London’s Christmas Lights 2025 – Iconic Switch-Ons, Street Celebrations & Winter Glow Across the Capital
Discover the most iconic Christmas lights switch-on events in London for 2025 — full dates, times, addresses, ticket information and travel advice for the city’s most magical festive moments.
Published 06/11/2025 - Image © Leadenhall Market
As the clocks turn back and November evenings settle in, London begins its annual transformation into a glittering wonderland. The capital’s Christmas lights have long been a symbol of togetherness – a signal that winter’s chill has arrived but that warmth, joy and shared celebration are close behind.
The tradition dates back to the 1950s, when Regent Street first hung festive garlands after years of post-war austerity. Oxford Street soon followed, and by the 1970s London’s high streets were united by strings of light and colour. Today, the city’s switch-on events have evolved into full-blown celebrations of art, music and community, attracting visitors from across the world.
For 2025, sustainability and design take centre stage: energy-efficient LEDs, recycled materials and motion-sensitive timers ensure that London’s glow is as green as it is golden. From the sweeping angels of Regent Street to Carnaby’s creative installations and the grand theatrical tree at Covent Garden, every neighbourhood offers its own signature sparkle.
Below you’ll find the complete guide to London’s Christmas Lights 2025 – dates, times, addresses, ticket details, travel advice and insider tips to make the most of every illuminated moment.
Oxford Street Christmas Lights Switch-On 2025
The season begins where London shops, sings and sparkles most: Oxford Street. On 3 November, some 300,000 LED stars will light the skies above one of the world’s busiest shopping avenues. Expect live performances, celebrity guests and an electric countdown that signals the official start of the city’s Christmas season.
Date: Monday 3 November 2025
Time: Approx. 4 pm (start of switch-on ceremony)
Address: Oxford Street, London W1 (between Marble Arch and Tottenham Court Road)
Tickets: Free attendance – no ticket required
Parking: Central London parking is limited; public transport is strongly recommended
Website: oxfordstreet.co.uk
Arrive early to secure a view near Oxford Circus and linger afterwards as store windows shimmer with new displays. From here, it’s a short stroll to Regent Street – a perfect two-for-one evening of festive brilliance.
Regent Street & St James’s Christmas Lights Switch-On 2025
The grandest of them all, the ‘Spirit of Christmas’ angels glide once again above Regent Street and neighbouring St James’s. Over 300,000 low-energy LEDs create vast wings of light that stretch from Oxford Circus to Piccadilly.
Date: Thursday 6 November 2025
Time: 5 – 6 pm
Address: Regent Street, Piccadilly & Jermyn Street, London W1
Tickets: Free – no booking required
Parking: Very limited; use the Tube
Arrive before dusk to admire the architecture as daylight fades and the glow begins. Music fills the street, shopfronts shine, and London’s most elegant thoroughfare becomes a corridor of light. It’s an unmissable spectacle – and perhaps the most photographed moment of Christmas in the capital.
When Carnaby Street lights up, Christmas in London feels officially underway. On Thursday 6 November 2025, from around 6 pm, this legendary Soho destination will once again unveil its annual festive installation—an event known for combining fashion, creativity, and holiday sparkle in a way that only Carnaby can.
Date: Thursday 6 November 2025
Time: Approx. 6 pm
Address: Carnaby Street, Soho, London W1F 8
Tickets: Free – no booking required
Parking: None; Tube or on foot
Website: thisissoho/carnaby-street
Creative, colourful and effortlessly cool, Carnaby Street’s ‘All is Bright’ installation is where fashion meets festive fun. Over 60,000 energy-efficient LEDs form sculptural shapes above Soho’s pedestrian lanes, while boutiques host live DJs and in-store parties.
The vibe is intimate rather than overwhelming – perfect for those who prefer a glass of mulled wine and a camera stroll over large crowds. Stay after the switch-on to explore Kingly Court’s restaurants or the side-street bars that sparkle with their own twinkling charm.
Each winter, Covent Garden becomes the beating heart of festive London, and 2025 promises a season of even greater spectacle. On Wednesday 12 November, at around 5 pm, the piazza will glow once again with the annual Covent Garden Christmas Lights & Tree Switch-On, a beloved London tradition that turns one of the city’s most atmospheric squares into a glittering wonderland.
Date: Wednesday 12 November 2025
Time: Approx. 5 pm
Address: Covent Garden Piazza, London WC2E 8RF
Tickets: Free – no booking required
Parking: Limited; nearest Tube station Covent Garden
Website: coventgarden.london
This year’s theme, ‘The Theatre of Christmas,’ captures the essence of Covent Garden’s character—an open-air stage of light, song, and celebration. The centrepiece is the magnificent 55-foot Christmas tree, draped in ribbons and baubles and adorned with thousands of twinkling bulbs. Around it, more than 300,000 lights will shimmer across the historic market buildings and arcades, creating a scene that feels timeless yet fresh each year.
Choirs and performers add a festive soundtrack, while cafés spill out with visitors sipping hot chocolate under glowing garlands. Arrive early to wander the cobbles, browse the shops and soak in the anticipation before the lights come alive.
A short walk north of Oxford Street, Marylebone Village hosts a celebration of community spirit. The high street turns pedestrian-only for an afternoon of live music, school choirs, pop-up stalls and a visit from Father Christmas. At 6 pm sharp, recycled and low-energy lights shimmer to life above one of London’s most charming neighbourhoods.
