27 Best Christmas Decorations in London in 2026
Are you wondering where to find the best Christmas decorations and lights in London? As a local, I’ve mapped out the top festive places in London. Even as someone who’s lived here for 8 years and has visited numerous Christmas Markets in Europe, London proves to be one of my favorite Christmas destinations. There are so many festive things to do in London during Christmas. The streets are carefully decorated to make you feel super festive for the holidays. The storefronts, such as Cartier, Chanel, and more, go all out with amazing Christmas decorations. The streets around Regent St and Bond Street have beautiful lights throughout. I love walking the streets and admiring all the cheer the city brings. Follow along below to find out the top Instagram spots during the Christmas season, and don’t miss the interactive map at the bottom to plan your Christmas walk.
📌 Be sure to bookmark this post or pin it on Pinterest, as it will be updated throughout the years!
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🎅🎄Go on a Christmas Lights Bus Tour!
As you can see above, I did a Christmas Lights Tour on an Open Top Bus and it was magical! Not only do you get to see the lights from a different perspective, but you can also escape the crowds from the busy streets and see so many cool landmarks across London. This is the exact tour I took, which I highly recommend!
When do the London Christmas Lights Switch on in 2026?
- Oxford Street Christmas Lights Switch-on: November 9th, 2026
- Carnaby Street Christmas Lights Switch-on: Live as of November 5th, 2026
- Regent Street Christmas Lights Switch-on: Live as of November 5th 2026
- Covent Garden Christmas Decorations: November 12th 2026
- Seven Dials Street Christmas Lights Switch-On: November 12, 2026
- South Bank Christmas Lights Switch-on: From November 2, 2026 (Full Winter Light Trail: November 24, 2026)
- Kew Gardens Christmas Lights Switch-on: November 13, 2026
- Mayfair Christmas Lights Switch-on: November 12, 2026
- Chelsea Christmas Lights Switch-On: November 12, 2026
How long are Christmas Decorations up in London?
The Christmas lights and decorations are generally turned off in early January, typically on the Twelfth Night. Around January 6th is when all the main lights on Regent Street, etc are switched off. Many stores might take down their Christmas decor as early as Jan 1.
Do the Christmas Lights stay on all night?
No, London’s Christmas lights do not stay on all night. Most displays are switched off at midnight and turned on at 3 pm to conserve energy and reduce light pollution. Specific timings may vary depending on the location, so it’s best to check the schedule for the area you plan to visit.
What is the best time of day to see the Christmas lights without crowds?
It’s always busy around London, but if you want to capture the lights without as many crowds, go during a weekday and visit towards closing time at midnight or right at dusk from 4pm.
Best Christmas Decorations in London
London has some of the most amazing Christmas decorations, and as a local, I’ve rounded up my favorites.
🎅 Be sure to also read my full post on the most Festive Things to do in London in December
1. Regent Street
2026 update: The lights are officially up as of November 5th, 2026! This year, the lights have a different look. The iconic angels are still there, but they now hold different sayings or symbols. I absolutely love it! The angels hold things like a heart or the words smile or love. And I attended the light switch-on, and there were fireworks to celebrate, as well as characters dressed on stilts like an angel!
📍Location: Regent Street (Google Maps)
Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus (Central, Victoria, Bakerloo) or Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly, Bakerloo) – 1 min walk
All along Regent Street, the busiest street in London, you will find gorgeous Christmas lights – angels and festive cheer are spread throughout. The angels are usually repeated every year in London. So it was good to see a bit of change in 2026!
2. Oxford Street
📍Location: Oxford Street (Google Maps)
Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus (Central, Victoria, Bakerloo) or Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly, Bakerloo) – 1 min walk
2026 Update: For the first time ever, Oxford Street will have Harry Potter-themed lights throughout the street! This is such exciting news, especially for fans. It’s nice to see something new from previous years.
Oxford Street runs parallel to Regent Street and is filled with many lights. The street is now pedestrian-only. In 2026, cars are restricted from passing through part of the street.
3. Carnaby Street
📍Location: Carnaby Street (Google Maps)
Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus – 3 min walk (just behind Regent St)
Carnaby Street is where you will find some of the best London Christmas decorations.
