London


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-winter-light-at-the-south-bank-1-nov-2-feb"><a href="https://southbank.london/whats-on/winter-light" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winter Light at the South Bank</a> (1 Nov &#8211; 2 Feb)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="679" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-28-at-14.49.40-1024x679.png" alt="Winter Light at the South Bank " class="wp-image-6153" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-28-at-14.49.40-1024x679.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-28-at-14.49.40-300x199.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-28-at-14.49.40-768x509.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-28-at-14.49.40.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>If you&#8217;re not into fairylights and kitsch, hot foot it to the South Bank where you can get a classier light fix thanks to installations created by contemporary artists including&nbsp;Aoife Dunne, Mat Collishaw, Sophia Al Maria&nbsp;and&nbsp;Erdend Tait<strong>.</strong> New this year are collection of winter-themed neon shapes in the windows of the Queen Elizabeth Hall designed in collaboration with pupils from local Lambeth schools, and a brand new light installation for the tree canopy lining the river,&nbsp;Nathaniel Rackowe’s&nbsp;<em>Desire Lines</em>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oxford-street-5-nov"><a href="https://www.oxfordstreet.co.uk/whats-happening/kick-off-christmas-this-year-on-oxford-street/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oxford Street</a> (5 Nov)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="697" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/pa_oxford_st_xmas_011-min-1-Large-1024x697.jpeg" alt="Oxford Street Christmas lights " class="wp-image-6155" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/pa_oxford_st_xmas_011-min-1-Large-1024x697.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/pa_oxford_st_xmas_011-min-1-Large-300x204.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/pa_oxford_st_xmas_011-min-1-Large-768x523.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/pa_oxford_st_xmas_011-min-1-Large.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>The big one. When Oxford Street lights are switched on, it&#8217;s officially countdown to Christmas in London and other light displays swiftly follow. This year promises to be as dazzling as ever, with 300,000 dangling stars (shining with energy efficient LEDs). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-regent-street-spirit-of-christmas-7-nov"><a href="https://www.regentstreetonline.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Regent Street</a> Spirit of Christmas (7 Nov)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="685" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-28-at-14.46.37-1024x685.png" alt="" class="wp-image-6152" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-28-at-14.46.37-1024x685.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-28-at-14.46.37-300x201.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-28-at-14.46.37-768x514.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-28-at-14.46.37.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>The ethereal Spirit of Christmas angels are back for another year, lighting up the skies above Regent Street, Piccadilly and Jermyn Street in style. No stars announced for the switch on, but new this year is a Wishing Tree on St James&#8217;s Market which lights up when you make a donation to The Felix Project. While you&#8217;re there, treat yourself to dinner at Jason Atherton&#8217;s new restaurant <a href="https://london.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/review-sael-london-st-jamess-market/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sael</a> (Muddy rates it). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carnaby-christmas-lights-7-nov"><a href="https://www.carnaby.co.uk/christmas/history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carnaby Christmas Lights</a> (7 Nov) </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Static-21268_CARNABY-CGI_V1.0-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="Carnaby Christmas lights 2024" class="wp-image-5818" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Static-21268_CARNABY-CGI_V1.0-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Static-21268_CARNABY-CGI_V1.0-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Static-21268_CARNABY-CGI_V1.0-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Static-21268_CARNABY-CGI_V1.0-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>This year’s display&nbsp;<em>Into The Light</em> is created by London-based design studio Sculptivate and runs on green energy, promises to be a stunner. Expect hourly light displays from six-metre sculptures illuminating the legendary street, and don’t forget to pop into Kingly Court (a Muddy favourite for shopping and dining just off Carnaby Street), where you’ll find cascading curtains of lights hanging from balconies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mount-street-christmas-lights-mayfair-start-of-nov"><a href="https://www.mayfairldn.com/news/mayfair-christmas-lights-switch-on" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mount Street Christmas Lights</a>, Mayfair (start of Nov)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="694" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-29-at-18.49.57-1024x694.png" alt="" class="wp-image-6214" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-29-at-18.49.57-1024x694.