London Christmas lights walking route (the Christmas Lights in London map you need!)
This is an article describing Christmas decorations in London in 2022.
To see the latest decorations from 2023, CLICK HERE.
See 16 beautiful Christmas lights (and decorations) in London in less than 2 hours!
Carnaby Street (2022)
Distance to cover: 3.1 miles (5 km)
LONDON CHRISTMAS LIGHTS WALKING ROUTE MAP
If you click on the map, a new window will open for live navigation in the field.
PART 1
(points 1-10)
PART 2
(points 10-16)
Covent Garden at Christmas
I recommend you start this London Christmas Lights Walking tour by seeing Covent Garden.
Covent Garden (2023)
You can always count on Covent Garden to provide a real festive experience.
When you reach this famous London square, have a proper walk around Covent Garden Piazza as the Christmas decorations are placed all the way around it.
Covent Garden (2022)
Make sure that you explore the inside of the market too!
In 2023, you can see there (among many other things) the gigantic bells and red baubles.
Covent Garden (2023)
Covent Garden tube station is the most convenient transport link to get to this place.
2. The Strand
The second point on this walk is a historical London street that links Waterloo Bridge with Trafalgar Square - the Strand.
This street is well decorated during all national celebrations, and Christmas is one of the occasions for Strand to shine too (and it does shine every year!)
Strand (2022)
So have a stroll along this street. Next, go towards Trafalgar Square.
3. Norwegian Christmas tree at Trafalgar Square.
Every year since 1947, from early December until the 6th of January, you can see in Trafalgar Square a 20-meter tall Christmas tree.
This particular tree, each year, comes from Norway.
Why does Norway sents the Christmas Tree to London every year?
The history of this tradition goes back to Second World War.
After Norway was invaded by Nazi Germany in April 1940, Norwegian King Haakon (who rejected German demands after the invasion) left his country and found safety in the British capital.
For 5 years of war, he was operating from his official residence at no 10 Palace Green in Kensington.
In 1942 one of the Norwegian commandos (fighting in resistance) sent a to his King in exile in London a gift - a 20-meter-long Christmas tree.
Traflagar Square (2022)
The Norwegian King and his host King George VI were impressed and moved by this effort.
The father of the late Queen Elizabeth II decided that the tree should be installed in Trafalgar Square as a (green) symbol of friendship and hope.
The tree was unilluminated back in 1942.
The UK government, trying to make the Luftwaffe air raids less successful, banned non-essential lights during the night introducing so-called blackouts.
After the defeat of Germany, the Norwegian King returned to his country.
However, every year since 1947, Norway has been sending similar Christmas trees to London as a continuous thank-you gesture for Britain's help during WWII.
Every year, at Trafalgar Square, you can enjoy a Christmas Market as well.
4. Waterloo Place & Regent Street Saint James's
From Trafalgar Square, I recommend you to carry on walking on Pall Mall East until you reach the street called Waterloo Place.
Waterloo Place (2022)
This street is easy to find as on this street, in front of Sofitel London St James Hotel (a 5-star hotel), you can see a beautifully placed Christmas tree.
Waterloo Place (2022)
Behind it, the beautiful Christmas lights of Regent Street Saint James's.
5. Carlton Street & Norris Street
Walk along Regent Street Saint James's until you reach Carlton Street.
Follow this narrow street and go towards Norris Street. You will find there beautiful Christmas decorations.
Carlton Street (2022)
St James's Mkt (2022)
Two very charming little streets. There are missed by many.
6. Leicester Square
Leicester Square (2022)
Leicester Square (2022)
The next stop on this walk is Leicester Square and its, usually very busy, Christmas Market.
If you are familiar with my post about Movie Statues in Leicester Square, please note some of the statues from this post during Christmas are covered or moved.
However, you will be pleased to know that Mary Poppins, Batman, and Mr. Bean are still there, spreading joy.
Mr. Bean is located by one of the gates to the market.
He sits on the box, which looks very much like a Christmas gift!
Leicester Square (2022)
7. Piccadilly Circus
By many, the area around Piccadilly Circus tube station is described as the best-decorated spot in London during Christmas.
I will not argue with that!
Piccadilly Circus (2022)
Streets here are always busy with cars (and people).
Whichever way you look, you will see beautiful flying figures.
Some of the figures depict the iconic Piccadilly Statue - Eros holding an arrow.
Piccadilly Circus (2022)
A charming spot where you can spend hours staring at beautiful Christmas lights.
Christmas decorations are nicely combining there with red buses, passing this junction every couple of minutes.
Piccadilly Circus/ Waterloo Place (2022)
You might have a temptation to go towards a beautiful curvy street called Regent Street…
Piccadilly Circus (2022)
…but trust me for a moment, and go towards Jeremy Street instead.
Don’t worry, this walking trail will take you back to Regents Street soon.
Before that, there are a few things you need to see.
