ONE of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to get into the Christmas spirit is seeing a light switch-on ceremony.
Luckily in London there are lots to see, and the exact dates for some of the biggest and the brightest have been revealed, so you can mark them in your calendar.
Christmas will hit the streets of London in a month’s time[/caption]
Carnaby Street is know for its quirky Christmas lights[/caption]
Belgravia
Motcomb Street, Elizabeth Street, Pimlico Road, Eccleston Yards and Halkin Arcade in Belgravia will be lit up by Christmas lights in a month’s time.
To see the switch-on ceremony, head to Elizabeth Street on Sunday November 16, 2025.
Not only will the lights be illuminated, but there will also be live performances by London Gay Men’s Chorus and the Fulham Brass Band.
For even more Christmas, there will be a festive market in Eccleston Yards.
Carnaby Street
Renowned for having quirky lights is Carnaby Street, while it might not be the biggest display, they are certainly worth seeing.
It will be a repeat of last year’s ‘Into the Light’ with large star illuminations.
But rather than an all white display, the lights this year will be in different colours.
The lights on the shopping street in the heart of Soho will go on from Thursday November 6, 2025.
Chelsea
On Saturday, November 15, part of the King’s Road will be pedestrianised – between Sloane Square and Walpole Street.
The pretty Christmas lights will hang from trees and in-between the houses and shop fronts.
Covent Garden will be adorned with Christmas decorations on November 12[/caption]
As seen over the last year, the streets are likely to be lined with pop-up shops with face painting and themed stalls selling mulled wine and mince pies.
And Father Christmas might even make an appearance.
Covent Garden
Pretty Covent Garden will be adorned with Christmas trees, baubles, bells and a sleigh from Wednesday November 12, 2025.
Of course there’s the giant 55-foot Christmas tree too with fake snow which has daily flurries on the hour between 12PM and 9PM.
Last year the Christmas tree switch-on was at 5.30PM, so it’s likely to be the same, but keep an eye on social media for confirmation.
This also covers the Seven Dials neighbourhood and Neal’s Yard.
Leadenhall Market is popular thanks to its beautiful Christmas tree[/caption]
Leadenhall Market
It might not be the first venue you think of for London’s Christmas lights, but Leadenhall Market know how to be festive.
Underneath the pretty domed roof is an 18 foot Christmas tree covered in pretty baubles and festive red bows.
Dame Sue Langley has been announced to turn on the Christmas lights, which this year will be on Thursday November 13 at 6PM
It gets pretty busy so if you want to see the event, make sure to be there early.
Parts of Marylebone will be closed for the Christmas celebrations[/caption]
Marylebone Village
Marylebone Village will be filled with festive spirit on Wednesday November 12, 2025.
For Merry Marylebone, the high street will be pedestrianised so that visitors can enjoy pop up market stalls, late-night shopping and even see Santa in his grotto.
Devonshire Street will also be closed to cars as it will host the main stage, from live music to performances by school choirs.
Regent Street is know for its enormous angel lights[/caption]
Regent Street
Regent Street is one of the most beautiful places to see the Christmas lights thanks to its curved road.
Over the top of the red London buses are the famous angel lights also known as the ‘Spirit of Christmas’.
Across the road are 30 large-scale angel sculptures made up of glittering LED lights which have been lighting up the street since 2014.
These are not lit up all day as they run on a timer, but will shine when the sun goes down.
This year, the lights along Regent Street will be up from Thursday, November 6, through until early January.
Oxford Street
The biggest Christmas light display at Oxford Street is the only one still TBC.
Usually the first place in London to turn on its Christmas lights, it is set to be again this year.
The decorations are predicted to light up the sky on Tuesday November 4 meaning it will be earlier than its neighbours.
Oxford Street usually marks the occasion with live music with celebrities doing the honour of turning on the lights.
The Oxford Street Christmas lights will be on until January 5, 2026.
Here Are Some Other Free Festive Activities in London…
Carol Services
Most traditional carol services are free to attend, All Souls Langham Place has free services on weekends in December. Westminster Abbey holds free carol concerts in December as does Union Chapel.
Winter Wonderland
In off-peak hours it’s free entry (this is usually weekday mornings and afternoons up to mid-December).
Christmas Markets
There are a host of Christmas Markets which offer free entry like the one at St Martin-in-the-Fiends, Southbank Centre Winter Market, and Christmas Market at Greenwich
Christmas lights will start to be turned on from early November[/caption]
