London's Christmas lights switch on across most of November, and most switch-on evenings are free street parties. Here's every confirmed London Christmas lights switch-on date for 2026, with what happens at each and where to eat afterwards, whether that's a Christmas market, a food hall or a market stall.
London Christmas lights switch-on dates 2026
| Date | Where | What's on |
|---|---|---|
| Wed 4 Nov | Carnaby Street | 90s-nostalgia-themed lights |
| Thu 5 Nov | Regent Street & St James's | Free, traffic-free, 5-9pm |
| Tue 10 Nov | Knightsbridge | 12,000+ bulbs along Brompton Road |
| Wed 11 Nov | Marylebone | Food stalls, Ferris wheel, switch-on at 6pm |
| Wed 11 Nov | Old Spitalfields Market | Gospel choir, festive food, lights at 6pm |
| Thu 12 Nov | Covent Garden & Fulham Pier | Covent Garden's tree and market hall decorations |
| Wed 18 Nov | Fleet Street Quarter | Free Beano sculpture trail unveiled |
| Thu 19 Nov | Leadenhall Market | 26ft tree, light tunnel, snow flurry at 6pm |
| Thu 19 Nov | Walworth Road | Lights designed by local schoolchildren |
Regent Street & St James's — Thursday 5 November
The big one. Regent Street's 'Spirit of Christmas' angels (with new additions for 2026) switch on at a free event from 5pm to 9pm, with the street closed to traffic so you can walk down the middle of it. Arrive early for a good spot. Regent Street switch-on details.
Eat after: walk 10 minutes to Covent Garden Christmas Market or Leicester Square Christmas Market. Carnaby's lights, switched on the night before, are a two-minute detour.
Marylebone — Wednesday 11 November
London's most food-focused switch-on. Marylebone High Street and Devonshire Street fill with food, drink and gift stalls, a Ferris wheel and Santa's grotto from 3pm to 8pm, and local shops and restaurants run offers. A special guest switches the lights on at 6pm. Come from 3pm to eat at the stalls before it gets busy. Marylebone switch-on details.
Eat after: stay on the High Street; the stalls are dinner. From Baker Street it's a short walk to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, though that doesn't open until 19 November.
Old Spitalfields Market — Wednesday 11 November
Same night as Marylebone, but in East London. From 3pm there's Christmas shopping, festive food and drink and live music from the market's gospel choir, with the lights fired up at 6pm under the Victorian roof. It's a good after-work option if you're in the City. Old Spitalfields switch-on details.
Eat after: the market's own street food stalls. For another market evening, London Bridge Christmas Market is a short trip south.
Leadenhall Market — Thursday 19 November
The prettiest switch-on in the City. Leadenhall's painted Victorian arcade is dressed with garlands around a 26ft Christmas tree, with a light tunnel, live music and a snow flurry as the lights come on at 6pm. Five days earlier (Sat 14 Nov), the Leadenhall Christmas Craft Market is worth a visit for gifts. Leadenhall switch-on details.
Eat after: the market's pubs and restaurants fill fast, so book a table. Winter Wonderland opens the same day if you'd rather keep going.
Beyond the switch-ons: more London Christmas plans
- Ice skating: Skate at Somerset House (11 Nov - 10 Jan) in the courtyard under a giant tree, a 10-minute walk from Covent Garden.
- Light trail: Christmas at Kew (selected dates, 13 Nov - 3 Jan).
- Christmas markets: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland (19 Nov - 3 Jan), Winter Urban Spoon on the Southbank (until 24 Dec), Kingston Christmas Market (12 Nov - 3 Jan), London Bridge and Covent Garden.
- Festive food & makers: Eat & Drink Festival Christmas (26 Nov), Crafty Fox at King's Cross (12 Dec) and The Pineapple Christmas Market (14 Dec).
See everything on in the capital at London events and London markets, or check which of these are free in our free Christmas things to do guide.
More Christmas 2026 guides
- UK Christmas Events Calendar 2026 — week by week
- Best Christmas Light Trails in the UK 2026
- Festive Good Food Show 2026: a Birmingham Christmas food weekend
- Free Christmas Things to Do in the UK 2026
- The Ultimate Guide to 58 UK Christmas Markets for 2026
- 7 Small-Town UK Christmas Markets & Lights Switch-ons for 2026
Or browse every listing in one place: all UK Christmas markets and upcoming food & festive events.
