London Christmas Lights Walking Route with Map
Text & photography by Anna Kmiecik, private tour guide in London.
Below you’ll find a walking route through the streets of London, which every year transform into a true kingdom of Christmas lights.
Distance to cover: 3.2 mile (5.2 km)
See 15 beautiful Christmas lights (and decorations) in London in less than 2 hours!
Note: The decorations usually appear around mid-November and can be admired until around January 6th. Also this walk is most enjoyable when done after dark :)
Maps tell the route, I tell the stories!
Discover Oxford, London, or Cambridge with An on a private, tailor-made tour.
To inquire about my availability for bespoke private walks, please contact me at:
contact@walkmeblog.com
+44 7742098448
or reach out via my social media channels.contact@walkmeblog.com
LONDON CHRISTMAS LIGHTS WALKING ROUTE MAP
Covent Garden at Christmas
I recommend you start this London Christmas Lights Walking tour by seeing Covent Garden.
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.
Make sure that you explore the inside of the market too!
In 2025, you can see there (among many other things) the gigantic bells and red baubles.
Covent Garden tube station is the most convenient transport link to get to this place.
2. 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.
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.
3. Waterloo Place
From Trafalgar Square, I recommend you to carry on walking on Pall Mall East until you reach the street called Waterloo Place.
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.
Behind it, the beautiful Christmas lights of Regent Street Saint James's.
4. 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!
Streets here are always busy with cars (and people).
Whichever way you look, you will see beautiful flying figures.
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.
You might have a temptation to go towards a beautiful curvy street called Regent Street…
…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.
5. Jermyn Street
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…
6. Piccadilly Arcade
Piccadilly Arcade is an elegant covered shopping arcade, connecting Piccadilly with Jermyn Street. Inside, it houses luxury boutiques, classic men’s fashion stores, and jewelry shops, all retaining the charm of historic London.
7. Fortnum & Mason
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.
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.
This, combined with the superb Christmas decorations outside and inside the shop, makes the trip to this iconic London spot worthwhile.
Even if you are not planning on having a High Tea, step inside Fortnum & Mason shop for a few minutes.
Is worth it!
8. Old Bond Street & New Bond Street
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.
Would you risk not seeing that?
Location of Old Bond Street:
Location of New Bond Street:
9. Annabel’s
This is how Annabel’s describes itself: ‘an elegant private club with a dance floor for the famous, the stylishly dressed, and the well-heeled.’
The club’s façade, especially during the holiday season, catches the eye.
Walk all the way until you reach Oxford Street.
10. Selfridges
Selfridges is one of the most famous luxury department stores in London.
Its massive façade catches the eye of passersby with beautiful decorations…
… and window displays.
It’s also worth visiting its Christmas shop, full of decorations and gifts, located on level -1.
11. Oxford Street
Next, my Christmas trail will take you toward Oxford Street Underground station.
There is also no shortage of street Christmas lights to see on Oxford Street.
12. Regent Street
As I promised earlier, we are going back to beautiful Regent Street.
The Christmas lights on this street are simply breathtaking.
Regent Street (2022)
A lot of people, plenty of red buses, and countless shops.
13. 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 was founded in 1875.
Its beautiful building is well-decorated during Christmas.
I strongly encourage you to step inside to see its unique architecture.
14. Carnaby Street
Next, follow the Great Marlborough Street, until you see sign pointing at the Carnaby Street (to the right).
Carnaby Street is pedestrianized street in Soho, and one of the most colorful streets in London.
Always full of people…
15. 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
Well, you’ve reached the end of this post! I hope you enjoy it.
Keep the adventure going and check more free self-guided walking tours!
Maps tell the route, I tell the stories!
Discover Oxford, London, or Cambridge with An on a private, tailor-made tour.
London travel blog
To inquire about my availability for bespoke private walks, please contact me at:
contact@walkmeblog.com
+44 7742098448
or reach out via my social media channels.contact@walkmeblog.com
