London becomes a fairy tale city at Christmas time, with Christmas lights brightening up the night sky. We take a look at where you can find the best illumination displays.
A giant 82 foot Christmas tree dominates Trafalgar Square throughout the festive season. Since 1947, the people of Norway has been donating a tree to London in recognition of the way Britain supported them during the Second World War. Over the years, it has become an iconic part of Christmas celebrations and is always decorated Norwegian style. It always looks stunning, decorated as it is with around 900 light bulbs set in vertical strings. On New Years Eve, Trafalgar Square is always crowded with thousands of people keen to welcome the New Year around this spectacular Christmas tree. Close by on the Strand, there are hundreds of illuminated snowflakes and baubles adorning the street.
Garlands of Angel Wings dominate the Christmas lights along Regent Street, with a massive display stretching from Waterloo Place, via Piccadilly and St James’s all the way to Oxford Street. This year’s display reflects elements of the very first set of Christmas lights installed in Regent Street back in 1954. Linking into this display are the Oxford Street Lights – a stunning display of 1778 snowball-like decorations lit by 750,000 LED lightbulbs! As night falls, the combined effect of the Regent Street Lights and the Oxford Street Lights really turns this whole area into a very magical sight.
The adjoining Bond Street lights add a touch of sheer glamour with lights evoking a feather design. This has all the hallmarks of a peacock with an outspread feather display sparkling and glittering in a jewel like array. You can also find numerous affordable self catering apartments London nearby which are the perfect hotel alternative.
Take a short step back into the past at Carnaby Street for one of the most lively displays in the city. These decorations have taken their inspiration from the current V&A exhibition, ‘You Say You Want a Revolution? Records & Rebels 1966-1970’. With Carnaby Street’s avant garde reputation, it is no surprise that the resultant illuminations are incredibly distinctive and lively with buildings and windows edged in reds, greens and yellows, and compilations of records made into snowflakes hanging along the centre walkway.
With your beautiful, spacious Aparthotels in Kensington, you will be located a short tube ride to the heart of theatreland, Covent Garden is popular with shoppers and theatergoers. Over the festive period, it is also adorned with eyecatching illuminations that are guaranteed to create a winter wonderland experience. Stroll around the cobbled piazza, with its lovely market buildings and admire the 40 mistletoe chandeliers illuminating the streets and buildings. Equally eyecatching is the great silver reindeer complete with sleigh and gifts greeting visitors as you enter the east side of the piazza.
Head over to St Katherine’s Dock for an unusual sight from your Presidential Serviced Apartments Kensington – London’s first floating tree display. A 45 foot tree has been installed on a boat in the West Basin. Illuminated by 14,000 lights, the tree is topped by a 5 foot tall star. The whole display is quite heavy too – it weighs in at almost six tonnes!
