There are such a lot of nice issues to do at Christmas in London however considered one of my favourites is totally free, wandering this London Christmas lights strolling route and absorbing all of the twinkling decorations across the metropolis.
Annually there appear to be extra added, to not point out the festive mild trails, with the vast majority of the lights switched on a while within the first half of November and staying on till early within the New 12 months, usually round January 5-6.
You’ll discover a particular Christmas lights bus tour in the event you don’t fancy strolling the entire route, but it surely’s laborious to beat simply strolling from one location to a different, possibly stopping for a few of London’s greatest sizzling chocolate, visiting one of many London Christmas markets or maybe teaming it with an opportunity to meet Santa in London.
London Christmas lights strolling route with youngsters
If you happen to’re following my London Christmas lights strolling route with youngsters, you’ll be able to simply break it up into smaller sections and go to them on totally different events, or hop on a bus to offer little legs a break – the 139 bus route is an effective possibility.
You’ll be able to’t see all of the London Christmas lights from a bus, even in the event you handle to get the coveted prime deck entrance row – Carnaby Road and Covent Backyard are each pedestrianised, for starters – and you’ll count on to take a seat in visitors at busy occasions, but it surely’s a superb compromise.
The stretch between Oxford Road (round Selfridges) and Southampton Road (for Covent Backyard) has the best focus of lights, though the route continues to Waterloo in the event you fancy heading to the South Financial institution and its festive market (or in the event you’re beginning there, it’ll lower out loads of the stroll).
You may also begin the stroll at any level on the route – loads of comparable Christmas lights strolling routes in London start round Piccadilly, for instance, however there’s no proper strategy to do it… and also you’ll at all times must detour a bit bit if you wish to attempt to see each final one.
One of the best time to see the lights is clearly after darkish, however with the solar setting round 4pm as soon as December arrives that provides you loads of time. Heading off as quickly as nightfall falls is usually the very best concept with youngsters – you gained’t be strolling too late with youthful ones, and you’ll miss a number of the night crowds, though London is at all times busy within the run-up to Christmas.
London Christmas Lights strolling route map
You’ll be able to stroll this route in both route, from Covent Backyard by means of to Mayfair or vice versa, in addition to detouring from Piccadilly up by means of Bond Road in the direction of Oxford Road, then over to Carnaby Road and Regent Road.
Permit not less than two hours to stroll the whole route, which is round 4 miles lengthy – you may want longer in the event you’re stopping to take pictures or dodging the crowds, and frog-marching everybody from A to B isn’t going to get anybody within the festive temper.
I’ve plotted the areas on a London Christmas lights map so you’ll be able to select what works greatest for you, or divide the route into sections – your personal private self-guided Christmas lights strolling tour. Have a really merry stroll!
Stop1: Covent Backyard
My favorite place to begin a Christmas lights stroll of London, Covent Backyard at all times has loads of festive extras from its large glowing tree to faux snow and Santa’s sleigh, to not point out a number of pop-up occasions within the piazza.
This yr, the previous favourites of large baubles, mistletoe and mirrorballs have taken a again seat with a brand new set of bells and bows hanging excessive above the market.
Covent Backyard Christmas lights: Have to know
The festive occasions going down in Covent Backyard at Christmas often begin in early November, with the official switch-on date in the direction of the start of the month. 2023 switch-on date Nov 7
As you stroll in the direction of Trafalgar Sq., you’ll be able to go by way of Leicester Sq., which has its personal Christmas market – it’s often very busy and doesn’t have London’s greatest Christmas lights, so personally I’d are likely to keep away from it at the moment of yr
Cease 2: Trafalgar Sq.
Yearly since 1947, the individuals of Norway have given the individuals of London a 19m Christmas tree as a gesture of appreciation for town’s help through the Second World Warfare.
It’s one thing of a Christmas custom for Londoners to affectionately poke enjoyable on the towering Christmas tree, which continues to be dwarfed by Nelson’s column. I’m positive it regarded wonky this yr, but it surely wouldn’t be Christmas with out it.
There’s additionally a small Christmas market within the sq., near the Nationwide Gallery and you’ll typically hear carols right here as properly.
