When London’s Christmas season starts in 2026: markets, ice rinks, lights switch-ons and Winter Wonderland, in date order.
Christmas in London 2026: every opening and switch-on date
London’s Christmas season starts on 31 October this year and builds through November. Here are the opening and switch-on dates in order, so you can plan ahead.
October
- 31 October: Leicester Square Christmas market and Skate Leicester Square open
Early November
- 2 November: Southbank Centre Winter Market opens
- 4 November: Carnaby lights switch on, and the Harry Potter shop on Oxford Street opens
- 5 November: Regent Street and St James’s lights switch on (free evening event, 5pm to 9pm)
- 6 November: Glide ice rink opens at Battersea Power Station
Mid November
- 11 November: Skate at Somerset House opens, and Marylebone lights switch on
- 12 November: Covent Garden lights switch on, and markets open at Covent Garden, London Bridge City and Kingston
- 13 November: Christmas at Kew light trail begins
Late November
- 19 November: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland opens
- 28 November: the new London Museum opens at Smithfield
Not confirmed yet
Oxford Street hasn’t announced its switch-on date. We’ll add it when it does.
For the details on each, see our guides to Christmas markets, ice skating, Christmas lights and things to do in London at Christmas.
Frequently asked questions
When does Christmas start in London in 2026?
Leicester Square opens its market and ice rink on 31 October. Most lights switch on between 4 and 12 November.
When do the Regent Street Christmas lights switch on?
Thursday 5 November 2026.
When does Winter Wonderland open?
Thursday 19 November 2026.
Sources
Last checked: 25 October 2026. Each date is also checked against the organiser in our individual guides.
