Christmas Lights in London 2024
Tis the season when most of the Christmas lights are switched on in London. If you’re planning a festive wander around the city, here are the essential spots you don’t want to miss.
@urbanadventurerldn 🎄✨ [BLOG POST IN BIO] Come with me to visit the most magical Christmas lights in London #christmaslights #christmas2024 #londonwalk #christmastiktok #londonadventures #urbanadventures
Covent Garden
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Covent Garden’s 60ft (18-metre) Christmas tree is back and is lighting up the West Piazza and adorned with 30,000 LED lights.
Due to popular demand, Santa’s sleigh has returned to the West Piazza South Hall too. The sleigh is a reconditioned carriage, hand-painted by British artist James Gemmill and traditionally decorated for visitors to enjoy as free photo opportunity during the festive season.
NOTE: Please, note that the sleigh is roped off from 9pm – 9am every day.
Photo: Urban Adventurer
The 40 gigantic bells and the 12 giant baubles provide the perfect background to take a picture on Santa’s sleigh while 8 spinning mirror balls turn the piazza into a truly magical scene.
Discover Wonder Wood on James Street and enjoy the 260,000 lights across the entire square during the festive season.
The lights were switched on the 12 November with Hollywood star, Luke Evans (Dracula Untold, The Hobbit, The Girl on the Train, Fast & Furious)
St. Pancras International
Photo: Urban Adventurer
St. Pancras International unveiled their ‘Wicked’ Christmas tree on the 5th November. St. Pancras is famous for partnering with the most famous brands every year to bring London’s most extraordinary Christmas Tree to life.
This year they partnered with Universal Pictures UK to bring us an 11-metre (36 ft) tall installation which is meticulously detailed, and hand painted to look exactly like the castle in the film.
It took 4,000 hours for 20 craftsmen to bring the monstrous Christmas ‘tree’ to life that contains a diorama with illuminated yellow brick road, and iconic landmarks from the film, including Shiz University and The Governor’s Mansion.
The castle has 100 illuminated towers and if you take a closer look to the windows, some of them carries hidden references to the story of the film.
Battersea Power Station
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Battersea Power Station has transformed into one of London’s most magical destinations for the festive period.
London’s only riverside ice rink, Gilde ice rink is back with a spectacular 30ft (9-metre) Christmas tree in the centre to spin around.
Photo: Urban Adventurer
There are vintage-style fairground rides, including a Helter Skelter and a merry-go-round, oversized Christmas decorations, igloos to dine in, photo ops to capture your best moments and so much more!
There are workshops for kids and adults, over 150 shops and 55 different eateries with mouth-watering Christmas specials to refill your energy.
Don’t forget to book your ticket for the Battersea Power Station Chimney Experience which gives you a breath-taking 360 degrees view of London’s skyline from 109 metre and an amazing immersive experience in the elevator.
Oxford Street
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Oxford Street’s sustainable Christmas lights are back. Thousands of illuminating stars brighten up the night every day through the festive season. The twinkling star decorations are stretching over 1.5 miles from Marble Arch to Soho.
The display is made of over 300,000 LED light bulbs and recycled materials. The installation is switched on from 3pm to 11pm every day to help cutting energy consumption.
This year the Oxford Street’s Christmas lights are in official partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH Charity).
Liberty
Photo: Urban Adventurer
St. Pancras International is not the only one to celebrate the highly anticipated film, Wicked.
Luxury designer department store, Liberty unveiled a thrillifying collaboration with this year’s cinematic event.
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Liberty’s enchanting window displays feature iconic scenes from the film, as well as oversized accessories, such as Glinda’s crown and wand and Elphaba’s pointy hat.
Inside the store a monumental sculpture of the wizard of Oz is floating above the main hall.
Shop Wicked-inspired jewellery, makeup sets, accessories and more, designed by Liberty’s in-house teams and a collective of brands in celebration of the release of the film.
Regent’s Street
Photo: Urban Adventurer
‘The Spirit of Christmas’ scheme has returned to the sky above Regent’s Street.
The giant angles are glistening gracefully all the way from Oxford Street to Cavendish Street.
