The best Christmas light trails in London with kids

Seeing the Christmas lights illuminating Oxford Street and Regent Street is always a highlight of the year – but if you’re looking to spy some of the best London festive lights with kids, there’s more to discover than these alone. (UPDATED FOR 2026)

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Each year, the capital seems to have more illuminations, light festivals, and festive trails lighting up the city than ever before, both standalone events and at some of London’s best-known family attractions.

So if you want a way to brighten up the winter (and who doesn’t), here’s my pick of the best London Christmas light trails with kids, as well as switch-on dates for the Christmas lights in central London.

For more of the best things to do for Christmas in London with kids, check out my top picks, as well as my London Christmas lights walking route

Christmas at Kew

There’s never a bad time to visit Kew Gardens but Christmas at Kew is one of the best to get you feeling festive – especially with Father Christmas along the way.

The illuminations in the botanic gardens are back once more, with new installations making their world debuts. Keep an eye out for sound and light installation Infinite Choir, while Drift sees illuminated spheres rising almost 2m in the air. There’ll also be lights evoking a floral meadow and an animated willow tree.

There’ll be some old favourites along the 3km trail, including the Palm House pond light show, this year featuring chandeliers and light on the water in front, while the Fire Garden and Christmas Cathedral are back, along with and the Pealight Tree are back along the Holly Walk.

As well as being a great wander through the gardens, there are food and drink stalls along the way: previous years have included everything from mulled cider to sourdough pizza and hot chocolate.

Christmas at Kew runs from November 13 to January 3, 2027, with sessions from 4.20 pm, last entry from 7-8pm depending on entrance gate but the gardens open to 10pm (9pm on Christmas Eve). You must book in advance as it usually sells out – tickets with reserved parking go very quickly.

You can enter through the Victoria Plaza, Brentford Gate (for tickets with parking), and Elizabeth Gate, and you’ll need to specify which, with latest entry at the Victoria Gate.

Tickets cost from £29.50 for adults (including booking fee), from £20 for children aged four to 16, with discounts for members and family tickets are also available. Tickets don’t include day entry to Kew Gardens.

For more of the best things to do for Christmas in London with kids, check out my top picks

Chelsea Winter Village & Illuminations

The illuminated light trail through the historic grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea is back again for its second year.

The 1.5km leads you past twinkling lights and immersive installations, along a string of enchanted avenues and past shooting stars and giant baubles, ending at the Chelsea Winter Village with its festive food stalls, Christmas market and pop-up curling club.

Runs from November 25-December 28, look out for festive workshops available to book in the winter village too, with everything from wreath making to bauble painting last year. Tickets for the light trail cost from £12 for kids, £18 for adults, while entry to the winter village is free.

Festive lights at Wembley Park

Wembley Park is lighting up for Christmas with a series of twinkling installations and festive sights.

Look out for the 3m tall Thank You Heart, the huge Star Box cube with its golden lights and shimmering sequins, plus an immersive illuminated Christmas bauble.

And the area is also home to London’s tallest LED Christmas tree, which you can step inside to soak up the patterns of light. Dates tbc but last year’s lights were switched on in late November and illuminated until early January.

For more ideas of things to do at Wembley Park with kids, check out my tips

Canary Wharf winter lights

You needn’t spend a fortune (or get squashed by the crowds in Oxford Street) to see London’s festive lights with kids for free – and the Canary Wharf Winter Lights make a great way to brighten up the New Year.

2027’s event is scheduled to return, with the event usually running for the last 10 days of January (dates tbc), a string of temporary light installations on a theme.

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The 2026 lights promised to take you through a landscape of discovery, with a mix of surreal and ethereal experiences, but there’s a new twist every year.

With this, there’s no need to prebook tickets, just turn up to check out the illuminated installations between 5pm and 10pm, whenever you need a pick-me-up in January. The map will be available in January to plan your route, with drinks and snacks available to buy along the way (as well as Canary Wharf’s usual cafes and restaurants).

The Canary Wharf ice rink won’t be operating for the 2026-2027 season

Lost Worlds by Luxmuralis in Greenwich

While this isn’t a Christmas light trail, it’s a fun alternative if you’re looking for ways to brighten up the darker days.

The latest sound and light show from Luxmuralis will be transforming the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich from November 6-8 and November 11-15, as you’re taken on an immersive journey through great civilisations, myths and forgotten histories of humanity.

Part of the 300th anniversary celebrations of the Painted Hall, you’ll travel from the days of prehistoric cave art to a world of knights, castles and illuminated manuscripts, via mythical cities to the age of the dinosaurs.

