- This post has been updated for 2021 events -
London is a fantastic city to visit all year round, but during Christmas time the city turns into spectacle of lights, beautifully decorated Christmas trees, festive cheer and fabulous shop displays! There are always so many activities to do and new places to see. almost every restaurant or coffee shop will have a festive menu available throughout December. During the last 3 years (and probably because of Instagram) the decorations got bigger, brighter, and better every year. So much so, I believe a lot of tourists come to visit London during Christmas time just to soak in the atmosphere of the city, feel that Christmas vibe and admire those famous Christmas lights. That is why I wanted to share few of my tips on festive locations to see in London.
It is not only the Christmas lights above the streets that make a wow effect, there are also many restaurants which try to outdo themselves to have better decorations and get more Instagram-worthy photographs taken. If you are visiting London at Christmas time here is my list of must see places:
The best thing about Christmas lights and decorations is that they are on main streets, close to each other and they can be admired from mid November throughout whole of December and into first week of January. So a Christmas crawl from street to street can be a good idea too.
Without further ado, here is where to find best Christmas decorations and places of interest in London in 2021 (with some of past photos from 2019 & 2020 and tips).
1. Christmas Lights:
As I mentioned earlier majority of Christmas lights are switched on as early as begining of November, and each street or area has a big 'switch on event' with celebrities in attendance, concerts or music events - these are great events to be part of if you are able to be in London during that time. In 2021 due to current world situation, there are no 'switch on events' but just dates when the lights offically switch on in the area or a certain street. If you travel to London around 15th November you should see majority of the lights on already.
Photo: Regent Street at 7 am (2019)
Regent Street - the most impressive and iconic of all London lights (according to me) are these flying glittering angels playing trumpets hung above the whole length of the street, they are majestic not because of the size, but are the true spectacle when you see them when it is dark.
If you want to photograph them or admire in peace, your best chance is to do it in the early morning. You may have few delivery vans though but the streets will be crowd free. Regent street is the main shopping street of West End and shops close later during Christmas time so you have shoppers and tourists till the late hours of the evening. Did you know that Regent Street started tradition of Christmas Lights in 1954!
HOW TO GET THERE: Closest Tube Station: Oxford Circus or Piccadilly Circus
Oxford Street has some new lights display, and thankfully in 2021 it is dotted with lots of stars above the street. I really liked the huge baubles of previous years and not so much impressed with last year LED Light curtains. Even though the aim of the artist in 2020 was to create the Northern Lights effect, I did not think it gave that impression. So I am happy to see new shimmering star lights that are more 'christmassy' than last year installation.
This street is again one of the busiest shopping streets especially at Christmas time, so if you would like to admire the beauty of this street, early mornings would be best.
My hidden gem location I wrote about here, located off Oxford Street, St Christopher Place had also some great show of Christmas lights in the past (2020 had female figures perched above glowing orbs). This year you will see huge baulbs accompanied by smaller ones. It is also a great hideaway from the madness of Oxford street shoppers! Although my secret is not so much of a secret anymore and I observe it being busier and busier every time I visit!
HOW TO GET THERE: Closest Tube Station: Oxford Circus, Bond Street, Marble Arch, Tottenham Court Rd.
For Christopher's Place, the closest is Bond Street Station.
Photo: New Bond Street at 7 am
New Bond Street - this luxury shopping street is way quieter than the previous two, but still a side street to Oxford street (close to John Lewis Department Store). The peacock feather inspired lights spread out over the street as a single feather or a unique circular peacock feather design. This may not be your first festive connotation but it is a very unique decoration referring back to 1700s and early fashionistas who would have promenaded the street, who were thought to be the peacocks of that day.
HOW TO GET THERE: Closest tube station: Oxford Circus, Bond Street.
Carnaby Street - known for pushing trailblazing Christmas looks, also has edgy and funky lights, every year with a different theme. In the past we admired The Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody theme, then in 2019 the street championed environmentalism with “One Ocean One Planet" theme focused on sustainability and ocean conservation. And this year it will be over 600 sparkling butterflies. As it is boutique shopping street it also gets busy, especially in the evening with diners flooding to Kingsley court (worth visiting for a meal) so if you want to stroll the street with your head up, make sure you visit before 10 am when the crowds are minimal.