Carnaby Street’s lights have been the same for the past few years. In 2026, the theme is “Press Play on Christmas.” The lights are colourful and represent the British ’90s nostalgia (’90s music, pop culture, and retro tech).
4. Burlington Arcade
Nearest Tube: Green Park (Piccadilly, Victoria, Jubilee) or Piccadilly Circus – 3 min walk
Burlington Arcade is a luxurious shopping center. It’s lined with Christmas lights and is a wonderful stop just around the corner from Cartier.
You can have a coffee and a macaroon at the Ladurée inside with a view of the Christmas pathway!
5. Fortnum & Mason
📍Location: 181 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1A 1ER (Google Maps)
2026 update: The 2026 facade is here!
Fortnum & Mason is London’s oldest department store and is very classic to London. It is a must-stop during the festive period and not just for the pretty facade! Every year, they come back with their classic Advent calendar on the facade, but they update what year it is on the corner.
Don’t forget to get one of the best hot chocolates in London inside!
Fortnum & Mason also has a wonderful festive afternoon tea.
You can enjoy afternoon tea, a Scotch egg (they invented it, apparently), and endless shops.
6. The Ritz
📍Location: The Ritz (Google Maps)
Nearest Tube: Green Park – 1 min walk
The Ritz London is an iconic hotel located right next to Green Park station. Each year, they have a beautiful wreath lining the walkway entrance to the hotel. They also have one of the best and most iconic afternoon teas in London. I’m dying to try it myself! You can pop in without being a guest to have a peek and also enjoy a drink or afternoon tea. They have the most beautiful tree inside.
7. Annabel’s – Best Christmas Displays in London
📍Location: 46 Berkeley Square, London W1J 5AT (Google Maps)
Nearest Tube: Green Park (Piccadilly, Victoria, Jubilee lines) – 6 min walk
This is my favorite Christmas display in London. Every year, this private members’ club puts up a different display & it is pretty impressive. This is definitely one of the most instagrammable locations in London during Christmas.
The 2026 display should be launched around November 12th, but this date is provisional.
Annabel’s previous festive facades include a white lion (2025), a glowing peacock snow globe (2024), a hot air balloon (2023), a Swarovski-studded gingerbread house (2022), a whimsical carousel (2021), and an oversized Nutcracker (2020).
8. Vintage Christmas Car
The 2026 Christmas vintage car disappeared in 2025, but for 2026 it’s back in a new location! It’s parked right in front of MIKO Mei Fair. This Thai restaurant in Mayfair is where you will find the most adorable red car with Christmas presents stuffed inside and a Christmas Tree on top. It is one of the cutest Christmas spots in London! Also, be sure to try out their food, as I hear it’s pretty tasty!
⭐ Be sure to check out my blog post on the best festive restaurants in London.
📍Location: 54 Curzon St, London W1J 8PG (Google Maps)
9. New Bond Street – Best London Christmas Lights
This is where you will find all the fancy shop storefronts decked out in Christmas spirit, including Cartier’s, Tiffany’s, Chanel, and more! Don’t let your wallet get too damaged while you peruse the best Christmas decorations London has to offer.
Below is the 2024 Cartier Christmas Display in London. The 2026 display is not yet up. But it should be up around November 12th.
📍Location: 175-177 New Bond St, London W1S 4RN (Google Maps)
While you’re there, be sure to snag a table at Ralph’s Coffee to have a view of the Cartier display. The cafe opens at 10 am, and they start setting up tables at 9:30 am. This is a super popular and busy spot, so arrive early to get your seat – I’m talking, even before opening hour!
Below is the updated 2026 Dior display, which is an advent calendar, and the window display shows the coolest dollhouse with doors opening and closing.
10. Maddox Gallery
📍Location: Various locations including Mayfair & Westbourne Grove (Google Maps)
Maddox Gallery is an art gallery and their display during Christmas time is just simply pretty.
Note: Pictured above is a previous display.
