Christmas decorations in London – what to see in one day in 2023

There is no bad time to visit London. Every time I’m there, I’m fascinated by its vibrancy, variety and bustle. But London at Christmas time is a whole new level of excitement. Streets decorated with festive lights, stores, cafes and restaurants adorned with baubles, angels, tinsel and candy, Christmas trees sprouting up all over the city. You can really get caught up in the magic of Christmas and there is no other time when London looks more beautiful.

You run into decorations almost everywhere you go. But here are my top recommendations of Christmas decorations in London in 2023, that you can see in one day! Not to mention that they’re total Instagram spots.

I wrote this blog post after my one day Christmas trip to London, so everything is doable in just one day…if you don’t stop and don’t eat…nah, kidding, there is plenty of time for both. You can either follow my guidance, or you can mix and match depending on your current London Christmas lights needs.

How to see Christmas decorations in London in one day?

1. Covent Garden

Let’s start with Covent Garden. It’s one of those places in London that is worth visiting all year round. Always decorated with beautiful flower carts and flower benches, inviting you to visit quirky, cute stores or have a cocktail in fancy bars. But during Christmas it changes into the ultimate destination for a magical festive experience. As well as the iconic 55-foot tall, handpicked Christmas tree, decorated with over 30,000 lights, Covent Garden is transformed into a winter wonderland, glittering with lights and sprinkled with ornaments across the historic piazza and its surrounding streets.

Don’t forget to pop to Covent Garden Infinity Chamber – in words for humans – an Instagram famous light tunnel. Located in Conduit Court, created using thousands of LED bulbs, the light tunnel offers great fun and a little light therapy. It’s definitely a must-snap spot.

Address:
Covent Garden The Market Bldg, Brentford
How to get there:
By Tube.
Stations: Covent Garden or Leicester Square station
TIP:
Covent Garden station is often closed due to its small size and big crowds, so you’re safer picking Leicester Square station.

2. Annabel’s Mayfair

If you’re not a member, there is not much you can do there. Apart from admiring the huge Christmas themed decoration, that the building is covered with every year. Annabel’s is a private members club where they all (probably) wear gowns and tiaras and you have to pay a small fortune to get in. So, there is a chance that they’re not enjoying hundreds of Instagrammers taking pictures in front of the building.
But not visiting Annabel’s during the Christmas period would be a crime against Christmas. This year Annabel’s decoration is a hot air ballon that represents hope and prosperity. The photo below obviously isn’t the current decoration, so if you’re there, take a photo and share it with me @aga_on_the_run, please!

Address:
46 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London
How to get there:
By Tube.
Stations: Green Park station or several buses.
From Covent Garden: take a Piccadilly line from Covent Garden station to Green Park station.

3. New Bond Street and Old Bond Street

Staying with the posh and glam…
If your grandma keeps dropping hints about a new Chanel bag, your dog would rule the neighbourhood with a new Cartier collar or you finally want to make him or her pop the question with a Harry Winston ring, you should make your way to New Bond Street. Located a walkable distance from Annabel’s, New Bond Street is full of beautifully decorated facades of designers shops, luxury fashion and art stores.
While strolling Old Bond Street, don’t miss the Royal Arcade. It’s a classic Victorian cute, little cut through, where Christmas decorations are always on point.

Address:
New Bond Street Mayfair, London
How to get there:
Walk from Annabel’s Mayfair.
By Tube: Green Park Station.

3a. Harrods

Next stop (4.) – The Ivy Chelsea Garden is a bit far, so if you don’t feel like going there, you can visit the most famous department store in London – Harrods. The Christmas decorations both inside and outside are always a sight to behold.

Address:
87-135 Brompton Rd, Knightsbridge, London
How to get there:
By Tube.
Station: Knightsbridge station
From New Bond Street (Green Park station) take a Piccadilly line to Knightsbridge. Or a 22 bus from Berkley Square to Knightsbridge Station.

