Christmas is coming, and what better way to get in the mood for the forthcoming season of goodwill than by wrapping up warm and heading out to see some festive lights?
While many of the capital’s streets and boroughs are cutting back on their light displays this year in the wake of the cost-of-living crisis and soaring electricity bills, there are still plenty of options when it comes to following a light trail as part of your Christmas celebrations.
Many of the usual places – such as Oxford Street and Kew Gardens for example – have kept their lights on, but they’re not the only locations offering festive trails this year.
So, if you want to bring a spot of pre-Christmas sparkle to your life, read on to find out where you can catch the best festive lights this year…
Oxford Street
Oxford Street’s festive lights are a treat for the eyes this year, as the iconic shopping destination is festooned with over 5,000 illuminated stars – and best of all, they’re completely free to view.
However you’ll have to pick your hours carefully as the lights – which were switched on at the start of November – are only on for eight hours a day this year, from 3-11pm, in the wake of the rising energy costs the country is facing.
It is expected this will reduce energy usage by up to two thirds compared to previous years, when the lights have been on for 24 hours through November and December.
You can find out more here.
Until January 8, Oxford Street, W1
Regent Street
Regent Street’s lights are on the theme of The Spirit Of Christmas this year, bringing lavish golden angels to the shopping street.
The lights, which cover Regent Street and the St James neighbourhoods, were switched on on November 9, and like the Oxford St lights are switched on between 3 and 11pm for what the website calls ’a more sustainable display’.
Until January 3, Regent Street, W1
Covent Garden
A visit to Covent Garden will certainly get you in the festive spirit this year, with the central London destination offering a whole lot of lights – from 11am until midnight every day until January 3 – as well as other seasonal delights.
Visitors can also enjoy pop-up shops, daily ‘snow showers’ as well as festive food treats and mulled wine – with over 40 different varieties being poured across the estate.
And if all that’s not enough, you can even perch in the Christmas sleigh in the West Piazza, which is open for photo opportunities from 9am until 9pm daily.
Until January 3, Covent Garden, WC2E 9DD
Carnaby Street
Just a stone’s throw from Oxford Street, Carnaby Street is celebrating 25 years of its light displays with a cavalcade of pop culture that channels the lyrics to Bohemian Rhapsody in big neon letters. There’s also a cheeky nod to the Rolling Stones with some giant glittering tongues thrown in.
Look out too for oversized robins, a giant snowman and the display’s take on scenes from Under The Sea, as well as a globe in keeping with theme of ‘Carnaby Welcomes the World’.
It’s completely free to visit, and you can find out more here.
Until January 8, Carnaby Street, W1F 9PS
Southbank
The Winter Festival returns to the Southbank, complete with its Winter Light exhibition, a free display of lightworks that’ll be illuminating the area throughout the festive season.
You can enjoy the display for free as you stroll alongside the Thames, while also taking advantage of the area’s winter market, free shows and exhibitions and festive food and drink – or even trying your hand at curling.
For more information, including which events won’t cost you a penny, visit the Southbank website.
Until January 8, Southbank Centre, SE1 9GY
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace Park has been taken over by huge dragons, giant Christmas trees made of balls of light, along with snowmen, gingerbread men, massive light-up rabbits with wings and horns, and immense stags leaping into the night sky.
It’s all part of Lightopia, a magical, award-winning experience that you can truly immerse yourself in, with coloured snakes to hop along, tunnels to go through and musical notes to jump upon. Spectacular doesn’t nearly cover it.
You can visit the website for more information and tickets.
Until January 2, Crystal Palace Park, Thicket Road, SE19 2GA
Kew Gardens
One of the most famous light trails of the season, Christmas at Kew offers a full-on festive experience, with over 2km of lights to walk through.
Along the way you’ll have the chance to sample festive food and drink, check out elaborate flames in the fire garden – and possibly even say hello to Santa himself.,
Entry for this one is ticketed, and you can find out full details on the official website.
Until January 8, Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE
Hampton Court
It’s a thing of sheer beauty on any day of the week, so you can only imagine how luminous Hampton Court gets when they pull out the big guns.
This year’s Palace Of Light trail is its biggest ever – twice the size of last year’s display – taking you on a ramble through both wilderness and formal gardens as you pass glittering unicorns, panthers, lions and greyhounds with that magnificent lit-up palace as your backdrop. And there’s great street food, too.
You can find out more information and book tickets at the official website.
December 7 – January 2, Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, KT8 9AU
WWT London Wetland Centre
The magic of nature meets the magic of light in Illuminature, a beautiful transformation of one of the capital’s natural wonders into a sparkly, sparkly night. Come across huge animals made of light, including giant colour-changing otters and outsize crane and heron sculptures, or grab a selfie that gives you angel wings.
Add magnified pond critters, an illuminated spider’s web, light tunnels and watery projections and you’re looking at a full-scale Christmas assault on the senses.
More information and tickets at the website.
Until January 8, London Wetland Centre, Barnes, SW13 9WT
Epping Ongar Railway
Light Fantastic is a light trail with a twist, in that you do it on a steam train. How Polar Express!
The specially designed show, on the Epping-Ongar Railway (formerly part of London’s Central Line in the heart of Essex), has been created to show off the stations, the countryside, the woodland…all while you’re tucked up nice and warm in an illuminated train carriage with music playing as you get ready for the story to unfold, with displays appearing before your very eyes as you toot-toot along the tracks. Magical and then some.
You can find out more about it here.
Selected dates until January 15, Ongar station, Station Approach, CM5 9BN
Kenwood
They like to refer to it as ‘the UK’s most mesmerising Christmas light trail’ – and seeing as no one has yet invented the ‘mesmerometer’, we’re going to have to take their word for it. The evidence is strong.
The beautiful, neoclassical façade of Kenwood House is a backdrop for spectacular projections, even before you step on to a trail through lit-up trees and arches of sparkle, passing flowers that explode with fire.
You can find out more information and book tickets here.
December 2 – January 1, Kenwood House, Hampstead Lane, NW3 7JR
Eltham Palace
Come Christmas, Eltham Palace is transformed into Enchanted Eltham with the Great Hall bathed in light, the grounds and gardens dotted, splashed and saturated with colour and glasses of mulled wine and toasted marshmallows to enjoy against that beautiful historical backdrop and draw you through the whole experience.
You also get a go on a traditional fairground ride and even do your Christmas shopping. Give it the old razzle-dazzle in high royal style. Visit the website for more information.
December 2-30, Eltham Palace and Gardens, SE9 5QE
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