Must be prebooked, tickets from £22 for adults, £16.50 for children, with family tickets also available.

More Christmas lights in London

While you’re out exploring London with kids, keep an eye out for the festive lights over the main shopping streets from November onwards – I’ve got a self-guided Christmas lights walking route to follow so you can see the main displays.

There have been fewer big switch-on events in recent years to avoid crowds, but here’s what to see and when to spot them. Most will stay on until at least January 3, 2027 although you can expect them all to be switched off by January 6.

Check out these tips for the best hot chocolate in London with kids, if you’re looking to warm up afterwards

Carnaby Street

Often one of the first sets of lights to switch on in November, Carnaby Street can boast more than impressive 25 years of lights, featuring everything from space to the Rolling Stones – this year’s display, All Is Bright, builds on last year’s which featured hourly light displays with some 6m light sculpture and star installations. Switch-on date Nov 4

Covent Garden

The bells and bows are back again at Covent Garden for a third year running, along with a traditional sleigh to pose alongside as part of Christmas in Covent Garden, kicking off in November, and hourly flurries of fake snow. Switch-on date Nov 12

Regent Street

The Spirit of Christmas angels are another favourite sight in central London, with the soaring figures returning to St James’s, Piccadilly, and Jermyn Street as well as Regent Street once again. Switch-on date Nov 5

Oxford Street

Thousands of stars will be sparkling above London’s busiest shopping street, with LED lights once again to use less energy. You can sponsor one to support children’s charity Starlight as well. Switch-on date Nov 2 (TBC)

For another way to see the London Christmas lights, take the The Original Tour Christmas Lights bus tour visiting Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street & Oxford Street – click here to book

Bond Street

The lights here change regularly from year to year: in the past few years, royal-themed display of crowns replaced the illuminated peacock tails that shimmered above the area around Bond Street, a reference to the society dandies (or peacocks) who once strutted the streets here. Don’t miss the illuminated Christmas trees in South Molton Street nearby. Switch-on date November 11 (TBC)

Belgravia

The twinkling lights are returning to Elizabeth Street, Motcomb Street, Eccleston Yards, Halkin Arcade and Pimlico Road once again. There’s often a switch on party to celebrate including an appearance by Santa and his elves. Official switch-on date expected to be mid-Nov 16 (though the lights themselves may go on before the switch-on date)

Trafalgar Square

Every year since 1947, the people of Norway have given the people of London a Christmas tree as a gesture of appreciation for the city’s support during the Second World War. The lighting ceremony takes place on the first Thursday in December – this year’s event will be on December 3 2025.

Christmas Light Trails, London not confirmed/returning for 2026

A few popular light trails in London failed to make an appearance last year, with no word if they’ll be back once more in 2025.

Illuminature at WWT London

Inspired by the creatures that call the wetlands home, Illuminature didn’t return to WWT Barnes, the London Wetland Centre, last year and there’s not confirmation that it’ll be back again for 2026.

Enchanted Woodland at Syon House

One of the loveliest illuminated trails for families, this mile-long route wound around the ornamental lake and arboretum at Syon House, finishing in the Great Conservatory. Sadly, after around 20 years, the event has now been permanently cancelled.

Get a taste of the festive lights with some of my photos from the event here, including the light show on Syon House itself

Enchanted Eltham Palace

For years, Eltham Palace has transformed its glorious gardens each winter for Enchanted Eltham, replaced by a string of other festive events but while there’ll be some festive fun for 2026, there’s no light trail planned.

Hampton Court Palace

After the previous Palace of Stardust and Palace of Light trail at Hampton Court Palace, there are no illuminated trails planned – instead, the palace itself is getting a festive glow-up for the new Winter Palace event, where mythical beasts are joining a magical ball.

Check out my review of Palace of Stardust here to get a taste of previous events

Battersea Power Station Light Festival

The festival ran from 2020-2025 as another sparkling way to start the New Year but after being cancelled for 2026, it’s not due to take place again – the other festive fun, including the Glide ice rink will still be back.

Check out these posts for more ideas of the best Christmas markets in London with kids as well as the best of London’s festive ice rinks with kids

PIN FOR LATER: LONDON CHRISTMAS LIGHTS WITH KIDS

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Main image/Kew at Christmas: Jeff Eden/RBG Kew; illuminated trees courtesy Chelsea Winter Village; Regent Street angels: Depositphotos; all others copyright MummyTravels

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