Despite the coronavirus pandemic, London has still put on a dispay of Christmas lights and decorations. Due to the lockdown in November, many of the venues were late to put up their decorations this year, so it took a couple of visits to London in order to see them all. Keep reading to see where you can see London's Christmas lights and decorations. If you want to see some of London's Christmas-themed treats, I have created a post here: Where to Buy Christmas-Themed Treats in London (2020)
Oxford Street: The Oxford Street banners have returned with the addition of stars. This year, the messages displayed on the banners are tributes to the heroes in the health service and community during this terrible year of the coronavirus pandemic. Of course, social distancing warnings and signs along and on the pavements highlight to all visitors to the area to keep their distance from everyone else to stop the spread of the virus.
Regent Street: Like the past couple of years, the spirits or angels of Regent Street have returned. These decorations were inspired by the Regent Street Christmas decorations many years ago. They have become a favourite in London. Regent Street's toy store Hamley's decorates for the holidays, but a lot of shops have toned down the displays this year. Off of the top of Regent's Street is Maddox Street, home to Maddox Gallery. The past couple of years, they have added elaborate displays, but they have not done anything this year.
Oxford Street window displays: The major department stores in London have decorated, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, some of these department stores have gone bust and have not decorated. Overall, it is looking less festive than it normally does on Oxford Street.
St. Christopher's Place: This little 'hidden' alleyway off Oxford Street is always festive, and the decorations are always very similar with festive large orbs. This year, the mannekin is draped with gold, silver, and bright purple tinsel.
Selfridges: The department store near Bond Street on Oxford Street always decorate its windows. This year, the theme is Christmas trees.
Carnaby Street: Carnaby Street are always a favourite. Their lights this year are inspired by heroes and hope, and you can read more about them here: Carnaby Street Christmas Lights 2020: Choose Love. Off of Carnaby Street is Liberty Department store, and they normally decorate the interior mezzanine with a festive display, but that has not happened this year.
Covent Garden: Covent Garden is always festive at Christmas. The giant Christmas tree and floral displays are in place at the piazza and in the market. This year, Lego have added an exhibition in the piazza, and their interactive exhibition can be booked in advance. There are a couple of Lego characters around the market to locate too. For more photographs, see: Covent Garden Christmas 2020.
Seven Dials: Seven Dials change their display every year. This year, the theme is white branches and garlands with pink, blue, and gold baubles of different sizes.
Seven Dials Market: Inside Seven Dials Market, lights and Christmas trees decorate the seating area.
Fortnum and Mason: The department store Fortnum & Mason have been decorating the front of their shop as an advent calendar for the past couple of years now. It is most attractive when viewed at sunset or dusk.
Burlington Arcade: Burlington Arcade is one of London's famous arcades at the edge of Mayfair. The arcade is decorated with beautiful red baubles and white frosted branches with twinkling warm lights. There are a couple of potted Christmas trees and a swing inside, aimed at people to take selfies.
Cartier: The front of Cartier's shop in Mayfair always decorates well for Christmas. This year, their red ribbon is accompanied by their mascot, a big cat (leopard?). The display has increased in size. It always attracts crowds.
Tiffany: A few doors down from Cartier is Tiffany's, and they have simple neon trees in their company blue colour.
Mayfair: Of course, Mayfair has many shops that decorate, and it's always worth a walk up and down the streets. Stella McCartney's shop, a few doors down from Cartier, is normally decorated fully but only has the ground level decorated this year. The lights for Mayfair have returned again this year, and they are the pecaock feathers and diamonds.
Annabel's: This private members' club has been decorating for the holidays for the past few years. This year, they have gone with a nutcracker theme complete with the facade of the building draped in over-sized curtains.
Hedonism Wines: Located in Mayfair, this wine shop has been decorating for the holidays for the past few years. This time, it's completely outdone itself with the festive flair.
King's Cross St. Pancras tree: Each year, King's Cross St. Pancras have their own Christmas tree. It is always decorated with a particular brand. In the past, Tiffany's and Disney have features. This year, EL&N (Elan cafe) have designed the Christmas tree. They have just opened a branch of their cafe at the station. "Wishing you a season of sweetness" is the tagline on one side of the tree. It uses the company's trademark pink colour, and the tree is a carousel with pink horses, which mimics the interior of its popular cafe.
King's Cross: King's Cross have actually decorated three Christmas trees this year. The first one is located near German Gymnasium, which is a bar, opposite King's Cross entrance. It is a colourful tree with multi-coloured LED branches. Further along at Granary Square is an abstract Christmas tree that people can stand underneath and interact with. The third tree is in its new shopping area, Coal Drops Yard. This tree is made with over 70 succulents in glass baubles. (One of the company's here at Coal Drops Yard offer workshops, and one of their workshops is terranium-making, and I was planning to sign up for one of them this year after having been inspired after my first visit to Coal Drops yard at this time last year.)
King's Road Duke of York Square and Belgravia: Duke of York Square features its own festive Christmas tree, and there are plenty of window displays along King's Road and in Belgravia.
Peggy Porschen: The cafe, Peggy Porchen, has two branches. King's Road in Chelsea and Belgravia's Elizabeth Street. Both cafes have pink and tan gingerbread, peppermint, and star displays.
The Ivy Chelsea Garden: The popular restaurant is located on King's Road and have gone all out on the Christmas decorations for the past three years. This year, they feature several selfie opportunities and a fascade covered in decorations.
Hays Gallery: Every year, the gallery along the river decorate with a large Christmas tree.
City Hall along the Thames: City Hall, located along the Thames, have gotten into the festive mood this year with a woodland animal theme featuring a deer, robin, and fox. This one has become popular with people to get photographs of. Also, I will state that Borough Market is also looking festive with its large Christmas tree and expanded market with street food.
The Shard: The Shard's light show has returned on the tower. Tower 42 was also projecting Christmas jumpers (for Christmas jumper day), and some of the towers in the City do light up for the season. Visiting London at this time of the year is always magical, but it was very muted this year.
Fait Maison: The restaurant and cafe always decorate for the seasons. This Christmas, they kept the florals pretty neutral but added swans and feathers around the door. It is less than they usually do. Inside the cafe, the swan features in a lot of its pastry designs.
Tate Britain: Tate Britain's winter commission on the facade of the building celebrates Diwali and various stereotypes of colonial rule in India as well as personal stories of the artist, Chila Kumari Singh Burman. "Remembering a brave new world" is the commission to be seen until the end of January.
Trafalgar Square: Visit Trafalgar Square for its giant Christmas tree. The Christmas tree is a gift from Norway, and they have gifted a tree each year since 1947.
Churchill Arms in Kensington: The Churchill Arms is London's best-dressed pub with Christmas trees covering the outside of the pub. It is worth a visit and is a little different each year.
South Bank, Leicester Square, and Winter Wonderland Markets and Attractions: South Bank and Leicester Square are normally festive with a Christmas market, but they have been cancelled this year. Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, a fun land with a market, amusements, rides and attractions, is also cancelled this year.
Connaught Christmas Tree: Each year for the past few years, The Connaught hotel have commissioned an artist to decorate a Christmas tree. There is a Christmas tree this year with simple white lights in front of the hotel, but there is not a commission this year.
Previous London Christmas lights are below:
- Where to see London Christmas lights and decorations (2019 Edition)
- 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):
Leave a comment