St Martin's Lane Switches On Its Christmas Lights for 2026

St Martin's Lane switched on its Christmas lights at 4:45 pm on Tuesday 3 November 2026, adding to a growing wave of festive illuminations across the capital. In the lead-up to the ceremony, visitors were treated to festive food samples along the street, and the cast of a yet-to-be-announced West End production performed live. The switch-on follows Leicester Square, which was among the first major displays to be lit up on Sunday 1 November, with its star-shaped illuminations — celebrating the area's film and entertainment heritage — set to remain in place until 6 January. More switch-ons are lined up in the days and weeks ahead: Regent Street's 'Spirits of Christmas' illuminations, now in their tenth year and featuring a secret new twist, are scheduled for 5 November, when the street will be closed to vehicles for the occasion. Oxford Street follows on 9 November with a Harry Potter-themed display marking the release of the new Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone TV show, which is set to premiere on HBO on Christmas Day.