The most beautiful Christmas decorations in London

We have now established that London is beautiful at Christmas. The next step is knowing where exactly to go to see all the beauty. I have spent many Christmases just walking around the city and falling in love with it over and over. The most beautiful Christmas decorations in London can be found mainly in the central locations where they are sure to garner all the attention. I will share their locations and also, the closest underground stations to each of them.

25 of the most beautiful Christmas decorations in London

Hotels & Clubs

1.Claridge’s

This iconic London hotel has to be the one I give the 1^st shout to because there is nowhere like Claridge’s at Christmas. It is one of the most luxurious hotels in London and at Christmas, the ground floor turns into a festive wonderland. Each year, they work with a designer to create a Christmas tree by the reception, and it is always spectacular. My favourite so far has been the “Loubi Express” designed by Mr Christian Louboutin himself. I have never stayed in Claridge’s; however, I have dined at their Foyer and Reading room during Christmas for breakfast, afternoon tea and lunch too.

The closest train station to Claridge’s is Bond street and then a 5 minutes walk to the hotel.

2.Ritz

The beauty of Ritz at Christmas starts from the front of the hotel. It has the traditional wreath that lines the walkway by the side of the hotel that makes for the prettiest Christmas photos. This walkway is quite popular for Christmas wedding photos. Every time I have visited, there has been a photo shoot happening. So you can imagine that even professional photographers rate this one.

The Ritz is only a minute walk from Green Park underground station.

3.Corinthia

This is actually one of my favourite hotels in London. It is the one that Beyonce stays in when she visits this iconic city – the pent floor to be exact. I have been fortunate to visit the spa 3 times (it is one of my favourite spas in the world) and have had afternoon tea there as well. One year, Mr E and I booked a spa session around Christmas time which allowed us see what the inside looked like at Christmas. It was so beautiful. They had a Drummer boy theme running through the hotel; with lots of lights and trees around.

Corinthia is about 2 minutes walk from Charing Cross or Embankment underground stations.

4.Annabel’s

One of the most exclusive clubs in London, located in Mayfair is possibly the most show stopping of all the displays each year. Annabel’s has one of the most beautiful Christmas decorations in London. It is as stunning as it is OTT. Annabel’s is very exclusive and unless you are a member (or accompanying a member) or you have been invited, you will most likely not see beyond the gates. However, that is totally ok as that is not what we care to see. The Christmas display is at the front of the building so no matter who you are, it is available for your viewing (and photographing) pleasure. It definitely is one of the most beautiful Christmas decorations in London.

Annabel’s Mayfair is another location that is close to Green Park underground station.

5.Langham

Langham was my most recent London luxury hotel visit at Christmas for afternoon tea; and it was so lovely. It is quintessentially British, and its Christmas decorations show exactly that. It has definitely moved to my top 5 favourite London hotels. There is just something special about the Langham, especially at Christmas.

Langham is a 5 minutes walk from Oxford circus underground station.

London Streets

6. Carnaby street

Carnaby street always has a theme each year which is ethics related and fun too. I remember the year it had an Ocean theme in reference to protecting the ocean. That was quite cool. There are pubs and restaurants lining the street; so it feels like a big merriment street especially in the evenings.

Carnaby street can be reached from a few underground stations: Oxford circus and Piccadilly are about 5 mins away, Tottenham court road is 8 mins away.

7. New Bond Street

This one might be the most OTT of them all. For a short street, it packs the most punches in terms of where to the see the most concentrated Christmas decorations. Every shop on this street takes part in decorating their shop fronts which makes the whole street so magical. It is where you will find Cartier, Chanel, Tiffany’s, Dior, Ralph Lauren all decked out in their Christmas best. It is also where you will find a small arcade, Royal Arcade which is one of the most beautiful shopping arcades in London.

Bond street underground station is the closest underground station to New Bond street.

8. Covent Garden

Is Covent Garden even a street? Lol. It definitely is not a street but a whole area of London. However it has one of the most beautiful decorations in London. I love that you can spend a day in Covent Garden; going from food markets to independent shops while enjoying the pretty decorations.

As the name suggests, the closest underground station is Covent garden.

9. Elizabeth Street, Belgravia

This Belgravia street is pretty even when it is not festive season. The pretty pink cake shop, Peggy Porschen brightens up the street all through the year. At Christmas, it’s even more beautiful as all shops join in the fun to decorate their front doors. From Jo Loves to Peggy Porschen to Joanna Wood florist, there is a festive beauty all around Elizabeth street.

