Best Christmas Light Tours in London 2026: Bus, Walking & Festive Tours

Looking for the best Christmas light tours in London in 2026? From walking underneath the Regent Street angels to seeing the city from a festive Routemaster, these are the Christmas lights tours I’d actually choose for your trip—plus my own self-guided route if you’d rather see them yourself.

This post may contain affiliate links. Check out my Disclosure & Privacy Policy for more information.

If there’s one thing I will happily brave Central London crowds for, it’s the Christmas lights.

After 10 years of Christmas seasons in London, I still get ridiculously excited the first time I turn onto Regent Street for the season and see the iconic giant angels floating over a stream of red buses.

I’ll always be partial to seeing the lights on foot. Mainly because I like being able to wander into Carnaby, gawk at the shop displays, stop for something warm and change the route whenever something prettier catches my eye.

But I completely understand the appeal of a Christmas light tour too.

Especially if it’s your first Christmas in London and you’re looking at Oxford Street, Regent Street, Mayfair, Covent Garden and about 15 saved TikToks wondering how on earth they all fit together.

Thankfully, you’ve got plenty of ways to do it—on foot, by bike, from a classic London bus or even with afternoon tea involved.

So let’s work out which one is worth booking for your trip.

Shall we?

---

---

Quick Overview: Best Christmas Light Tours in London

No time for the full read? This is how I’d choose the best Christmas lights tour for you!

Tour	Best for	My take / More Details
Christmas Lights Walking Tour	My overall pick	Best if you want to be underneath the London Christmas lights and take in the streets along the way.
Christmas Lights & Bites Tour	Food + staying warm	Fab for Christmas lights, festive bites and a classic Routemaster without spending the whole evening outside.
Christmas Lights Bike Tour	Seeing lots of London	A three-hour Christmas bike ride that covers much more ground than you could comfortably walk.
Brigit’s Christmas Afternoon Tea Bus	Classic London fun	A beautiful combo of afternoon tea + classic Routemaster bus + Christmas lights. I’ve personally done Brigit’s and loved it.
London by Night Open-Top Bus	First-time London sightseeing	Not specifically a Christmas tour, but brilliant if you want London landmarks after dark as well as the festive atmosphere.

---

---

Which London Christmas Lights Tour Would I Choose?

For me, at least, there’s just something completely different about being underneath the lights vs. looking at them through a window, so I’d choose the Christmas Lights Walking Tour.

You can stop. Look up. Wander down side streets, pop into shops, and decide halfway through that, actually, yes, you do need a hot chocolate.

Basically, the way I like doing London anyway.

A guide will help you see the best bits, but if you’re coming with kids, parents, anyone who doesn’t fancy a few hours on their feet, or you simply don’t want your Christmas memories dominated by how cold your toes are—take the bus!

P.S. – If you’re visiting with little ones, I’d also have a peek at my Christmas in London with kids guide.

---

Best Christmas Light Tours in London 2026

1. Christmas Lights Walking Tour

If you’re happy walking, this is where I’d start.

The best thing about seeing London’s Christmas lights on foot is that the big displays are only half the fun.

Of course you want Regent Street and its famous Spirit of Christmas angels, but then there are the little streets around Soho, the shop windows, arcades and tiny festive details you only really notice because you’re walking past them.

Plus, having a guide means you’re not standing on a corner somewhere around Piccadilly thinking, “Wait…is Carnaby behind me?”

I’d book the Christmas Lights Walking Tour if you want the closest thing to how I’d personally spend an evening seeing the lights—just with someone else handling the directions and all the Christmas stories.

---

2. London Christmas Lights & Bites Tour

If walking around London for hours in December has already lost you, this is much more your cup of tea.

The Christmas Lights & Bites Tour bundles the lights with festive bites and hot drinks from inside a classic Routemaster.

You’ll pass several of the big Christmas areas including Oxford Street, Regent Street, Hyde Park, Piccadilly and Trafalgar Square, alongside London landmarks like Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

Which means considerably less time wondering whether your fingers are still faithfully attached.

I’d pick this one for a date night, a trip with parents or anyone who wants a festive evening without turning it into a three-hour winter walk.

---

3. London Christmas Lights Bike Tour

This is the one I’d choose if your usual holiday pace is less “having a mosey” and more “how much of London can I see before dinner?”

The London Christmas Lights Bike Tour lasts around three hours and lets you cover a much wider chunk of London than you’d manage on foot.

The route mixes famous landmarks, decorated shopping streets and smaller roads you might never bother detouring down on your own.

Would I do this in cute Christmas boots? Absolutely not.

But proper layers, gloves, trainers and a dry December evening? Very keen indeed.

---

4. Brigit’s Christmas Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

I’ve done Brigit’s afternoon tea bus several times (and seasons) before—and it has yet to disappoint.

