Winter wonderland: Passengers on a bus travel under Christmas lights on Oxford Street in central London
(Picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)Enjoy the holiday season to the fullest by exploring London’s most beautiful Christmas displays, from Oxford Street’s dazzling stars to Hampton Court Palace’s colourful courtyards and gardens.
Christmas lights across London have been a staple for many decades and deserve to be appreciated.
Here, we round up the confirmed light shows you don’t want to miss.
Oxford Street
If you’re looking for London’s main lighting attractions this winter, it’s well worth popping along to Oxford Street.
The switch-on is set to take place on Wednesday November 2.
Due to the ongoing energy crisis, the famous festive light display will be using energy-efficient LED bulbs and have reduced operating hours this year.
“We’re delighted to be bringing back the Christmas lights to the world-famous Oxford Street this year, with a special twist to treat those who’ve really made a difference in 2022,” said the New West End Company Campaigns and Events Manager Hadas Kulcsar.
As well as magical lights, the retail destination will be donating 100 hampers of food, drinks, and gifts “to those who need it most” and running three ‘Magic Days’ with exclusive offers for high-street shoppers, while launching its new It’s the Love You Give campaign.
W1D, oxfordstreet.co.uk
Kew Gardens
Christmas at Kew enchants every year and this year is no different.
The institution will be illuminated with vivid bursts of colour and more than a million glittering lights, which includes a number of perennial seasonal favourites along with ground-breaking new light installations.
They lights are on from Wednesday November 1 until January 9.
Visitors can fully immerse themselves in the unique mirrored illusion as they cross the lake, and a recreation of the Aurora Borealis.
TW9, kew.org
Lightopia
Lightopia aims to bring the park's history to life with a Christmas light walk that will turn Crystal Palace Park into a winter wonderland of illumination.
From Thursday November 17, you can witness the Crystal Palace Park dinosaurs as you never have before, and their new companions, as Lightopia London bring their own dinosaurs to this Christmas light trail.
SE19, london.lightopiafestival.com
Light Fantastic
Light Fantastic is bringing a twist to the usual walking trails, as a vintage steam train is lit up, along with the woodlands beside the railway, to create a steam-train light trail.
Light Fantastic will turn on their lights on Friday, November 18 until Sunday January 15.
CM16, eorailway.co.uk
Kenwood House
Following a successful launch last year, Kenwood House is back again with Christmas illuminations from Friday December 2.
The trail has been designed to fit in with the natural flora and fauna of Hampstead Heath, with surprises around every corner.
Nestled among the illuminations will be a range of food vendors and fully licensed bars.
Palace of Light
Discover Hampton Court's medieval courtyards and gardens, which have enchanted lighting created by the palace's renowned astronomical clock, installed by King Henry VIII.
Hampton Court Palace will turn on their lights from Wednesday December 7 to January 2.
KT8, hrp.org.uk
Other light spectacles which are yet to be confirmed but still worth checking out include:
- Carnaby Street, W1F
- Covent Garden, WC2E
- Southbank, SE1