11. Ever After Garden in Grosvenor Square
Every year during the holiday season, Grosvenor Square in the heart of Mayfair is illuminated with 25,000 white roses. It’s so beautiful to see, and fewer people know about this spot.
You’re welcome to honor the memory of a loved one by dedicating a rose while contributing to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
This display is the same each year.
12. Claridge’s
📍Location: Brook Street, London W1K 4HR (Google Maps)
Claridge’s is an iconic London hotel, and I love passing by to see their Christmas display. The picture above showcases the current 2026 Christmas decor in London.
13. Home House in Portman Sq
Home House is a private members’ club located in Portman Square, London. Portman Square is an elegant garden square in the Marylebone district of London, known for its Georgian architecture and upscale surroundings. Home House is situated in two Grade I listed buildings at 19-20 Portman Square, and it is always decorated beautifully for Christmas. In 2023 (above), you will find a beautiful wreath on the door with garlands surrounding the entrance. This spot is not too crowded with tourists either.
14. Covent Garden
📍Location: Covent Garden (Google Maps)
2026 update: The gold bells are back. On Nov 12th, the Christmas tree switch-on will take place.
Covent Garden is not to be missed during Christmas time, with a tree centered amongst the busy square, a cute red sleigh and nice lights all around.
2026 will bring new pop-ups where you can hopefully win prizes like last year.
The best Christmas decorations in London can definitely be found in Covent Garden, hands down.
Pictured above are the 2022 Covent Garden Christmas Decorations
15. King’s Cross St Pancras
The 2026 King’s Cross St. Pancras Christmas tree is German-inspired, featuring the country’s 16 regions. You will find moving landscapes from Germany across all three tiers of the tree. From December 1st to the 24th, you can discover a new window of the advent calendar daily. There is also a chance to win Eurostar tickets to Germany with Hilton hotel stays across the region!
16. Hay’s Galleria
📍Location: 1 Battle Bridge Ln, London SE1 2HD (Google Maps)
Hay’s Galleria is a shopping area near London Bridge Station on the south bank of the River Thames. It transforms into a Christmas Winter Wonderland featuring a huge Christmas tree and one of the best Christmas Markets in London, Christmas by the River. You can shop at the many Christmas Market stalls for jewelry, accessories, and more. Grab a bratwurst or some churros and then head to one of the cozy Christmas cabins, like Riverside Lodge for some mulled wine and live music.
✨ If you want to do a fun Christmas tour, you can book this Guided Winter Markets Food Tour.
Note: The tree remains the same every year.
17. Churchill Arms
This pub is famous and always changes its display per season. In fact, they spend around 25k a year on flowers to cover the exterior of the pub. During Christmas, there are over 90 trees covering this pub! Oh my!
Each year, the display is the same.
📍Location: London W8 7LN (Google Maps)
18. Leadenhall Market
Leadenhall Market is a covered market in East London and was a filming location for Harry Potter! It always has a Christmas Tree in the center of the market and is a great photo spot.
📍Location: Gracechurch St, London EC3V 1LT (Google Maps)
19. The Ivy Chelsea Garden
The Ivy is a restaurant in various London locations. This Christmas display at the Chelsea location is spectacular! In 2020, it featured Santa’s office, a Christmas Sleigh, and many fun decorations all along the exterior of the decadent restaurant.
Note: Pictured above is an older display.
📍Location: Various. Chelsea: 195 197 King’s Rd, London SW3 5EQ (Google Maps)
20. Harrods
The photo above is a previous display
2026 update: We are waiting to see if the display will be here. 2025, there was no Harrods display. They seem to alternate between years, so we’re hopeful that 2026 has a display.
Harrods is a famous department store in London located on Brompton Road in Knightsbridge and is home to luxury products including fashion, home goods, and an enormous food hall. During Christmas time, they have a beautiful display with golden Christmas lights and the Harrods sign prominently lit up. You can get some amazing pictures on the street in front.
There’s a secret platform where you can find views of Harrods from a higher level! Just head to the Paradox Museum (buy tickets ahead here), a fun interactive museum you should visit anyhow. The tickets are £24 so if you combine it with a visit there, it’s well worth seeing the nice view.
