When every major London Christmas lights display will turn on for 2026

It’s not Christmas in London until the city’s festive illuminations come to life. Every November, the city turns into a glorious winter wonderland, with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights bringing a magical touch to our streets, parks, piazzas and arcades. 

The city’s first light switch-ons for 2026 are just around the corner. The switch-ons are well worth travelling for, not just to be the first to see the lights in all their glory but also to enjoy the special performances, food stalls and family activities that accompany them. 

From Carnaby Street to Kew Gardens, Fleet Street to St Katharine Docks, here are all the switch-on dates for London’s biggest festive light displays, in chronological order.  

When are London Christmas lights being turned on this year? 

St Martin’s Lane

In the lead up to the lights being switched on at St Martin’s Lane, there’ll be loads of festive food samples to tuck into and a live performed from the cast of a mystery West End production. The street will be officially lit up for Christmas at 4.45pm. 

Switch-on date: Tuesday November 3. 

Oxford Street

Oxford Street’s beloved Christmas lights are being given a Harry Potter twist this year. Alongside the classic star illuminations that we know and love, there’ll be a series of designs inspired by ‘The Boy Who Lived’ to celebrate the release of the new Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone TV show, scheduled to premiere on HBO on Christmas Day. Exact details are still tightly under wraps for now. 

Switch-on date: TBC

Carnaby Street

This year, Carnaby Street’s illuminations are called ‘Press Play on Christmas’ and are inspired by 90s nostalgia. It’s not clear exactly what that will look like yet, but organisers say that there will be a heap of colour and creativity. 

Switch-on date: Wednesday November 4.

Regent Street

These are perhaps the most recognisable festive lights in London. Regent Street is where you’ll find the ‘Spirits of Christmas’ illuminations, which have been going for 10 years now. The sparkling angels are back again this year, but with a secret twist. The street will be closed off to vehicles especially for their switch on. 

Switch-on date: Thursday November 5.

Knightsbridge

Posh Knightsbridge will glow with an eco-friendly collection of Christmas lights made from aluminium and 3,000 recycled plastic bottles. The 12,000 low-energy LED bulbs will be arranged in a design inspired by Knightsbridge’s heritage, grand architecture and the nearby Hyde Park Barracks, home to the Household Cavalry. Look out for the subtle equestrian details hidden within it. 

Switch-on date: Tuesday November 10 

Marylebone Village

To celebrate the switch on of its lights, Marylebone Village will be transformed into a winter wonderland with stalls selling festive food and drink as well as crafts, family entertainment, and even a 55-foot Ferris wheel. The centre of the celebrations will be on Devonshire Street, where BBC broadcaster and local resident Jo Good will host an afternoon of live performances culminating in the official lights switch-on at 6pm, led by a yet-to-be-revealed special celebrity guest.

Switch-on date: Wednesday November 11.  

Covent Garden

Festive season at Covent Garden will officially commence with the switch-on of its 30,000 LED lights. They’ll illuminate the Piazza, Seven Dials, Neal’s Yard and surrounding streets. Look out for the A brand-new installation featuring Christmas trees inspired by West End shows including Mamma Mia, Six and Moulin Rouge The Musical. The enormous gold bells, mirror balls and baubles will also make a return. 

Switch-on date: Thursday November 12. 

Bond Street

Head to Bond Street on the evening November 12 to see its dazzling illumination ceremony. Its 93,000 LED lights have once again been arranged into an opulent design inspired by the Crown Jewels. A live brass band will lead the countdown, with the lights switching on at 7pm. 

Switch-on date: Thursday November 12.  

Chelsea

The King’s Road in Chelsea will be decked out with sparking crowns for Christmas this year, in a nod to its royal ties. Sloan Square, Sloane Street and the surrounding area will also get the festive light treatment. 

Switch-on date: Thursday November 12

Christmas at Kew

There isn’t a switch-on event for the mesmerising lights at Kew Gardens, but they’re worth a mention anyway. Specific details for the 3km light trail this year are yet to be unveiled but expect larger-than-life illuminations, colour projected onto trees and flowers glowing on the lake. Just remember, you need to book tickets in advance. 

Switch-on date: Friday November 13.

Fleet Street

Last year, the Ludgate Circus Christmas lights on Fleet Street were accompanied by a Snoopy sculpture trail and lighting scheme. For 2026, it’s all about Dennis the Menace. Twelve statue installations inspired by the Beano character will be placed across Fleet Street Quarter.  

Switch-on date: November 18

Leadenhall Market

Leadenhall is one of London’s most atmospheric and beautiful festive displays. The arcade will be dressed up in festive garlands, with a light tunnel, live music and a 26ft Christmas tree stood proud in the atrium, There are normally markets that pop-up, too. More details on those will be revealed soon. 

Switch-on date: Thursday November 19. 

St Katharine Docks

Londoners are invited to gather at Marble Quay to witness the Christmas lights at St Katharine Docks turn on for 2026. There’s going to be live music, festive entertainment, a Christmas market and a special appearance from Santa himself.  

Switch-on date: Thursday November 19 

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Not a display as such but still a festive London attraction with a lot of Christmas lights. Last year, Winter Wonderland’s introduced ‘Luminarie Lane’, a marketplace with its own spectacular light installation. It’s returning for another year. There’s also the canopy of 100,000 lights that illuminate’s the fairs ice rink. 

Switch-on date: Thursday November 19.

Chelsea Winter Village

There’s a lot of new stuff to look forward to at Chelsea Winter Village this Christmas. It’s got a new trail designed by ‘Britain’s leading light artists’ which follows a longer route through Ranelagh gardens There are also new interactive installations for kids and new large-scale art pieces. That’s all on top of street food stalls, live choirs, marshmallow roasting, an apres ski bar and craft workshops. 

Switch-on date: Wednesday November 25

The Shard

London’s highest skyscraper will, as in previous years, be transformed into a towering festive display. In 2025, the lights were designed by a Colombian-born artist and member of The Shard’s housekeeping team. We’ll have to wait and see what’s in store this year. 

Switch-on date: Sunday December 1 

Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel.

Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.