London Christmas Lights Walking Route+ Map

Visiting London this Christmas? Enjoy this self guided DIY London Christmas Lights Walking Route to see the best of lights in the city. This route includes best light displays, holiday decorations, as well as some festive treat recommendations on the go!

Christmas in London is magical! And the city has some extravagance show of light during this time! And honestly, No other city can match the vibes of London during Christmas!

You’ll see beautiful Christmas lights brighten the historic streets of London, buildings displaying the their facades with decorations, beautiful Christmas trees, Christmas Markets, and restaurants with festive dining!

And the best thing, most of them are located near to each other, meaning you can enjoy this festive walking trail through central London on this DIY self guided Christmas Lights walking tour in London.

I’ve put together this self guided walking route of London Christmas lights, that covers the most iconic streets and the best Christmas lights and decorations of London.

While the lights on Regent’s Street and Oxford Street are iconic, there are so many other places in Central London to admire the beautiful Christmas displays.

If you aren’t able to do it all in one go, you can break into parts and choose whatever interests you! I’ll also include more recommendations in the end! This is one of the best things to do in London during Christmas for free!

This Christmas lights walking route easy to follow, and I’ve numbered them according to the best route possible. I have also included the MAP with locations at the end of the post.

Overview of London Christmas Lights Walking Route

Here is my recommended walking route to see Christmas lights decorations in London, starting in Central London at Bond Street, ending at Knightsbridge in West London.

The entire walk is expected to take around 2-3 hours depending on how long you spend time at each location. If you’d like to save some time for shopping or eating (or both), hop on a bus or a tube to save time between locations on this London Christmas lights walking route.

So, just put on your comfortable walking shoes, and get ready to be enchanted by the spectacular Christmas light displays in London.

➜ Visiting London for the first time? Read my Beginner’s guide to London which includes everything you need to know for your first trip to London.

Self Guided London Christmas Lights Walking Route

Stop 1: Oxford Street

Start your London Christmas Lights walking route by walking along the iconic Oxford Street. I suggest to arrive at Bond Street Station to start your walking trail.

Oxford street is longest shopping street of Europe, and most famous street of London. It is known for its high end fast fashion stores, and remains busy throughout the year!

But during the Christmas time, it gets adorned with thousands of twinkling white stars hanging above the street. The display features more than 5,000 stars consisting of 300,000 LED bulbs.

You can even take the iconic shot in the middle of the street with red buses and Christmas lights above! For many, it may not very attractive light displays, but I think it’s one of the most impressive Christmas lights in London.

Note: To save the electricity, Oxford Street Christmas lights switches ON when it gets dark (usually 4 PM in winter), and lights turned off at 11 PM. So make sure you admire this iconic light displays when it gets dark!

While here, you can see beautiful window displays and Christmas decorations at John Lewis and Disney Stores.

Stop 2: Selfridges

Each year, Selfridges’ department store decorates the store with very cool Christmas Displays. There are 15 windows and different artists decorates each window in their own style!

Their Christmas shop is also worth visiting to get London themed souvenirs! This is really one of the places to visit in during Christmas in London.

Stop 3: South Molton Street

Next stop on this Christmas Lights walking route is South Molton Street, dominated by one color- Blue! You’ll see a beautiful blue archway of lights to walk underneath and admire. It’s wonderful Christmas experience to stroll along the street!

The warm glow from the lights, combined with the unique shops along these streets, creates a welcoming atmosphere for a leisurely evening stroll.

I must say, the streets of Mayfair, London are adorned with some of the most impressive decorations on this London Christmas lights walking route.

Stop 4: KOYN & The Connaught Christmas Tree

Move further south, walk along Davis street and then to Grosvenor Street. Here you’ll find the famous red car at the Koyn Restaurant. It’s one of high end restaurant of London, but the car at KOYN is a symbol of the restaurant’s unique identity.

It remains parked outside year-round but during the festive season, the car transforms into a magical spectacle, adorned with a twinkling Christmas tree, as well ad spreading festive cheer.

From here, walk 3 minutes to Mount Street. Known for its high-end boutiques and picturesque architecture, Mount Street transforms into a dazzling display each year in December.

The colorful lights, arranged in a canopy style, adds the charm to this iconic street in Mayfair. While here, don’t miss the iconic The Connaught Hotel Christmas tree.

Stop 5: Annabel’s

After leaving Mount street, walk towards Davies street and turn right to Berkeley Square. Then reach to Annabel’s, a private members club with a magical Christmas facade. Every year, they come with most unique theme for the Christmas lights installation.

In past year, they had beautiful themes like fun fair carousel, ginger bread house, hot air ballon, and Snow globe! You can check their instagram to see their theme for the year before visiting! This is one of the must visit London Christmas Decorations.

