How long are xmas lights up in London?

In London, Christmas lights typically stay up for a period of about 5-6 weeks during the festive season. The displays are usually switched on in mid-November and remain lit until early January. Here’s a more detailed timeline for the Christmas lights in London:

Timeline for Christmas Lights in London:

1. Switch-On Dates:

   • Most of London’s iconic Christmas light displays are switched on in mid-November, often around the second or third week. The official start of the Christmas season is marked by major switch-on events, especially along Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Covent Garden.

2. Duration of the Lights Display:

   • The lights remain on throughout the Christmas season, usually until the first week of January. Many displays are turned off by the first weekend of January, although some areas (such as Kew Gardens' Christmas trail) may continue into mid-January.

3. End Dates:

   • Christmas lights are traditionally taken down after Twelfth Night, which is January 5th or 6th, but in some cases, they stay up until early January. For example, major shopping districts like Oxford Street and Regent Street often turn off their lights around the first week of January (usually around January 7th or 8th).

Popular Locations & Duration:

• Oxford Street:

  • Lights usually go on in mid-November and stay up until early January, often around January 7th-8th.

• Regent Street:

  • Similar to Oxford Street, the Christmas lights on Regent Street go on in mid-November and come down in the first week of January.

• Covent Garden:

  • Covent Garden's Christmas lights are also up from mid-November to early January.

• Kew Gardens (Christmas at Kew):

  • This light display runs a bit longer, usually until mid-January, making it a great post-New Year’s activity.

Why the Christmas Lights Stay Up for This Duration:

• Tradition: Christmas decorations, including lights, are often kept up until the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas, which culminates in Epiphany on January 6th.

• Tourism & Retail: The Christmas lights attract both tourists and shoppers, so they are kept on for the full holiday shopping season. Major shopping streets like Oxford Street and Regent Street use the lights to boost foot traffic, especially leading up to Christmas and into the New Year’s sales.

• Winter Atmosphere: London’s weather can be cold and dark in December and January, and the lights provide a festive atmosphere that helps lift spirits during the long winter nights.

Conclusion

Christmas lights in London are typically up from mid-November to early January, with some displays running a bit longer (such as at Kew Gardens). If you want to catch the lights at their best, it’s ideal to visit between November and the first week of January. After that, they’re taken down, and the city returns to its regular, post-holiday atmosphere.