Over 300,000 low-energy lights are used in the giant display that – similarly to Oxford Street’s Christmas lights – operate on a timer, meaning they’re on for a certain period of time each day.
Carnaby Street
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Carnaby Street is known for its creative Christmas lights that change every year.
This year, Carnaby Street is bathing in glittering gold. ‘Into the Light’ illuminations scheme includes geometrical illuminated light forms above your head cascading golden light onto the street.
Harrods
Photo: Urban Adventurer
For the first time in Harrods’ history, its Christmas lights have dramatically changed.
This year Harrods partnered with Christian Dior to bring us a larger than life gingerbread house display to celebrate 70 years of Dior at the department store.
The festive display has taken over 44 of the luxury department store’s windows to transform the building into a giant 17-by-17 metre (55.7-by-55.7 ft) gingerbread house.
Harvey Nichols x The World of Tim Burton
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Luxury department store, Harvey Nichols’ spooky Christmas display is celebrating their partnership with ‘The World of Tim Burton’ exhibition at the Design Museum.
The display creates a gothic fantasy forest and features five sculptures from Burton’s private collection.
Each window presents a surreal landscape of twisted and eerie silhouettes of trees and tells a unique story while uniquely showcasing Harvey Nichols’ season’s partywear.
Learn more about Harvey Nichols’ Tim Burton window display here.
Old Spitalfields Market
Photo: Urban Adventurer
The magical Christmas lights are back to Old Spitalfields Market.
Each year, London’s famous market is dressed in gold for the festive period. Thousands of Christmas lights are twinkling gold above the market and huge Christmas wreaths and Christmas trees provide the perfect background for your mulled wine or festive treat.
Photo: Urban Adventurer
There is also a red telephone box full of gift boxes for visitors to take selfie with.
St. Katharine Docks
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The magical season has approached St Katharine Docks with Christmas trees at the dock and in front of The Dickens Inn.
Photo: Urban Adventurer
The barriers and the big anchor next to The Dickens Inn are all adorned with twinkling Christmas lights.
Even some of the boats are dressed up for the season.
Tower Bridge
Photo: Urban Adventurer
London Bridge Christmas market is now open with mouth-watering festive treats. The Christmas tree, and all the displays are now illuminating too.
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Whilst you’re there, don’t miss Hay’s Market with its magical giant Christmas tree and food vendors.
Photo: Urban Adventurer
If you’re looking for a less crowded place near Tower Bridge, there is an illuminating sail boat display on the other side of the bridge.
The Shard
Photo: Urban Adventurer
The Shard switched on its sky-high Christmas lights on the 14th November, and this year the display is inspired by the nations’ favourite Christmas songs.
On the 14th November, they celebrated the Christmas lights with uplifting Christmas carol performances 867 feet (264 metres) above sea level. This is believed to have been the highest Christmas carol ever performed on a building.
Burlington Arcade
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Luxury shopping arcade, Burlington Arcade hosted a festive celebration in mid-November. The star-studded party treated guests with sparkling champagne, fine foods and exquisite musical performances.
Burlington Arcade is now dressed in twinkling lights, red velvet bows and glamorous Christmas trees under the arches.
Fortnum & Mason
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Each year, the building of Fortnum & Mason transforms into a giant advent calendar.
Take a photo of the beautiful, illuminated windows with a double decker passing by or admire the festive window displays featuring majestic animals and birds.
Cartier and New Bond Street
Photo: Urban Adventurer
The royal-inspired Christmas lights are replaced by illuminated perfume bottles in collaboration with Chanel No. 5 on New Bond Street.
If we asked, probably many agree that Cartier’s festive display is one of the main reasons for people to visit New Bond Street each November and December.
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Cartier’s new cosmos-inspired display is not only stunning, but the historic boutique invites everyone for a music and light show every half hour from 4pm until 10pm every day.
Where is your favourite spot in London to see Christmas lights?
Ready for your next adventure? St. Pancras International is celebrating Wicked movie with an 11-metre tall Wicked-themed Christmas tree that has a diorama within.