Victoria underground station is the closest underground station and then a 5 mins walk to Elizabeth street.

Restaurants

10. The Ivy Chelsea Garden

Now these ones do Christmas in the most epic manner possible. The Ivy Chelsea Garden is one of my favourite London restaurants. If you have visited me in London, chances are I have taken you to brunch here. They always go all out with their traffic stopping Christmas display every year and it is one of the most photographed Christmas displays.

One year, the theme was Snow Queen and it was all white and silver; another year it was Santa’s sleigh. Outside Christmas, the Ivy Chelsea also does incredible seasonal displays for autumn, Chelsea flower show in May, Valentine’s etc. Oh and I almost forgot to add, the food is great too and decently priced.

The closest underground stations are South Kensington and Sloane square; and then a 15 mins walk to the restaurant.

11. Clos Maggiore, Covent Garden

Clos Maggiore is consistently voted as one of the most romantic hotels in the world. It also has one of the most beautiful Christmas decorations in London. While I am not here to confirm this, I can say for certain that it has a charm and romanticness about it that one cannot deny. We visited at Christmas a few years ago and sat under its special canopy of baubles. It was so beautiful and intimate; the perfect Christmas day restaurant. The front of the restaurant is lovely too but this is one where I recommend booking a table.

Covent Garden is the closest underground station to Clos Maggiore.

12. Harry’s Dolce Vita, Knightsbridge

If I did not take you to The Ivy Chelsea Garden, I must have taken you to Harry’s Dolce Vita then. It sits just outside Harrods and is the perfect spot to people watch especially on a lush summer afternoon. Their Christmas display is usually understated which I love. One of my favourites was a nordic inspired display in 2021.

Knightsbridge underground station is the closest to Harry’s Dolce Vita. The restaurant is literally opposite Harrods (from the Prada cafe entrance)

13. Bill’s

I love a Bill’s brunch. It is usually quite classic, no fuss and decently priced. There’s a Bill’s restaurant everywhere so it is one of those places that you always know what you are getting. For Christmas, I have visited their Covent Garden location twice and its been so cute. Bells jingling, lights twinkling and just a wholesome, family friendly festive vibe.

Covent Garden underground station is only 3 mins walk from Bill’s.

14. Coppa Club

The tower bridge gem where you can dine in an igloo, underneath the stars. At Christmas, it is so pretty as the light bulbs come on and twinkle and if you are lucky, you will see the stars as well. What I love about Coppa Club is that it is one of the only few places you can dine outdoors in winter. However, the cosiness and warmth from the igloos does not make you feel like you are outside.

The closest underground train station is Tower Hill and then a 5 mins walk to Coppa club.

Shop Front displays

15. Cartier

One cannot talk about Christmas displays without mentioning Cartier on New Bond Street. It is by far the most popular of all the shop front displays and the busiest. Cartier has one of the most beautiful Christmas decorations in London. When it goes up, New Bond Street becomes awash with everyone trying to get the perfect picture because in all honesty, the display is always guaranteed to be epic. Most years, it has stayed traditional to the Cartier gift box but there is always a twist to keep it fresh.

Cartier is on New Bond street and the closest underground station is Bond street.

16. Harrods

Harrods will give you sparkles and the best time to see the display is at night when the HARRODS sign is lit up. In the last few years, there is usually a pop-up Christmas exhibition as well. The last one I attended was the Dior one in 2022. The side entrance was transformed with Dior’s sparkly logo, and it was so pretty as it shone at night.

Knightsbridge underground station is the closest to access Harrods.

17. Fortnum & Mason

The original “countdown to Christmas” shop. It is not a secret how much I love F&M if you have been here long enough or on any of my socials. F&M is the quintessentially British shop where you can purchase all your British goodies. They do the best teas and biscuits as well; and who does not want the F&M picnic basket for a summer garden lunch?! However, we are here for the yearly countdown in front of the F&M building. Each year, there is a giant light installation spelling out the year; almost like it is embossed on it.

The closest underground station is Green Park or Piccadilly circus and then a 6 minutes walk.

18. Burlington Arcade

This arcade is possibly the most beautiful arcade in London. It is very beautiful at Christmas and as you are shopping in Ladurée and the contemporary British shops, one cannot miss all the christmassy bits that enhance the beauty of the arcade. It can get so busy at Christmas but if you are lucky and can catch it on a quiet morning, you will fall in love immediately. Just like Fortnum’s, stop at Green Park or Piccadilly circus to access Burlington Arcade.

