The 15 Best London Christmas Decorations to Find in 2019
I’ve been running my Alternative Christmas Lights Walking tours for 3 years now, uncovering the fun history and most dazzling displays. For 2019, these are my picks for the best London Christmas Decorations.
Let’s start with the iconic ones…
1. Regent Street
Christmas lights on Regent Street have been going since 1954 and they’re going strong with their ‘Spirit of Christmas’ theme that’s been here for a few years, inspired by their very first display.
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2. Covent Garden
Probably the friendliest-looking Christmas Tree in London, the magnificently bushy spruce is in the piazza, but it’s worth wondering through the market for its oversized glistening baubles and mistletoe.
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3. New Bond Street
Always adding a touch of class, New Bond Street have been using their ‘peacock’ themed lights for a couple of years. They symbolise that most elegantly dressed male; ‘the Dandy’.
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As well as streets open to the elements, two of the loveliest places to feel festive are London’s arcades;
4. Burlington Arcade
Founded in 1819, Burlington Arcade is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year.
Since its beginning it’s been looked after by Beadles, originally members of the 5th Royal Hussars, a personal regiment of Lord Cavendish, Earl of Burlington who built the arcade. That means they predate the Mertopolitan Police force by ten years!
5. Royal Arcade
Opened in 1879 and given the ‘Royal’ addition after Queen Victoria popped by, this covered arcade is always Beautifully lit but looks even better at Christmas.
Not letting the West End have all the fun, The City of London boasts one of the cosiest looking markets for Christmas;
6. Leadenhall Market
The late 19th century poultry market building is always a winner. But with a gorgeous tree it looks especially magical (apt too, seeing as it’s the location for Diagon Alley in the first Harry Potter film).
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With the rise of the ‘instagrammable’ facade, shops have gone all out with their Christmas decorations this year…
7. Liberty
Liberty’s quirky Christmas tree is possibly my 2019 favourite. Inspired in part by a poem from Gabrielle Djanogly, the opening lines are; “far away, in the Age of Wonder, when the Moon was always full and snowflakes fell upwards, the All-Seeing Owl had a vision of a magical tree – a tree unlike any other…”
The other inspiration for the design was from Tjolöholm Castle, a seriously whimsical real-life 19th century Swedish castle which inspired the current Tudor-style liberty building. As ever, there’s more to these amazingly photogenic creations than meets the eye!
8. Stella McCartney
On the Contrary, Stella McCartney has gone for ‘tacky chic’. It’s OTT and gaudy but I kinda like it!
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Discover the fun history of Mayfair as well as the quirky tales behind the shops and their Christmas decorations on my Alternative Christmas Light walk, running on select dates until 22 December. Book tickets here.
9. Maddox Gallery
Maddox Fine Art Gallery on Maddox Street, Mayfair has been stopping passersby in their tracks this past year. From love heart Valentines to rainbow coloured Pride displays, their 2019 Christmas decorations are no less fabulous.
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10. Fortnum & Mason
The Queen’s go-to grocer (established 1707) is decorated like an advent calendar this year. can you see the little numbers in its windows?!
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11. Cartier
Replicating the Italian palazzo of its New York 5th Avenue building, Cartier on New Bond Street is all wrapped up like a present and it looks utterly chic and delightful.
Restaurants are also jumping on the Christmas decoration bandwagon, with the most OTT display crown having to go to;
12. 34 Mayfair
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We’ll end with the most unusual and creative, the places that you can always expect them to go above and beyond, giving London the best Christmas decorations!
13. Carnaby Street
Carnaby Street always do things a little differently. In the past they’ve displayed the lyrics to Bohemian Rhapsody and created a tropical rainforest but their 2019 Christmas decorations take use under the sea.
In partnership with Project 0, the ocean welfare charity, this year’s display is made entirely from recycled, repurposed or reusable materials.
14. Tate Britain
Last year they surprised London with slugs. No seriously, if you don’t believe me, look here.
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Tate have commissioned Anne Hardy to create an apocalyptic vision of the festive season, titled The Depth of Darkness, the Return of the Light. It uses ice, mud, tangled fairy lights and torn banners and will be on display until 26 January.
Last, but certainly not least…
15. Anabel’s
Never one to hide one’s (Christmas) light under a bushel, Anabel’s private members club have gone characteristically OTT this year. Last year’s was a red and green tree but 2019 is all about a white Christmas.
The Alternative Christmas Lights Walk
Explore the fun history of Mayfair surrounded by festive scenes and dazzling lights on my Christmas Lights walking tour. Tours are 2 hours long including a pub stop with a drink on me!
Christmas Lights Walks are now over for 2019, but you can sign up to my newsletter to be the first to hear about 2020 Christmas Lights Walks! Just enter your details here.
Find London’s Best Christmas Decorations!
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Stephanie
Thank you for treating us to such a lovely blog post. I’m super sad not being able to visit London during Christmas time this year but at least I can indulge in the pictures. Hope to be back next year!
Katie Wignall
Thanks Stephanie, so glad you enjoyed the post! It does look lovely this time of the year and I’m glad I could share it with you!
Sara James
The decorations are beautiful, especially those “off the beaten track”‘ but where is Londen shown on the map?
Katie Wignall
Thanks Sara! Sorry I’m not sure what you mean? The London map at the bottom of the post has blue dots for each of the decorations highlighted here. The centre of London itself is always as the Statue of Charles I at the South of Trafalgar Square.
David Farrell
Thanks Katie for putting me in a Christmas mood!
I really liked the Fortnum and Mason Advent Calendar – sometimes the simplest ideas are the best – though I suppose it helps that F&M’s shop front has (at least) 24 windows!
Katie Wignall
Haha Yes I don’t think many other shops could compete! You’re welcome 🙂
Stewart Francis
Thanks Katie for bringing these lovely and varied lights-decorations together for us to taste and maybe see.
Katie Wignall
You’re welcome Stewart! I keep seeing new ones and therefore might have to add more!!