Keep up to date with festive happenings in the capital on our Christmas 2026 in London page.
Nothing signifies the approach of Christmas like the glow of seasonal street lights. Here's our guide to when London's 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.
For even more lights, check out our pick of winter lights trails and illumination festivals in the capital this winter.
Note: at time of writing, not all 2026 Christmas lights details have been announced. Below are the ones we know about so far, as well as our best guesses for when the rest will be switched on, based on previous years. We'll update this page as soon as we have specific details.
Oxford Street Christmas lights 2026: switch-on date TBC
Oxford Street is always one of the first London districts to switch on its Christmas lights, illuminating the world-famous shopping street. The magic 'officially' happened on 3 November last year, though the lights were spotted in all their illuminated glory a couple of nights before this.
In recent years, there's not been an official lighting event/switching-on ceremony. However, with Oxford Street going traffic-free from autumn 2026, and the news there'll be a Harry Potter theme to some of the illuminations this year, we're expecting there to be quite the hullabaloo. We'll let you know when things are announced.
Estimated Christmas 2026 date: Around 2 November.
Carnaby Christmas lights 2026: 4 November
Carnaby Street's festive unveil is on Wednesday 4 November 2026, "inspired by the feel-good nostalgia of the 90s" — very much on trend right now, given the doomy times we live in. For the last couple of Christmases, Carnaby's boxy Christmas lights — made from 60,000 energy-efficient LEDs — have been reused to reduce waste, and we expect to see them again in 2026, albeit with that 90s twist. And here's a thought: how about going all out and inviting the Spice Girls to switch the lights on, as they did on Oxford Street 30 years ago?
Regent Street and St James's Christmas lights 2026: 5 November
A shimmering staple of the festive season in London, the 'Spirit of Christmas' angel illuminations are back above Regent Street and St James's from 5 November 2026. We're promised some "sparkling new additions" for this year — be among the first to see them at the free switch-on event (5pm-9pm, 5 November) when the street goes temporarily traffic free.
Knightsbridge Christmas lights 2026: 10 November
A display of more than 12,000 bulbs returns to Brompton Road and the surrounding streets for the Knightsbridge Christmas lights 2026, switched on from Tuesday 10 November. The lights, which were new last year, offer subtle nods to Knightsbridge's equestrian past, including a 14-metre cross-street animated motif, and wall-mounted displays on Hans Crescent and Brompton Road.
Marylebone Christmas lights 2026: 11 November
Merry Marylebone — the annual festive event in Marylebone Village culminating in a big Christmas light-up — takes place on Wednesday 11 November 2026. Marylebone High Street will be pedestrianised, with much of the action taking place across Devonshire Street too. 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 2026: 11 November
Christmas shopping, live festive music from the market's gospel choir, and festive food and drink make up the fun at the Old Spitalfields Market Christmas light switch-on, on Wednesday 11 November 2026. Events run from 3pm, and the lights themselves are fired up at 6pm.
Covent Garden Christmas lights 2026: 12 November
Covent Garden goes all out for Christmas, with a towering tree in the West Piazza; and bows, baubles and mirror balls in the market hall. All of this is back from 12 November 2026, marking the return of the "Theatre of Christmas" campaign. The switch-on draws quite a crowd.
Bond Street Christmas lights 2026: 12 November
The festive illuminations over Bond Street have taken us on something of a magical mystery tour in recent years: in 2023 they took the form of Crown Jewel-inspired crowns and pearls, replaced in 2024 by Chanel perfume bottles... only for the Crown Jewels to return last year. This year, the Crown Jewels are back (though this is your last chance to see them, as we're promised a new lighting scheme for Christmas 2027), and you can see them illuminated from 12 November 2026. For the first time, they're making a big event of it, closing the street to traffic for a programme of entertainment including live music performances and a brass band. The lights go on at 7pm.
Chelsea Christmas lights 2026: 12 November
There's a lot happening in Chelsea this Christmas, from the Ever After Garden in Duke of York Square (from 5 November) to glittering lights. The Chelsea Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place in Duke of York Square on 12 November 2026, with street performers, snow flurries and carol singing before the 40ft Norwegian spruce lights up. New for this year: a trail of "shimmering, constellation-inspired figures".
