Best London Christmas Decorations And Lights + A Free Map!

Christmas is the most magical time of year to be in London. The city comes alive with sparkling lights, festive shop windows, and extravagant displays that make the streets feel like a winter wonderland. From the twinkling angels on Regent Street to the grand Christmas tree in Covent Garden, the London Christmas decorations are some of the best in the world. In this guide, I’ll share the must-see displays, the most beautiful light trails, and a handy map so you can plan your own festive walking tour.

Whether you’re looking to capture amazing Instagram content, perfect family photos or simply see the best of what London has to offer, this guide has got you covered. So let’s dive in!

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Tips for Capturing the Magic of London’s Christmas Decorations

Before I dive into all the best London Christmas decorations and magical lights you won’t want to miss. I have a few tips for enjoying them and getting the best photos.

Last year, we did a self-guided London decorations and lights tour early (around 8:30 am) on a gloomy Sunday morning. This route took us past some of London’s best decorations, including the shops on New Bond Street. This worked really well, as it wasn’t too crowded and was still fairly dark, allowing the lights to twinkle.

We also visited Covent Garden early in the morning and were able to get great family photos without the crowds!

If you’re going to see the lights on streets such as Oxford and Regent Street, they won’t be turned on until later in the day. Aim for late afternoon or early evening, around 4 PM, when it is starting to get dark, and the lights are fully illuminated.

Although Christmas in London is busy in general, you will find weekdays tend to be less crowded than weekends, offering a more relaxed experience.

Where to Find the Best London Christmas Decorations

In this section, I will share all the best Christmas decorations in London, from amazing shop windows to giant Christmas trees. These are decorations you won’t want to miss!

All the places below are completely free to see!

New Bond Street

New Bond Street is home to some of London’s best Christmas decoration displays. Some of the shops that are known for their extravagant displays include Cartier, Dior, Tiffany & Co. and Chanel.

This street is well worth walking down at Christmas time. Note: the decorations here change every year, but they are always special!

Christmas decorations at Cartier and Dior on New Bond Street

Covent Garden

Covent Garden also puts on an excellent Christmas display with lots of festive decor.

They have a giant sleigh in the Apple Market, which makes the perfect photo spot that kids and grown-ups alike will love. I try to get a family picture here every year.

In Covent Garden, you’ll also find one of London’s most magnificent Christmas trees, as well as a display of many trees outside the market.

Tip: Visit early if you want to get crowd-free photos here. Bonus Tip: offer to take someone’s photo for them, and they will usually return the favour!

Covent Garden’s giant Christmas tree and sleigh

Hendonism Wines

This shop is known for its extravagant displays throughout the year. Last Christmas, they did not disappoint. Outside the shop was a giant Advent calendar with opening doors. It was one of my kids’ favourite displays, and they loved opening each one to see what was inside.

Address: 3-7 Davies Street, London W1K 3DJ

Annabel’s

Just around the corner from Hendonism Wines is Annabel’s. This is a private members’ club, so not everyone can go in, but everyone is welcome to enjoy the festive display they put outside.

Known for huge displays covering the front of the building, this is one to add to your itinerary for sure.

Address: 46 Berkeley Square, London W1J 5AT

Hedonism Wines and Annabel’s in Christmas 2024

KOYN

This is a Japanese restaurant located in Mayfair, and at Christmas, it becomes known for having a cute little red car outside, topped with a Christmas tree! This is very festive and another favourite for kids and adults alike.

Address: 38 Grosvenor Street, London W1K 4QA

Fortnum & Mason

Fotnom & Mason is one of London’s most iconic department stores. At Christmas, it transforms into a festive wonderland.

The outside is decorated with an Advent calendar, one day is lit up from the 1st of December until Christmas. It also has doors that open up and chime throughout the day. The store’s windows are always beautifully designed in a Christmas theme.

Inside, the atrium gets decorated with a cute Christmas display, last year, silver pine cones, the year before, Christmas puddings hung from the ceiling and seemed to dance to music.

They have a further giant Advent calendar upstairs in the Christmas shop; this one you can open to display the treats inside.

If you’re looking for a souvenir Christmas decoration to take home, you’ll be spoilt for choice here.

Address: 181 Piccadilly, London, W1A 1ER

Fortnum and Mason’s Christmas window & giant Advent calendar inside

The Ritz

The Christmas decorations at The Ritz London are so iconic. Outside is hung with giant wreaths, and inside is also beautifully decorated.

You can go inside and see the lobby without a reservation, or why not treat yourself to their festive afternoon tea?

Harrods

Another of London’s most famous department stores is Harrods. At Christmas time, it is lit up with a spectacular light display, adorning the front of the store.

They also have an amazing Christmas ship inside, should you wish to buy a Christmas decoration.

Address: 87-135 Brompton Road, London, SW1X 7XL

Burlington Arcade

Burlington Arcade is beautiful year-round. It is well known for being London’s first department store and is one of the longest covered arcades in the country.

At Christmas, it is especially magical with lots of festive decorations.

Other London arcades that decorate beautifully for Christmas include the Royal Arcade and Piccadilly Arcade.

Slone Square

Slone Square in Chelsea has some beautiful Christmas decorations. The square is full of twinkling lights.

