The perfect London Christmas lights walking route (+ map)
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Central London is a holiday wonderland by the end of November, but where exactly are the best places to see Christmas decorations in London? From ice rinks and fake snow to towering Christmas trees and festive bakeries, here is my guide to the best Christmas lights walking route through London.
While the lights on Regent’s Street and Oxford Street are iconic, there are many smaller areas of central London with beautiful Christmas displays. As a local and connoisseur of London hidden gems, this tour will take you to some of the best places that other visitors will miss.
My London Christmas lights walking route is long; it starts at Temple and goes all the way to Green Park area. It might not be possible to do it all in one go, but it’s easy to break into smaller chunks and I’ll be sure to give you recommendations for extensions as well.
The Christmas lights walking route is outlined numerically to follow a linear route and is also visually represented on the map at the end of this post.
When to see Christmas lights in London
Christmas comes early in London. The lights will start being switched on from early November, and by the second week of November they’ll be in full swing.
In terms of time of day, it gets dark in London early during the winter (by 4pm) so early evening is best. If possible, start the route an hour or so earlier to enjoy some decorations in the daylight before seeing some in twilight and some in the dark.
It’s impossible to entirely avoid crowds in central London during Christmas, and the lights and displays in central London can’t be missed. But they are hard to enjoy when the crowds are too dense; it is best to go during weekdays if possible or later in the evenings (even on a given Wednesday afternoon it’s possible that these areas will be packed).
If you have an entire day, follow my central London holiday itinerary below, or break into chunks for shorter walks.
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1. Start at Inner and Middle Temple
Begin at Temple Station or Blackfriars. Head toward Middle Temple Lane to enter the area through the ornately carved stone archway.
Temple is a quiet, secluded area of central London that is a hub for barristers. It’s a hidden gem at all times of year but has beautiful, simple Christmas decorations during the season.
Temple is full of historic architecture and its secluded nature makes it feel like one is stepping back in time while wandering around here. It’s a wonderful place of the beaten path in London, which is why most visitors will miss it at Christmastime.
If walking up Middle Temple Lane from the river, take your first right to the gates of Inner Temple Gardens. The garden is open to the public at lunchtimes on weekdays, so the gates will likely be closed, but are beautifully decorated.
The rustic Christmas decorations on the fence create a charming scene with greenery from the garden. After checking out this gem, head back to Middle Temple Lane.
Head back to Middle Temple Lane and then take a left, where a small chapel is decorated with Christmas trees and lights. This spot feels like a movie set to me, with timeless decorations that create a classic Christmas feel. I personally prefer this to the more overstated decorations in central London, so this is why I’m starting the walking route here.
After having a wander round, follow the path back down to Temple Place, then walk a few blocks before turning onto Surrey Street for Toklas Bakery, one of my favourites in London. They have an incredible pistachio brioche, and are likely to have all sorts of festive treats to start your day on the right foot.
Toklas is my personal favourite bakery in London, but also has an incredible restaurant with a unique modern terrace that is one of the most aesthetic places to dine in London.
2. Somerset House ice rink
After enjoying a treat at Toklas, it’s time to head to the most beautiful ice skating rink in London at Somerset House.
Turn right on the Strand and walk until you see the arched entrance to Somerset House. Inside you will find the most beautiful ice rink in London. While I don’t necessarily think it’s worth the money and effort to skate here, it is a beautiful sight.
Somerset House is an impressive feat of Georgian architecture that now houses the Courtauld Institute and several galleries and arts businesses. It’s fantastic courtyard is framed by the impressive stone architecture and is host to a range of events throughout the year, from the wonderful summer splash pad to the ice skating rink in the winter.
The ice rink at Somerset House is known for loud, fun music and bright colourful lights. The iconic ‘SKATE’ sign on the building behind makes for a beautiful backdrop for this Christmas activity.
If you’re on a full day out in London, it might be worth stopping into the Courtauld Gallery, one of the best small museums in London. It holds masterpieces of Impressionism but also many significant artworks from the Renaissance to modernism.
Somerset House also contains the Watch House, a lovely cafe to warm up in.
3. Covent Garden Christmas decorations
After exiting Somerset House, cross the road to Wellington Street to head towards Covent Garden, only a few moments walk. Turn left on Russel Street to enter Covent Garden and explore the market.
Covent Garden is one of the most iconic destinations in London (and it will be busy at Christmastime!). It was originally a produce market opened in the 17th century, then evolving into a market for all sorts of goods. The Apple Market section still sells artisan goods at small stalls. The rest of Covent Garden is now various small shops and some restaurants.
One of the key attractions in the area is the Royal Opera House, which will be showing the Nutcracker this time of year. It’s an unmissable performance and it’s even possible to get last minute tickets with their rush programme—that’s how I managed to see it last year. On the roof of the Royal Opera House is an amazing bar with a view over Covent Garden, and is one of the best hidden gems in London.