You can check out my Instagram video here of the view from the platform.
📍Location: 87-135 Brompton Rd, London SW1X 7XL (Google Maps)
21. Neill Strain Floral Couture
Neill Strain is a flower shop in London and always does Christmas well! In 2022, the Belgravia location was decorated all in white giving it a magical fairytale vibe.
Note: Pictured above is an older display.
Check out my Instagram video with even more locations to explore in the Belgravia area for Christmas!
📍Location: Various. Belgravia: 11 W Halkin St, London SW1X 8JL (Google Maps)
22. Peggy Porschen’s Cupcakes
My favorite cupcake shop in London always has a seasonal display that changes each year. They also have the most delicious cakes, and they will be decorated for the festive season too!
Note: Pictured above is an older display.
📍Location: Various locations.
Belgravia: 116 Ebury St, London SW1W 9QQ(Google Maps)
Chelsea 219 King’s Rd, London SW3 5EJ (Google Maps)
23. Motcomb Street
Motcomb Street is one of the most festive streets in London without the huge crowds of tourists you see on Regent and Oxford Street. There are a few cute displays here, including the 2022 Sleigh and Christmas tree. Right across from this, you will find a bench at a hair salon called Errol Douglas.
Note: Pictured above is an older display.
📍Location: 18 Motcomb St, London SW1X 8LB (Google Maps)
24. Glebe Pl in Chelsea
Right next to Peggy Porschen in Chelsea, you will find this side street with adorable pink doors and Christmas wreaths. In Chelsea, wander the many streets, and you will find pretty wreaths on just about every door!
📍Location: 68 Glebe Pl, London SW3 5JB (Google Maps)
25. The Boltons
The Boltons is a very prestigious neighborhood in the district of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Wouldn’t you love to call this massive mansion your home? The bow is so bright and large, and I love the minimal style against the white mansion.
The decorations remain the same every year.
📍Location: 23 The Boltons (Google Maps)
26. Egerton House Hotel
The Egerton House Hotel is a 5-star hotel in the heart of Knightsbridge, and it has an adorable Christmas display each year. A few years ago it showed a Gingerbread man with a martini glass and tons of ornaments wrapped around the gate.
📍Location: 17-19 Egerton Terrace, London SW3 2BX (Google Maps)
🏨 Book a stay at The Egerton House Hotel
27. Elgin Crescent
The Christmas decorations in Notting Hill are also really great. This house on Elgin Crescent has a really pretty display that’s worth strolling by!
📍Location: Elgin Crescent, Notting Hill (Google Maps)
Best Hotels to Stay in London to See Christmas Lights
If you want to see the Christmas Lights in London, there are endless opportunities for places to stay. In fact, if you’re near a tube, you can get just about anywhere quickly. However, if you want to be where all the action is, I’d recommend staying in Covent Garden, Soho, or Westminster. This will put you right near all the biggest Christmas light displays and attractions. But so that you know, the decor and cheer is spread literally all over London!
Here are my top hotel picks:
Luxury: The Savoy | Claridge’s | Hotel Cafe Royal
Mid-range: The Tower Hotel | The Hoxton | Treehouse | Mamma Shelter
Budget: Hostel One Notting Hill | Wombat’s City Hostel
Read my full guide on the best hotels in London and the best festive hotels in London
Free Christmas Lights Map
This London Christmas Lights Map provides you with all the pinned locations so you can easily do a Christmas walk and follow Google Maps on your phone by clicking below!
You may also like these posts too:
🏨 Best Festive Hotels in London for Christmas
🎅 Festive Things to do in London in December
🎄 The Best Christmassy Restaurants in London
🫖 Best Christmas Afternoon Teas in London
🎡 Guide to Winter Wonderland London
🍂 Autumn in London: 8 Best Spots for Fall Leaves
💟 Where to find Wisteria in London
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📸 Most Beautiful Cities in Europe with Instagram Locations
⭐ The Most Instagrammable Cafes in London
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🐻 Best Christmas Displays in Paris
🎄Best European Christmas Markets
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🎄Best Christmas Decorations in London Visual Story
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