8. Jermyn Street
Jermyn Street (2022)
Jermyn Street is a narrow street running parallel to Piccadilly Street.
It is definitely worth visiting during the Christmas period.
You can find there beautiful flying figures with wings.
Are they angels or butterflies…?
Next, follow the flying figures and walk along Jermys Street until you reach Duke Street Saint James’s.
Then turn right into this street. You will soon start seeing beautiful…
9. …Christmas decorations at Fortnum & Mason
Fortnum & Mason (2022)
Fortnum & Mason at Piccadilly is a unique department store within walking distance from Piccadilly Circus and Green Park tube stations.
It is particularly famous for serving excellent traditional afternoon tea (so-called Hight Tea).
Among other things, this shop year-to-year provides a great Christmas experience.
I recommend you to visit this iconic place at a round hour.
The reason for that is the mechanical clock installed above the main entrance.
Fortnum & Mason (2022)
The clock is a tribute to the 18th-century founders of this shop - William Fortnum and Hugh Mason.
They established the very first Fortnum & Mason shop in this exact location in 1707. Current building was rebuilt in 1927.
Every round hour, the figures of William Fortnum and Hugh Mason come out from the tiny doors above the main entrance and bow to each other, accompanied by the 18th-century melody.
Fortnum & Mason (2022)
This, combined with the superb Christmas decorations outside and inside the shop, makes the trip to this iconic London spot worthwhile.
In 2022, the decorations on windows at this shop look like advent calendar.
Fortnum & Mason (2022)
Posh it appears and posh it is…
In 2012, the late Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Consor Camilla, and Catherine (Duchess of Cambridge) made a joint visit to Fortnum & Mason.
Even if you are not planning on having a High Tea, step inside Fortnum & Mason shop for a few minutes.
Is worth it!
10. Old Bond Street & New Bond Street
Old Bond Street (2022)
The Christmas lights at Old Bond Street and New Bond Street will be on from the 17th of November.
Old Bond Street (2022)
The beautiful lights on these streets are inspired by the Crown Jewels (it is a location of some high-end jewelry stores, after all!).
You will see there Christmas lights depicting tiaras, necklaces, and many more.
Old Bond Street (2022)
Old Bond Street (2022)
New Bond Street (2022)
Would you risk not seeing that?
Location of Old Bond Street:
Location of New Bond Street:
11. (Very blue) South Molton Street
The next point on this walk, South Molton Street, is dominated by one color - blue.
South Molton Street (2022)
Have a stroll along South Molton Street.
It is a wonderful Christmas experience!
It is also a great place for a break if you need one.
This street is full of unusual benches to sit on.
Walk all the way until you reach Bond Street Station and Oxford Street.
12. Oxford Street
You have two options, when you reach Oxford Street.
My Christmas trail will take you towards Oxford Street tube station (the option to go right).
However, it is worth taking a short detour left to see the Christmas decoration inside and outside Selfridges (another department store).
On the way to Oxford Street tube station, you will see eye-catching Christmas decorations at John Lewis and Swarovski.
Oxford Street (2022)
There is also no shortage of street Christmas lights to see on Oxford Street.
Oxford Street (2022)
13. Regent Street
As I promised earlier, we are going back to beautiful Regent Street.
Regent Street (2022)
The Christmas lights on this street are simply breathtaking.
Regent Street (2022)
A lot of people, plenty of red buses, and countless shops.
One particularly tempting is Läderach (chocolate shop).
It is located only steps away from the Oxford tube station.
14. Liberty
Liberty is a department store with high-end fashion and luxury homeware known for its floral print fabrics.
It is located on Great Marlborough Street, just off Regent Street.
Liberty (2022)
Liberty was founded in 1875.
Its beautiful building is well-decorated during Christmas.
I strongly encourage you to step inside to see its unique architecture and the rather unusual Christmas tree.
Liberty (2022)
The tree hangs above the heads of visitors!
15. Carnaby Street
Next, follow the Great Marlborough Street, until you see sign pointing at the Carnaby Street (to the right).
Carnaby Street (2022)
Carnaby Street is pedestrianized street in Soho, and one of the most colorful streets in London.
Carnaby Street (2022)
Always full of people…
Carnaby Street (2022)
Carnaby Street (2022)
Simply enjoy the experience…
16. Last but not least… Hamleys!
Hamleys is heaven for kids.
It is a multi-story toy shop where customers are beeing served by Elves!
Step inside and wander around all floors.
I guarantee, magic will happen!
What you will see there is a set of toys and many cheerful (often dancing) Elves.
What not to love about that?!!!
Additional tip: if you ever happen to be around this shop couple of minutes before its opening, you will have a chance to witness a unique ceremony. The first client waiting in a queue usually makes the honor of holding the bell announcing the opening.
It happened to me once, and I must admit, it put a smile on my face back then…
Merry Christmas,
An
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