London Christmas Lights

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AIBU that it would be mad to visit the London Christmas lights on the Sunday before Christmas? I would just love to see them as haven't been before at that time of year. I'd go on the Sunday, stay over and return home on the Monday (2 hour train trip).

Go and embrace the madness.
we do and we love it xx

I would definitely not do this, I couldn't think of much worse, I'd rather go to North Korea if I was forced to pick between the two. But each to their own.

Why not? It will be very Christmasy

Absolutely! It’s a highlight

Hope on and off buses. Much better than walking.Have a great time.

Ahh fond memories of childhood trips "Up West" to see Oxford Street lit up in all its glory! Followed by a trip to a cafe for tea and cakes , Finished off by a trip to Hamleys for a treat ,and a look round Libertys (The oak staircase wood from a naval ship)Please go you will have a lovely time!

Go for it!! 🎄🎄🎄

Tradition in our family end up in hamleys !

It’s not that mad in the evening, just avoid going to Oxford street/Regent street when the shops are open. Have a chilled out day somewhere less busy & then go in the evening to the lights

Also London schools don’t break up until the Wednesday/Thursday so that Monday won’t be that busy during the day

Much fewer tourists in general

Definitely go

It’s worth going. It’s always quite busy but not completely packed if you avoid Oxford St and Regent St. My daughter was involving in making some of the displays around Covent Garden and Regent St last year. We went late evening and it was great.

We are going on the Monday and staying overnight. Prepared for full on craziness 😬

If you don't mind staying a little out of the centre we have got the waterloo Travelodge / premier inn for about £60'including breakfast on that night before. Only 10/15 mins on bus to Cambridge Circus.

I often do it with my DD. You could also looking at getting last minute show tickets.

Sunday night may be a very good option as people visiting for the weekend will be on their way home.

There are tours specifically to see the lights. Including this one with afternoon tea b-bakery.com/london/blog/christmas-lights-afternoon-tea-bus-tour-london-1

We did this last year. We stayed for 2 nights and also did the Natural History Museum and a visit to see "Paddington's house" as per a request by my 5 year old.
Definitely recommend Liberty's, the Christmas room is amazing! And the Carnaby St lights are my favourite. Covent Garden is also very festive

Absolutely I would , there’s no stress if you are just going to see the lights and aren’t planning to fit in shopping too . We work out a decent route round our favourites to do but include the standards like Carnaby street , regent street , but also some of the shops fronts and hotels and odd places like the Churchill arms , also places that are always lit up like China Town are normally part of our route.

Some lovely advice here, thank you, although I have since realised Sunday 18th is the World Cup Final so might be best avoided after all!

Only if we’re in it! I think you’re probably safe booking 😂

You might find that there are fewer crowds because so many people will be watching the football. I think I'm right in thinking that there won't be any large open air fan zones screening the match in places like Trafalgar Sq although there will obviously be pubs and places like Boxpark but my guess is that central London will be emptier rather than fuller on the day of the final.

Wouldn't rely on that - our London school breaks up on the 16th!

Hope on and off buses.

Top of a bus is a very good way to see the lights, especially if you can grab a front seat.

OP, look out also for carol singing in Trafalgar Square or maybe even a carol service at St Martin in the Fields.