
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. The magic happens on Tuesday 5 November 2024.
The stars are coming out again this year; 300,000 of them will dangle above Oxford Street. 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).
Regent Street and St James's Christmas lights 2024 — from 7 November

Regent Street gets its festive glow-up from Thursday 7 November 2024, although in the last few years the lights have been switched on without any fanfare. The neighbouring district of St James's gets lit the same night, and those '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, and they're back in 2024. Plus, there's a new Wishing Tree on St James's Market, which comes to twinkling life when you make a donation to The Felix Project.
Overall, 300,000 lights are used in the display, all low-energy LEDs which operate on a timer, meaning they're only on for a few key hours each evening.
Carnaby Christmas lights 2024 — from 7 November

Carnaby Street is many people's fave for festive lights. Traditionally, it has a new theme every year, from Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody to sub-aqua scenes. Last year it was Carnaby Universe, a whirlwhind of neon colour and light waves creating a moving vortex on Carnaby Street. We're getting new Carnaby lights again for 2024, but this time they're designed to last a little longer.
The 'Into the Light' illuminations scheme — switched on from Thursday 7 November 2024 — consists of several six-metre-long sculptural light forms suspended over the street. Hourly light displays will take place overhead, with chunky star-shaped feature installations at each end of the street. Cascading curtains of light will adorn the balconies in Kingly Court.
The lights are designed to be used for at least the next five Christmas seasons, though that doesn't mean it'll be the same each time. They can be programmed to allow for new features and adjustments, so Carnaby's tradition of switching up its switch-on will continue.
Covent Garden Christmas lights 2024 — from 12 November

It was all change at Covent Garden in 2023, as it got brand new Christmas decorations including 40 gigantic bells with bows, 12 giant baubles and eight spinning mirror balls — made from over 29 miles of gold leaf and 275 kilos of glitter. These decs are back this year, with 140,000 LED lights inside the Market Hall and Piazza, in addition to the 30,000 adorning the 55ft Christmas tree, all illuminated from Tuesday 12 November 2024.
Even better, the Seven Dials area of Covent Garden is getting a whole new Christmas lighting scheme this year. We don't yet know what that'll look like, but we're promised 150,000 LED lights across the streets and within Neal's Yard. Exciting!
Strand Christmas lights 2024 — from 12 November

Since mid-October 2024, it's been clear that Strand is getting new lights this year. The old 'Northbank' branded ones are gone, presumably because the Northbank itself has joined forces with other local areas for a bit of rebrand, replaced by... well, we've been squinting at what we thought were angels. Turns out they're fairies, which should become clearer once they're illuminated from Tuesday 12 November. Why fairies? It's festive nod to the first ever fairy lights, which were worn by performers at the nearby Savoy Theatre in 1882. The same lighting scheme takes over Villiers Street, running from Strand down to Embankment station, too.
Bloomsbury Christmas lights 2024 — from 12 November
Taking place on Tuesday 12 November, Brilliantly Bright Bloomsbury is the name of the official Bloomsbury switch-on event. Head to Russell Square to be part of it, with live music, and treats such as mulled wine, mince pies and a chocolate fountain.
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 refreshment 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 fired up 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 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.
The Shard Christmas lights 2024 — from 14 November
The top 20 storeys of The Shard are illuminated by four 15-minute festive light sequences every hour, each evening between 14 November and New Year's Eve. The lights are inspired by festive songs We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Jingle Bells, The Twelve Days of Christmas, and Deck the Halls, and are said to be visible from over 40 miles away.
Back in 2018 we went behind the scenes to see how they prepare the Shard's Christmas lights:
Bond Street Christmas lights 2024 — from 14 November

It's all change again on Bond Street. After a couple of years of regally-themed crowns and jewellery, the luxury shopping thoroughfare has brand new Christmas lights for 2024, in collaboration with Chanel fragrance and beauty. Specifically, the illuminations take the form of the iconic Chanel No.5 perfume bottle.
They're switched on at 4.30pm on 14 November 2024, and can be seen until 12 January 2025.
Savile Row Christmas lights 2024 — from 14 November

Tailoring district Savile Row is once again illuminated from the corner of Clifford Street to the corner of Burlington Gardens, in the form of overhead lights in the shape of dressmakers' shears. The giant gold tools can be seen cutting through illuminated 'fabric' from 14 November 2024.
Edmonton Green Shopping Centre Christmas lights 2024 — from 15 November
North Square in Edmonton is transformed into something of a winter wonderland for the Christmas light switch-on event on Friday 15 November. A free synthetic ice rink pops up for the afternoon (1pm-6.30pm), along with snow machines, live performances, complimentary hot chocolate and candy floss, all in anticipation of the big moment at 6.30pm when the area is illuminated for Christmas,
Chelsea Christmas lights 2024 — from 16 November

The Chelsea Christmas lights switch-on takes place on Saturday 16 November, when King’s Road will be partly pedestrianised from Sloane Square to Walpole Street, featuring a Christmas market, pop-ups from local businesses, face painting, and entertainment across multiple stages and roaming the neighbourhood.
At 5pm, Father Christmas will take to the main stage at Duke of York Square with his special helper, a local child in need of a special treat, to switch on the lights.
Hammersmith Christmas tree and lights 2024 — from 21 November
Head to Lyric Square in Hammersmith on Thursday 21 November to see the Christmas tree's lights switched on, accompanied by live performances from the Steel Pan Trust and the Addison Singers. Some of the shops in the area stay open that evening too
Belgravia Christmas lights 2024 — from 17 November

Motcomb Street, Elizabeth Street, Pimlico Road, Eccleston Yards and Halkin Arcade are illuminated by a single scheme of Christmas lights. They're switched on in a special ceremony on Elizabeth Street on 17 November, which also includes live performances by London Gay Men's Chorus and the Fulham Brass Band, and a Christmas market in Eccleston Yards, as well as other events and activities.
Trafalgar Square Christmas tree 2024 — from 5 December

The Mayor of Westminster, Norwegian Ambassador and governing Mayor of Oslo usually switch on the lights of the the Trafalgar Square tree on the first Thursday in December — that's Thursday 5 December 2024. The tree is a gift from Norway every year.