Can you feel it? There’s a nip in the air, a soupcon of sparkle in the shop windows and a general feeling of festive merriment: Christmas is around the corner. And, while you might not have started your gift shopping yet (don’t worry, we’ve got you covered here), you probably have noticed that fairy lights have started appearing across the capital’s tourist hotspots and retail thoroughfares.
London’s Christmas lights are back in a big way this year – replete with switch-on extravaganzas that aren’t to be missed. From Mayfair to Chelsea, Covent Garden to the City, don’t miss the chance to see London in all its bedazzled beauty…
South Molton Street and Mount Street, Mayfair
One of the capital’s most elegant and expensive neighbourhoods, Mayfair’s iconic South Molton Street was the first to turn on its lights on 2 November. Be sure to catch a glimpse of the beautiful blue arches and twinkling canopies that have been draped along the charming street, the ideal place for some early Christmas shopping.
On 17 November, the distinguished Mount Street will turn on its dazzling display of 63,000 energy-efficient sparkling lights at 6.30pm. The big blue blows will run up and down the picturesque street, anchored by The Connaught hotel’s iconic, towering tree. The road will be temporarily closed from 5pm so revellers can enjoy the festive music, artisan cocktails and stellar giveaways.
Visit mayfairldn.com
Carnaby Street, Soho
Carnaby Street’s world-famous light displays are Instagram catnip for the masses. The buzzy street will be illuminated from 8 November, boasting a medley of 14 of its most iconic installations over the last quarter century, including neon lyrics from Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, glittering Rolling Stones tongues, oversized robins, a giant snowman, colourful palm trees and underwater influences, spanning Carnaby Street, Foubert’s Place, Ganton Street and Newburgh Street.
The iconic arches will be adorned with shimmering silver discs embellished with carnival decorations and a dazzling globe will be brought back to celebrate the ‘Carnaby Welcomes the World’ theme. Visitors can enjoy live music, in-store activations and 20 per cent discounts from 5-9pm.
Visit carnaby.co.uk
Covent Garden, West End
The Covent Garden piazza will come alive on 8 November, with a festive light display featuring more than 115,000 dazzling bulbs, and an impressive 60ft Christmas tree, adorned with a further 30,000 twinkling lights. The festive decor will also extend into the market, which will see the return of its famous giant baubles, mistletoe, and mirror balls. Visitors can also expect exclusive pop-ups, Christmas offers, new store openings and partnerships, alongside over 1,000 weatherproof outdoor dining seats across 55 restaurants promising the chance to experience the magical festive scheme from all angles.
Visit coventgarden.london
Belgravia
The charming streets of Belgravia will be illuminated from 9 November this year, with the launch of a festive trail featuring beautiful installations across the picturesque neighbourhood, spanning Motcomb Street, Elizabeth Street, Pimlico Road, Eccleston Yards and Halkin Arcade. The London Gay Men’s Chorus will be performing a moving choral set throughout the evening, while Santa and two of his reindeer will visit Motcomb Street from 6-8pm. The famous Belgravia Christmas trail will celebrate the local shops and their sparkling window displays, designed to deliver delight and wonder, complete with an impressive Christmas tree.
Visit belgravialdn.com
Regent Street and St James’s, West End
Regent Street and St James’s festive light display, The Spirit of Christmas, will illuminate the skies from 9 November, with designs by leading British lighting creatives, James Glancy Design. The sparkling canopy of lights will be comprised of more than 50 large scale spirits, soaring above Regent Street, Regent Street St James’s, Piccadilly and Jermyn Street, and will be visible from the early evening. Powered by green energy, the 300,000-light scheme is made up of low-energy LED bulbs which operate on a timer, conserving energy during daylight hours and overnight.
Visit regentstreetonline.com
Marylebone Village
Head down to charming Marylebone Village on 10 November to celebrate Merry Marylebone and the switching on of the beautiful Christmas light display. To mark the unveiling, retailers and restaurants will be offering exclusive promotions, festive experiences, gifts with purchase and specially curated menus throughout the day. Alongside special in-store discounts, a variety of exciting activities will take place across the village, including a charity tombola, food and gift stalls, live music, a Santa’s grotto, fairground rides and a celebrity switch-on moment.
Visit marylebonevillage.com
Connaught Village, Marylebone
Connaught Village will be celebrating the beginning of the Christmas season with a grand unveiling of its light and tree display throughout the afternoon and into the early evening on 17 November. The Tree of Love, Joy and Hope has had a yuletide makeover themed around the message ‘All I want for Christmas is…’, which will illuminate the streets and make an ideal backdrop for the family Christmas card (or new social media profile picture).
Visitors can expect an afternoon of complimentary workshops, food and drink, live music performances (including pupils from Connaught House School Choir), in-store promotions and a chance to meet and pose for a photo with husky dogs from 3-8pm.
Visit connaught-village.co.uk
Bond Street, Mayfair
Famed for its back-to-back luxury brands and dazzling jewellery stores, it’s only right that the Bond Street lights have this year taken inspiration from the resplendent magnificence of the Crown Jewels, as well as its own and the world-famous jewellery houses. Set to be unveiled on 17 November, the lighting designs have taken more than 12 months to create, and will replace the much-loved peacock feathers, which have been in situ for the past eight years.
Don’t miss the four magnificent crowns which will be visible at each of the key junctions on Bond Street. Elsewhere the crossings, which run the length of the street, will echo the shape of shimmering platinum, gold, diamond and pearl necklaces and will be ‘strung’ across Old and New Bond Street.
Visit bondstreet.co.uk
Leadenhall Market, City of London
Festive revellers can enjoy Leadenhall Market in all its illuminated Victorian splendour on 17 November, when it will be flanked by a giant Christmas tree, festooned with colour-changing LED lights and crowned with beautiful fir tree garlands. As part of the much-loved annual ceremony, the Lord Mayor of London will switch on the lights at 6pm, accompanied by firework fountains. The Gracechurch Street switch-on will start with a sing-along and carols from the London Youth Choir as well as late-night shopping, workshops and festive guided tours.
Visit leadenhallmarket.co.uk
King’s Road, Chelsea
Head to the iconic King’s Road for the grand unveiling of the Chelsea Christmas lights on 19 November. The street will be part-pedestrianised with a festive market and a roster of fun activities from 11am, including meeting Santa’s reindeer, glass bauble blowing and complimentary horse and carriage rides. Father Christmas himself will then light up the streets, switching on the lights at 5pm, followed by a Santa’s Grotto pop-up. Expect seasonal food and drink, outdoor seating, and a Bavarian curling rink for a whole night of festive fun.
Visit chelseachristmas.co.uk
Read more: The best luxury hotels for a magical Christmas break
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