The Best London Christmas Lights Walking Route 2025
Huge sparkling Christmas trees, twinkling stars above bustling streets, giant Advent calendars, festive window displays, extravagant shop fronts and iconic sweeping angels floating above shoppers – Christmas in London is truly magical. Follow this ultimate London Christmas lights walking route and discover everything you need to know to visit London at Christmas for an unforgettable trip.
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Christmas in London is pure magic! Historic streets sparkle with twinkling lights, grand department stores transform into festive daydreams, cosy cabins take over parks and line the Thames, and an excited buzz fills the chilly air.
Here, we’ll share with you a self-guided London Christmas lights walking route where you’ll explore some of the city’s most iconic highlights – from the huge glittering angels on Regent Street and Carnaby Street’s bold and creative displays, to the thousands of twinkling stars above Oxford Street and the timeless charm of Covent Garden.
These spots feature on every London Christmas lights tour, but you’ll save yourself the cost with this self-guided route. It’s honestly one of the best free things to do in London at Christmas – you’ll see the very best of the city and soak up so much festive atmosphere.
As well as the London Christmas lights walking route, we’ll also share everything you need to know for your visit – where to stay, the best time to visit, getting around London and insider tips including how to avoid the crowds and which overrated places you can skip.
The full London Christmas lights walking tour comes in at around 9.5 kilometres. Most of the displays are in Central London, and the main stretch between South Bank and Regent Street is 5.8 kilometres. If you continue to Harrods, the route becomes 8.4 kilometres and finishing at Winter Wonderland brings the full distance to 9.5 kilometres.
If you’d prefer to shorten the walk, you can hop on public transport to reach Harrods or Hyde Park instead – we’ll share your options a little further on.
Before we dive in, the map below shows your London Christmas lights walking route.
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Contents
Now, let’s dive into the best London Christmas lights walking route!
London Christmas Lights Walking Route
You’ll start your London Christmas lights walking route at the South Bank Winter Market, one of the top places to visit in London at Christmas. Explore cosy riverside cabins selling warm drinks and street food from around the world.
Then, stroll along the Thames, cross Waterloo Bridge and head straight into Covent Garden (1.3 kilometres). Discover a huge sparkling Christmas tree, giant bells with bows, gigantic baubles hanging from the iconic Market Building, festive pop-ups and LEGO sculptures of Santa and Rudolph.
Soaking up the festive atmosphere and gorgeous decorations in Covent Garden is hands down one of the best things to do in London at Christmas.
When you’re finished soaking up the buzzing atmosphere of Covent Garden, walk through the West End to Trafalgar Square (0.5 kilometres). Here, see the Christmas tree that’s been gifted by Norway since 1947, as a token of their gratitude for Britain’s support during World War II. The most unique thing you’ll see on this London Christmas lights walking route.
There’s always a lot of controversy around the tree with people mocking it for its ‘scrawny’ appearance, especially if you compare it to the tree in Covent Garden. However, I really like the tradition behind it and its symbol of solidarity.
There’s also a Christmas market with an iconic backdrop of the National Gallery, so take a moment to browse the stalls and soak up the Christmas atmosphere.
From Trafalgar Square, head up to Piccadilly Circus, take a left down Piccadilly until you see Fortnum & Mason’s giant Advent calendar and festive window displays (0.8 kilometres). Depending on time and how busy Fortnum & Masons is (sometimes at Christmas, there’s a queue down the street to get in), head inside to browse the luxury gifts and magical Christmas shop.
Seeing Fortnum & Mason’s gorgeous window displays is one of our favourite free things to do in London at Christmas time.
Continue down Piccadilly to The Ritz, beautifully decorated in classic gold and red, before walking through the elegant Burlington Arcade on the other side of the road (0.5 kilometres).
As you head out of Burlington Arcade, turn left and enjoy New Bond Street, one of our absolute favourite places to visit in London at Christmas (0.5 kilometres).
This is London’s most luxurious street, famous for its lavish storefronts, sparkling window displays, and designer façades.
Continue up New Bond Street, take a left on Bruton Street, head through Berkeley Square, and you’ll reach Annabel’s, the most extravagant London Christmas decorations (0.5 kilometres).
Annabel’s Christmas display changes every year, and it’s always the most anticipated. This year, it’s inspired by The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and has transformed the entrance into a huge, oversized wardrobe with a majestic lion standing guard at its centre.
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Head up Berkeley Street and Davies Street, turn right onto Brook Street and walk past the elegant Christmas trees at Claridge’s. Then, turn left up South Molton Street for illuminated blue arches and quaint white Christmas trees (0.6 kilometres).
