There’s no better way of lifting your mood during the dark and dreary winter months than paying a visit to the city’s illuminated wonderlands.
The lights last year were pretty spectacular by all accounts, but this year promises to be better yet, with the luminosity ramped up to its cornea-scorching max thanks to a series of new installations.
The organisers of events hosted at Westfield’s, Battersea Power Station, Southbank Centre, and Canary Wharf, to name but a few, are preparing fresh installations that will outdo last year’s.
And lashings of light are not just good for lifting your spirits – well-lit locations are also perfect for photo backdrops and present great opportunities for capturing those unique Instagrammable moments.
That is why, along with a list of seven of the best winter and Christmas festivals London has to offer this year, we’ve also included some insider photo hacks to help you find the best times and locations for your snaps.
Disclaimer: Our picks are ordered by our LBN Trust Score. We arrived at our score by weighting the Google ranking of the event and average visitor numbers to the site.
1. Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park (14/11/25 – 01/01/26 | 4.4 Stars from 9,000+ Google Reviews | LBN Trust Score: 4.7/5)
Indeed, the place sees some serious footfall over the winter months, so be sure to book your tickets in advance, even if you plan to take advantage of the off-peak free entry.
As far as the lights are concerned, the Winter Wonderland always wows guests with its Luminarie Lane, a glittering arched tunnel of coruscating fairy lights that welcomes visitors at the entrance to the park, setting the scene for the magic to unfold within.
And there are few sights more magical than the park’s enchanting Magical Ice Kingdom, which this year will give visitors a chance to explore four realms: Earth, Fire, Air, and Water, all sculpted from 500 tonnes of snow and ice, kept at a frigid -10°C.
The organisers run a preview night, held on Thursday, 13th November 2025, in the run-up to the event, giving ticket holders unlimited access to the rides, attractions and fun of the fair for an all-inclusive cost (£82-£122) to support the work of The Royal Parks.
Preview tickets go on sale on October 2nd.
Picture Perfect
- Best Location: Instagram-worthy spots abound—the Christmas Tree Arms, the carousel bar, glowing ice features, and the Magic Kingdom, this year populated by ugly giant trolls and a five-metre-high Griffin, perfect for kooky photos.
- Best Time: Visit in the late afternoon, when dusk meets the festival lights, which will let you blend the soft blue twilight with warm fairy light hues of the installations, giving an interesting contrast.
Key Info
- Address: Hyde Park, London W2 2UH (main entrance via Hyde Park Corner).
- Nearest Tube: Hyde Park Corner, Marble Arch, Green Park, Knightsbridge.
- Dog-Friendly: Yes.
- Entry Price: Off-peak entry (10:00–13:00): Free | Standard entry (£5) | Peak entry (weekends and holidays): £7.50.
- Website: https://hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/.
2. Southbank Centre Winter Festival (Nov 25 – Jan 26 | 4 Stars from 1,438 Google Reviews | LBN Trust Score: 3/5)
And it’s not difficult to understand why.
You’ll find some of the most immersive and artistic in London down by the riverside in Southbank this winter.
The light-based artwork isn’t just about wowing visitors – many of the installations also aim to educate as well as entertain, so make sure you take time to reflect on the glitzy displays’ messaging when you visit.
In addition to the lights, there are also Alpine-inspired wooden chalets vending street food, hot mulled wine and gifts from independent artisans.
Picture Perfect
- Best Time: For the best shots of the illuminated artworks, visit at that crepuscular time when natural light blends with the lights from the installations perfectly and just before the venue gets busy later.
- Best Location: The Southbank’s Thames setting means you can catch stunning golden hour sunsets with festival lights starting to twinkle — Thames-adjacent Queens Walk, where you will find at least a couple of the light installations, is perfect for warm, glowing photos with a riverside backdrop.
Key Info
- Address: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road SE1 8XX.
- Nearest Tube Station: Waterloo (also close to Embankment).
- Entry Price: Free.
- Dog-Friendly: Yes.
- Website: https://southbank.london/whats-on/winter-market.
3. Battersea Power Station Light Festival (Jan – Feb 26, 4.6 Stars from 25k+ Google Reviews | LBN Trust Score: 2.6/5)
The festival regularly features light installations from UK-based and international artists, many making their London debut.
The lights also feature sound effects and clever motion sensors, meaning they react to your movements as you interact with them.
As if that weren’t enough, the venue boasts hundreds of shops, bars, restaurants and leisure venues.
Picture Perfect
- Electric Boulevard: The long, open walkway often features dramatic overhead light sculptures during the festive period. The walkway is perfect for wide-angle shots with the power station providing a stunning mise-en-scène.
- Best Time: The skies above Battersea often sport a lovely colour gradient from gold to blue as the last afternoon kicks in and the sun sets. Usually, between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm is the best time to get your snaps.
Key Info
- Address: Battersea Power Station, Circus Road W, London SW11 8EZ.
- Dog Friendly: Yes.
- Entry Price: Free
- Nearest Tube: Battersea Power Station (Northern line).
- Website: https://batterseapowerstation.co.uk/news/battersea-power-stations-free-light-festival-returns-to-brighten-up-winter-nights/.
4. Christmas at Kew (14/11/25 to 04/01/26, 4 Stars from 110+ Google Reviews | LBN Trust Score: 2.5/5)
It’s one of the most popular festive events in the UK and offers a magical outdoor experience that is popular for its themed zones with beautiful and creative displays (like illuminated trees, tunnels, and sculptures).
The festival is also famous for its festive music and its seasonal food and drink stalls, offering winter treats and warming drinks.
