London’s Christmas light switch-on events for 2024
As the festive season approaches, London comes alive with vibrant Christmas lights that illuminate the streets, creating a magical atmosphere. From Oxford Street’s starry displays to Regent Street’s Spirit of Christmas and the towering tree in Trafalgar Square, the city will showcase a dazzling array of decorations throughout November, December and early January. Here’s a roundup of when and where you can experience the best of London’s Christmas light switch-on events for 2024.
Regent’s Street, The Spirit of Christmas display 2023. Image by MTotoe.
Oxford Street
#FLODown: The Christmas lights on Oxford Street will be switched on from 5 November 2024, making it the first area in London to light up for the festive season. This year, 300,000 energy-efficient LED stars will be used to decorate the street. On 7 December, ‘A Big Day of Joy’ will feature live performances and activities in support of the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity.
Date: 5 November 2024.
Regent Street and St James’s
Regent Street and St James’s will light up the night sky on 7 November 2024, bringing back the famous ‘Spirit of Christmas’ angels. Additional streets will also be lit this year, including a new Wishing Tree in St James’s Market, with a total of 300,000 low-energy LEDs in the display.
Date: 7 November 2024.
Carnaby Street Christmas lights display 2023. Image by MTotoe.
Carnaby Street
#FLODown: Carnaby Street’s lights will also be switched on from 7 November 2024. The theme for this year is ‘Into the Light,’ featuring six-metre-long sculptural light forms and hourly displays.
Date: 7 November 2024. carnaby.co.uk.
Covent Garden
#FLODown: Covent Garden’s festive display is set to switch on from 12 November 2024, showcasing the return of its iconic 55-foot Christmas tree. Last year’s installation featured 40 gigantic bells, 12 giant baubles, and 140,000 LED lights, and this year’s display promises to be equally thrilling. While more details are yet to be announced, it is confirmed that the Seven Dials area will debut a brand-new lighting scheme.
Date: 12 November 2024. coventgarden.london.
Covent Garden Christmas display 2023. Image by MTotoe.
Marylebone Village
#FLODown: Marylebone Village will host its annual Christmas event on 13 November 2024, switching on the lights at 6 pm. There will also be festive activities like a ferris wheel and Santa’s grotto. Click here for more details.
Date: 13 November 2024. Time: 3-8pm.
Old Spitalfields Market
#FLODown: Old Spitalfields Market will light up at 5.30 pm on 13 November 2024, with live music and children’s workshops planned as part of the celebration.
Date: 13 November 2024. Time: 5.30pm.
Marylebone Village Christmas display.
Leadenhall Market
#FLODown: Market’s Christmas lights will go on from 14 November 2024, featuring a large central Christmas tree and colour-changing LED lights. The switch-on will be led by the Lord Mayor of London.
Date: 14 November 2024. Time: from 5.30pm. leadenhallmarket.co.uk.
The Shard
#FLODown: Gareth Malone, OBE, will lead The Shard’s 2024 Christmas light switch-on with a performance of We Wish You a Merry Christmas on 14th November. Held 78 floors up, it will be the highest-ever carol recital, with a light show visible from over 40 miles.
Date: from 14 November 2024.
Hew Locke with The Watchers, the British Museum © Richard Cannon.
Chelsea
#FLODown: The Chelsea Christmas Lights Switch-On will take place on 16 November 2024, with a family-friendly celebration. The King’s Road will feature a Christmas market, pop-ups, face painting, festive drinks, and entertainment across three stages, including performances along Sloane Street. At 5pm, Father Christmas and a local child will switch on the lights at Duke of York Square, accompanied by lights, music, and fresh snow.
Date: 16 November 2024. kingsroad.co.uk.
Belgravia
#FLODown: Mark your calendars for Belgravia’s Christmas lights switch-on party on, 17 November, from 11 am to 4 pm. The twinkling lights will be switched on at 4 pm on Elizabeth Street. Enjoy shopping for unique gifts in local independent stores, meet Father Christmas and his reindeer, and greet The Snowman from Sadler’s Wells.
Date: 17 November 2024. Time: 11am – 4pm. belgravialdn.com.
Christmas at Kew 2023. Image by MTotoe.
Trafalgar Square
#FLODown: Trafalgar Square’s iconic 20-metre Christmas tree from Norway will return for the festive season, with the lights switching on during a ceremony on the evening of 5 December 2024. The event will be attended by the Mayor of Westminster and the Norwegian Ambassador.
Date: 5 December 2024.
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: 13 November 2024 - 5 January 2025. Location: Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE. Price: from £21.50. Book now.