HOW TO GET THERE: Closest tube station: Oxford Circus, behind Liberty Department Store.
Last but not least, South Molton Street which is a side street to Oxford Street located in Mayfair. The triangular-shaped archways and magical fairy lights above South Molton Street make it a breathtaking street to walk down at night - truly winter wonderland feel.
2. Ice-skating rings
Each year there are ice-skating rings appearing in new areas of the city. As a huge fan of ice-skating I am observing this trend with a close eye. National History Museum ring gives you great backdrop of a historical building, and definitely a photo opportunity that will be worth sharing.
But let's not forget other great building with beautiful ice-rings, as an example at Somerset House, which is my personal favourite, not only because of the great backdrop of a building or gigantic Christmas tree, but because they have the professional ice-hockey skates and not the plastic or figure skates (no offence to figure skaters here). My third choice for ice-skating ring, would be a bit further north, and perhaps not with all the Christmas vibe of central London locations, Alexandra Palace ice-skating ring. An added bonus would be a panoramic view of London from the top.
3. Shops & Restaurants:
If you are looking for best decorated shops and their displays, there are plenty of them in London, but most impressive are probably Cartier's store, Harrods, and Liberty, as well as Fortnum & Mason. All of them look stunning and you can tell they put a lot of effort and thought into the design, lights and theme of their displays.
Nonetheless, restaurants are also keeping the pace: as an example private member's club - Annabel's with it's gigantic installations e.g. Christmas Tree of the past years, Ivy Chelsea Garden restaurants upped their game this year and they themed its decor with Frozen movie in mind. Ivy Market Grill in Covent Garden opt for nutcracker theme, Closs Maggiore penguins and Santa sledge, and Balthazar with cake looking entrance and a ginger man cookie. All great places for a bite and great photo opportunity.
Photo: Restaurant front in Covent Garden
At Liberty you can do your Christmas shopping and admire window display decoration. Also you will find a top floor converted into Christmas shop where you can buy all things Christmas (and trust me you will find things you never thought of)
Photo: Covent Garden Market
3. London Areas
My favourite area and one I would strongly recommend visiting at Christmas time is Covent Garden - what is the reason, you may ask. There is so much happening there, and you can admire so many beautiful decorations in restaurants and shops, huge Christmas Tree on the side of the Piazza building. For the past few years the biggest attraction on the piazza was giant reindeer; however last year we had Christmas trees, and Tiffany & Co Winter wonderland. Another interesting spot and great photo opportunity is infinity chamber between Long Acre and Floral Street, it was so successful in 2018 that it stayed all year round to attract people, and during 2021 Christmas time the chamber has Frozen takeover. Once you are on Long Acre, you cannot miss the decorations on St Martins Court which is also impressive and changes every year (opposite infinity chamber).
The main attraction and most festive decor must be the inside of the historic Market building with 37 giant mistletoes chandeliers, 8 huge mirror baubles, and 5 silver baubles that take 10 people 2 full weeks to install! There are also other decorations and they may change every year. And most recent attraction to highlight your visit to Covent Garden is experience of a (fake) snowfall every hour from 11 am to 5 pm on the hour - how cool is that?!
Photo: Trafalgar Square with National Gallery
Just 5 minute walk from Covent Garden Trafalgar Square has an iconic 25 meter high tree that is gifted from city of Oslo to the people of London annually since 1947 as a gratitude for helping Norway during the war years 1940 - 1945. The tree is chopped in November, to arrive in London via vessel as Vikings did in the past.
Last year you were also able to find Christmas Market huts in front of National Gallery where you could have German Bradwurts, mulled wine, minced pies and hot chocolate to choose from.
Of course, there are plenty more beautiful places in London to see over Christmas period but these are my favourite and places I think are worth seeing. Have you got any other recommendations?
Festive travels
Izabelita