At the top of South Molton Street is Oxford Street with its Sky Full of Stars for the 4th year – featuring 5,000 sustainable stars and over 300,000 energy-efficient LED lights shining bright above the heads of shoppers. Oxford Street is an absolute must on any London Christmas lights walking route.
Oxford Street has again partnered with Great Ormond Street Hospital to help transform the lives of sick children. You can donate via the Oxford Street website and support GOSH in bringing joy and excitement to children spending Christmas in hospital.
Turn right on Oxford Street, cross Regent Street and have a sneak peek at the iconic angels (you’ll come back to Regent Street soon). Turn right down Argyle Street, cross Great Marlborough Street, and you’ll reach Carnaby Street, another of the absolute best places to visit in London at Christmas (0.8 kilometres).
Carnaby Street always has some of the most bold and creative London Christmas decorations (although 2024 was a little dull compared to previous years in our opinion). Carnaby Street is always one of the best places to visit in London at Christmas, full of festive spirit with historic pubs lit up in twinkling lights and shops perfect for buying gifts.
Head to the end of Carnaby Street, turn right on Beak Street, and you’ll soon meet Regent Street (0.5 kilometres), where the gorgeous sweeping angels float above the heads of Christmas shoppers.
You can choose to finish your London Christmas lights walking route here at 5.8 kilometres. Your next stop is Harrods, which is either a 2.5-kilometre walk, or you can hop on the 22 bus on Conduit Street or take the Piccadilly Line from Piccadilly Circus to Knightsbridge.
Harrods’ Christmas theme is usually a collaboration with a luxury brand, and its entire exterior glows a warm golden hue – it’s absolutely magical.
Our top tip: don’t miss Christmas World, a dazzling festive wonderland filled with gorgeous gifts and decorations (though brace yourself for the price tags!).
After Harrods, head into Hyde Park for one of the best things to do in London at Christmas time – Winter Wonderland! This is London’s biggest festive attraction with cosy cabins, roaring fire pits, huge fairground rides, delicious global street food and all the Christmas spirit you could want.
Winter Wonderland is the final stop on your self-guided London Christmas lights walking tour. It’s a 15-minute walk from Harrods through Hyde Park – it’s impossible to miss, you’ll hear it long before you see it. You’ll need to book tickets online, and prices vary depending on whether you visit during off-peak or peak hours.
Now, let’s dive into everything you need to know to visit London at Christmas for an unforgettable trip.
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Everything You Need to Know to Visit London at Christmas
How to avoid the crowds in London at Christmas
Christmas in London is magical – and busy. Weekends and evenings in December are especially popular as everyone flocks to see the best Christmas decorations in London.
While it’s impossible to completely avoid the crowds, you can limit them and make them more manageable. Here are the tips we’ve learnt over our 8 years of living in London:
- Come in November – Christmas decorations in London begin turning on from the first week in November. By mid-November, all of the major lights are on and most markets are open – with far fewer people.
- Visit mid-week – Monday – Wednesday are the quietest times to visit London at Christmas.
- Explore Christmas markets earlier in the day – most open around 11am, so enjoy lunch and a wander before the evening rush.
- Avoid central tube stations – popular stations can close due to overcrowding. Walking 5-10 minutes to a quieter station is often quicker.
- See the London Christmas lights late at night – Early evenings are the busiest. Have dinner first, then head out around 10pm when the crowds have died down.
Where to stay
Deciding where to stay in London at Christmas depends on the vibe you’re after. Completely immersed in the bustling atmosphere, saving money while still being well-connected, or somewhere you can escape the crowds.
Stay in the heart of London’s best Christmas lights
If you want to be in the heart of London’s magic with stunning displays and vibrant festive atmosphere right on your doorstep, choose a hotel around Covent Garden, Soho or Mayfair. Step outside and you’re instantly surrounded by twinkling stars, decorations, bars, restaurants and shops. As a bonus, you’ll also minimise the need for public transport.
- Covent Garden – feel like you’ve stepped into a movie with the classic London-at-Christmas feel
- Soho – a vibrant area with some of London’s best food and drink spots
- Mayfair – luxury hotels and restaurants, elegant shops and iconic displays
Good hotel options:
- The Henrietta Hotel – Covent Garden – luxury, boutique
- The Ritz – Mayfair – iconic, Christmas luxury
- The Z Hotel Covent Garden – Covent Garden – boutique, mid-range
- Soho Guest House – Soho – mid-range, great location
- Montcalm Piccadilly Town House – Mayfair – mid-range luxury
Budget-friendly places to stay in London at Christmas
London has fantastic transport links, making it easy to stay slightly outside the centre to save money while still reaching the decorations quickly. Some great locations are:
- King’s Cross – excellent transport, great bars and restaurants, and its own Christmas market with festive activities
- Paddington – fantastic budget options, and great for canal walks to escape the hustle and bustle
- South Bank – beside one of London’s most popular Christmas markets, a huge range of bars and restaurants, river views and walking distance to the London Christmas decorations
Good hotel options:
- Paddington Park Hotel – Hyde Park – budget, great location
- Hyde Park Green – Hyde Park – mid-range, fantastic location
- A Place to Stay Premium Central London Apartment – South Bank – budget, excellent location
- Crestfield Hotel – King’s Cross – budget, great location and transport links
- Mentone Hotel – King’s Cross – mid-range, fantastic facilities and location
Best places to stay to escape the crowds
If you’re visiting London at Christmas but want to escape the hustle and bustle after a busy day exploring, choose one of London’s village-like neighbourhoods – cosy pubs, independent cafes and nature close by.