Stop 6: New Bond Street

From Annabel’s, cut through Berkeley Square, then walk along Bruton Street to New Bond Street. No London Christmas lights walking route is complete without visiting Bond Street. It is home to high end designer shops of London, and features beautiful decorations each year during the Christmas season.

Starting from the top (New Bond Street) all the way to the bottom (Old Bond Street) will take you to some of the most extravagance Christmas light displays in London. Cartier and Dior are always looks stunning at Christmas.

Just walk along the street and admire the stunning decorations, and if you fancy an expensive coffee, stop at Ralph Lauren opposite to Cartier!

This should be probably the must visit on your London Christmas Lights Walking route!

Stop 7: Royal Arcade & Burlington Arcade

Just beside the Cartier, you’ll find the two historic shopping arcades – Royal Arcade and Burlington Arcade are both decked out for the Christmas season. This covered shopping arcades are packed with ultra-high-end stores and is always looks stunning during Christmas.

Stop 8: Fortnum and Mason

Exit the Burlington Arcade, onto Piccadilly, take a few steps to the left, and you will see one of the one of the most iconic Christmas lights displays in London, Fortnum & Mason.

Each year, they decorate their shop front with an extravagant Christmas light display, transforming the store into a giant advent calendar, and the windows are filled with imaginative displays.

Founded in 1707, Fortnum and Mason, are a luxurious historic store, and its important part of british Royal family and culture. They sells a wide range of food and drink as well as beautiful Christmas decorations during the season.

They are known for their hampers, which make a luxurious Christmas gift. It’s pricey, but buy smaller packs of delicious biscuits or tea to take home as Christmas souvenirs! If you want luxurious afternoon tea experience in London, have a reservation at Fortnum!

This is one of my favorite things to see on this London Christmas lights walking route. The display is always so impressive, as well as the other decorations inside and front of the store are equally beautiful.

It is definitely worth to browse through the store even if you don’t intend to buy anything. After all, Fortnum & Masons is one of the most quintessentially British stores in the country.

Stop 9: Savile Row

From Fortnum, walk right and cross the street, and walk north into Savile Row, famous for high end, bespoke tailoring, serving as a global benchmark for custom-made suits.

During the Christmas time, this famed street of London features tailoring theme Christmas lights, with prominent displays of scissors or shears. This is one of the most thoughtful Christmas Lights to see in London, I must say!

Stop 10: Regent Street

Continue this London Christmas lights walking route, and walk till the end of Savile Row. Then turn right to Conduit Street, and then turn left onto Regent Street, the best street in London for Christmas lights.

Regent street is where London Christmas Lights traditions began in 1954, and today it is one of the most photographed Christmas spots in London.

This long, curvy street is known for its iconic dozens of golden angels hanging above with elegant long wings and hanging above the street. The curve of the street makes it possible to see the rows of the angels, creating very impressive Christmas display.

The display consists of 300,000 twinkling lights. The curving street, red buses, an twinkling angels above, this makes Regent street one of the most beautiful street on this London Christmas Lights walking route.

It will be always very busy here, but you can take photos from the middle of the street with red buses in the frame.

Stop 11: Liberty London

Continue along the Regent street, then turn right on Great Marlborough Street to see one of London’s most iconic luxurious department store.

Housed in a Tudor style building, Liberty is known for its fashion, home, and beauty items. Their Christmas shop on the 4th floor is always packed with beautiful decorations. The open courtyard inside the store has always some quirky decorations, and it’s worth popping in here.

If you’re picking up Christmas Souvenirs, Liberty is one of the best places to do Christmas shopping in London. It’s conveniently located near Regent street, and not to miss in your DIY London Christmas lights walking trail.

Stop 12: Carnaby Street

Next, turn right on Carnaby Street. It is pedestrianized street in Soho, and one of the most colorful streets on this London Christmas Lights walking route.

Continue the walk, and you’ll feel transported into the other world! The lights change each year on Carnaby Street, and they follows particular theme!

It’s known for its modern shops and unique boutiques, but during Christmas it shines with most fun Christmas decorations in London. From butterflies, sea life to geometric patterns, the theme has been different each year.

It’s another great place to go shopping but I really love the thoughtful artistic installations here on this London Christmas lights walking route.

Stop 13: Kingly Court

Tucked away off Carnaby Street, Kingly Court is hidden 3-storey heaven for food and drinks. With a delightful courtyard, it has a variety of restaurants serving global cuisines. Even it has some really cool underground bars!

During Christmas, its get decorated with beautiful lights, and with festive atmosphere, it is really cool stop to grab some food as you might be now craving something to eat at this point on this London Christmas lights walking route.

You can grab Pizza at Pizza Pilgrims, drinks at Cahoots underground bar, and don’t miss the famous basque cheesecake at La Maritxu Soho.

