Can you feel it? There’s a nip in the air, a soupcon of sparkle in the shop windows and a general feeling of festive merriment: Christmas is around the corner. And, while you might not have started your gift shopping yet (don’t worry, we’ve got you covered here), you probably have noticed that fairy lights have started appearing across the capital’s tourist hotspots and retail thoroughfares.

London’s Christmas lights are back in a big way this year – replete with switch-on extravaganzas that aren’t to be missed. From Mayfair to Chelsea, Covent Garden to the City, don’t miss the chance to see London in all its bedazzled beauty…

Carnaby Street, Soho: 7 November

Carnaby Street’s world-famous light displays are Instagram catnip for the masses. The buzzy street will be illuminated from 7 November 2024, with a brand-new ‘Into The Light’ installation designed by Sculptivate seeing 6m-long light forms suspended above the street, which will come alive with hourly light displays. Set to retunr annually for the next fiv eyears, the focus here is also on sustainability, with the installation making use of more than 60,000 energy-efficient LED bulbs. Head to carnaby from 4pm on 7 November to be the first to witness them.

Visit carnaby.co.uk

Regent Street and St James’s, West End: 7 November

Regent Street and St James’s festive light display, The Spirit of Christmas, will illuminate the skies from 7 November 2024. The sparkling canopy of lights will be comprised of more than 50 large-scale spirits, soaring above Regent Street, Regent Street St James’s, Piccadilly and Jermyn Street, and will be visible from the early evening. Powered by green energy, the 300,000-light scheme is made up of low-energy LED bulbs which operate on a timer, conserving energy during daylight hours and overnight.

Visit regentstreetonline.com

Covent Garden, West End: 12 November

Covent Garden piazza will come alive on 12 November 2024, with a festive light display featuring more than 260,000 dazzling bulbs, and an impressive 55ft Christmas tree, adorned with a further 30,000 twinkling lights. The festive decor will also extend into the market, which will see the return of its famous giant baubles, bells, and mirror balls, alongside 275kg of glitter and 29 miles of gold leaf. Visitors can also expect exclusive pop-ups, Christmas offers and in-store promotions, alongside over 1,000 weatherproof outdoor dining seats across 55 restaurants promising the chance to experience the magical festive scheme from all angles.

Visit coventgarden.london

Marylebone Village: 13 November

Head down to charming Marylebone Village from 3-8pm on 13 November 2024 to celebrate Merry Marylebone and the switching on of the beautiful Christmas light display in support of mental health charity partner, Great Ormond Street Hospital. To mark the unveiling, retailers and restaurants will be offering exclusive promotions, festive experiences, gifts with purchase and specially curated menus throughout the day. Alongside special in-store discounts, a variety of exciting activities will take place across the village, including a charity tombola, artisan food and gift stalls, live music, a Santa’s grotto, fairground rides and a celebrity switch-on moment. 

Visit marylebonevillage.com

Ever After Garden at Grosvenor Square, Mayfair: 14 November

One of the capital’s most elegant and expensive neighbourhoods, Mayfair’s iconic Grosvenor Square will turn its attention to the spirit of giving this Christmas as the Ever After Garden returns to Grosvenor Square on 14 November 2024. The brainchild of designer Anya Hindmarch and writer Camilla Morton following the death of their friend Michael Howells, this moving display of 20,000 illuminated white roses is designed to commemorate loved ones while raising money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. The garden is free to view but a donation of £10 is recommended for those wishing to sponsor a rose in memory of a friend or family member, with the Garden having raised mroe then £250,000 since its first edition in 2019.

Visit mayfairldn.com

Savile Row, Mayfair: 14 November

London's home to tailoring excellence will turn on its festive display of lights inspired by, what else, a pair of shears on 14 November 2024. Multiple pairs of twinkling shears will be suspended above Savile Row while the street's tailors will deck out their windows in seasonal adornments. Perfect to get you in the mood for commissioning a new bespoke tux or picking up a pair of velvet slippers for party season.

Visit onsavilerow.com

Leadenhall Market, City of London: 14 November

Festive revellers can enjoy Leadenhall Market in all its illuminated Victorian splendour on 14 November 2024, when it will be flanked by a giant Christmas tree, festooned with colour-changing LED lights and crowned with beautiful fir tree garlands. As part of the much-loved annual ceremony, the Lord Mayor of London will switch on the lights at 6pm, accompanied by a twinkling light tunnel in Beehive Passage as well as late-night shopping, workshops and festive guided tours.

Visit leadenhallmarket.co.uk

Chelsea: 16 November

Head to the iconic King’s Road, as well as nearby Duke of York Square and Sloane Square, for the grand unveiling of the Chelsea Christmas lights on 16 November 2024. The street will be part-pedestrianised with a festive market and a roster of fun activities from midday, including meeting Santa’s reindeer and face painting alongside mulled wine and festive fizz. Three stages will host live entertainment throughout the day with Father Christmas himself switching on the lights at 5pm, followed by a Santa’s Grotto and pop-ups from local businesses.

Visit chelseachristmas.co.uk

Belgravia: 17 November

The charming streets of Belgravia will be illuminated from 17 November 2024, with the launch of a festive trail featuring beautiful installations across the picturesque neighbourhood, spanning Motcomb Street, Elizabeth Street, Pimlico Road, Eccleston Yards and Halkin Arcade. The London Gay Men’s Chorus and the Fulham Brass Band will be performing a moving set throughout the day, while Santa and two of his reindeer will visit Motcomb Street from 11am to 4pm – be sure to say hello to The Snowman from Sadler’s Wells and characters from The Nutcracker while you're there. Prinicipal Ballerina Marianela Nunez will switch on the lights on Elizabeth Street at 3.45pm while there will be a Crhistmas market in Eccleston Yard as well as seasonal offers, treats, and in-store events at retailers across the neighbourhood.

Visit belgravialdn.com

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