19. Neill Strain Floral Couture

Neill Strain is one of the top florists in London so his shop in Belgravia is always a pleasure to visit as the seasons change. At Christmas, the floral display always manages to wow me and I always look forward to seeing what the next year will look like. Neill Strain is consistently one of the most beautiful Christmas decorations in London.

The closest underground station is Knightbridge and then a 3 minutes walk to Neill Strain couture.

20. Jo Loves

I love that with Jo Loves, it is always something very whimsical and unique. The Jo Loves brand is owned by the one and only Jo Malone and after she sold her Jo Malone business, she established Jo Loves. It is a luxury perfume and candle shop on Elizabeth Street in Belgravia. One of my favourite displays was a few years ago where it was a burst of red baubles shooting off “icicles”.

Victoria underground station is the closest underground station to Elizabeth street and then a 6 minutes walk to Jo Loves.

21. Hedonism Wines

For those who want to buy some wines for gifts during the festive season, head to Hedonism wines and enjoy the beauty that’s in front of you. What makes Hedonism wines interesting is that it is not the first place you’d think of for extravagant Christmas decorations. However, they go all out each year with the front of the shop which draws everyone in for a photo.

The closest underground station is Marble Arch and then a 4 mins walk to Hedonism wines.

22. Joanna Wood florist

One of the most underrated floral shops in London, Joanna Wood is on the famous Elizabeth street in Belgravia. There is always an artistic, woodlands Christmas design and I love that it tends to be quite different from most of the other arrangements that adorn Elizabeth street at Christmas. It is worth noting that they sell the most beautiful arrangements too and have the kindest staff.

Joanna Wood florist on Elizabeth street is best accessed from Victoria underground station.

23. Royal Arcade

Still somewhat of a hidden gem in comparison to Burlington Arcade which everyone rushes to at Christmas. While you will find Burlington Arcade rammed with people, Royal Arcade will most likely be quiet. The bustle of New Bond Street often leaves Royal Arcade  almost forgotten. However it is so pretty and one not to miss at Christmas.

Green Park and Piccadilly underground lines are the closest to access Royal Arcade.

24. Piccadilly Arcade

This is another lovely, quiet shopping arcade that is overshadowed by Burlington arcade which is across and its neighbour, Fortnum and Mason. It is always understated but classic and a lovely little alley to have a mooch, hot drink in hand.

As the name suggests, Piccadilly circus is the best underground station to access Piccadilly arcade.

Christmas Lights

25. The Angels on Regent street

The most beautiful Christmas lights are the Angels on Regent street. Nothing can beat this for me. Each year, once it gets dark, I look forward to walking on Regent street under the huge angels and it is a feeling I cannot explain. It always feels so London-y as you walk side by side the red buses and black cabs; like the Angels are there to protect and guide you. I know I am being extra now but Regent street is beautiful at Christmas.

My tip is to go really late; preferably when the shops have closed so it is a little less busy than usual. The red buses are still out, there is a bit of car traffic and the lights are shining above you. Try it and tell me it is not one of the most beautiful experiences.

Oxford circus is the closest underground station to Regent street and then a 2 mins walk.

FAQs

When do Christmas displays go up in London?

By the first week in November, the lights on Regent street go up and that is usually the start of the festive decorations mania. 

When are the Christmas displays taken down in London?

From the 1st week of January, they start to come down. Usually the 12th day of Christmas marks the end of the celebrations so from the 5th of January, festive vibes disappear. 

When is the best time to visit the Christmas displays in London?

I will always vote early weekday mornings as the best time to see the Christmas displays in London. However, I know this is not always possible especially if you have an office job. So the next best time is Sunday mornings as it is the quietest time in the weekend. 

The most beautiful Christmas decorations in London

The best thing about Christmas in London is how every year, these establishments put on a display. I love how everyone takes it so seriously. When I started to walk around London about 7 years ago, only half of these on my list had Christmas displays. Nowadays, more establishments are joining in on the fun and participating. You almost feel left out if you are not trying to keep up. Christmas is a wonderful time to walk around the city and the best thing about a lot of these displays is that they are free to view, enjoy and photograph.

This list is a guide to the most beautiful Christmas decorations in London; however, the beauty of wandering in London is discovering new and hidden gems. With this guide in hand, go out and explore and see how many you can find in addition to this list as well.

Bisous, Bugo x