Covent Garden is also known for street performers who entertain with music, magic and more.
At Christmas, Covent Garden is decked out in glittering silver spheres and giant holly sprigs. An enormous Christmas tree is a centrepiece, and in the last several years there has been fake snow released every hour, on the hour.
There’s also several wonderful bakeries around Covent Garden:
Bagariet, a charmingly tiny Swedish bakery for cardamom buns
Buns from Home for the viral cinnamon buns and many other flavours
Arome, an Asian/French fusion bakery serving an incredible apple miso tart and their famous honey butter toast
4. Seven Dials Christmas lights
After exploring Covent Garden, it’s a short walk to the charming Seven Dials which is one of my very favourite spots to see Christmas lights in London.
Head towards Seven Dials via Monmouth Street and stop at Choosing Keeping, a stationary shop and one of the most stunning shops in London. They have their own magical Christmas windows.
Seven Dials is a series of seven streets coming off of one roundabout with a monument in the centre. It’s a shopping hub, so is a great place to buy some Christmas gifts while in London. There’s also loads of restaurants and the epic Seven Dials Market, an extensive indoor food market perfect for cold days.
5. Neal’s Yard
On the opposite side of Seven Dials is Neal’s Yard, a colourful alleyway full of shops and restaurants that will be lit up for Christmas.
If you’re not full from Seven Dials Market, Neal’s Yard is home to Homeslice Pizza, some of the best pizza in London (I continually think about their mushroom pizza). St. John’s Bakery also lives here and is a London institution.
6. Carnaby Street Christmas decorations
After visiting Neal’s Yard, it’s time for the second wave of Christmas light stops on this route. It’s about a 15 minute walk between Seven Dials and Carnaby Street, the next stop on the list.
Carnaby Street is a hip pedestrianised area full of modern shops and featuring the most fun Christmas decorations year on year. From sea life to disco balls to butterflies, the theme has been different each year but always bright and fun. It’s another great place to go shopping but I think kids would especially love the Christmas decorations here.
At the top of Carnaby Street is Liberty London, the best department store in London with wonderful Christmas decorations of its own.
Recommended: 5 of the top-rated Christmas tours in London
7. Liberty London at Christmas
Walk up Carnaby Street until you reach Liberty London.
Liberty is an iconic luxury department store housed in a building designed to mimic Tudor architecture. Fashion, beauty, and homewares are the focus at Liberty, along with their eponymous printed fabrics.
The store was opened in the late 19th century and has had a distinct artistic style since. Liberty features a range of small brands that are hard to find elsewhere, and often do stunning displays to showcase their range. The window displays are my favourite in London.
The interior space has a large open courtyard reaching all the way up to the top floor, which is often filled with some sort of Christmas decoration — I’ve seen it as a giant felt tree and also a beautiful purple air balloon. It’s worth popping in for anyone interested in design.
Liberty is just off of Regent Street, so it’s time to head there next for the ultimate Christmas in London moment.
8. Regent Street Christmas lights
It may be controversial but I suggest skipping Oxford Street. It’s just stars, really, and it’s got nothing on the ethereal Christmas angels of Regent Street.
Regent Street is the posher alternative to Oxford Street; while the latter hosts a variety of fast fashion stores, Regent Street is home to the flagship stores of higher end brands.
The long, curving street is known for its Christmas display, which is made up of dozens of golden angels with elegant long wings slowly dimming and lighting along the street. The curve of the street makes it possible to see the rows of the angels all at once, creating a really impressive effect.
It will be really busy here, but I suggest trying to get into the centre of the street where there is an island and photographing the lights from there.
9. Bond Street and Annabel’s
Cross over Regents Street to Mayfair and head to New Bond Street. Bond Street is home to the most high-end designer shops in London, all of which are decorated head to toe for the festive season. Starting from the top (New Bond Street) all the way to the bottom (Old Bond Street) will take you past some of the most incredible Christmas light displays in the city. Cartier and Tiffany’s are always notable.
While in the area, it might be worth popping over to Annabel’s on Berkeley Square to check out their decorations—every year the facade is decked out in a new holiday installation. In the past it’s been a holiday merry-go-round and a giant Christmas tree. Have a look on Instagram and see if it’s worth popping over to have a look.
8. Mayfair Shopping Arcades
While on Bond Street, there are two historic shopping arcades tucked away with charming and pretty Christmas displays. Royal Arcade and Burlington Arcade are both decked out for the Christmas season and are charming places to stop off.
9. Fortnum & Mason
Exit Burlington Arcade onto Piccadilly, take a few steps to the left, and you will be face to face with one of the most iconic Christmas in London sights, Fortnum & Mason. The facade of the building becomes an advent calendar during the season and the windows are filled with imaginative displays.