- Hampstead – charming cafes, cosy pubs, a lovely village feel and a huge park with great skyline views of London
- Greenwich – riverside walks, gorgeous old buildings, historic pubs and cobbled streets
- Little Venice – canal walks, cosy pubs and a slower, peaceful pace
- Walthamstow – quaint village feel, sense of community, cosy pubs and independent breweries and close to Epping Forest for winter walks
Good hotel options:
- NOX Belsize Park – Hampstead – mid-range, elegant, boutique
- La Gaffe Bed & Breakfast – Hampstead – mid-range, fantastic location
- The Warrington – Little Venice – mid-range luxury, historical
- Luxury Apartment in East London – Walthamstow – mid-range, cosy
- Ibis London Greenwich – budget, fantastic location
- Admiral Hardy – Greenwich – mid-range, great location
The best time to visit London at Christmas
The best time to visit London at Christmas is mid-week in November. Lights and decorations start appearing from the first week, and by mid-November, most markets are also open.
Visiting in December? Try to avoid the weekends – but if you can’t – use our tips on avoiding the crowds above.
Getting around London
This self-guided London Christmas lights walking tour can be done on foot, as can the major London hotspots – Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, etc. In Central London, walking is often quicker than public transport, particularly with the Christmas crowds.
Buses are a great way of getting around London. One journey costs £1.75, and the Hopper fare lets you take unlimited bus journeys within an hour. Tube journeys cost upwards of £1.80.
Our top tip: don’t buy a travel card, they’re the most expensive way of getting around London. Use your contactless card. This maxes out at £8.90 a day for zones 1 and 2 and £10.50 for zone 3 (the furthest you’ll most likely travel). Citymapper is a great app for navigating around London.
Santander Cycles are a great way of getting around London. You could even do this London Christmas lights walking route by bike. Pay £3.50 for a day pass for unlimited 60-minute rides, or £1.65 for a single 30-minute ride.
For short journeys, Lime e-scooters and e-bikes are also fantastic options.
Places in London you can skip
Here are a few spots that often appear on lists of ‘the best things to do in London’ or ‘places to visit in London’, which you can avoid:
- Leicester Square: always incredibly busy and full of over-priced chain bars and restaurants, only visited by tourists. Skip it! Head to Chinatown or Soho for London’s best food and drink. Leicester Square Christmas Market is the smallest and busiest market in London; it’s a real struggle to move. Also, skip the ice rink – the ice is awful and not resurfaced between groups, which causes dents in the ice which can be quite dangerous. Somerset House is the best spot for ice-skating in London – so magical and such a beautiful location.
- Shopping on Oxford Street: this may be a bit of a controversial one, as Oxford Street is THE place to go shopping in London, or at least it used to be. Now, it’s mostly American candy stores and huge fast fashion chains. Head to Soho’s narrow streets or the quaint Marylebone Village for independent and unique boutiques.
- London Eye: expensive with underwhelming views. Instead, head to one of London’s free viewpoints for sweeping skyline views without paying a penny!
- South Bank Winter Market: OK, telling you to avoid this market altogether is maybe a bit harsh and contradictory, seeing as it’s on this London Christmas lights walking route, but it’s by no means the best Christmas market in London. It’s very busy and except for food and drink, there’s not much there. Our favourite Christmas market and one of the best things to do in London is Winter by the River. It covers much more area, winding its way along the Thames between London Bridge and Tower Bridge with around 60 stalls selling food and drink, handmade gifts, festive winter warmers, and so much more. There are even Christmassy pop-up bars full of festive cheer.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our London Christmas lights walking route. If you have any questions or want to know more about visiting London at Christmas, drop us a comment below and we’ll get back to you – we love helping people make the most of their time in this exciting city.
Make sure to check out some of our other guides on the best things to do in London, restaurant reviews and neighbourhood guides. And, follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with our adventures in real time! 😊
