London’s festive season starts in earnest in early November, when the first Christmas lights flicker on above the capital’s shopping streets. This year the switch-ons stretch across most of the month, from Carnaby Street on 4 November through to Leadenhall Market, Walworth Road and St Katharine Docks on 19 November.
Not every display has announced its date yet, and this roundup covers only the switch-ons confirmed so far. Where a date is still to be confirmed, it is not listed here — so if your local high street is missing, its announcement may simply not have arrived yet.
Carnaby Street leads the way on 4 November
Carnaby Street gets the season under way on Wednesday 4 November. This year’s display is called “Press Play on Christmas” and takes its inspiration from 1990s nostalgia, reusing thousands of energy-efficient LED lights.
Regent Street’s angels return on 5 November
Regent Street follows on Thursday 5 November with its famous “Spirit of Christmas” lights: 30 illuminated angels and around 300,000 LED lights above Regent Street and the surrounding streets. The free switch-on celebration runs from 5pm to 9pm, with Regent Street temporarily closed to traffic for the evening. Once lit, the lights are illuminated daily from 3pm to midnight, and the display runs until 5 January 2027.
Knightsbridge and Marylebone Village
Knightsbridge switches on from Tuesday 10 November, with more than 12,000 bulbs along Brompton Road and the surrounding streets in the area around Harrods. Marylebone Village follows on Wednesday 11 November, with an event running from 3pm to 8pm and the lights switched on at 6pm, alongside seasonal entertainment and activities.
Three switch-ons on 12 November
Thursday 12 November is the busiest night of the season, with three switch-ons across central and west London. Bond Street lights up with its “Crown Jewel” display, with a switch-on event from 4pm to 8pm, a live brass band countdown and the lights switched on at 7pm. The jewel-themed designs take their inspiration from the Crown Jewels.
Covent Garden also switches on on 12 November, with more than 300,000 lights, gold bells, mirror balls and baubles on the Market Building, a British-grown Christmas tree on the West Piazza, live festive performances and a countdown. The switch-on marks the return of “The Theatre of Christmas”, a seven-week celebration.
Fulham Pier celebrates its first festive season on the same evening, with a switch-on party. Organisers have teased celebrity appearances, a major headline moment and a first for the River Thames, with details yet to be revealed.
Hampstead Village and Fleet Street Quarter
Hampstead Village switches on on Sunday 15 November, with an event from 4pm to 7pm and the lights on at 6pm. Funfair rides, carols, festive food and drink stalls and a visit from Father Christmas and his reindeer are all part of the evening.
The Fleet Street Quarter follows on Wednesday 18 November, with celebrations around Ludgate Circus. The switch-on coincides with the launch of a free Dennis and Gnasher Mega Mischief Trail, featuring 12 decorated sculptures and a nod to the Beano’s Fleet Street connection.
Three more on 19 November
Thursday 19 November brings three further switch-ons. Leadenhall Market lights up with festive garlands, a 26ft Christmas tree and an illuminated tunnel, with the switch-on at 6pm, live music and an artificial snow flurry.
On Walworth Road in Southwark, the designs have been created by children from St Peter’s Primary School, and the lights will be switched on outside Walworth Town Hall by the Mayor of Southwark, Councillor Claire Sheppard. St Katharine Docks, near Tower Bridge, will also see its festive decorations illuminated on 19 November.
All the confirmed dates at a glance
| Date | Location | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 4 November | Carnaby Street | “Press Play on Christmas”, 1990s nostalgia |
| Thursday 5 November | Regent Street | 30 angels, around 300,000 LEDs; free celebration 5pm–9pm |
| Tuesday 10 November | Knightsbridge | 12,000+ bulbs on Brompton Road and nearby streets |
| Wednesday 11 November | Marylebone Village | Event 3pm–8pm, lights on at 6pm |
| Thursday 12 November | Bond Street | “Crown Jewel” lights; event 4pm–8pm, lights on at 7pm |
| Thursday 12 November | Covent Garden | 300,000+ lights; “The Theatre of Christmas” returns |
| Thursday 12 November | Fulham Pier | First festive season switch-on party |
| Sunday 15 November | Hampstead Village | Event 4pm–7pm, lights on at 6pm; funfair, carols, Father Christmas |
| Wednesday 18 November | Fleet Street Quarter | Celebrations around Ludgate Circus; free Dennis and Gnasher trail launches |
| Thursday 19 November | Leadenhall Market | 26ft tree, illuminated tunnel; switch-on at 6pm |
| Thursday 19 November | Walworth Road, Southwark | Designs by St Peter’s Primary School children |
| Thursday 19 November | St Katharine Docks | Festive decorations illuminated |
What is free and what to plan around
Regent Street’s switch-on celebration is explicitly free, and the Fleet Street Quarter’s Dennis and Gnasher trail is free too. The other listings here are public street switch-ons as announced; where no admission detail was given for an event, none is claimed. If you are heading to Regent Street on 5 November, note the road closure to traffic during the 5pm to 9pm celebration, and that the angels then glow daily from 3pm to midnight until 5 January.
With the lights season running alongside the rest of London’s festive calendar — from the return of the Hampton Court ice rink to next summer’s All Points East headliner announcement — November’s switch-ons are the traditional starting gun for Christmas in the capital. Keep an eye out for further dates as more locations confirm their plans.
