A guide to the best Christmas window shops in London from Harrods to Oxford Street, Chelsea and Carnaby Street – festive spots with lights and decorations!
All the beautiful lights and Christmas decorations in London make me want to travel to the UK every year – that type of sight makes my heart melt.
The Christmassy window displays at Selfridges and Harrods, the illuminated buildings, Christmas menus in restaurants, instagrammable cafes who change their decor come winter time…
I’m here for it.
What about you? If you’re planning to spend Christmas in London, check out all the hot spots for cool, Christmas shop windows!
London’s Best Christmas Shop Windows and Souvenir Spots
If you’re looking for things to do in London during Christmas, one thing’s for sure – checking out the Christmas shop windows comes first on my list.
London is known for its festive Christmas displays, and whilst it may change from year to year, some of the iconic department stores always offer a waltz into Winter Wonderland.
If you love shopping and are looking for the best Christmas gifts to get in London, you’ll be able to indulge into some of the best stores in Oxford Street, Knightsbridge and other must-visit areas.
So come one, come all and discover all the most beautiful Christmas shop windows in London!
Best Christmas Shop Windows in London: Oxford Street
Oxford Street is famous for its Christmas lights, and while it’s one of the busiest shopping streets in London, what I like best is the huge decorations you’ll find about when on a stroll.
On Oxford Street, you have major department stores like Selfridges, John Lewis, and Debenhams which have stunning displays around this time of the year.
You will definitely feel drawn to these shops and probably even take pictures.
Selfridges is certainly one of London’s most famous department stores and highly renowned for its spectacular Christmas lights and festive decorations.
The lights feature often intricate designs and specific themes or concepts, making Selfridges a major attraction for both locals and tourists to enjoy.
Read: The Most Unique Shops in London
Best Christmas Shop Windows in London: Harrods
Harrods offers another one of the most beautiful Christmas shop windows, beautifully decorated with elaborate themes which are often sponsored by luxury fashion brands like Dior.
You’ll have to make your way to Knightsbridge in West London to see the thousands of lights that illuminate Harrods at the end of the year.
There are tons of things to buy at Harrods, from luxury candle brands to high end fashion, and if you’re ever looking for some good brunch around Knightsbridge, the Prada Cafe is one of the poshest coffee shops you can find there.
If you’re a pink cafe lover, make sure to try Elan Cafe on Hans Crescent for some amazing colorful latte and gorgeous pastries.
Inside Harrods, you will find different Christmas decorations according to the departments, which range from Christmas trees to smaller ornaments and seasonal displays – dreamy!
Read: The Best Shopping Centers in London
Best Christmas Shop Windows in London: Hamleys, Regent Street
Hamleys is the world-famous toy store located in the heart of London, more specifically on Regent Street, which is nothing but one of the most beautiful shopping streets in London.
Regent Street is known for its magical Christmas lights and displays, and huge, illuminated representations of angels line up the street down to Piccadilly Circus.
If you love beautiful bookshops, Hatchards on Piccadilly is located a stone’s throw away, along with Fortnum & Mason, both also decorated, but for perfect Christmas shop windows, Hamleys is it.
It’s not only one of the best toy stores in London but a hot spot to visit whether you have kids or not, just because you can also buy ice cream as well as attend performances there.
Read: The Best TK Maxx Shops in London
Best Christmas Shop Windows in London: Fortnum & Mason
Fortnum & Mason is a huge department store on Piccadilly which offers a top-notch shopping experience.
This is one of the places where you will be able to try out the best pastel de nata in London, as well as incredibly flavorful macarons.
Fortnum & Mason is, in fact, quite famous for their Christmas hampers and high-end Christmas gifts, which range from tasteful china to outstanding French and Italian makeup, and high end perfume brands like Nobile 1942.
When it comes to Christmas displays, Fortnum & Mason gives us a well-balanced combo between Christmas traditions and innovative elements, like mannequins and sparkly lights.
Read: The Most Beautiful Bookshops in London
Best Christmas Shop Windows in London: Covent Garden
I’ve written about Covent Garden a couple of times before, as it’s indeed one of best places to see Christmas lights and decorations in London.
Covent Garden offers plenty of cool study cafes, a secret and free rooftop, as well as amazing makeup, candle and clothing shops.
One of the coolest budget shops in London, TK Maxx, is located close by on Long Acre, which also transforms its boutiques and buys into the Christmas dream come end November.
Covent Garden’s Market Hall also offers beautiful Christmas shop windows along with thousands of lights, a huge tree on the piazza, ornaments…
And you’ll also find lots of cool things to buy in Covent Garden at the Apple Market!
The area is known for street performers and entertainers, however, during this season you will often find carolers, magicians and other festive acts to add to the holiday cheer.
Read: The Best Charity Shops in London
Best Christmas Shop Windows in London: Bond Street
Bond Street in Mayfair is home to many a luxury fashion brand, and in wintertime, it offers some of the best Christmas shop windows around.
