Have you been out to see London's Christmas lights yet this year? If you have, you'll know they're looking as spectacular as ever, with twinkling stars, glowing angels and bejewelled crowns shimmering above the capital's streets. If you haven't found time yet, you're in luck, as we've gathered some photos of them looking fabulous, for your perusal.
Want a closer look at any of them? Read our guide to seeing London's Christmas lights, including visiting them by bus. And if you want to compare to previous years' offerings, take a look at photos from 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
Regent Street
The 45 angels soaring over Regent Street were an immediate hit when they first appeared in 2016 — and now Christmas in the West End wouldn't be the same without them. They're actually a nod to the first lights that arrived on the street in 1954, which were also the first major festive illuminations in central London.
Oxford Street
A Sky Full of Stars is the name of Oxford Street's 2022 Christmas lights — a simple, classy and rather beautiful design which we hope they'll hold onto for a few years yet. The title must be a nod to a 2014 Coldplay song of the same name — although the band's big festive hit that features Oxford Street in the lyrics was of course, called... Christmas Lights.
Piccadilly
Flowing seamlessly from Regent Street's angels are the winged creatures of Piccadilly — inspired by the Greek god Anteros — which may or may not be the real identify of Piccadilly Circus' 'Eros' statue.
Covent Garden
Another Christmas light-up that's quickly come to be a classic is the genetically-modified mistletoe of Covent Garden Market. Some serious smooching must go on here every December.
St Christopher's Place
St Christopher's Place becomes 'St Christmas Place' (see what they did there), with a spectrum of brightly coloured discs twisting and twirling above the shopping plaza.
South Molton Street
These icy blue arches of lights twinkling with stars are an Instagrammer's delight (trust us, it can take a while to get a clear snap of this installation) — and while blue's a controversial choice for Xmas decs, South Molton Street's certainly don't leave us feeling cold.
Connaught Village
How can you not heart Connaught Village's tree decorations, throbbing with colour as they do? Even better, these lights can stay up till Valentine's Day.
Annabel's, Mayfair
Never shy when it comes to dressing up, Annabel's in Berkeley Square once again goes all out for yuletide, with this vintage fairground-inspired piece, embellished, not with horses or unicorns, but Pegasus(es). More fantastical than the Garden Bridge.
Trafalgar Square
Dear Norway, Londonist would like to take this opportunity to say THANK You for our annual spruce, and don't listen to the haters who say it looks like a cucumber. P.S. The golden lights make the tree particularly radiant this year.
Bond Street
The Bond Street peacocks strut to one side, making way for a dazzling set of regal decorations, taking their cue from the Imperial State Crown. These must've been in the planning pre-September, but they make a fitting doff of the tiara to the late monarch, who lived a stone's throw from this swish shopping street.
Carnaby Street
It's a Best Of from Carnaby Street, which has been up into the attic and dusted off all its decs from recent years, resulting in an aerial cocktail of planets, 'ho ho ho's and Queen lyrics. Mamma mia Figaro.
The Churchill Arms, Kensington
Just under 100 Christmas trees, swaddled in some 21,000 twinkling lights go into making the Churchill Arms London's Christmasiest boozer, and one of the sights of the season. And hark! Do you hear that? It's the sound of an energy provider rubbing their hands together.
Prince Charles Cinema, Leicester Square
And a happy new year. [FINAL GUNSHOT]
Seven Dials
A new display arrives in Seven Dials, in the form of these starburst shapes, which appear like firework frozen mid-explosion. We like.
St Martins Lane
Close by is St Martins Lane — and whatever you think of it's Christmas lights effort, at least they leave you in no doubt as to where you are.
Whitgift Centre
We nipped into Croydon's Whitgift Centre for a spot of Christmas shopping, and snapped these pretty lights dangling over a festive (roller)skating rink. To be honest, seeing as the council is three-times bankrupt, we're just happy there are any lights at all.
The Old Vic
A red and green glow-up from this historic theatre on The Cut, currently staging another year of Jack Thorne's A Christmas Carol adaptation — and let us tell you, when Tiny Tim rounds off the show, there is nary a dry eye in the house. God bless us everyone.