Stop 14: Hamleys Toy Store

Next stop on this London Christmas lights walking route is Hamleys toy shop, the oldest toy shop in London! Opened in Opened in 1760, this flagship store has seven floors and till 1994, it was one of the largest toy shop in the world!

The Christmas decorations inside the store are something you can’t miss! You can meet the Santa at their festive Grotto. Available from 15 December to 24 December, the Hamleys Grotto is a 30–minute experience. Advance booking is mandatory for it.

Hamleys is much more than just a shop. They also have live toy demonstrations. Across the seven floors, you’ll find sections for a huge range of toys, including soft toys, Harry Potter, Star Wars, LEGO, Barbie, and much more.

Stop 15: Piccadilly Circus

Continue your walk along the regent street, and reach the Piccadilly Circus to admire the most impressive Christmas Lights.

Here you’ll see beautiful large scale flying figures of Greek god Anteros – the god of requited love. A statue of Anteros has stood in Piccadilly Circus since 1893. This is very charming place to see some of the best Christmas lights in London.

Stop 16: Regent Street St James’s and Waterloo Place

Continue your walk straight on Regent Street Saint James’s. St James’s is beautiful neighborhood with old fashioned stores. You’ll just step back in time to see the classic Christmas!

You can see beautiful Christmas tree in front of Sofitel London St James (waterloo Place) with the backdrop of regent street lights. It’s sight to behold!

You can also check out nearby Carlton St, Jermyn St, Norris St etc to see the different Christmas light displays! These are few of hidden gems you can visit without crowd on your London Christmas lights walking route.

These are all stops which I included in my London Christmas Itinerary, easily can be covered in 2-3 hours. So, you can finish the walk here, and visit the next stops on different day!

Stop 17: Trafalgar Square

From waterloo place, continue your walk along Pall Mall, within 5 minutes you’ll arrive at the iconic square of London — Trafalgar Square. It’s most touristy area of London, but anyway you need to visit this place at Christmas time as it has some really deep Christmas traditions.

There’s a small Christmas Market set under the National Gallery, and each year, a giant real Christmas tree gifted by Norway is displayed here.

After Norway was invaded by Nazi Germany in April 1940, Norwegian King was in exile in UK. Commandos of Norway sent Christmas tree to their King in 1942, and it was placed in Trafalgar Square.

After the end of WWII, the King returned to Norway but since 1947 Norway has been sending Christmas tree to London as a continuous thank-you gesture for Britain’s help during WWII.

Though Christmas tree here might be thin, but the tradition is what it makes a must see on this DIY London Christmas lights walking route.

Stop 18: Leicester Square Christmas Market

From Trafalgar Square, walk along Charing Cross Rd, and then to Irving St to reach Leicester Square. This is one of the most vibrant area of London to visit at any time of the year! The square is known for its iconic statues of Mr Bean, Mary Poppins, and Batman.

During Christmas, you’ll see small Christmas Market here. You can buy the festive treats, and Christmassy drinks. The stalls are worth to find some last minute Christmas gifts. I love this market due to its German vibes! Ohh, and don’t miss delicious cheese wheel pasta at one of the food stall.

Stop 19: Seven Dials & Neal’s Yard

From Leicester Square, take a short detour to Seven Dials, one of the most beautiful Christmas spots in London. Seven Dials is a series of seven streets coming off of one roundabout with a monument in the centre. The area gets decorated very well every year.

There are so many boutique shops around, so is a great place to buy some Christmas gifts while in London. You can also visit the epic Seven Dials Market, an extensive indoor food market perfect for cold days.

Just few steps away is Neal’s Yard, a colorful alleyway full of shops and restaurants that will be lit up for Christmas. You’ll see beautiful Christmas tree in the middle of the courtyard. If you want to grab food, Home slice Pizza serves some of the best pizzas in London.

Stop 20: Covent Garden

From Neal’s Yard, walk along Neal Street, and then turn right onto Covent Garden. You’ll see lots of things happening here as you arrive at the market square!

Covent Garden is one of the most iconic Christmas destination of this London Christmas Lights walking route. It was originally a produce market opened in the 17th century, then evolving into a market with all kind of goods. Today, you’ll see lots of small stalls at Apple Market as well as many shops, bars and restaurants. This is perfect place to relax after all the walking!

During Christmas, Covent Garden is decked out in giant gold bells, with a huge Christmas tree in the market square. You can also take photos with Santa’s sleigh. But above all, don’t miss visiting Arome Bakery to taste their famous honey butter toast! If you want to drink, head to Punch and Judy, you’ll also get the views of the square from above!

Stop 21: Somerset Ice Rink

Leave the Covent Garden, walk along the Strand, and reach at one of the most beautiful ice skating rink in London at Somerset House. Turn right on the Strand and walk until you see the arched entrance to Somerset House. Inside you will find the beautiful ice rink with beautiful Christmas tree.

