’s hidden gems here, but if I may, pop by St Martin’s Courtyard when you get out of Covent Garden Tube station, since it’s even more exquisite during Christmas.
The traditional Christmas tree at Covent Garden attracts masses, and the Apple Market is also decorated with huge Christmas baubles.
You’re basically visiting one of London’s best markets, and the countless boutiques also breathe that Christmas vibe from November to January.
Don’t miss out on the many makeup stores (including Charlotte Tilbury, and a favorite of mine, Kryolan), candle shops and various jewelry shops when in the area.
But if you’d rather get Christmas gifts on a budget, one of London’s best TK Maxx shops is located barely 5 minutes away, on Long Acre, and offers really good candles, jewelry and clothes!
Read: The Best Hidden Gems in South London
Christmas Lights and Decorations in London: Bond Street
Bond Street offers some of the most luxurious shops in Mayfair, and during Christmas, illuminated trees on the sidewalks and storefronts take the posh neighborhood to a whole new level of elegance.
Wreaths everywhere and garlands combined with stunning Christmas shop windows make Mayfair another place you have to visit if you’d like to snap a few shots of festive London.
While the upscale area is usually very expensive, you can still find beautiful cafes in Mayfair with affordable prices for breakfast and brunch.
Some of London’s maximalist restaurants are also located around Bond Street, and from opulent interiors with columns and statues to velvety dishes, you’ll be able to taste the unforgettable.
Read: The Best Breakfast in Notting Hill
Christmas Lights and Decorations in London: Trafalgar Square
One of London’s best Christmas markets is located at the bottom of the National Gallery, and Trafalgar Square transforms into an even more iconic location during wintertime.
The famous Christmas tree towers over Trafalgar Square’s fountain and blends with Christmas carol singers, festive decorations and street food vendors.
Colorful, bright and lively, Trafalgar Square is already one of the most instagrammable places in London outside of Christmas season.
Yet, as soon as Halloween is over and we kiss autumn colors goodbye, this is another one of the best places to see Christmas lights in the heart of London.
Read: Why Are There Colorful Streets in London
Christmas Lights and Decorations in London: Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens, also known as the Royal Botanic Garden, is another perfect place to visit in London to see Christmas lights and decorations.
The annual event ‘Christmas at Kew’ transforms the gardens into a magical winter wonderland, with an illuminated and colorful trail.
Immersive light displays, art installations and twinkling lights bring about a sure warmth to this place – you do have to purchase a ticket, so make sure you plan ahead.
Santa’s Grotto, live music and performances, hot chocolate and street food vendors are all to be found in this hidden gem of West London – a fairytale moment for kids and adults alike.
Christmas Lights and Decorations in London: Leicester Square
The lovely atmosphere of Leicester Square allows you to stroll around the Christmas market while enjoying a cup of hot chocolate with a scorching hot waffle and really, finally, feel relaxed.
A Christmas tree, wooden booths with beautiful street food and seasonal-themed souvenirs are all to be found there, a few steps away from the Leicester Square sculpture trail.
During this season, you can expect holiday-themed movies in the cinemas bordering Leicester Square.
Before ending the day at Leicester Square to see the Christmas decorations, why not pop by one of Chinatown’s eateries?
A fluffy cake at Chinatown Bakery or a steaming bun at Chinese Tapas House are two items I always enjoy while walking around Central London.
I mean, it makes even more sense to have a snack if you’re going to keep walking around in search of hidden Christmas lights – or, you could enjoy the decorations before heading over to the exquisite Whitcomb’s at The Londoner.
Read: The Best Hidden Gems in Oxford Street
Christmas Lights and Decorations in London: Southbank Centre
Southbank Centre isn’t only one of the best places to study in Southbank – the culture hub also offers an incredible Christmas experience.
London Bridge, Southbank, Southwark and Bermondsey are some of my favorite places in London whatever the season.
You’ll find many hidden gems in London Bridge, and by making your way towards Southbank and the Southbank Centre, you’ll find many unique shops (namely at the Oxo Tower with Brand Academy!).
Walking along the Thames while enjoying brightly colored garlands wrapped around the trees is something you can already enjoy during spring and summer, but come winter, it feels even more magical.
The winter market features numerous wooden chalets from which you can get hot chocolate, seasonal treats, crepes, waffles and of course, artisanal gifts.
Think big festive banners, illuminated installations and fairy lights, and you’ll get the hang of what Southbank feels like around Christmas time.
There are also lots of really good cafes in London Bridge to get a cup of hot chocolate if the weather really feels too cold.
Read: The Best Colorful Lattes in London
Christmas Lights and Decorations in London: Duke of York Square
I mentioned Chelsea at the beginning of this guide and felt like Duke of York Square was owed its own paragraph – this is indeed one of the prettiest neighborhoods to visit in London during winter.
For starters, it usually features very festive decor during the holiday season, including a beautifully decorated Christmas tree with lovely ornaments and lights.
Many of the high-end boutiques, shops, and restaurants around Duke of York Square also decorate their window displays and storefronts for the winter season.
The square in itself is known for its independent and luxury shops – if you’re looking for places to buy upscale Christmas gifts in London, Chelsea is a place you can never go wrong with.
Read: The Best Cinnamon Buns in London
Christmas Lights in London: 14 Wonderful Places to Visit
There you have them, the best places to see Christmas lights and decorations in London!
From Mayfair to uppity Chelsea, there are lots of Christmas markets, Christmas trees and window shops that allow you to really feel that joyful, festive vibe.
And while there are other enchanting ways to feel the season, by visiting other Christmas markets in the UK and Europe for instance, I do feel that none come close to how you feel when spending winter in London.