Merry and Bright: Christmas Lights in London

Let the Christmas season be merry and bright with a tour of the best Christmas lights around Central London from Regent Street to Carnaby Street.

There is really no place like London during Christmas. With every major shopping district adorned with beautiful Christmas lights, the city is so classy and elegant. Kenz is lucky to work right in the heart of Mayfair. He enjoys the festive winter scenes on his daily walk across Trafalgar Square to St. James Square. As a little family tradition, we always look forward to seeing London in all its Christmas glory. So, here are some of my favourite places in Central London for all things merry and bright.

Covent Garden Christmas Piazza

The decor at Covent Garden is always gorgeous with one of the most amazing Christmas trees in London. Each year there are different winter-theme on display at the Covent Garden piazza. With its signature marigold, last year L’Occitane took the prime spot on the North Piazza (James Street). This year, it was all about Disney’s Frozen with a dazzling display of ice and snow just like Arendelle to promote its new West End musical. Around the Covent Garden Piazza, there is an impressive Lego Christmas Carousel display, magical dining domes, and winter forest archway. Every corner of Covent Garden is instagram-worthy. If you are dreaming of a white Christmas, then you’re in luck as there is snow flurries falling every hour on the hour in December.

Christmas Tree at Trafalgar Square

As a gesture of friendship, the Norwegians have always gifted the city of London a Christmas tree since 1947. This “queen of the forest” Norwegian spruce is hand-picked and then transported via the North Sea to Trafalgar Square. In true Norwegian tradition, this 25 metre tree is adorned with vertical strings of light. In front of the National Gallery is a festive Christmas market, selling everything from mulled wine to bratwurst, as well as Christmas ornaments and gifts. The four Landseer Lions sit proudly around Nelson’s Column gazing at the crowds of people admiring the Norwegian Spruce Christmas Tree and Hanukkah Menorah.

Regent Street, Oxford Street, and Piccadilly Street

In the heart of London’s shopping district, the Christmas lights on these three major commercial streets are spectacular. In fact all of Mayfair is timeless; simply classy and elegant. The famous department store Fortnum & Mason has a gorgeous advent calendar themed window. Elsewhere, the luxury upmarket Burlington Arcade has a James Bond 007 display all dressed in hues of gold to celebrate the release of No Time to Die. 

Carnaby Street

The trendy pedestrianised shopping area nestled between Regent Street and Soho is all decked out in a wonderful butterfly themed Christmas kaleidoscope. With splashes of shimmering neon colours including giant rainbows, Canary Street has an edgy take on the traditional Christmas lights. The streets are as cool as some of its trendy and lifestyle retailers such as RayBans, Happy Socks, and Dr. Martens. 

This is just a short list of places to see Christmas lights around Central London. Elsewhere in Sloane Square, Marylebone, Primrose Hill, Kings Road, Canary Wharf and Leadenhall Market are all decked out in gorgeous Christmas lights. A trip around London’s various neighborhoods make for a very merry and bright Christmas.