Fortnum & Mason was founded in 1707, so is a deeply historic shop and a cornerstone to British culture. The shop's elaborate Christmas displays and beautifully decorated windows evoke a sense of nostalgia and enchantment.
Fortnum’s sells a wide range of food and drink as well as beautiful Christmas decorations during the season. They are known for their hampers, which make a luxurious Christmas gift. It’s certainly pricey, but also possible to buy smaller packs of amazing biscuits or tea to take home as charming souvenirs.
10. St. James and Pickering Place
Walk back into the St. James neighbourhood to see old-fashioned shops whose decorations seem to set them back in time, like a classic Christmas scene.
One hidden spot is Pickering Place, an alley that opens up to a Christmas tree which feels like a magical discovery. It took me a few years to actually find this place after occasionally seeing it on Instagram during the Christmas season. While small, it feels like you’re in a Christmas movie and it’s one of my favourite London Christmas locations.
11. Trafalgar Square Christmas tree
I have to admit that I personally don’t often come to Trafalgar Square at Christmas time, but for a visitor to London you may want to pop over because it has some deep Christmas traditions.
Depending on how tired you are, you can walk back down Pall Mall to Trafalgar Square, which is where the National Gallery is located. There’s an enormously tall Christmas tree in the centre of the square each year, which is a gift from Norway. It usually causes laughter online because it’s quite sparse and thin—have a look and see what you think of it as a Christmas decoration.
In recent years there has been a small Christmas market in Trafalgar Square as well, selling yummy treats and Christmas decorations.
London Christmas lights walking route map
This self-guided London Christmas lights walking tour is outlined below on my map, with each destination numbered in my suggested order.
As mentioned previously, it might be a bit much to complete in one go unless you’re feeling very motivated. So feel free to break down into smaller chunks!
Other places to see Christmas displays in London
Harrods
The iconic luxury department store has some pretty amazing Christmas displays across its facade. In recent years they have also hosted gingerbread exhibitions inside, so check what the current events are.
Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland is housed in Hyde Park and is a big Christmas-themed carnival/amusement park. There’s lots of rides, food stalls, pubs, and games to explore. Be warned that it is busy!
The Churchill Arms
The Churchill Arms is the Instagram-famous pub in Notting Hill that is covered from head to toe with tiny sparkling Christmas trees during the holiday season. In the summer it is covered with blooming flower baskets.
Dennis Severs House
Out of left field recommendation, but Dennis Severs House is one of my favourite places ever and they do a memorable ‘Silent Night’ Christmas at the house each year. It’s a historic house museum in East London, but unlike any you’ve ever visited before. Entirely fictional and created by an eccentric artist, the house brings the life of a Huguenot family in Spitalfields alive. It’s one of the best small museums in London and I can’t encourage you enough to go there.
Richmond
Richmond is a charming enclave outside of the city centre in South West London. It is known for Ted Lasso fame now, but the whole neighbourhood is so cute, especially at Christmastime. The houses all decorate with their own displays, and the small alleyways filled with shops add nostalgic Christmas feel to the area. Ham House, a National Trust site nearby, has an amazing historic Christmas display as well. Christmas in Richmond is not to be missed.
Christmas at Kew
Kew Gardens does an extensive Christmas light trail during the holiday season, and it’s a great way to spend a long dark winter evening with some cheer. The displays change each year, but take you all around the garden to enjoy different creative lights.
Christmas in the countryside
If you have time to venture out of London during the Christmas season, don’t miss Christmas in the Cotswolds. The most picturesque region of England becomes a winter wonderland during the holiday season.
There are loads of stately homes that are decked out with incredible displays over the Christmas season. Visiting a historic property at Christmas is such a festive way to spend a day!
There are also many wonderful Christmas destinations a day trip away from London, like Canterbury, Oxford, and the wonderful Winchester Christmas Market.
FAQs about Christmas lights in London
Where are the Christmas lights in London?
Most of the impressive Christmas light displays are in central London, around Regent Street, Oxford Street, and Bond Street. Covent Garden is also a great place for Christmas decorations in London.
What is the best way to see the Christmas lights in London?
I recommend following my walking route, which takes you on a clear route through central London to see most of the iconic Christmas lights as well as many smaller and lesser known Christmas displays. See above for a map of this walking route, which you can use to lead a self-guided walking tour.
Which street in London has the angel Christmas lights?
Regent Street is home to the golden angels—some of the most beautiful Christmas lights in the world.
How long to Oxford Street lights stay up?
The Oxford Street Christmas lights are up for quite a while, from early November to the first week of January.
Regent Street has a similar schedule, while other locations will light up a week or two later.
These are the most festive stately homes to visit at Christmas in the UK.