You may make a small detour all the way down to the Strand (both from Covent Backyard or earlier than heading in the direction of Piccadilly) to see the North Financial institution lights – the baubles are one other late swap on, on December 2, and never price going far out of your strategy to see, however in the event you’re heading to Skate at Somerset Home, it’s straightforward to identify them en route
Trafalgar Sq. Christmas: Have to know
The lighting ceremony takes place on the primary Thursday in December, on December 7, 2023.
Cease 3: Decrease Regent Road & Piccadilly Circus
From Trafalgar Sq., head in the direction of Waterloo Place for the glamorous St James’s Christmas tree earlier than heading up St James’s (Decrease Regent Road) itself to see the Spirit of Christmas angels and on in the direction of Piccadilly Circus.
Not solely is it much less busy right here, you may also get a peek down Jermyn Road to see a couple of extra, whereas St James’s Market, simply off Jermyn Road and Haymarket, has an ‘earthbound’ spirit to pose with.
Piccadilly Circus doesn’t have its personal Christmas lights however the likelihood is that there’ll be a festive theme on not less than one of many large illuminated billboards which it’s well-known.
If you wish to shorten the stroll, you’ll be able to head straight to Piccadilly Circus and even additional up Regent Road by bus
Decrease Regent Road Christmas lights: Have to know
The lights stretch all the way in which up Regent Road from St James’s, Piccadilly and Jermyn Road so there’s loads of likelihood to see these. 2023 switch-on date Nov 9
Cease 4: Piccadilly & Fortnum & Mason
Take a brief detour down Piccadilly in the direction of Fortnum & Mason, which transforms its store home windows into an introduction calendar yearly, with numbers on the upstairs home windows.
It’s price taking a peek within the street-level home windows as properly, as there’s at all times one thing new to identify. This yr, you’ll be able to see animated recreations of the division retailer in miniature – together with presents attempting to get into the carry, and champagne bottles dancing on the staircase.
One of the best views are from throughout the street, by the Royal Academy, so cross (fastidiously!) to get a have a look at the entire impact earlier than heading again in the direction of Regent Road. Or in fact you’ll be able to at all times cease in to choose up a couple of fancy Christmas decorations on your personal tree from the luxurious division retailer.
Above Piccadilly itself, there are extra winged angels – Anteros, to be exact, the god of unrequited love, and a nod to the well-known statue in Piccadilly Circus. Though everybody calls it Eros, there’s extra debate than you’d suppose, with loads of proof that it’s really Anteros or the angel of Christian charity.
If you happen to’re doing this Christmas lights stroll of London in a unique order, you may also wander from Piccadilly up the south finish of Bond Road to carry you to Oxford Road – scroll all the way down to cease 7 for extra particulars
Piccadilly Christmas lights: Have to know
Fortnum & Mason often unveils its Christmas shows in mid November
Cease 5: Regent Road
If you happen to’re searching for the Spirit of Christmas, you must head to Regent Road the place the Christmas lights’ official identify is the Spirit of Christmas angels.
One other favorite sight, you may also get some nice pictures of the angels above as the road curves spherical to the proper, and this yr, there are new lights within the streets main off Regent Road, together with Glasshouse Road, Swallow Road and the Quadrant Arcade.
Regent Road Christmas lights: Have to know
The lights stretch all the way in which up Regent Road from St James’s, Piccadilly and Jermyn Road so there’s loads of likelihood to see these. They do swap off barely earlier, on January 2 in the event you have been planning a New 12 months go to. 2023 switch-on date Nov 9
Cease 6: Carnaby Road
Often considered one of my very own favourites, you’ll be able to count on one thing extra artistic and fewer conventional alongside right here – and as Carnaby Road is pedestrianised, it’s additionally simpler to cease and take within the particulars (in the event you can dodge the crowds).
This yr’s lights have a theme of area and the universe, with planets, moons, nebulas and galaxies swirling above the road.
Earlier years have featured a number of the highlights of the previous quarter century, from lights impressed by Queen and the Rolling Stones to underwater scenes and outsized robins. Preserve an eye fixed out for extra lights within the alleys off Carnaby Road – the shows are smaller however so are the crowds.
Carnaby Road Christmas lights: Have to know
Usually one of many first units of lights to change on in November. 2023 switch-on date Nov 8 (delayed from Nov 2)
Cease 7: Oxford Road
The taking pictures stars of Oxford Road have been a well-known sights for some time however there’s at all times one thing very uplifting about seeing them twinkle into life as darkness falls.
There are a whopping 300,000 stars shall be glowing above London’s busiest procuring road, all utilizing LED lights as soon as once more to make use of much less power. You’ll be able to sponsor one to help youngsters’s charity Starlight as properly.
It may be one of many metropolis’s busiest procuring streets, however Christmas is all about giving in spite of everything.
Oxford Road Christmas lights: Have to know
One other of the earliest units of lights to be switched on in the event you’re visiting London in the beginning of November. 2023 switch-on date Nov 2
Cease 7: Bond Road
The lights right here change every so often – the illuminated peacock tails that shimmered above the world round Bond Road, a reference to the society dandies (or peacocks) who as soon as strutted the streets right here, have been changed by a royal-themed show of crowns in 2022.
Again for 2023, there are a staggering 93,652 LED lights to avoid wasting power with out shedding any of the dazzling show – they usually’re in all probability probably the most stunning Christmas lights in London this yr.
4 monumental crowns impressed by the Imperial State Crown grasp above key junctions, with glowing gold, silver and pearl lights making a tiara-style gateway on the north with New Bond Road and south at Previous Bond Road.
If you happen to’re doing this Christmas lights stroll of London in a unique order, you may also wander from Piccadilly up the south finish of Bond Road to carry you to Oxford Road
Whilst you’re within the space, take a peek within the home windows of Selfridges on Oxford Road and don’t miss South Molton Road, subsequent to Bond Road tube, whose arch of sunshine is at all times a spotlight.
Bond Road Christmas lights: Have to know
One of many later shows to activate, they’re properly price ready for. 2024 switch-on date November 16
Cease 8: Grosvenor Sq. & Berkeley Sq., Mayfair
Elevating cash for the Royal Marsden Most cancers Society, the Ever After Backyard in Grosvenor Sq. is again for the fourth yr, filling the sq. with over 25,000 illuminated white roses.
Guests can dedicate the roses to family members they’ve misplaced, with the price of every flower elevating cash for the most cancers charity. It’s free for anybody to enter although, and whereas the sight at all times brings a lump to my throat, it’s a tranquil oasis among the many festive bustle.
From right here, it’s only a few minutes to Berkeley Sq. the place non-public members’ membership Annabel’s is at all times illuminated for the festive season. This yr, there’s a carousel theme, whereas earlier years have seen it remodeled right into a glowing gingerbread home. Fortuitously you don’t must pay the expensive membership charge to take a look.
Grosvenor Sq. lights: Have to know
The Ever After Backyard closes sooner than a number of the different Christmas lights, ending on December 19, 2023. It opens mid-November (on November 16, 2023) so you continue to have a month to go to.
Need extra London Christmas lights?
If you happen to can’t get sufficient of the lights over central London – or if you end up round Victoria and South Kensington, there are some extra Christmas illuminations to be discovered.
Head to Belgravia to see the lights at Elizabeth Road, Motcomb Road, Eccleston Yards, Halkin Arcade and Pimlico Street, together with the glowing white bushes illuminating South Molton Road (sadly the arch isn’t again this yr).
And in Knightsbridge, Harrods blazes with mild annually – to not point out some nice Christmas shows within the home windows.
Or yow will discover some vibrant lights down on the South Financial institution for Winter Lights, artwork installations which play with mild, with a backdrop of the festive market and the buildings lit up alongside the river Thames.
For extra festive enjoyable take a look at my decide of the place to go for the greatest ice skating rink in London in addition to the very best Christmas theatre in London with youngsters
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Most important picture/The Strand/Regent Road/Bond Road courtesy of Depositphotos, Instagram photographs as credited, all different photographs copyright MummyTravels
