When London's major Christmas lights displays switch on in 2026

Time Out London has rounded up when the capital's main festive light displays are being turned on in 2026, in chronological order. Several have already been switched on, including Leicester Square on Sunday November 1, St Martin's Lane on November 3, Carnaby Street on November 4 and Regent Street on November 5. Battersea Power Station was also lit on November 5, though without an official event.

Oxford Street's lights switch on Monday November 9. Alongside the classic star illuminations, they get a Harry Potter twist to mark the new Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone TV show, due to premiere on HBO on Christmas Day. Exact details remain under wraps.

Knightsbridge follows on November 10 with eco-friendly lights made from aluminium and 3,000 recycled plastic bottles. Marylebone Village switches on November 11, with the lights going on at 6pm. Covent Garden, Bond Street and Chelsea all switch on November 12. Bond Street's 93,000 LED lights are due to go on at 7pm.

Christmas at Kew starts on November 13. Fleet Street, with its Dennis the Menace theme, switches on November 18. Leadenhall Market and St Katharine Docks both follow on November 19. Chelsea Winter Village opens November 25, and The Shard's display begins on Tuesday December 1. The guide also covers Fulham Pier, Fitzrovia and Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.