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London's Christmas lights: When and where to watch the switch-on

  • <p>Shopping haven Carnaby Street will be switching on its carnival-themed lights on November 9 at 6pm. As with everywhere else in London, the surrounding stores will have exclusive discounts until 9pm. There’ll also be a DJ and pop-up bar offering rum cocktails to ticket-holders. Register for a free ticket <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.carnaby.co.uk/" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">here</a>.<br><br></p>
    1/9

    Carnaby Street

    Shopping haven Carnaby Street will be switching on its carnival-themed lights on November 9 at 6pm. As with everywhere else in London, the surrounding stores will have exclusive discounts until 9pm. There’ll also be a DJ and pop-up bar offering rum cocktails to ticket-holders. Register for a free ticket here.

  • <p>Arguably the biggest Christmas switch-on in London, <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.oxfordstreet.co.uk/christmas-lights-switch-show/" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Oxford Street;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Oxford Street</a> will be turning on its 1,778 lights on November 7. Inspired by falling snowflakes, Rita Ora will be pressing the official button. The event is expected to attract over one million people so be prepared. From 5pm outside Park House. </p>
    2/9

    Oxford Street

    Arguably the biggest Christmas switch-on in London, Oxford Street will be turning on its 1,778 lights on November 7. Inspired by falling snowflakes, Rita Ora will be pressing the official button. The event is expected to attract over one million people so be prepared. From 5pm outside Park House.

  • <p>On November 14 at 5.30pm, <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.coventgarden.london/christmas-2017" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Covent Garden;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Covent Garden</a> will switch on its huge Christmas light display featuring 40 mistletoe chandeliers and over 100,000 individual lights. As well as a huge Christmas tree to marvel at, there’ll be performances from West End musical ’42nd Street’, an appearance from Pudsey and lots of in-store shopping events. </p>
    3/9

    Covent Garden

    On November 14 at 5.30pm, Covent Garden will switch on its huge Christmas light display featuring 40 mistletoe chandeliers and over 100,000 individual lights. As well as a huge Christmas tree to marvel at, there’ll be performances from West End musical ’42nd Street’, an appearance from Pudsey and lots of in-store shopping events.

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

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    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>On November 16, London’s most historical Christmas light display will once again turn on. Boasting over 300,000 twinkling LED lights, it’s the largest in the capital. Further details are <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="http://www.regentstreetonline.com/events/christmas-lights-switch-on-2017" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:still to be announced;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">still to be announced</a> but expect VIP appearances and live entertainment as well as a late-night shopping event. </p>
    4/9

    Regent Street

    On November 16, London’s most historical Christmas light display will once again turn on. Boasting over 300,000 twinkling LED lights, it’s the largest in the capital. Further details are still to be announced but expect VIP appearances and live entertainment as well as a late-night shopping event.

  • <p>Tailoring mecca <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="http://www.stjameslondon.co.uk/" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:St James’s;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">St James’s</a> will light up on November 16 at precisely 5.15pm. The likes of Jermyn Street will be filled with shining stars and angels to the soundtrack of a live choir with lots of offers in shops and restaurants. </p>
    5/9

    St James’s

    Tailoring mecca St James’s will light up on November 16 at precisely 5.15pm. The likes of Jermyn Street will be filled with shining stars and angels to the soundtrack of a live choir with lots of offers in shops and restaurants.

  • <p>Head to London’s West End on November 16 for an impressive light switch on. At 6.30pm, the countdown to the Christmas lights will begin followed by a food and shopping event until 9pm. There’ll be live music from the 600-strong choir, Some Voices, as well as lots of discounts to enjoy. Register for free tickets <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.sevendials.co.uk/" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">here</a>.<br><br></p>
    6/9

    Seven Dials

    Head to London’s West End on November 16 for an impressive light switch on. At 6.30pm, the countdown to the Christmas lights will begin followed by a food and shopping event until 9pm. There’ll be live music from the 600-strong choir, Some Voices, as well as lots of discounts to enjoy. Register for free tickets here.

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>Chelsea’s <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="http://www.dukeofyorksquare.com/whats-on/news/christmas-lights-switch-on-save-the-date" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Duke of York Square;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Duke of York Square</a> will host the area’s official festive light switch-on on November 18 at 5pm. Unlike most other locations, this one’s on a Saturday so the whole family can attend. Children can meet Father Christmas as well as his reindeer with entertainment stretching across to Sloane Square too. </p>
    7/9

    Duke of York Square

    Chelsea’s Duke of York Square will host the area’s official festive light switch-on on November 18 at 5pm. Unlike most other locations, this one’s on a Saturday so the whole family can attend. Children can meet Father Christmas as well as his reindeer with entertainment stretching across to Sloane Square too.