Onboard you’ll sit inside a classic Routemaster eating cakes, sandwiches and scones while London rolls past the windows, which is already a fairly fabulous afternoon before Christmas even gets involved.

But don’t you worry, during the festive season, Brigit’s Christmas Afternoon Tea Bus gets its Christmas makeover too.

The 2026 Christmas season runs from 11 November to 5 January, with tours lasting around 90 minutes and departures from Victoria Coach Station or Trafalgar Square depending on the time you book.

I’d especially choose this if you’re coming with your mum, sisters, friends or anyone who’s going to be equally excited about the afternoon tea and the sightseeing.

And since you’re already committing to cake, I say lean in.

P.S. — if afternoon tea is becoming a theme of the trip (understandable), have a look at my best afternoon teas in London too.

---

5. London by Night Open-Top Bus Tour

Although this isn’t ‘technically’ a dedicated Christmas lights tour, if this is also your first ever trip to London, I think that can actually work in your favour.

The London by Night Open-Top Bus Tour lasts around 90 minutes and takes in illuminated London landmarks including Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Harrods, the London Eye, Tower Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral.

Come Christmas, you’re seeing all of that with the city’s seasonal decorations thrown into the evening too.

I’d choose this over a Christmas-only tour if you want the classic London sights just as much as the lights.

---

Walking vs Bus vs Bike: Which Should You Choose?

If it were me, I’d still choose walking. You can actually stop underneath the lights, take photos without rushing, wander into the side streets and change your route whenever something catches your eye.

But a bus tour makes much more sense if you don’t fancy spending a couple of hours on your feet—especially if it’s freezing, raining sideways (London style) or you’re travelling with someone who will remind you every 10 minutes that they’re cold.

The afternoon tea bus is the one I’d go for if you want the tour itself to feel like one of your Christmas activities rather than simply a way of seeing the lights.

And if you’re more interested in covering as much London as possible, I’d look at the bike tour. You’ll see considerably more than you would walking, but still get that feeling of actually being out in the city rather than watching everything through a bus window.

Basically: walk if you can, take the bus if comfort matters more, afternoon tea if you want to make an occasion of it, and bike if you’re keen to cover ground!

---

My DIY London Christmas Lights Route

At the end of the day, although a tour makes everything lovely and easy, you can absolutely see London’s Christmas lights on your own too.

I’ve spent years making my own Christmas walks around London, and for a first festive evening I’d go:

Bond Street Station + Oxford Street → South Molton Street → Bond Street → Fortnum & Mason → Regent Street → Carnaby → Soho → Seven Dials → Covent Garden.

Start at Bond Street Station, with a detour into Selfridges if you fancy seeing the windows. From there, I’d duck down South Molton Street rather than staying in the full Oxford Street crush, then wander through Bond Street towards Piccadilly.

Stop at Fortnum & Mason—and Hatchards next door if entering London’s oldest bookshop “just for a quick look” doesn’t end as badly for you as it usually does for me—before cutting across to Regent Street.

This is the bit I’d give yourself time for. See the angels, wait for the obligatory red bus photo, then turn into Carnaby and wander through Soho towards Seven Dials.

Finish in Covent Garden, where you’ve got the enormous West Piazza tree, the Market Building decorations and plenty of places for dinner or a drink once your feet decide Christmas is over.

P.S. If you only want the absolute highlights, do Bond Street → Fortnum & Mason → Regent Street → Carnaby → Covent Garden. It’s still a brilliant Christmas evening, with considerably less walking.

---

When Should You See the London Christmas Lights?

I’d aim for mid-November onwards.

By then the Christmas season is properly getting going—Brigit’s Christmas tours begin on 11 November 2026 and Covent Garden switches on the following day.

London also gets dark ridiculously early in winter (which for once is useful). So choose a tour after 4pm so everything is properly lit, then make dinner or drinks your only plan afterwards.

And if you have the choice, go midweek. Central London in December is never going to be empty, but Tuesday evening and Saturday evening are entirely different beasts.

---

Is a London Christmas Lights Tour Worth It?

It can be—but you definitely don’t need one.

The street lights themselves are free, and if you know Central London well you can quite happily follow my route above.

But where I think a tour earns its keep is convenience and a deeper connection to the city if it’s your first time.

You’ll get your route sorted for you, some London and Christmas history along the way and, depending on the tour, a bus, bike, food or afternoon tea thrown into the experience too.

If it’s your first trip, I’d happily book one.

If you’re returning to London and fancy wandering with no schedule, save the money for mulled wine.

For the rest of your festive trip, my Christmas in London guide covers Kew, skating, markets, theatre, neighbourhoods and everything else I’d put on your list.

