Christmas markets and light displays in London are some of the most spectacular in the world! Winter in London is truly magical! It’s also easy to get around London.

One of the coolest things about London’s Christmas lights is that they are completely and utterly free. Especially if you are visiting London with kids at Christmas, this is one of the most fun things to do for free.

While you are wandering around the top London attractions, you’ll no doubt catch some Christmas lights. This is because London is one of the most popular UK cities to visit at Christmas.

At Christmas, London becomes even more magical than usual. It’s filled with cute knickknacks and mugs of mulled wine. Ice rinks turn into cold weather hangout spots, and there are lots of Christmas tree farms around. For many, the twinkling lights draped from building to building are the most exciting sign that Christmas is here. Find more festive things to do this year with our ultimate guide to London’s stunning Christmas lights – from Kew Gardens’ annual light show to Regent Street’s famous angels and Carnaby Street’s colorful display.

1.KEW GARDENS

It’s no secret that Kew Gardens is one of the city’s most iconic spots, and its 2019 light show promises to be one of the most spectacular ever.

With sparkling pavilions, glittering tunnels, and some of the most Instagrammable trees around, this trail is the perfect place to celebrate some festive cheer with family and friends.

Craving some mulled wine, or perhaps a hearty selection of bites? The Coach & Horses is more than equipped to satisfy those cravings.

During Christmas at Kew in 2022, the gardens will present a redesigned route that accentuates more of the 12,000 trees in the gardens and other botanical treasures. Star-illuminated neon trees and branches under colorful canopies beckon you to explore.

LuminARTi’s Willow Hives, which take inspiration from natural forms to elegantly illuminate their surroundings, and ArtAV’s Starry Night will be among the new sights to marvel at.

Also, the projected light show will make you wish you spent more time than you realized on the lake. This is because the light appears to flow and disappear completely into an abyss as the light interacts with the surface of the water.

The Christmas at Kew light trail took place for the first time across the UK in 2013. The trend hasn’t faded at all. As a result, they have grown into one of the most captivating experiences in the UK. Now is the perfect time to visit if you’ve never been before.

2.OXFORD STREET

This big one with the utmost pleasure that we announce that the Oxford Street Christmas lights will return in November 2022. It is the twinklers that are always the talk of the town during the holiday season, glowing brightly and beautifully as they glow.

Have you ever walked down the high street and wondered where to warm up afterwards? In a cozy pub setting,

The Marquis of Granby in Soho offers classic pub grub and refreshing pints.

There will be some changes this year. Due to soaring energy bills and the cost of living crisis, the lights will only be on for a third of the time they normally would be. Between the hours of 3 pm and 11 pm each day, they will be activated. Wednesday, November 2 saw the stars of Oxford Street twinkle into action.

During the first day of the display, the lights were turned on for the first time in London. The switch-on party and celebrity presence were absent this year, unlike in previous years.

In the run-up to the festive season, the Central London hotspot becomes a popular holiday destination thanks to its beautiful Christmas lighting. This is a feature that contributes to the hotspot’s popularity as a shopping destination.

Christmas on Oxford Street kicks off this Wednesday (November 2), when the lights are set to flicker to life. Every night of the festive season, shoppers will be delighted by 5,000 stunningly illuminated stars in the 2022 display.

3.CARNABY STREET

As one of the city’s top festive events, the Carnaby Street Christmas lights always push the envelope with some of the most innovative looks. The designs highlight iconic Queen themes as well as promote environmental awareness.

The Clachan pub awaits you near Liberty once you’ve finished ogling at the sparkly stuff in its cozy space. Which one do we choose? A crisp pint pairs perfectly with a cocktail of king prawns and smoked salmon.

There is something pretty special about the lights along Carnaby Street, which light up the street in various fun, eccentric tributes spanning rock bands to robins to outer space.

In celebration of 25 years of delighting harried shoppers, Carnaby Celebrates will bring back some of the area’s all-time favorites. Night skies are filled with palm trees, Rolling Stones tongues, giant snowmen, and planets.

You won’t want to miss this year’s surprises… Featuring a mesmerizing medley of the most cherished pieces from the past and celebrating 25 years of lights and installations.

The historic installations at Carnaby incorporate 14 different themes, creating an exciting experience for visitors. In addition to Carnaby Street, Foubert’s Place, Ganton Street, and Newburgh Street, the installation illuminates the surrounding areas.

The iconic Carnaby arches are adorned with silver shimmer discs embellished with carnival decorations and a dazzling globe has been brought back to celebrate that ‘Carnaby Welcomes The World’.

4. OLD BOND STREET

A brand new homage to the monarchy will replace Bond Street’s traditional peacock feathers this year. A tiara-like string hanging high above the streets will hold 90,000 LED lights taking inspiration from the crown jewels. 

During Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee year in 2021, plans for the redesigned display began. This beautiful Christmas tribute to the departed monarch makes all the more sense following her death. Central London’s skies and footpaths are now illuminated by a lighted display.

King Charles’ coronation date may seem like a good time to announce the updated design, but the updated lights have actually been in development for over a year.

Their inspiration comes from the Crown Jewels and the numerous high-end jewelry stores that have remained on Bond Street for centuries. Old and New Bond Streets will be decorated with ‘necklaces’ strung at regular intervals across a tiara-like gateway at each end.

5.CHELSEA

Christmas lights are a tradition in London, and Chelsea is no different. Throughout the festive season, the lights will be turned on at 5pm every night, so make sure you venture to town soon to see them.

The late November switch-on marks the start of the neighborhood’s festive season with a charming twinkle across the storefronts and restaurants of Chelsea, Duke of York Square, and Sloane Square.

The occasion is marked by artisanal delights, seasonal cocktails, live entertainment, and winter terraces with blankets thrown over you as you drink mulled wine. A Bavarian curling rink is open all through Christmas, as well as Santa’s reindeer, glass bauble blowing, seasonal food, and more.

In Sloane Square, Father Christmas returns to a special Diptyque-scented grotto as the King’sRoad pedestrianizes for the second year in a row. On the King’s Road stage, you can expect performances that roam across the neighborhood and festive entertainment that is sure to delight.

You can also visit the holiday arcade at Duke of York Square (DOYS) to pick up festive foodie gifts while sipping glühwein or hot chocolate at the Fine Food Market’s Christmas edition. 

Making Christmas decorations from repurposed materials and blowing their own glass Christmas baubles are just some of the activities they can take part in at the Hole & Corner workshops. A running track outside the Saatchi Gallery will provide children with an opportunity to see Rudolph and all his reindeer friends. This will enable them to take off on their busy Christmas delivery schedule.