  • <p>Head into Covent Garden on November 23 for the unveiling of the forest-inspired Christmas light installation. St Martin’s Courtyard will be hosting live music and exclusive shopping discounts as well as giving you the chance to get a free glass of prosecco and toast some marshmallows. From 5pm. Register for your free ticket <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.stmartinscourtyard.co.uk/" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">here</a>.<br><br></p>
    8/9

    St Martin’s Courtyard

    Head into Covent Garden on November 23 for the unveiling of the forest-inspired Christmas light installation. St Martin’s Courtyard will be hosting live music and exclusive shopping discounts as well as giving you the chance to get a free glass of prosecco and toast some marshmallows. From 5pm. Register for your free ticket here.

  • <p>Dame Barbara Windsor will be switching on <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="http://www.marylebonevillage.com/marylebone-journal/dame-barbara" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Marylebone High Street’s lights;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Marylebone High Street’s lights</a> on November 15 at 6pm. There will also be live performances from local children and professionals as well as Santa’s Grotto, food stalls and fairground rides. </p>
    9/9

    Marylebone Village

    Dame Barbara Windsor will be switching on Marylebone High Street’s lights on November 15 at 6pm. There will also be live performances from local children and professionals as well as Santa’s Grotto, food stalls and fairground rides.

<p>Shopping haven Carnaby Street will be switching on its carnival-themed lights on November 9 at 6pm. As with everywhere else in London, the surrounding stores will have exclusive discounts until 9pm. There’ll also be a DJ and pop-up bar offering rum cocktails to ticket-holders. Register for a free ticket <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.carnaby.co.uk/" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">here</a>.<br><br></p>
<p>Arguably the biggest Christmas switch-on in London, <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.oxfordstreet.co.uk/christmas-lights-switch-show/" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Oxford Street;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Oxford Street</a> will be turning on its 1,778 lights on November 7. Inspired by falling snowflakes, Rita Ora will be pressing the official button. The event is expected to attract over one million people so be prepared. From 5pm outside Park House. </p>
<p>On November 14 at 5.30pm, <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.coventgarden.london/christmas-2017" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Covent Garden;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Covent Garden</a> will switch on its huge Christmas light display featuring 40 mistletoe chandeliers and over 100,000 individual lights. As well as a huge Christmas tree to marvel at, there’ll be performances from West End musical ’42nd Street’, an appearance from Pudsey and lots of in-store shopping events. </p>
<p>On November 16, London’s most historical Christmas light display will once again turn on. Boasting over 300,000 twinkling LED lights, it’s the largest in the capital. Further details are <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="http://www.regentstreetonline.com/events/christmas-lights-switch-on-2017" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:still to be announced;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">still to be announced</a> but expect VIP appearances and live entertainment as well as a late-night shopping event. </p>
<p>Tailoring mecca <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="http://www.stjameslondon.co.uk/" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:St James’s;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">St James’s</a> will light up on November 16 at precisely 5.15pm. The likes of Jermyn Street will be filled with shining stars and angels to the soundtrack of a live choir with lots of offers in shops and restaurants. </p>
<p>Head to London’s West End on November 16 for an impressive light switch on. At 6.30pm, the countdown to the Christmas lights will begin followed by a food and shopping event until 9pm. There’ll be live music from the 600-strong choir, Some Voices, as well as lots of discounts to enjoy. Register for free tickets <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.sevendials.co.uk/" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">here</a>.<br><br></p>
<p>Chelsea’s <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="http://www.dukeofyorksquare.com/whats-on/news/christmas-lights-switch-on-save-the-date" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Duke of York Square;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Duke of York Square</a> will host the area’s official festive light switch-on on November 18 at 5pm. Unlike most other locations, this one’s on a Saturday so the whole family can attend. Children can meet Father Christmas as well as his reindeer with entertainment stretching across to Sloane Square too. </p>
<p>Head into Covent Garden on November 23 for the unveiling of the forest-inspired Christmas light installation. St Martin’s Courtyard will be hosting live music and exclusive shopping discounts as well as giving you the chance to get a free glass of prosecco and toast some marshmallows. From 5pm. Register for your free ticket <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.stmartinscourtyard.co.uk/" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">here</a>.<br><br></p>
<p>Dame Barbara Windsor will be switching on <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="http://www.marylebonevillage.com/marylebone-journal/dame-barbara" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Marylebone High Street’s lights;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Marylebone High Street’s lights</a> on November 15 at 6pm. There will also be live performances from local children and professionals as well as Santa’s Grotto, food stalls and fairground rides. </p>
Lauren Sharkey

It’s almost Christmas. Well, not really but it’s almost the switching on of every Christmas light in London.

Of course, they’re not all turned on on the same day, giving you the opportunity to attend more than one.

As well as the official switch-on, there’ll be a whole host of events from shopping discounts to pop-up bars and fairs for the little ones.

Oxford Street is set to be the busiest with an estimated one million people in attendance. If you’re after a quieter affair, why not try the likes of Carnaby Street or St Martin’s Courtyard in Covent Garden?

Here are all the Christmas lights events you need to know about in London this year.

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