Somerset House has an impressive Georgian architecture that now houses the Courtauld Gallery and other arts businesses. It’s courtyard is beautiful, and there is a summer splash fountain in summer, and ice rink in winter.

The ice rink at Somerset House is known for fun music and bright colourful lights. Even if you don’t skate, just warm up with drinks at Watch house cafe, and watch the beautiful backdrop with all the Christmas activity.

Stop 22: South Bank Center Winter Market

After having some fun at Somerset House, cross the Waterloo bridge, turn right, and walk along the Thames path to reach most beautiful South Bank Center Winter Market. It takes place near London Eye, so you can also ride up to see all the Christmas lights from above.

With so many pop up bars, food, and craft stalls, this Christmas Market will give the best festive cheer with beautiful views. It’s my favorite Christmas Market in London for a reason, and you should not miss on this London Christmas lights walking route.

You can conclude your London Christmas lights Walking trail here, and can visit the next part of this post on different day. Honestly, there are so many festive things to do in London at Christmas and I can feel you’re absolutely exhausted now!

Stop 23: Churchill arms

Take a tube to Notting Hill Gate, and walk 5 minutes to the most festive pub in London — Churchill Arms. This pub is known for its extravagant floral decorations during summer and even more impressive Christmas lights in winter. This is one of the top Christmas decorations to visit in London.

The exteriors are covered in lights and beautiful Christmas trees! Inside you’ll see decorations with memorabilia of Winston Churchill. You can grab a drink on cold day or dine at their Thai restaurants. It gets pretty busy during holiday season, so make reservations in advance.

Stop 24: Harrods

Your London Christmas lights walking route is incomplete without a visit to Harrods.Take a short bus ride from Churchill Arms to Harrods.

The exterior of the store is covered in thousands of twinkling lights, and you’ll find some unique holiday displays every year. It’s kind of visual retreat in terms of best Christmas lights in London.

The Christmas shop at Harrods is always stunning with so many holiday gifts to shop. You can also just simply go for window shop, explore its food hall or just enjoy the Christmas light displays.

London Christmas Lights Walking Route Map

This self-guided London Christmas lights walking tour is outlined below on my map, with each destination marked well to see the Christmas Lights in London. I recommend starting at Bond Street Tube Station and finishing at either Embankment or Knightsbridge; depending on how much far you can go! You can also do this walk in reverse starting at Harrods and ending at Covent Garden.

As I said earlier, it might be too much to cover in one go, So feel free to break down into two parts!

Other Places to see Christmas Lights in London

• Christmas in Belgravia: Elizabeth Street, and Duke of York Square
• Winter by the river at Tower Bridge
• Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
• Christmas at Kew Gardens
• Ever After Gardens

Tips for your DIY London Christmas Lights walk

• After visiting Harrods, you can stop at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. This is a good option if you are with kids who would enjoy the rides.
• The streets are most busy after sunset, around 4 pm. To avoid the crowds, do this walk as late as possible. Most lights switch off around Midnight.
• Try to do this walk on rain free day. During this time of the year, it can be rainy and dumpy!

FAQs about London Christmas Lights Walking Route

What time does it get dark in London at Christmas?

During Christmas in London, it gets dark very early. As sunset is around 4 PM at this time of the year, I recommend starting your walk in late afternoon and finish it at late night to bit the crowds.

Which street in London has the angel Christmas lights?

Regent Street is home to iconic golden angels, the most beautiful Christmas lights in the world!

What are the best places to see Christmas lights in London?

The best London Christmas light displays are in central London, around Regent Street, Oxford Street, and Bond Street. Covent Garden is also a great place to see Christmas decorations in London.

What is the best street in London for Christmas Lights?

Oxford street and Regent street are the best streets to see Christmas Lights in London. Also, don’t forget to visit nearby Carnaby Street for its cool light displays.

What dates to visit to see Christmas lights in london?

Christmas light displays in Central London mostly turned on around 5^th November and were turned off around first week of January. So, plan your trip around these dates for the best Christmas lights display.

Which famous Pub in London has Christmas Lights?

The Churchill Arms is the most famous Pub in London with impressive Christmas lights decorated on its exterior. With over 90 conifer trees and lights, this is the most festive Pub in London.

What is the best way to see the Christmas lights in London?

If you follow this London Christmas Lights walking route starting in Central London to see the most iconic displays in London, you can cover most of them by walking. If you feel tired from walking, I suggest taking a Bus. Take Bus 139 towards Waterloo to see the best Christmas lights in London.

Where to go in London to see Christmas lights for Free?

The Christmas Lights and Christmas markets in London are free to visit. But you need to pay the fees to visit Hyde Park winter wonderland and Christmas at Kew gardens. Though entry to winter wonderland is free during off peak hours.

If you’re planning a trip to London and want the best show of Christmas Lights, you’ll definitely need to SAVE this London Christmas lights walking route to read later!