P.S. — If what you actually want is one huge light trail rather than Central London streets, read my Christmas at Kew guide. Very different evening!

---

Where to Stay for London Christmas Light Tours

If the Christmas lights are high on your list, I’d definitely pay attention to where you’re staying.

My central-but-calmer pick is The Welbeck in Marylebone. You’re close to Oxford Street and Regent Street, but can escape the full West End buzz when you’re ready for bed.

If you want the festive action practically outside your door, I’d go for The Resident Covent Garden.

I’ve got plenty more options in my best Christmas hotels in London guide.

---

My Top Tips Before Your Christmas Lights Tour

🧥 Dress for standing around in the London cold, not just the walking.
You might feel fine marching through Central London, but the second your guide stops to tell you something for 10 minutes, December suddenly feels much colder in the city. I’d wear proper layers, especially if you’re doing an open-top bus or evening walking tour.

🚌 Check exactly what kind of London bus you’re booking.
Open-top sounds fabulous until London decides to rain sideways. Some Christmas bus tours are enclosed, some are partially covered and some really do leave you exposed to the elements, so have a proper look before you book.

🍷 Give yourself breathing room before dinner (and keep it Central if you can).
Christmas traffic around Regent Street, Oxford Street, Piccadilly and Victoria can be painfully slow, so I would not book a restaurant for the exact minute your tour is due to finish. Give yourself at least a little buffer so the end of your evening doesn’t become a rush, and take the Tube over the bus to save time.

🔋 Bring a portable charger if you’re out for the evening.
Between your ticket, Google Maps, photos, videos and approximately 400 attempts at getting the perfect Regent Street angels shot with a red bus underneath, your battery can disappear very quickly (here’s the one I use).

📍 Read your London meeting-point instructions carefully.
Especially if your tour starts around Victoria. “Meet at Victoria” can mean the station, coach station, or a nearby street.

---

Final Thoughts on Christmas Light Tours in London

I’ve done enough Christmas wandering around London to know I’ll probably always choose my own two feet first.

But especially for your first London Christmas, a tour can make the whole evening wonderfully easy.

Choose the walking tour if you want London up close, Brigit’s if afternoon tea sounds like half the fun, Lights & Bites if staying warm is non-negotiable, or the bike tour if you want to see as much as possible.

Then leave yourself somewhere lovely to go afterwards.

Preferably somewhere warm.

Have the best Christmas in London!

Happy Londoning,

Candace x

---

FAQs: Christmas Light Tours in London

What is the best way to see the Christmas lights in London?

Walking is my favourite way to see London’s Christmas lights because you can combine Oxford Street, Bond Street, Regent Street, Carnaby and Covent Garden all in one evening while actually stopping to enjoy everything along the way. A guided Christmas lights walking tour makes it much easier if you don’t know Central London well.

Are London Christmas lights bus tours worth it?

Yes, especially if you want to cover several areas without being outside for the whole evening. I’d particularly consider one for families, parents, anyone with limited mobility or simply a very cold December night.

If that sounds like you, I’d look at Christmas Lights & Bites for a classic Routemaster and festive food, or Brigit’s Christmas Afternoon Tea Bus if cake is going to be half the fun.

When do the Christmas lights come on in London in 2026?

London doesn’t have one city-wide Christmas lights switch-on. Each neighbourhood announces its own date. Covent Garden has confirmed its 2026 switch-on for 12 November, while other major displays including Regent Street, Oxford Street and Carnaby announce their details separately.

I keep the wider festive dates and events together in my Christmas in London guide.

What streets have the best Christmas lights in London?

I’d prioritise Oxford Street, Bond Street, Regent Street and Carnaby, then continue through the West End to Covent Garden. If you want to do them independently, follow my DIY route above.

How long do London Christmas light tours take?

It depends on what you book. Brigit’s Christmas Afternoon Tea Bus lasts around 90 minutes, the London by Night tour is around 90 minutes and the Christmas Lights Bike Tour is around three hours. Always check your exact booking before you go as timings can change.

Are Christmas lights tours in London good for kids?

Yes. Bus tours are particularly handy because little legs don’t have to spend the whole evening walking. Brigit’s standard Christmas Afternoon Tea Bus is for ages five and over.

If you’re planning the whole trip with little ones, I’ve put plenty more ideas in my Christmas in London with kids guide.

Do I need to book a London Christmas lights tour in advance?

I would, particularly for Friday and Saturday evenings and dates closest to Christmas. Christmas tours only have a relatively short festive season to operate, so the best evening slots can go quickly.

Can I see the London Christmas lights for free?

Absolutely. London’s major street displays are free, so you can follow my route through Oxford Street, Bond Street, Regent Street, Carnaby and Covent Garden without buying a ticket.

---