Your guide to London’s Christmas light switch-on events in 2025
The switching on of London’s Christmas lights marks the beginning of the festive season in the capital. Areas such as Oxford Street, Regent Street, Covent Garden, and Carnaby Street each host their own switch-on events, often featuring live music and seasonal entertainment. The lights usually go on from mid-November and stay up until early January, adding a warm and festive feel to the city through the winter months. Here’s your guide to when London’s Christmas lights will be switched on this year.
Regent’s Street, The Spirit of Christmas returns for its 10th anniversary.
Oxford Street
#FLODown: Oxford Street’s twinkling lights will return for the 2025 festive season, illuminating the shopping street with over 5,000 LED stars suspended above, creating a vibrant festive atmosphere with more than 300,000 energy-efficient bulbs.
Date: Monday 3 November 2025. Switch-On Time: 4 pm. Location: Oxford Street.
Regent Street and St James’s
Regent Street’s “Spirit of Christmas” lights will return for 2025, celebrating its 10th anniversary, featuring over 30 ‘Spirits’ made from 300,000 LED lights across Regent Street, Jermyn Street, St James’s Market, and the Quadrant Arcade. The ‘Wishing Tree’ in St James’s Market will also return, with donations triggering sparkling displays to support The Felix Project.
Date: Thursday 6 November 2025. Switch-On Time: 5:30 pm. Location: Regent Street and St James’s.
Carnaby Street Christmas lights display 2023. Image by MTotoe.
Carnaby Street
#FLODown: Carnaby Street in Soho will kick off the 2025 festive season with its “All is Bright” display, featuring sculptural lights made from 60,000 energy-efficient LEDs suspended above the street. The switch-on coincides with the Carnaby Christmas Shopping Party, with live music, discounts, and festive activities.
Date: Thursday 6 November 2025. Switch-On Time: 6 pm. Location: Carnaby Street, Soho.
Covent Garden
#FLODown: Covent Garden will light up on 12 November 2025 with over 300,000 sparkling lights, a 55ft British-grown Christmas tree, and the return of the iconic gold bells in the Market Building. This year’s theme, “The Theatre of Christmas,” includes street performances, markets, and a seven-week programme of festive events.
Date: Wednesday 12 November 2025. Switch-On Time: 5 pm. Location: Covent Garden.
Covent Garden Christmas display 2023. Image by MTotoe.
Marylebone Village
#FLODown: Marylebone Village will shine bright with festive cheer at its annual Christmas lights switch-on and Merry Marylebone event. The village will become a magical, pedestrianised winter wonderland with market stalls, live music, craft workshops, and family fun. BBC broadcaster Jo Good will host the main stage on Devonshire Street, joined by a celebrity guest to switch on the lights. Visitors can enjoy Santa’s Grotto, fairground rides, and artisan food stalls, while the eco-friendly light display supports The Marylebone Project, helping homeless women across the UK.
Date: Wednesday 12 November 2025. Switch-On Time: 6pm. Location: Marylebone Village, London. marylebonevillage.com
Old Spitalfields Market
#FLODown: Old Spitalfields Market will kick off the festive season with its Christmas Lights Switch-On, transforming the market into a winter wonderland filled with live music, choir performances, festive workshops, roaming elves, and seasonal treats. Visitors can shop for handmade gifts and enjoy mulled wine and mince pies while soaking up the Christmas atmosphere.
Date: Wednesday 12 November 2025. Switch-On Time: 6pm. Location: Old Spitalfields Market.
Marylebone Village Christmas display.
Leadenhall Market
#FLODown: Leadenhall Market truly knows how to celebrate Christmas in style. Beneath its stunning domed roof stands a magnificent 18-foot Christmas tree, adorned with sparkling baubles and festive red bows, filling the historic arcade with warmth and seasonal cheer. This year, Dame Sue Langley will have the honour of switching on the lights, bringing even more magic to this iconic London landmark. Arrive early to soak up the atmosphere, it’s always a popular event!
Date: Thursday 13 November 2025. Switch On-Time: 6 pm. Location: Leadenhall Market, Gracechurch Street, London EC3V 1LT.
Chelsea Christmas lights
Chelsea
#FLODown: During the festive season, King’s Road and surrounding areas will feature festive decorations, live performances, and seasonal sparkle, creating a magical atmosphere. The 2025 Christmas lights will be switched on with further details of the event to be announced closer to the date.
Date: Saturday 15 November 2025. Switch-On Time: 5pm. Location: King’s Road, Chelsea, London
Belgravia
#FLODown: Belgravia’s Elizabeth Street will host the 2025 Christmas lights switch-on party in partnership with the Belgravia Traders Association and NSPCC. Family-friendly entertainment includes Father Christmas and his elves, characters from The Nutcracker, a juggler, and a balloon modeller. Live performances include the London Gay Men’s Chorus, the Fulham Brass Band, and steel band Solid Steel, alongside a pop-up Christmas Market at Eccleston Yards.
Date: Sunday 16 November 2025. Switch-On Time: 4:45 pm. Location: Elizabeth Street, Belgravia, London.
Christmas at Kew 2023. Image by MTotoe.
Trafalgar Square
#FLODown: The Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree lighting ceremony is a cherished annual event, marking the beginning of the festive season in London. A towering Norwegian spruce, standing over 20 meters tall, is gifted to the city of London by Norway as a token of gratitude for Britain’s support during World War II. The tree is adorned with vertical strings of lights, creating a stunning visual display in the heart of the city. The lighting ceremony typically features a choir singing traditional Christmas carols, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Date: TBC. Location: Trafalgar Square, London
Christmas at Kew
#FLODown: The beloved Christmas at Kew event is back and will include a beautiful light trail with festive displays, delicious food from local vendors, and the chance to spot Father Christmas along the way.
Date: 14 November 2025 - 4 January 2026. Location: Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE. Price: from £21.50. Book now.
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