There are such a lot of nice issues to do at Christmas in London however one in every 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 nearly all 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 when you don’t fancy strolling the entire route, nevertheless it’s arduous to beat simply strolling from one location to a different, perhaps 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 children
Should you’re following my London Christmas lights strolling route with children, you possibly can simply break it up into smaller sections and go to them on completely different events, or hop on a bus to provide little legs a break – the 139 bus route is an efficient choice.
You possibly can’t see all of the London Christmas lights from a bus, even when you handle to get the coveted prime deck entrance row – Carnaby Avenue and Covent Backyard are each pedestrianised, for starters – and you’ll anticipate to sit down in site visitors at busy occasions, nevertheless it’s a very good compromise.
The stretch between Oxford Avenue (round Selfridges) and Southampton Avenue (for Covent Backyard) has the best focus of lights, though the route continues to Waterloo when you fancy heading to the South Financial institution and its festive market (or when you’re beginning there, it’ll lower out numerous the stroll).
You can even begin the stroll at any level on the route – numerous related Christmas lights strolling routes in London start round Piccadilly, for instance, however there’s no proper solution to do it… and also you’ll at all times should detour slightly 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 perfect thought with children – you gained’t be strolling too late with youthful ones, and you’ll miss a few of the night crowds, though London is at all times busy within the run-up to Christmas.
London Christmas Lights strolling route map
You possibly can stroll this route in both route, from Covent Backyard by way of to Mayfair or vice versa, in addition to detouring from Piccadilly up by way of Bond Avenue in the direction of Oxford Avenue, then over to Carnaby Avenue and Regent Avenue.
Permit at the very least two hours to stroll the complete route, which is round 4 miles lengthy – you may want longer when 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 places on a London Christmas lights map so you possibly can 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 start out a Christmas lights stroll of London, Covent Backyard at all times has loads of festive extras from its big glowing tree to faux snow and Santa’s sleigh, to not point out plenty 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: Must 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 possibly can 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 right now 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 the town’s assist throughout the Second World Battle.
It’s one thing of a Christmas custom for Londoners to affectionately poke enjoyable on the towering Christmas tree, which remains to be dwarfed by Nelson’s column. I’m positive it seemed wonky this yr, nevertheless it 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 nicely.
You may make a small detour right 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 change on, on December 2, and never price going far out of your solution to see, however when you’re heading to Skate at Somerset Home, it’s simple to identify them en route
Trafalgar Sq. Christmas: Must know
The lighting ceremony takes place on the primary Thursday in December, on December 7, 2023.
Cease 3: Decrease Regent Avenue & 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 Avenue) 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 Avenue to see just a few extra, whereas St James’s Market, simply off Jermyn Avenue 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 at the very least one of many big illuminated billboards which it’s well-known.
If you wish to shorten the stroll, you possibly can head straight to Piccadilly Circus and even additional up Regent Avenue by bus
Decrease Regent Avenue Christmas lights: Must know
The lights stretch all the way in which up Regent Avenue from St James’s, Piccadilly and Jermyn Avenue 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 nicely, as there’s at all times one thing new to identify. This yr, you possibly can see animated recreations of the division retailer in miniature – together with presents attempting to get into the raise, 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 Avenue. Or after all you possibly can at all times cease in to choose up just a few fancy Christmas decorations to your personal tree from the posh 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.
Should you’re doing this Christmas lights stroll of London in a distinct order, you may also wander from Piccadilly up the south finish of Bond Avenue to carry you to Oxford Avenue – scroll right down to cease 7 for extra particulars
Piccadilly Christmas lights: Must know
Fortnum & Mason often unveils its Christmas shows in mid November
Cease 5: Regent Avenue
Should you’re in search of the Spirit of Christmas, it’s good to head to Regent Avenue 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 correct, and this yr, there are new lights within the streets main off Regent Avenue, together with Glasshouse Avenue, Swallow Avenue and the Quadrant Arcade.
Regent Avenue Christmas lights: Must know
The lights stretch all the way in which up Regent Avenue from St James’s, Piccadilly and Jermyn Avenue so there’s loads of likelihood to see these. They do change off barely earlier, on January 2 when you had been planning a New 12 months go to. 2023 switch-on date Nov 9
Cease 6: Carnaby Avenue
Normally one in every of my very own favourites, you possibly can anticipate one thing extra artistic and fewer conventional alongside right here – and as Carnaby Avenue is pedestrianised, it’s additionally simpler to cease and take within the particulars (when 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 few of the highlights of the previous quarter century, from lights impressed by Queen and the Rolling Stones to underwater scenes and outsized robins. Maintain an eye fixed out for extra lights within the alleys off Carnaby Avenue – the shows are smaller however so are the crowds.
Carnaby Avenue Christmas lights: Must know
Typically one of many first units of lights to modify on in November. 2023 switch-on date Nov 8 (delayed from Nov 2)
Cease 7: Oxford Avenue
The taking pictures stars of Oxford Avenue have been a well-recognized 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 might be glowing above London’s busiest purchasing road, all utilizing LED lights as soon as once more to make use of much less power. You possibly can sponsor one to assist youngsters’s charity Starlight as nicely.
It is perhaps one of many metropolis’s busiest purchasing streets, however Christmas is all about giving in any case.
Oxford Avenue Christmas lights: Must know
One other of the earliest units of lights to be switched on when you’re visiting London at first of November. 2023 switch-on date Nov 2
Cease 7: Bond Avenue
The lights right here change on occasion – the illuminated peacock tails that shimmered above the realm round Bond Avenue, a reference to the society dandies (or peacocks) who as soon as strutted the streets right here, had been changed by a royal-themed show of crowns in 2022.
Again for 2023, there are a staggering 93,652 LED lights to save lots of power with out shedding any of the dazzling show – they usually’re most likely essentially the most lovely Christmas lights in London this yr.
4 huge crowns impressed by the Imperial State Crown hold above key junctions, with glowing gold, silver and pearl lights making a tiara-style gateway on the north with New Bond Avenue and south at Outdated Bond Avenue.
Should you’re doing this Christmas lights stroll of London in a distinct order, you may also wander from Piccadilly up the south finish of Bond Avenue to carry you to Oxford Avenue
When you’re within the space, take a peek within the home windows of Selfridges on Oxford Avenue and don’t miss South Molton Avenue, subsequent to Bond Avenue tube, whose arch of sunshine is at all times a spotlight.
Bond Avenue Christmas lights: Must know
One of many later shows to activate, they’re nicely 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 just some minutes to Berkeley Sq. the place personal 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. Happily you don’t must pay the expensive membership price to take a look.
Grosvenor Sq. lights: Must know
The Ever After Backyard closes sooner than a few 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?
Should you 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 Avenue, Motcomb Avenue, Eccleston Yards, Halkin Arcade and Pimlico Highway, together with the glowing white timber illuminating South Molton Avenue (sadly the arch isn’t again this yr).
And in Knightsbridge, Harrods blazes with mild every year – to not point out some nice Christmas shows within the home windows.
Or you 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 try my decide of the place to go for the greatest ice skating rink in London in addition to the perfect Christmas theatre in London with children
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Major picture/The Strand/Regent Avenue/Bond Avenue courtesy of Depositphotos, Instagram photos as credited, all different photos copyright MummyTravels
