Light illuminations across London

In our guide, we have some of the most spectacular light displays within the area that we think you’ll love whether you’re here for a romantic weekend getaway or a family pre-Christmas holiday. 

Christmas at Kew

How to get there: Public transport is advised due to parking limitations. Taking public transport will take around 45 minutes. You should get the tube from Victoria which is a 10-minute walk away from the Belgrave Hotel. Once there, get the District line to Richmond. It’s then a short walk to Kew Gardens. 

Opening times: 14th November 2025 – 4th January 2026, 4:20pm to 10pm. On Christmas Eve, the event closes at 9pm. 

The last entry depends on the gate you enter through:

• Brentford Gate: 7pm
• Elizabeth Gate: 7:20pm
• Victoria Gate: 8pm

Christmas at Kew is a wonderful light show, involving music and magic! You can wander through the tunnels of light, stop off and see Santa and enjoy an amazing light show, either for a pre-Christmas celebration or to ring in the New Year in style. As well as sparkling lights, you can indulge in the festive street food and winter treats that will be dotted along the trail and housed in the food court. There is also a special festive menu in the Pavilion Bar & Grill. 

You will need to book this in advance, and the tickets are separate from general admission at Kew. 

Chelsea Winter Village & Illuminations

How to get there: From the hotel, walk down Belgrave Road towards Warwick Way, take a right onto St George’s Drive to Victoria Coach Stop V and hop on the 170 bus to Roehampton. The journey takes around 10 minutes and is 4 stops. Get off the bus at Chelsea Physic Garden and then follow the signs for the Chelsea Winter Garden.  

Opening times: 26th November – 28th December 2025, 4pm to 10pm. 

The home of the famous Chelsea Pensioners opens its doors to the public for a wonderful immersive festive experience, right in the heart of London. 

Wrap up warm and walk through 1.5km of light-filled trail that features large-scale art, interactive installations and some fabulous soundscapes that will take you on a journey. The Chelsea Winter Village is at the end of the trail and is a free-to-enter space that houses a Christmas market, bars, decorative workshops, a bandstand and traditional fairground rides. 

There is so much to do here and there is something for all of the family, including marshmallow fire pits, a Curling club and Market Avenue. It’s a great place to go and enjoy London at Christmas and is highly recommended! Book tickets in advance to avoid disappointment and ensure you don’t miss out on this wonderland.

The Ever After Garden

How to get there: This is based in the Duke of York Square in the heart of Chelsea. From the hotel, it takes 26 minutes to walk there, but we recommend jumping on the tube to avoid the cold. From the hotel, head to Victoria Station, which is about a ten-minute walk away and get on the Circle line (via High St Kensington) to Sloane Square. From here, it’s approximately a 6-minute walk, straight across to King’s Road.

Opening times: The garden is open between the 13th of November – 16th December 2025, from 3pm-9pm. 

This garden is free to enter, however there is a recommended donation of £15 if you wish to dedicate a rose in the garden. This is slightly different as it is a garden illuminated by 30,000 white roses in aid of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. 

Although this is a different style of illumination, it is just as delightful. The garden is a peaceful space for those who might want to get away from the more traditional Christmas lights and take some time for themselves or to remember loved ones. It’s an important space for many over the holiday period, and raises money for a wonderful cause. 

Southbank Centre Winter Light Celebration

How to get there: The tube will be best, so head over to Victoria Station and get on the District/ Circle line towards Upminster and get off at Embankment. Once you get off the tube, you’ll have an 11-minute walk to the Southbank Centre.

Opening times: Between the 1st November 2025 – 18th January 2026. The lights will be switched on between 4pm and 11pm. 

The Southbank Centre often uses its outdoor artwork lights during the year, and at Christmas time, they are spectacular, using artwork from contemporary artists that love to play with light and colour. There are some regular installations that have been there for the past few years, as well as some newer light installations. 

The whole area is a delight to walk through, and as it’s on the Southbank, there are plenty of things to do once you’ve seen the lights, including the Southbank Winter Market and the local restaurants and bars that are dotted around.

Canary Wharf Winter Lights

How to get there: As with most of our illuminations, the best way to get there is on the tube. Walk to Victoria Station, and get on the Victoria Line towards Walthamstow Central, getting off at Green Park. Walk across to the Jubilee Line at Green Park Station and get on the tube to West Ham. You’ll get off at Canary Wharf and then walk for 10 minutes to Canary Wharf. 

Opening times: The lights are on between the 20th and 31st January 2026, from 5pm to 10pm. 

Just after you think all the lights will have been packed away for another year, then Canary Wharf lets you celebrate for a little bit longer. Their Winter Lights festival will showcase the best artwork from acclaimed artists and studios, both local and international. 

The theme for the 2026 festival is DREAMSCAPE, which we’re sure will provide a magical backdrop to your night in Canary Wharf.

The festival is free to walk around and there is plenty to do once you’re there to enjoy your night in style. 
Don’t forget that London has so many lights to see all the way around the city, you can remind yourself of where the best free displays are in this blog.