Christmas lights turn central London into one of our favourite free evening walks. In 2026 you can plan around the early-November switch-ons in the shopping streets, Covent Garden’s launch on 12 November and the Trafalgar Square tree ceremony on 3 December. Below are the dates we have gathered and the route we recommend.
The switching on of the different Christmas lights in London marks the beginning of Christmas in London. Some of the capital’s biggest shopping destinations, such as Oxford Street, Regent Street, Covent Garden and Carnaby Street celebrate the switching on of the Christmas lights with live music, free events and sometimes even fireworks!
London celebrates Christmas like no other city. Every little street in London is neatly decorated to the smallest detail with the largest display of Christmas decorations and lights that one can imagine. In addition, the ice skating rinks and Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park open in November, and many Christmas markets start to appear in London. The Nutcracker ballet opens its doors to the public as well as many Christmas musicals and pantomimes.
The lights appear in stages rather than on one night. Carnaby Street switches on on Wednesday 4 November, Regent Street on Thursday 5 November and Covent Garden on Thursday 12 November. Oxford Street has announced a Harry Potter partnership, but its exact switch-on date was still unconfirmed when we checked on 19 October 2026. The Trafalgar Square tree ceremony is planned for Thursday 3 December; check the programme before travelling specifically for it. You can enjoy the displays on later evenings without attending the busy launch events.
| Area | 2026 switch-on | Best reason to go |
|---|---|---|
| Oxford Street | Exact date not yet confirmed — checked 19 October | Harry Potter partnership announced; festive shop windows |
| Carnaby Street | Wednesday 4 November | 90s-inspired Press Play on Christmas |
| Regent Street | Thursday 5 November | The illuminated angels above the sweeping street |
| Covent Garden | Thursday 12 November | The Market Building, tree and performances |
| Trafalgar Square tree | Thursday 3 December, from around 5 pm | Tree lighting and carol singing |
One way to see the best Christmas lights in London is on an Open Top Vintage Bus Sightseeing Tour.
Oxford Street has announced a Harry Potter partnership for Christmas 2026, but the exact switch-on date had not been confirmed when we checked on 19 October. We would not book a trip around the previously anticipated 3 November date. Follow the official Oxford Street Christmas announcement for the launch date and full programme.
Once the lights are on, an evening walk from Oxford Circus towards Selfridges and Marble Arch is a lovely way to enjoy the displays and shop windows. Oxford Street has used star lights in previous seasons; this year’s final design and any charity activities should be checked against the current announcement.
A launch evening can bring music and special shopping events; on another evening the walk is more relaxed. Pair Oxford Street with Regent Street, which begins at Oxford Circus, or cross into Soho to reach Carnaby on foot.
Carnaby Street’s 2026 lights switch on Wednesday 4 November. This year’s theme, Press Play on Christmas, takes its inspiration from the colour and nostalgia of the 1990s. Foubert’s Place, Ganton Street and Newburgh Street are worth exploring as well as Carnaby itself; step into Kingly Court for a meal or drink while you are in the neighbourhood. See the official Carnaby Christmas programme.
In 2022 Carnaby celebrated its history by bringing back some much-loved designs. Throughout Carnaby, visitors saw an exciting element of historic installations, including neon lyrics from Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, glittering Rolling Stones tongues, fan favourites such as oversized robins, a giant snowman, colourful palm trees from Carnaby Carnival as well as underwater scenes from the unforgettable Under The Sea.
Carnaby Universe was an earlier theme, with neon colours and waves of light across Carnaby and its side streets. Every visit can feel different as the designs change. The photograph below is from our own collection and shows one of those previous Christmas seasons.
Carnaby has supported different charities in previous seasons, but old shopping-party offers should not be treated as this year’s programme. Check the 2026 switch-on registration page for the current offers and their conditions. Allow extra time if you go for the launch, then continue to nearby Regent Street on an evening when both displays are lit.
Regent Street
Regent Street’s illuminated angels return on Thursday 5 November 2026. The official switch-on event includes a traffic-free evening from 5 pm to 9 pm, with entertainment and in-store activities. On a later evening, walk from Oxford Circus towards Piccadilly Circus after dark to enjoy the sweep of the lights without making the launch event the focus of your visit.
Past launch celebrations have included music, street activity and large crowds. To take good photographs, stand at a crossing when it is safe and look back up the curve of Regent Street. Jermyn Street and St James’s make a quieter continuation if you have time. For a family visit, we would enjoy the angels on another evening and combine them with the nearby Carnaby lights.
Magical Covent Garden becomes even more special at Christmas. Its 2026 lights switch-on is Thursday 12 November. The Theatre of Christmas theme brings performances to the neighbourhood, with the golden bells, mirror balls, baubles and a large tree returning to the Market Building and West Piazza. It is an easy addition to a theatre evening or a family walk.
Walk through both levels of the Market Building for the hanging decorations, then step outside for the tree and festive shopfronts. The piazza is a short walk from Leicester Square and Seven Dials, so the neighbourhood can fill an evening without a long journey.
Trafalgar Square’s tree-lighting ceremony is planned for Thursday 3 December 2026, with activities from about 5 pm. The tree is a gift from Norway, a tradition that began in 1947 to thank Britain for its support during the Second World War. Visit on the ceremony evening for carols and the moment the lights appear, or enjoy the tree on a quieter December night.
The tree is usually one of the last major Christmas displays to appear. December carol singing makes it especially atmospheric; you can link the square with Covent Garden, Leicester Square and the Christmas markets on an evening walk.
Our Christmas lights walking route
Start at Oxford Circus, follow Regent Street south towards Piccadilly Circus and detour through Carnaby and its Soho side streets. Continue to Leicester Square, then Covent Garden for the Market Building and tree; finish at Trafalgar Square. Allow two to three hours with photo stops, longer if you stop for dinner. With young children, split the route across two evenings, or visit just Carnaby, Regent Street and Covent Garden.
Planning a trip to London for Christmas
Many central Christmas lights are on by mid-November, but the markets and ice rinks open on different dates. Winter Wonderland starts on 19 November and Hampton Court Palace’s rink on 20 November, so do not assume every attraction will be ready for an early-November trip. Check our Christmas market dates and ice-skating guide before choosing your day.
Most shops will also have their Christmas shopfronts installed. Harrods, Selfridges, and Fortnum and Mason´s are well worth visiting. Every shop in the most famous shopping areas, such as Oxford Street, Regent Street and Covent Garden, will also have amazing shopfronts installed.
Discover Everything you need to know about Christmas in London
Hi, we are Alberto and Amy, the London locals behind PlanTrip London. We’ve lived in London since 2010 and have spent every year since exploring the city, from its famous landmarks to the markets, pubs, parks and hidden corners most visitors never find. Over the years we became the go-to trip planners for friends and family visiting London, so we created this site to share the same first-hand, tried-and-tested advice with you. Every itinerary, tip and recommendation here comes from our own experience with our two children, so you can plan a London trip that’s easier, better value and far more memorable.
3 Comments
THANK YOU! HAPPY FESTIVE SEASON!
You have not mentioned the time when the lights will be switched on.
Hi!
They are normally switched on between 3.30 pm until midnight. Hope that helps!