Elegance, chic, and creativity is what you can expect from Bond Street, and the whole area up to Burlington Arcade looks like something straight from another world.
Christmas trees, huge Christmas tree baubles, garlands… If you’re hungry, pop by one of Mayfair’s beautiful restaurants.
There are also lots of cool study cafes in Mayfair you can visit if you’re traveling to London during Christmas but still need to work and/or study while staying here.
In any case, whoever is after beautiful Christmas shop windows should make their way to Mayfair, as the entire area comes alive in thousands of sparkling lights.
Read: The Best Second Hand Bookshops in London
Best Christmas Shop Windows in London: Burlington Arcade
Burlington Arcade is a historic shopping arcade that offers a jolly Christmas vibe when the winter season comes around.
It’s known for its elegant and upscale atmosphere and whilst it may not have as elaborate Christmas window displays as department stores like Harrods, the arcade looks incredible during Christmas season.
A few years ago, Burlington Arcade was decorated with a huge elephant statue and lots of Christmas decorations and ornaments, which play a big part in making the classic architecture look even dreamier!
The luxury shops you’ll find at Burlington Arcade are of the kind of brands you don’t come across very often – from high-end jewelry to perfume and shoe shops, you have it all here.
Definitely some of the most beautiful Christmas shop windows you’ll find in London, and the perfect photo spot for memories!
Read: The Best Shops for Cheap Clothes in London
Best Christmas Shop Windows in London: Carnaby Street
Carnaby Street is one of London’s trendiest shopping areas, and you’ll also find a cool food court there, Kingly Court, with more street food than you can dare imagine.
With all its unique shops, Carnaby Street makes for a bustling place to explore in the heart of Soho, and you’re not even that far from Chinatown and its beautiful bakeries, restaurants and shops.
If you’re looking for the most stunning Christmas shop windows and Christmas decorations in London, by all means, do not miss a visit to Carnaby Street.
This is one of the most instagrammable places to visit in London, and you can never know what to expect in terms of decorations as they change every year.
A new theme or concept is chosen each year, which ranges from contemporary to nostalgic themes, and often raises awareness for sustainable and environmental causes.
This is also a great place to shop for Christmas gifts and have a snack at one of Soho’s cool restaurants and coffee shops during the holiday season – just avoid weekends during December!
Best Christmas Shop Windows in London: Liberty London
All around Liberty of London, you have some really cool shops on Carnaby Street as well as in Soho, but the Tudor-style department store is a must-visit too, even if it’s above your budget.
There are plenty of cool things to do in Soho, and during Christmas time, Liberty of London dresses festively with beautiful windows.
Liberty of London picks a specific theme for its Christmas window displays every year, and every year, these themes reflect the store’s unique style and heritage.
The windows usually leave the visitors with a sense of wonder due to their intricate storytelling and innovative design elements.
You can feel the luxurious and festive spirit in the air, and inside, a wide array of perfect Christmas gifts, ornaments, and decor to elevate your home decor. are adorned with opulent fabrics, ornaments and lighting to create a magical atmosphere.
If you’d like to chill a bit before popping by other shops on Oxford Street close by, have some rest at Lavazza, one of London’s best Italian cafes.
However, if you’re hungry and would like to get dinner, one of London’s best rooftop restaurants, Aqua Kyoto, is located literally 20 seconds away from Liberty of London.
Both are incredible options if you want to treat yourself!
Read: The Best Candle Shops in London
Best Christmas Shop Windows in London: Sloane Square and Chelsea
Last but certainly not least, we bring you Sloane Square, a stunning shopping area in upscale Chelsea.
You’ll certainly find in this fashionable neighborhood some of the most beautiful Christmas shop windows in London, especially in Sloane Square where holiday cheer booms from end November.
There is an array of high-end boutiques and designer stores that showcase stylish products in jolly displays, and the square itself is usually adorned with sparkling lights and decorations.
Nearby, you have cool spots for hot chocolate and some of the best free art galleries in London, the Saatchi Gallery, as well as the beautiful Victoria & Albert Museum.
These are two places you have to visit, especially if you’re traveling to London for the first time!
Sloane Square elbows numerous cafes and restaurants, making it great place to have a wee warm drink and a festive meal before your shopping spree.
So yes, if what you’re after are incredible Christmas shop windows in London… You’d honestly do well to pop by Sloane Square!
London’s Best Christmas Shop Windows and Souvenir Spots
There you have them, all the best Christmas shop windows in London, from Harrods in Knightsbridge to Hamleys, one of the best shops on Regent Street.
From grand lights and high-end ornaments to beautiful interiors, Christmas season in London always brings about a lot of holiday joy, love and laughter.
And if you’re looking for other cool things to do during winter, London’s Christmas markets are another must on your bucket list – shopping, warm beverages, street food...
There’s so much to enjoy!