Picture Perfect
- Best Time: While the main illuminated trail attracts crowds, locals know that the paths around the Rhododendron Dell and the Waterlily House offer quieter, magical moments away from the busier parts.
- Best Location: The Kew light trail, 3 km long, begins at the Palm House and features both beloved displays and exciting world premieres. The tunnel of twinkling lights near the Temperate House is a particular favourite photo spot; however, for a more unique snap, try the illuminated tree arches near the Nash Conservatory—often overlooked by tourists.
Key Info
- Address: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, TW9 3AE.
- Nearest Tube Station: Kew Gardens (District Line and Overground).
- Dog Friendly: No.
- Entry Price: Non‑member adult: £27.50 (off-peak) and £34 (peak) | Member adult: £23.50 (off‑peak) and £28 (peak) | Children (4–15): £18 (off‑peak) and £22 (peak) | Under‑4s go free.
- Website: https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/christmas.
5. Jubilee Park, Canary Wharf Winter Lights (Jan – Feb 26, 4.6 Stars from 2261 Google Reviews | LBN Trust Score: 2.45/5)
The East End lights display is known for its quirky and innovative light installations, and the organisers take the installations on display seriously – so seriously, in fact, that they spend months in the run-up to the event soliciting and curating ideas from artists around the world.
Jubilee Park is considered one of the highlights of the event – its clever use of lighting along the benches enchants adults and children alike.
It also often hosts pop-up fire pits, so make sure you take some marshmallows along to toast.
Picture Perfect
- Best Location: Jubilee Park abounds in good open space to frame shots and wide-angle shots of multiple light pieces, including its chameleon-like park benches and its lit-up fir trees.
- Best Time: The lights come on around 17:00, so aim for around that time so you can catch the last of the natural light. This will give a lovely mix of ambient natural light and glowing installation light for your snaps.
Key Info
- Address: Canary Wharf estate, including Canada Square Park, London E14.
- Dog Friendly: No.
- Entry Price: Free.
- Nearest Tube Station: Canary Wharf (Jubilee & Elizabeth lines).
- Website: https://canarywharf.com/past-events/winter-lights/.
6. Christmas by the River – London Bridge City (Mid-Nov – Dec 2025 | 4.4 Stars from 20 Google Reviews | LBN Trust Score: 2.25/5)
A sparkling wintery wonderland, replete with Alpine-style wooden cabins adorned in subtle fairy lights rather than the blingy type you’ll find elsewhere, it’s perfect for a romantic date.
The emphasis here is on the festive eats and drinks – along with traditional Christmas markets fare like mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and bratwurst, you’ll find more exotic tidbits to try from around the world, including Asian dumplings and Iberian churros.
Picture Perfect
- Best Time: Dusk, when the lights create a magical ambience.
- Best Location: Take your snaps from the stretch between London Bridge and Tower Bridge. The softly lit star-spangled market huts here, along with Tower Bridge in the background, make for truly iconic shots.
Key Info
- Address: Riverside around Hay’s Galleria & Tower Bridge, London SE1
- Nearest Tube: London Bridge
- Dog friendly: Yes.
- Entry price: Free.
- Website: https://www.londonbridgecity.co.uk/events.
7. Carnaby Christmas Lights ‘Into The Light’ (Nov 25 – Jan 26 | 4.1 Stars from 1,600+ TripAdvisor Reviews | LBN Trust Score: 2.25/5)
Using over 60,000 energy-efficient LEDs and powered by green energy, re-use and recycle are at the heart of the project, making it more sustainable than some of the one-off displays on our list.
Picture Perfect
- Best Location: Kingly Court, featuring cascading curtains of fairy lights.
- Best Time: Dusk, when the lights begin to glow against the fading natural light, creating a magical atmosphere. If you can, visit after a rainfall, as a smattering of light drizzle or frost reflects the lights, adding fairy dust to photos.
Key Info
- Address: Carnaby Street, Soho, London W1F
- Dog Friendly: Yes.
- Entry Price: Free.
- Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus (also near Piccadilly Circus).
- Website: https://www.thisissoho.co.uk/christmas-in-soho/.
Also Worth A Visit…
Leicester Square, world-famous for its tree and light switching ceremony, is always a favourite among London’s Christmas markets for locals and out-of-towners alike.
If immersive digital futurescapes are your thing when it comes to winter lights, be sure to check out Shoreditch this year. The display is run in association with Squidsoup and often features one of the most cutting-edge and immersive digital light installations in London. The masses of little lights create pulsing nubulae of lights that give the impression of walking through twinkling space dust.
Canopied by a plethora of fairy lights each year, Oxford Street is never brighter than over the dark winter months. The displays often feature sparkling arches, cascading fairy lights, and festive motifs like stars, snowflakes, or ribbons.
If you’re after an elegant display of Christmas lights, look no further than suave and sophisticated Regent Street at Christmas. Underplayed but not underlit, one of London’s busiest shopping streets is renowned for its elegant, iconic Christmas light display that transforms the iconic Georgian architecture with its syrupy golden hues.
Got a winter lights or Christmas festival we haven’t mentioned, but our readers need to know about? Get in touch here to tell us about it.
LBN Trust Score Data
| Venue | Review Score | Visitor Score | Trust Score |
| Southbank Centre | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Winter Wonderland | 4.4 | 5 | 4.7 |
| Christmas at Kew | 4 | 1 | 2.5 |
| Christmas by the River | 4.4 | 0.1 | 2.25 |
| Jubilee Park | 4.6 | 0.3 | 2.45 |
| Battersea Power Station | 4.6 | 0.6 | 2.6 |
| Carnaby Christmas Lights | 4.1 | 0.4 | 2.25 |
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