Duke of York Square

Just across from Sloane Square is Duke of York Square. Each year, they decorate beautifully, with a different theme.

In 2004, the theme was the 12 Days of Christmas, inspired by the popular Christmas carol. They set up a short trail to find them all, and my children loved it!

The archway entrance to the square is also beautifully adorned as a festive tunnel.

Slone Square and Duke of York Square at Christmas

Peggy Porschen

If you love pink and cake, then this is the shop for you! Peggy Porschen, in Belgravia, is known for its beautiful year-round decorations. At Christmas, they always have a beautiful pink Christmas theme.

Address: 116 Ebury Street, London, SW1W 9QQ

The shops around Edbury Street and Elizabeth Street also have lots of festive decorations.

Pink Christmas decorations at Peggy Porschen and a pink floral display on Elizabeth Street

Trafalgar Square

In full honesty, I find Trafalgar Square to be a little disappointing at Christmas time. The large tree that is gifted from Norway each year is not as magnificent as the others in London.

I wanted to still mention it here, as I know it is a popular place to visit if you’re spending Christmas in London.

There is also a nice Christmas market in Trafalgar Square.

Best Christmas Lights in London

There are some streets in London that put up beautiful Christmas lights, which hang over the street and sparkle as you walk down.

They start to turn on the lights from early November – early December. They will be lit up late afternoon and evening as you will see them best when it gets dark. These are also free to see.

Oxford Street

Over 300,000 LED lights and 5,000 stars are used to spark and illuminate Oxford Street. One of London’s most popular shopping streets.

Usually swickhed on from Early November to early January.

Regent Street

The famous ‘Spirit of Christmas’ angels line the middle of Regent Street, a tradition that continues to captivate visitors each year. The lights are usually switched on in early November.

Again, usually switched on in early November until early January.

Carnaby Street

Known for its artistic flair, Carnaby Street’s Christmas lights are quirky and cool, inspired by a different theme each year.

The displays are typically set up in early November and run utill January.

New Bond Street

I already mentioned the shops on New Bond Street hosting some of the best London Christmas decorations. Above the street is also decorated with beautiful light displays. Christmas 2024 was designed by Chanel.

Map of all the Best Christmas Decorations and Lights in London

The map below shows all of the London Christmas decoratons and lights I have talked about in this guide. Further down, I will share a self-guided walking route.

Self-Guided Walking Route & Map

See the best of London’s Christmas decorations in just 30 minutes with my London Christmas lights walking route! (Click here to open this route in Google Maps) This route doesn’t include everything I’ve listed, but it will take you past lots of the main places.

I started this route at Bond Street Station (on the Central, Jubilee and Elizabeth lines), but you could also start at Oxford Circus (on the Bakerloo, Central, and Victoria lines) if that is easier for you.

If you’re looking to enjoy the decorations without so many crowds, I recommend making New Bond Street. This is one of the most spectacular places and will get crowded!

Also, allow longer if you plan to go inside Fortnum and Mason!

If you can, I would recommend heading to Covent Garden early on a separate day. However, if you’re only in London for a day, I would add it on to the end of this route. It’s an extra 30-minute walk or 20 minutes on the Picadilly line and is really worth it!

London Christmas Light Tours & Trails

London also hosts multiple Christmas Light Tours and trails. Most of these need to be booked in advance. I will give more details below.

Christmas at Kew

Christmas at Kew is a magical light trail, running from mid-November until early January. Tickets for this sell out quickly, so be quick!

Prices start from £27.50 for adults and £18 for children, with under 4’s going free.

Sparkle in the Park at Charlton House

Charlton House is a hidden gem in South East London. Each Christmas it hosts a magical free Christmas light trail.

This is a really lovely trail with lots of beautiful lights. It usually just runs for a few days at the end of November and no booking is required.

Chelsea Winter Village & Illuminations

The Royal Hospital in Chelsea hosts a 1.5km light trail with giant Christmas decorations, lit up with festive magic.

At the end of the trail, there is a winter village and a Christmas market you can also enjoy.

London Christmas Lights Bus Tour

While you can walk around London and see the Christmas lights, you could also consider taking a London Christmas lights bus tour. This is a unique way to see London’s lights and is a great way to get excellent views of the lights while avoiding the crowds.

There are many tour providers to choose from. Personally, I haven’t done one of these tours, but I have done an afternoon tea daytime tour with Golden Tours and would highly recommend them.

Prices vary between tour providers but start from about £24 per adult.

READ MORE: OUR LONDON CHRISTMAS LIGHT BUS TOUR REVIEW.

London Hotels that Decorate for Christmas

Some of the hotels in London go all-out with their Christmas decorations. Most of these will allow you to visit the lobby even if you’re not a guest. If you’re not staying, you can also consider a drink at the bar or eating in their restaurant. I give more information on these in my full Christmas in London Guide.

• The Hilton London Bankside – read our review, including their festive brunch with Santa, here.
• Claridge’s, Mayfair
• The Connaught, Mayfair
• The Ritz, London 
• The Savoy, Westminster
• The Langham, London
• The Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park 
• Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge 

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Thank you so much for reading my post on the best London Christmas decorations to see. I hope you have an amazing time in London this Christmas.

Happy Exploring,