4. The Ivy Chelsea Garden

The Ivy Chelsea Garden is a perfect place to celebrate the Christmas season in a fancy way, either by booking a table and enjoying their festive menu or by just admiring the spectacular installation across the front of the building. They really go all in! And even if you’re not planning on dining there, just like probably 90% of the admirers, this insanely beautiful decoration is again, worth a visit.

Little 2023 update

Having seen a few photos, the Ivy Chelsea Garden Christmas decorations are a little underwhelming this year. So think about if it’s worth the trip.

tip

2 min walk from The Ivy Chelsea Garden, there is another London Instagram spot: Peggy Porschen patisserie – Chelsea branch, but as big a fan as I am of Instagrammable locations, this one is not worth a walk.

Address:
195 -197 King’s Rd, Chelsea, London
How to get there: 
By Tube.
Stations: South Kensington or Sloane Square
From New Bond Street take a Piccadilly line from Green Park to South Kensington – but warning: it requires a lot of walking. You can also get there by bus 22 – from Berkeley Square to Chelsea Old Town Hall.

5. Somerset House Ice Rink

Still have strength and the will to…ice skate? If your answer is yes, head to Somerset House to have some fun at their iconic Ice Rink. This grand neoclassical courtyard with huge outdoor rink and 40ft Christmas tree plonked in the middle is one of the most magical places to visit in London at Christmas time. Not to mention, super Insta-worthy. Whether you’re an ice skating ballerina or you feel more comfortable propping up the walls, skating in these surroundings will be an amazing experience.

Booking tickets in advance is necessary and they’re selling super fast, so get yours now!
Price: £11 for adults, £8 for children.

Address:
Strand, WC2R 1LA, London
How to get there: 
By Tube.
Stations: Temple, Covent Garden, Charing Cross, Embankment
From Ivy Chelsea Garden take a Piccadilly line from South Kensington to Covent Garden. Or you can take Circle or District Line from Sloane Square to Temple. Both methods require some walking.

6. Regent Street and Oxford Street

Saving the best for last, we come to the Christmas lights and decorations hanging over the two most famous streets in London. Nothing says London at Christmas time more than the angels flying over Regent Street and the flickering, sparkling lights hung between the buildings of Oxford Street. In 2019, for the first time in 6 years, the lovely baubles of Oxford Street have been replaced with LED light curtains, which animate between different Christmas themes. And in 2021 they’ve moved on to falling stars. To be honest I still prefer the baubles. Luckily the glorious golden angels still soar above Regent Street making it my favourite London Christmas decoration.

Address:
Regent Street, London
Oxford Street, London (Tottenham Court Road Station)
How to get there:
By Tube.
Stations: Tottenham Court Road, Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus station
From Somerset House Ice Rink you can take the Northern Line from Embankment to Tottenham Court Road. You can take a bus 188 from Aldwych Kingsway to Tottenham Court Road. Or you can walk – it will take the same amount of time.

Tip

To best appreciate the lights, start your journey from Tottenham Court Road station, walk down Oxford Street and turn left onto Regent Street. You can make your way down to the famous Piccadilly Circus and get blown away by brightness of the advertising screens. And the crowds….yes, it will be busy!

7. Carnaby Street

While walking down Regent Street you can stop by Carnaby Street, also fabulously decorated. In 2019 Carnaby has collaborated with an ocean conservation charity and created a sustainable display, made of reusable materials, emphasising the need to protect our oceans.

Address:
Carnaby Street, London
How to get there:
Walk from Regent Street or Oxford Street

Give a Christmas gift to our Planet and learn how to be an eco-friendly traveller in 5 simple steps! It’s easier than you think!

I hope you enjoyed this little guide of my favourite Christmas decorations in London and you find it useful during your London decoration hunt.
Merry Christmas!

If you want to know more, hit me up on Instagram.

And if you’re already thinking of a winter getaway, check out my blog post about winter in Poland.

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Hi, it’s Aga, the author of this blog. If you found this blog post interesting, entertaining or useful, please think of buying me a virtual coffee to support the site’s running costs. But if you know me, I might actually spend it on coffee 🙂 Thanks!

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