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-29-at-18.49.57-300x203.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-29-at-18.49.57-768x520.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-29-at-18.49.57.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>The exact details still to be released, but one thing we can guarantee is that they&#8217;ll be jaw-dropping because Mount Street lights in Mayfair are always a dazzling affair. We do know that this year there&#8217;s going to be a sparkling new set of opulent Christmas lights which will be turned on at the beginning of November. Stay tuned. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-covent-garden-12-nov"><a href="https://www.coventgarden.london/experience/christmas-in-covent-garden/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Covent Garden</a> (12 Nov) </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="886" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-28-at-14.37.11-1024x886.png" alt="Covent Garden Xmas " class="wp-image-6148" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-28-at-14.37.11-1024x886.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-28-at-14.37.11-300x260.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-28-at-14.37.11-768x665.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-28-at-14.37.11.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Ding dong, the bells are back! A new look launched last year in Covent Garden&#8217;s covered market, the traditional lights and decorations are back, including 40 gigantic bells with bows, 12 giant baubles and 8 spinning mirror balls. Also look out for the&nbsp;iconic 60-foot British-grown Christmas tree in the plaza, which is decorated with over 30,000 lights. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marylebone-village-christmas-lights-13-nov"><a href="https://www.marylebonevillage.com/whats-on-and-features/item/1377-merry-marylebone" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marylebone Village Christmas Lights</a> (13 Nov)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="672" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-28-at-14.45.47-1024x672.png" alt="Christmas lights Unsplash " class="wp-image-6151" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-28-at-14.45.47-1024x672.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-28-at-14.45.47-300x197.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-28-at-14.45.47-768x504.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-28-at-14.45.47.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Always a pretty display, this year there&#8217;s a lights switch on event: Merry Marylebone (13 Nov from 3-8pm). Expect bauble painting and wreath making workshops, a Santa’s Grotto and a ferris wheel alongside all those fabulous Xmas shopping opps. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ever-after-garden-mayfair-14-nov"><a href="https://www.royalmarsden.org/support-us/give/ever-after-garden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ever After Garden</a>, Mayfair (14 Nov)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Unknown-1-1024x683.jpeg" alt="Ever after Garden in Mayfair " class="wp-image-5270" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Unknown-1-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Unknown-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Unknown-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Unknown-1.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>An emotional one this. Each year over the festive season&nbsp;<strong>Grosvenor Square</strong>&nbsp;in the heart of Mayfair is lit up with over 30,000 illuminated white silk roses, representing people who have passed away. A beautiful art installation but also a fantastic fundraiser as you can&nbsp;<a href="https://www.royalmarsden.org/support-us/give/dedicate-rose-ever-after-garden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dedicate a rose</a>&nbsp;in memory of a loved one by making a donation to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-light-trails">LIGHT TRAILS </h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-christmas-at-kew-gardens-nbsp-13-nov-5-jan"><strong><a href="https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/christmas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christmas at Kew Gardens</a>&nbsp;(13 Nov–5 Jan)</strong></h2>



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<iframe loading="lazy" title="Christmas at Kew 2024 (LF)" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/900730392?h=28a3492a84&amp;dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write"></iframe>
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<p><strong>Kew Gardens</strong>&nbsp;is pretty magical at the best of times, but add in some illuminated tunnels, twinkling jewel coloured lights, a fire pit, and Christmas brings Kew to a whole other level. The super popular 3km winter trail is back and even more jaw-droppingly festive than before with dancing lanterns, musical displays, illuminated sculptures&nbsp;<em>and</em>&nbsp;a 17m high multi-sensory installation which is triggered by the movements from Kew’s very own bee colony! Best enjoyed with a boozy hot choc (or two), tickets&nbsp;<strong>from £</strong>32.</p>


London illuminated: the best Xmas light displays

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