London did not disappoint this year with its Christmas lights and decorations. Many of the lights and decorations this year have been reused from previous years. The areas to see Christmas lights and decorations in London include Covent Garden, Seven Dials, Regent Street, Oxford Street, Mayfair, and King's Cross. South Bank, the City, and the Strand also have their own decorations; I never got pohotographs of some of them this year, but they are similar to or the same as in previous years.
Carnaby Street: A firm favourite, this street's Christmas lights change every year. Carnaby Street runs just off Regent's Street and Oxford Street, and this year's lights are "One Ocean, One Planet" for "Project Zero", which aims to draw attention to the pollution in the oceans. The lights include giant coral, tortoises, seahorses, and dolphins. For more information, read about it here: Carnaby Street Christmas "One Ocean One Planet".
Soho: Just beyond Carnaby Street is Soho, and the SoHoHoHo lights have returned this year. They were red last year, but they are blue this year. The lights can be seen around Carnaby Street.
Regent Street: Like the past year, the festive angels of Regent Street have returned. These were a throw-back to the streets Christmas decorations many years ago. They are a firm favourite and more interesting than some of the Christmas lights in London. Regent Street also has some shops that decorate for the holidays, including the famous toy story Hamley's. The shop windows this year looked very much like last year's with the soft toy display, so I did not bother to snap a photograph. Continue to walk up Regent Street and you will come to Maddox Street, a couple of blocks from where Oxford Circus is. Maddox Gallery have been putting on a nice display the past couple of years.
Liberty Department Store: At the end of Carnaby Street is Liberty Department Store. The windows were nothing special this year, so I did not bother with a photograph, but I do like their Christmas trees that decorate the outside. However, the main attraction for them this year was inside where a giant Christmas tree (a bonsai) has been constructed out of velvet. It is called "The Tree of Liberty" and is made from purple and blue velvet.
Oxford Street: Many of the shops along Oxford Street have decorations and Christmas lights on them. This year, Oxford Circus has new lights that replaced its round orbs. The lights are programmed to display different messages onto them. They didn't win me over because they were not very festive, and the light has to be very low in order to really see them.
St. Christopher's Place: This little alleyway off of Oxford Street always decorates for the holiday season. The decorations are always the same or very similar with festive large orbs. This year, they have added tinsel and snowflakes and went with a white theme with purple and red.
Selfridges Department Store: Selfridges department store on Oxford Street cover their shop front with pine and lights. The store windows are usually worth a look, but they have been a little disappointing in recent years. I took a photograph of the main window on the corner with a silver boat and moon and one of the other windows. The silver boat looked nice because it rotated around.
Wembley: Visitors to Wembley can check out new wintery illuminations at the area's Winterfest (Winterfest in Wembley Park: Christmas in Technicolour), new this year. Included at the attraction are a few illuminations, a giant lit-up and walk-through Christmas tree, and other interactive illuminations. It was one of the places to get selfies this winter.
The Churchill Arms. Although I did not visit this year, the Churchill Arms always puts on a spectacular display of Christmas trees covering every inch of the pub. The pub is located near Notting Hill.
The Ivy Chelsea Garden: King's Road is home to The Ivy Chelsea Garden restaurant, and they have been going all out with the decorations. The decorations are perfect for selfie-lovers in mind. This year, they have gone a frosty white with an ice throne, which is perfect for visitors who want a photograph.
Peggy Porschen: This cute pink cafe has two branches: one on King's Road and the other on Elizabeth Street. Each year, the decorations change in its branches, and they have cute cupcakes for sale with the winter theme. You can read more here: Peggy Porschen Winter 2019. A similar shop with floral displays includes Fait Maison (Gloucester Road).
The Strand: The Strand's Christmas lights remain the same as they have the past couple of years, and I did not get a photograph this year.
Somerset House: This is the place to visit for ice skating. It also has a lovely Christmas tree and typically has some events taking place. This year, it has been hosting a giant gingerbread city. I have not been to visit this year.
Covent Garden: One of the highlights to a London Christmas is certainly Covent Garden (Covent Garden Christmas 2019). Each year, it has multiple decorations, including a massive Christmas tree. The shops around it decorate as well, so you will always see something new. This year has a couple of places to take selfies with beautiful decorated tree and floral displays, a gingerbread Covent Garden, giant tree, Tiffany wonderland with an ice rink, and much more.
Seven Dials: The past few years, this area of London has been changing their Christmas lights every year. This year, it has a star theme with gold and pink stars. It's not my favoruite display, but it does look kind of pretty around the Seven Dials dial.
Leicester Square: As in the previous three or four years, Leicester Square's square now hosts a Christmas market, food/drink area, and attraction tent.
Fortnum & Mason: I enjoy looking at the window displays in Fortnum & Mason each year. They seem to be similar to the decorations last year, and they were nothing special really. However, I love the store front design this year with the shop appearing to look like a giant advent calendar.
South Bank: South Bank has its own Christmas market along the bank and the food Christmas market, which is hosted at weekends. If you're in the area, it's worth visiting.
London Bridge City: New to this year's Christmas offerings (at least on the same scale) is the area on the south bank of the Thames between London and Tower bridges. This area has been named London Bridge City, and it has a long row of Christmas market and street food stalls. It is also hosting a snowman trail. It was busy when I visited it in mid-December.
King's Cross: Each year, St. Pancras International station at King's Cross has a unique Christmas tree from one of the big brands. This year, the tree is from beauty company Lancôme. It is in the shape of the Eiffel Tower, which is fitting for the hub of the Eurostar. Also, a short walk away is a new market area Coal Drops Yard, and they have decorated for Christmas this year. The area opened up toward the end of last year, but I never paid it a visit. This year, they have lights and brightly-coloured trees.
Mayfair: Mayfair is an area to visit if you want to see a lot of decorations. There are some lights, such as the peacock feathers and diamonds along Bond Street; these lights have been around for a long while. South Moulton Street used to have blue archway lights, but they were not placed out this year. A firm favourite is the club Anabel's, located on Berkeley Square. This year, it is a white Christmas tree with giant gold baubles. When I visited, I also saw a polar bear! It is always busy here with so many people coming to snap photographs. Other favourites in the area include a wine shop, Stella McCarney, and Cartier.
The Connaught Christmas tree: The Connaught hotel's Christmas tree is designed by an artist each year. This year, the artist is Sean Scully. For more information, see: Sean Scully Designs 2019 Connaught Christmas Tree.
Burlington Arcade: The arcades around Mayfair look nice at Christmas.
Trafalgar Square: Each year, the traditional Christmas tree from Norway is brought to the square and decorated. Trafalgar Square also hosts carol-singing.
Previous London Christmas lights are below:
- Christmas in London 2018 - Lights and Displays
- Where to see London's Christmas Lights 2017
- London's Christmas Lights 2016
- Christmas Lights and Windows 2015
- London Christmas Lights 2014
- London's Christmas Lights 2013
- London Christmas Lights and Window Displays 2012
Previous London Window displays are below (I've phased these out as they have not been as interesting the past few years and more interest seems to be on the facade of the building as opposed to displays inside the windows):
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