London Christmas Lights: A Very Merry Walking Tour from Covent Garden to Carnaby Street
Experience the magic of Christmas in London! Wander beneath dazzling lights, admire spectacular decorations and discover the city’s festive secrets. From Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square to Fortnum & Mason, Regent Street and Carnaby Street, join us for a merry adventure filled with fascinating stories, curious traditions and Christmas cheer!
Basic Information
Total time
2h
Language
English (check the calendar for availability)
Price
💛 Our "Pay What You Wish" tours don't have a fixed price — you decide how much the experience was worth. At the end of the tour, please make a fair contribution that reflects your satisfaction and appreciation for your guide's work. Most guests give between €15 and €50 per person. 💳 Payment options: Cash, Digital Payment
Meeting point
A sheltered space located immediately outside the Apple Store in Covent Garden Piazza, set away from the main entrance.
Nearest public transport: Covent Garden; Southampton Street / Covent Garden (Stop A)
Ending point
The Spirit of Soho Mural is painted on a building at the corner of Broadwick and Carnaby Streets. The area offers pubs, shops, and restraurants galore!
Nearest public transport: Conduit Street / Hamleys Toy Store; Conduit Street Hamleys; Oxford Circus tube
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by Walkative London guides. Look for the guide with the yellow umbrella.
🐕 Pet-friendly — you can bring your pet.
💳 Cashless payment available (card, digital wallet).
👨👩👧 Family-friendly (kids welcome).
❗Our tours run in all weather conditions. High or low temperatures, rain, or snow are never a reason for us to cancel. The only reasons for cancellation are extreme weather conditions (such as heavy storms), a guide's sudden illness, or fewer than 5 registered participants. In such cases, we will always notify you using the contact information you provided when booking.
Booking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our "Pay What You Wish" tours are meant for individual travellers and small groups. Large groups (8 or more people) cannot join these tours, as they significantly affect the experience for others and the guide. For school trips, organised tours, or groups of friends, please book our paid option (18€ per person) or arrange a 👉 Private Tour. For more information or to schedule a group visit, please contact us directly.
About the tour
Every winter, London’s historic streets are transformed into a dazzling wonderland of twinkling lights, magnificent Christmas trees and extravagant decorations. Join Walkative for a festive journey through the heart of the capital, combining some of the city’s most spectacular seasonal sights with fascinating history, curious traditions and a healthy dose of Christmas cheer!
Our adventure begins in Covent Garden, where an enormous Christmas tree and thousands of glittering lights illuminate the historic market. From there, we’ll make our way to Trafalgar Square, home to London’s famous Norwegian Christmas tree. But why does Norway send Britain a tree every December? The answer takes us back to the darkest days of the Second World War.
Continuing through the historic streets of St James’s, we’ll pass one of London’s most beautiful churches before arriving at the legendary Fortnum & Mason, famous for its extravagant Christmas displays. We’ll also explore the magnificent Burlington Arcade, where festive decorations bring an extra touch of magic to one of London’s most elegant shopping destinations.
Along the way, we’ll uncover the surprising history of Christmas itself. Did you know that Christmas celebrations were once suppressed in England? Or that many of the traditions we take for granted today only became popular during the Victorian era? From Dickens and Prince Albert to festive feasting, gift-giving and the origins of Christmas shopping, there’s more to the season than meets the eye!
Next, we’ll venture into fashionable Mayfair, where the exclusive establishments of Berkeley Square compete to produce some of London’s most extravagant Christmas decorations. We’ll also take a little detour along Savile Row, where the Beatles once performed their legendary final rooftop concert.
And then comes the grand finale! We’ll walk beneath Regent Street’s magnificent illuminated angels, among London’s most iconic Christmas displays, before finishing amid the colourful festive decorations of Carnaby Street, where Soho’s lively pubs, bars and restaurants await.
Along the way, expect spectacular photo opportunities, entertaining stories and a few surprises about the history of Christmas itself.
Whether you’re visiting London for the first time, rediscovering your own city or simply looking for a wonderfully festive evening out, this is the perfect way to experience Christmas in the capital.
Highlights
- 1
Covent Garden Piazza
Discover one of London’s most magical Christmas destinations, where a historic fruit and vegetable market, famous street performers and an enormous Christmas tree come together beneath thousands of twinkling lights and spectacular festive decorations.
- 2
Covent Garden
A historic market transformed into a festive wonderland, with an enormous Christmas tree, spectacular decorations and thousands of twinkling lights.
- 3
Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree
London’s famous Christmas tree, gifted annually by Norway since 1947 in gratitude for Britain’s support during the Second World War.
- 4
Fortnum & Mason
London's famous—and royally appointed—luxury food store, renowned for their luxurious Christmas displays, glittering decorations and festive traditions.
- 5
Regent Street Christmas Lights
One of London’s most iconic festive sights, where magnificent illuminated angels soar above the grand shopping street, continuing a Christmas lights tradition dating back to 1954.
- 6
Carnaby Street
A legendary Soho shopping street famous for its Swinging Sixties heritage and colourful, imaginative Christmas decorations—with numerous pubs, restaurants, and shops in the area.
FAQ
Map
A sheltered space located immediately outside the Apple Store in Covent Garden Piazza, set away from the main entrance.
Nearest public transport: Covent Garden; Southampton Street / Covent Garden (Stop A)
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