London xmas lights - unbearably busy?

[Countsounds]

Booked to come to London next weekend. Visit regularly and love, but not been in December for years.

planning a walking route to see the lights, South Bank, Covent Garden, Seven Dials up to Carnaby Street, Outernet etc.

The last week though I keep seeing Tik Tok’s etc of central London heaving with crowds. Now I’m wondering if its going to be a postive experience. Is walking around Saturday early evening in central London heaving with people now?

We walked around some of those areas, although started in Picadilly, on a Sunday eve, to look at the lights last year and honestly some areas were absolutely rammed (Burlington arcade was as busy as a rush hour tube carriage) but not all, and there will be side streets that are not as crowded.
We went old school and wrote directions on a piece of paper so we didnt have our phones out constantly, in the busiest areas

We went the last weekend in Nov. It wasn’t pleasant I wouldn’t do it again in a weekend

yeah, it's awful

But it's been awful for ages. Not sure how long you haven't been?

After a Sunday in 2023, in December, I decided I was absolutely not going near London in December anymore (I had moved out of London shortly before) even if it meant I had to spend December largely on my own.

I have to go in a couple of times a month for work normally, but will be pulling all possible strings to avoid it this December.

I posted on here about the Friday before October half term, which during the day, in city office territory, was awful! It just seems to get busier by the minute and I had to go in every day of my life for about 25 years, so well accustomed to it. And it's supposed to be quieter on a Friday now with so many people working at home.

It's great if you're the sort of person who likes busy, but if you're the sort of person who goes down side streets, even if the walk is longer, to avoid the main drag then it's not for you.

Sorry that turned into a bit of a rant 😂

I like the idea of going to see the Snoopy trail, but if I do, I'll do it after Christmas.

I struggled with the crowds for years, but now I've left, I find it completely discombobulating and they will always be something wrong with the tube to the train station, or something wrong with the train home. Usually shortage of drivers at this time of year. So the journey ends up being even more crowded.

We’ve been for the past 2 years to do this.

My advice- get there late.

Last year we arrived in Covent Garden at 5pm where we had a table booked… I’m not going to lie, we came out of the tube station and I’ve never experienced crowds like it. However, once we had finished eating and headed back out at 7pm, most of the crowds had dispersed. We made our way through to Piccadilly, Regent Street, Canaby Street, up to Oxford Circus - yes there were people and busy in parts but nothing too awful. By the time we arrived outside Harrods the store had closed and the street pretty much deserted. We could see the lights and take pictures but no crowds.

This year we went earlier in the day- 4:30pm in Oxford Street on Black Friday. It was awful. So busy.
It was hideous right through to Covent Garden.
Same again on Saturday- Harrods at 4pm, literally couldn’t move for people.

Best bit was Battersea Power station on Saturday evening, we got there about 6:30pm for dinner and ice skating at 9pm. People there and a nice vibe but no crowds. Definitely the most enjoyable part of the weekend!

I’m not keen to rush back - but if we did venture there again to do Christmas lights, it would be after 7pm and accept it’ll be a late night!

Just watch your pockets and bags as the pickpockets are having a field day in the crowds

We went to see Stranger Things last December and it was mad!!
Never experienced that before.
DH and DS said Never again!

DD was hinting at going to Fortnum’s before Christmas…definitely not! We’ll go next year mid-November.

We did a walk I saw on instagram to see the best London Christmas lights on a Saturday last year. Honestly it was awful, so crowded particularly around new Bond Street!

We went at about 4 yesterday, so Saturday evening

It was RAMMED and they shut tube stations (picadilly) so it means walking to another, maybe 10 mins away

That said, just plan properly. Map out what you plan to do and where you plan to go.

And as a pp said, go late. And fill your time with restaurants and places to sit down.

Have fun, the Ritz was gorgeous!!

This exactly.

Honestly it’s awful. I work in Piccadilly Circus and trying to get home every day is rage inducing

Does anyone know, will it still be as busy over the period of 31st December - 4th of January?

I haven't been on New Year's Eve for years, so it may be just as bad even during the day

Never been on New Year's Day to be honest ... but going from the 2nd will probably just be normal weekend crowds, but around the Piccadilly area that's pretty bad IMHO!

@winesolveseverything was your Covent garden experience on a weekday or a weekend?

Nowhere is not crowded anymore, really - saw Pete Tong at the Royal Albert Hall on a Friday evening and was astonished at the crowds in that area, it's not an area I know well and I had expected it to be a bit less mad

@Countsounds let us know how you get on if you're still going - but to be super careful of your possessions, please!

In London this weekend
Very busy , but having a fab time
Did Oxford Street and Regent street yesterday , Selfridges windows are amazing , the shop was the only one we found overwhelmingly busy

Regent street was pedestrians only last night and was lovely , just as well we could walk down the roads , if it had been pavements only it would have been awful
Went to Battersea today , more lovely Decs , not so many people

We were in town last night, going for dinner. Around 6/7pm.

It is UNBELIEVABLE. Like being in a festival crowd, you simply cannot move. Bond Street was particularly bad but everywhere is absolutely rammed. Every minute or so, you stop completely in the crush, I suspect when the pedestrian crossings are red and everyone has to wait.

Shaftesbury Ave and Piccadilly Circus exactly the same, the crowds have to be seen to be believed, it is bonkers. Traffic also at a standstill; even when we were leaving in a taxi at 10pm, it was gridlock on pavements and roads still. Had been raining too, didn’t put anyone off.

Was really shocked at how bad it was. Maybe a weeknight might be better, who knows.

Oh lord. I’m going today, arranged weeks ago. Wish me luck!

New Year’s Day is The London New Years Day Parade. So it’s busy around Piccadilly / Trafalger Square. I’m usually on a float so more sure on other streets. That is during day / not sure how many stay into evening. Parade finishes around 2-3 depending where you stand.

Yes, it's mad at the moment. My friend and I went down Piccadilly on Sunday and ended up walking in the road.

Almost entirely tourists from abroad, so I don't think it will abate much between Xmas and New Year unfortunately

Thank you all for your comments! We’ve decided to cancel this weekend. Would have gone for it if it was just DP and myself,as we are quite patient and no so bothered by busyness, but DS would get very agitated and dysregulated and it probably wouldn’t live up to our expectations when we booked it. We’ve not lost any money as hotel was refundable if cancelled before arrival date.