Date: Wednesday 12 November 2025
Time: Events from 3 pm; lights around 6 pm
Address: Marylebone High Street, London W1U
Tickets: Free – no booking required
Parking: Limited; local roads often closed
Website: marylebonevillage.com
For families or those seeking a quieter festive experience, Marylebone’s warmth and small-village vibe make it a hidden gem in London’s Christmas calendar.
Step inside Victorian London for one of the city’s most atmospheric switch-ons. Leadenhall Market, with its glass-roofed arcades and gilded ironwork, glows each year with garlands, baubles and an 18-foot tree beneath the central dome.
Date: Thursday 13 November 2025
Time: 4:30 pm (some listings 6 pm)
Address: Leadenhall Market, Gracechurch Street, London EC3V 1LT
Tickets: Free – no booking required
Parking: Limited; use public transport
The sheltered setting makes this event weather-proof and wonderfully photogenic. It’s ideal for a post-work visit – grab a drink in one of the market’s historic pubs and watch as the lights flicker into life overhead.
Refined, stylish and distinctly local, Chelsea’s switch-on lights up the King’s Road with boutique sparkle. Family entertainment, live bands and food stalls create an elegant street-party atmosphere. As twilight falls, trees and shopfronts glow in a coordinated cascade of white and gold.
Date: Saturday 15 November 2025
Time: Afternoon into early evening (time TBC)
Address: King’s Road (Sloane Square – Walpole Street), Chelsea
Tickets: Free – no booking required
Parking: Limited; paid car parks nearby
Website: kingsroad.co.uk/chelsea
This is London at its most polished – a neighbourhood celebration that balances glamour with friendliness. Stay after the lights for dinner or a stroll beneath the illuminated plane trees of Sloane Square.
A world away from city bustle, Christmas at Kew is London’s most immersive light trail – an enchanted mile through the botanical gardens where art, music and nature meet. For 2025, eight world-premiere installations debut, including the first-ever illumination of the Great Pagoda and 100 floating LED lilies on the Palm House Pond.
Dates: Friday 14 November 2025 – Sunday 4 January 2026
Time: Timed evening sessions (approx. 4:20 – 10:00 pm)
Address: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London TW9 3AB
Tickets: Paid event – advance booking required
Parking: Pre-book at Brentford Gate (Ferry Lane car park £10)
Website: kew.org/christmas
Allow two hours to explore the trail at your own pace, pausing for spiced drinks or toasted marshmallows along the route. It’s ticketed, timed and exquisitely organised – the perfect winter’s night out for couples or families.
When Do London’s Christmas Lights Go On in 2025?
Most of London’s major switch-ons occur between 3 and 15 November 2025, ushering in a season that lasts until early January 2026. Street lights typically illuminate each day from mid-afternoon (around 3:30 pm) until late evening, with exact timings varying by district.
While the switch-on nights themselves are the most festive, the displays remain lit throughout December, so you can enjoy them well into the New Year – perfect for visitors spending Christmas or New Year’s Eve in London.
The Best Spots for Christmas Light Photography
London’s festive glow is a dream for photographers. For iconic shots, position yourself at:
Oxford Circus, looking down Regent Street’s line of angels.
Covent Garden Piazza, capturing the tree’s reflection on the wet cobbles.
Carnaby Street, for colourful close-ups under the LED sculptures.
Leadenhall Market, early evening before crowds arrive – perfect for tripod photography.
Kew Gardens’ Palm House Pond, where reflections double the light display.
Visit just after dusk for balanced exposure between sky and street, and consider weekday evenings for fewer crowds.
How to See Them All in One Night
Ambitious visitors can experience several displays in a single evening. Start at Oxford Street for the 4 pm switch-on, wander down to Regent Street by 5:30 pm, then head into Carnaby Street for its 6 pm lighting. Take the Tube from Oxford Circus to Covent Garden to round off the night with its 5 pm festivities or later glow.
Alternatively, spread them out over several days: Marylebone for community charm, Leadenhall for Victorian atmosphere, and Kew for a grand finale amid nature. Each experience complements the next, creating your own trail of London light.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do London’s Christmas lights switch on in 2025?
Most begin between 3 and 15 November 2025, with Oxford Street usually first and Chelsea among the last. Lights stay up until early January 2026.
Are London Christmas lights free to see?
Yes – all outdoor switch-ons and displays listed here are free. Only Christmas at Kew requires a ticket.
What time do the lights turn on each day?
Displays generally illuminate from mid-afternoon (3:30 – 4 pm) until around 11 pm, though Kew Gardens follows timed evening sessions.
Can I bring children or pets?
Absolutely – these are family-friendly events. However, Christmas at Kew only allows dogs if specified assistance animals.
Which display is best for kids?
Covent Garden’s theatrical tree and Marylebone Village’s community fun both appeal to families, while Kew offers an immersive, stroller-friendly evening trail.
When do the lights come down?
Most central displays remain up until the first week of January 2026; Kew closes on 4 January.
From the moment Oxford Street’s stars first glitter to the last reflections fading over Kew’s pond, London’s Christmas Lights 2025 offer a city-wide invitation to pause and marvel. Each neighbourhood contributes its own light and character – some grand, some quietly beautiful – but all share the same spirit of celebration that unites London every winter.
Wrap up warm, take the Tube, bring a camera, and follow the sparkle. Because in 2025, when the lights come on, London truly shines.
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