Also opening in Chelsea on 12 November is the Firefly Festive Forest, a display of 30 artist-designed Christmas trees lining Sloane Street. They're on display until 1 December, after which they're auctioned off to raise money for the Firefly Project.
The Churchill Arms Christmas lights 2026: 12 November
London's Christmassiest pub, the Churchill Arms in Kensington, lights up for Christmas on Thursday 12 November 2026. The exterior is absolutely buried in Christmas trees and fairy lights, with a Letters to Santa postbox beside the main entrance.
Fulham Pier Christmas lights 2026: 12 November
Riverside foodie venue Fulham Pier kicks off its first festive season with a Christmas light switch-on party on Thursday 12 November 2026. Details are being kept under wraps for the moment, but will include "a major headline moment, celebrity appearances and a River Thames first". Intriguing...
Hampstead Village Christmas lights 2026: 15 November
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Hampstead Village hosts its Christmas light switch-on on Sunday 15 November 2026, in an event running 4pm-7pm (with the switch-on at 6pm). Other entertainment includes funfair rides, a visit from Santa and his reindeer, carol performances, and food and drink stalls.
Fleet Street Quarter Christmas lights 2026: 18 November
Ludgate Circus is the place to head on Wednesday 18 November 2026 to see the Fleet Street Quarter Christmas lights switched on. Also unveiled in the area on 18 November is a free Dennis and Gnasher Mega Mischief Trail, which brings 12 individually-decorated sculptures of the beloved Beano characters (the comic's London HQ is on Fleet Street) to the area for the Christmas period.
Greenwich Christmas lights 2026: 18 November
The annual lantern parade and Christmas light switch-on at Greenwich Market takes place on 18 November 2026, when children from local primary schools parade handmade lanterns through the historic grounds of the Old Royal Naval College, across Cutty Sark Gardens, and on to the Grade II-listed Georgian Market. Once in the market, the illumination moment happens at 5pm, with live entertainment continuing until 6pm.
Last year, Cutty Sark's Christmas tree shaped lights were illuminated on the same day — we're awaiting confirmation of 2026 details.
Boxhall City Christmas lights 2026: 18 November
Swing by foodie hotspot Boxhall City (Liverpool Street) on Wednesday 18 November 2026 to see the Christmas lights switched on (7pm) with guaranteed snowfall on the night. It's a ticketed event, so book in advance if you want to be there.
Leadenhall Market Christmas lights 2026: 19 November
19 November 2026 is the date to stick in your diary if you want to see the beautiful Victorian Leadenhall Market building illuminated for Christmas. Festive garlands and decorations all centre around a 26ft tall Christmas tree, alongside a light tunnel. The evening's celebrations involve live music, a snow flurry, and the big switch-on at 6pm.
Walworth Road Christmas lights 2026: 19 November
Antonio Capelao, the man behind the charming child-designed Soho Christmas lights in recent years, has teamed up with Walworth resident Madeleine Moxham to bring the same style to Walworth's festivities. Kids from St Peter's Primary School have created this year's designs, inspired by the local area, and they're switched on by the Worshipful the Mayor of Southwark, Cllr Claire Sheppard, outside Walworth Town Hall on Thursday 19 November 2026.
St Katharine Docks Christmas lights 2026: 19 November
Apparently London's only Christmas lights on water, the illuminations at St Katharine Docks (next to Tower Bridge) are on from Thursday 19 November 2026. Expect special performances by school choirs and an appearance from St Nick, and take the opportunity to explore the Victorian Christmas Village, which is open throughout the festive season.
West End Christmas lights: 2026 switch-on date TBC
Christmas in London usually begins when the West End Christmas lights are switched on. Usually the first of the season, last year they were on from as early as 1 November. The illuminations encompass Piccadilly, Leicester Square and St Martin's Lane, with different designs at each location, nodding to the areas' individual heritage.
Estimated Christmas 2026 date: Around 1 November.
