Christmas 2026 | Switch-on Thursday 5 November
One of London’s most-loved festive traditions is back. The Regent Street and St James’s Christmas lights, The Spirits of Christmas, switch on on Thursday 5 November. Here are five things to know.
1. A traffic-free switch-on night
Regent Street will be closed to traffic from 5pm to 9pm on switch-on evening, so you can stroll down the middle of one of London’s grandest streets and look up as the lights come on. There will be family-friendly entertainment along the street, making it a lovely way to kick off the festive season.
2. New surprises in the Spirits
Now in their 11th year, more than 30 glowing Spirits made from over 300,000 LED lights return above Regent Street. The display is the same much-loved design, but there are new details hidden in it this year, and they’ll only be revealed when the lights switch on. Look closely and see if you can spot what’s changed.
3. Lights across St James’s too
The festive displays stretch beyond Regent Street to Jermyn Street, St James’s Market, Glasshouse Street, Swallow Street, Princes Arcade and the Quadrant Arcade. They’ll shine from 3pm until midnight every day until Tuesday 5 January, on an energy-efficient timer.
4. Make a wish for charity
The illuminated Wishing Tree returns to St James’s Market. Tap to donate £5 and the tree bursts into twinkling lights, with all proceeds going to Felix, a charity that rescues surplus food and redistributes it to communities in need.
5. Christmas shopping and new openings
Stores across both areas will have in-store experiences, offers and surprises on switch-on night. It’s also a chance to see new arrivals including SKIMS’ first European flagship at 245–247 Regent Street, plus DakaDaka, Antler and Monte Lys. Make an evening of it with dinner at Hawksmoor, Bentley’s or one of the restaurants on Heddon Street.
Visit
Regent Street and St James’s Christmas Lights
Switch-on: Thursday 5 November 2026 (Regent Street traffic-free 5pm – 9pm)
Lights on daily 3pm – midnight until Tuesday 5 January 2027
Free
Nearest stations: Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus