Nothing signifies the approach of Christmas like the glow of seasonal street lights. Here's our guide to when London's 2024 festive illuminations are switched on (and the accompanying parties) in some of the capital's biggest shopping destinations — including Oxford Street, Regent Street, Covent Garden and Carnaby. We'll update this article as more lights are announced.
Oxford Street Christmas lights 2024 — from 5 November
Oxford Street is usually the first London district to switch on its Christmas lights, illuminating the world-famous shopping street — and in 2024 the magic happens on Tuesday 5 November.
The stars are coming out again this year, as 300,000 of them return, blanketing the sky, with a focus on sustainability. The LED lights are said to be 75% more energy efficient that standard lights.
A Big Day of Joy takes over Oxford Street on 7 December, with live performances, activities in the shops, and festive experiences, all in aid of Oxford Street's Christmas charity partner, Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH).
Marylebone Village Christmas lights 2024 — from 13 November
Merry Marylebone — the annual festive event in Marylebone Village culminating in a big Christmas light-up — takes place on Wednesday 13 November 2024. There'll be a ferris wheel, Santa's grotto, and food, drink and gift stalls, as well as discounts and special offers in the local shops, restaurants and bars. The event runs 3pm-8pm, with the switch-on at 6pm, to be performed by a special guest (TBC).
Old Spitalfields Market Christmas lights 2024 — from 13 November
Christmas shopping, live festive music from the market’s gospel choir, and free face painting and children's Christmas craft workshops are all part of the fun at the Old Spitalfields Market Christmas light switch-on, which happens on Wednesday 13 November 2024. The lights themselves are switched on at 5.30pm.
Leadenhall Market Christmas lights 2024 — from 14 November
Traditionally, the Lord Mayor of London does the honours of switching on the Leadenhall Market Christmas lights, which usually consist of a large central Christmas tree, colour-changing LED lights, and fir tree garlands throughout the Market. Thursday 14 November is the date to put in your diary for 2024, from 5.30pm — just five days after the new Lord Mayor takes the reins at the Lord Mayor's Show. Busy week for some.
Trafalgar Square Christmas tree 2024 — from 5 December
The Mayor of Westminster, Norwegian Ambassador and governing Mayor of Oslo usually switch on the lights on the Trafalgar Square tree on the first Thursday in December — that's 5 December 2024. The tree is a gift from Norway every year.
The below venues haven't announced their Christmas lights for 2024 yet. We'll update the below when we have more information, but in the mean time, here's what happened last year to give you an idea of what to expect:
Regent Street and St James's Christmas lights 2024 — date TBC
Regent Street usually switches its lights on from early November — though in the last few years there hasn't been a big switch-on event, the lights simply being switched on without any fanfare. The neighbouring district of St James's gets lit the same night too, and we're those 50+ 'Spirit of Christmas' angels are back, glistening above Regent Street, Regent Street St James's, Piccadilly and Jermyn Street. Last year, for the first time, Glasshouse Street, Heddon Street, Quadrant Arcade, St James’s Market and Swallow Street had their own Christmas lights too.
300,000 lights are used in the display, all low-energy LEDs which operate on a timer, so that they're only on for a few key hours each evening.
Covent Garden Christmas lights 2024 — date TBC
It was all change at Covent Garden last year, as it got brand new Christmas decorations, including 40 gigantic bells with bows, 12 giant baubles and eight spinning mirror balls, all made from over 29 miles of gold leaf and 275 kilos of glitter. Sounds like we've seen the last of the giant mistletoe that's adorned the Market Hall for the last few festive seasons. There were also over 140,000 LED lights inside the Market Hall, in addition to the 30,000 adorning the 60ft Christmas tree, all illuminated from early November.
Carnaby Christmas lights 2024 — date TBC
Carnaby has a new theme for its festive decorations every year, from Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody to sub-aqua scenes. Last year it was Carnaby Universe, a display of neon colour and light waves creating a moving vortex on Carnaby Street, along with arches adorned with shimmering discs and neon lights on the side streets. The season usuallyy begins with a switch-on party and shopping event in early November.
St Christopher's Place Christmas lights 2024 — date TBC
St Christopher's Place usually transforms into St Christmas Place in mid-November. Last year, vividly coloured discs illuminated the pedestrianised shopping area just off Oxford Street. The central tree in the main square and others lining James Street were lit up, and there were free festive performances every Thursday and Saturday in the run-up to Christmas.
Belgravia Christmas lights 2024 — date TBC
Motcomb Street, Elizabeth Street, Pimlico Road, Eccleston Yards and Halkin Arcade are usually illuminated by a single scheme of Christmas lights. Look out for a Christmas lights party sometime in mid-November.
Chelsea Christmas lights 2024 — date TBC
The Chelsea Christmas light switch-on usually involves a whole day of festive fun in mid-November. King's Road is part-pedestrianised from Sloane Square down to Walpole Street with a Christmas market, live entertainment, and a chance to meet Santa's reindeer. Father Christmas himself has the honour of switching the lights on, illuminating King's Road, Sloane Square and surrounding areas, accompanied by a fireworks display, light show and sprinkling of snow.
Bond Street Christmas lights 2024 — date TBC
2022 saw festive changes on Bond Street, as the peacock decorations were ousted in favour of regally-themed illuminations featuring more than 90,000 LED lights. They were inspired by the Crown Jewels, as well as the many high-end jewellery stores which have set up shop on Bond Street over the centuries. A tiara-like gateway at each end of Bond Street welcomed shoppers to the area, with 'necklaces' strung across Old and New Bond Street at regular intervals — and we're hoping to see them back for 2024... watch this space.
