Sometimes us Londoner’s tend to take for granted the time, effort & finance that often goes in to making the ‘Smoke’, just that little bit more pleasant and enjoyable to wander around – especially at this festive time of year.
London’s magnificent ‘Christmas Lights’ display is a seasonal tradition that began way back in 1954 – and as a child, a trip ‘up-west’ to see the lights, was something that my mum & dad always tried to get done before Christmas Eve – but quite naturally, as you get older, the enthusiasm tends to wain a bit – especially when you’ve heard that devastating news that ‘Father Christmas’ doesn’t really exist!!!
However, in the past few years I have felt the urge to resurrect the pilgrimage up London to see the ‘lights’ again – maybe with me now being a grandfather to 3 little’uns has re-kindled some of that pre-Christmas excitement – and so it was really good to spend a few hours this week, roaming through the west-end streets to check out just some of this year’s Christmas lights on display.
The ‘Oxford Street’ display this year consists of 27 LED ‘Light Curtains’, hanging high above this famous street, that are made up of 220,000 individual lights.
For me, the best and probably the most poignant display I saw this year, has to be the newly introduced “Ever After Gallery” in ‘Grosvenor Square’ – where Londoner’s can plant a silk rose in memory of a loved one, or simply take time to remember absent friends & family this Christmas time – very tasteful & very moving.
The globally famous ‘Carnaby Street’ has an excellent underwater themed display designed by the ‘Project Zero’ ocean conservation charity – where everything on display is made from recycled material.
The famous ‘Liberty’ store and the world famous ‘London Palladium’ theatre are always good at creating a good old festive vibe at this time of year.
Then there just has to be the customary wander around the toy department of ‘Selfridges’. Not quite sure what Selfridges have got going on with their famous window display this year – it is titled ‘Future Fantasy Tales’, which is supposed to represent the old Xmas stories, but for the modern day times – it didn’t really make any sense to me – but the great thing about Selfridges at this time of year are the amazing toys on their 4th floor, especially the cuddly ones – just a pity I can’t afford any of them!!
‘Regent Street’ has returned to its usual ‘Spirit of Christmas-Angels’. The angels are inspired by the street’s debut display back in 1954, which featured traditional angels playing trumpets.
Last but not least, no trip ‘up west’ to see the lights, is complete without venturing a little further on up the road to Notting Hill Gate, to check out the historic and amazing ‘Churchill Arms’ pub (a simple 5min walk from the tube station) which is completely smothered with 97 Xmas trees containing 27,500 lights – always a fantastic sight to see.
So – having viewed and enjoyed all of the above sights, I have to say that even a renowned & seasoned old ‘Grinch’ like me, felt a slight twinge of the old Christmas vibe.
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See below for more detailed photos of London’s Christmas Lights for 2019
The Oxford Street Xmas Lights display this year – is made up of 27 LED ‘Light Curtains’
The Christmas lights on display in South Moulton St
The Oxford Street LED ‘Light Curtains’
More of Oxford Street’s – ‘Light Curtains’
Without a doubt, the best buskers I’ve ever seen performing down on Oxford Street. A mini-string orchestra, captured the attention of everyone passing by, playing some beautiful classical stuff
More of Oxford Street’s – ‘Light Curtains’
The Memory Arch at the ‘Ever After Gallery’ in Grosvenor Square
The ‘Ever After Gallery’ – Grosvenor Square
A close-up of the commemorative silk roses within the ‘Ever After Gallery’ – in Grosvenor Square
The commemorative silk roses on display in the ‘Ever After Gallery’ – Grosvenor Square
Another close-up of a commemorative silk rose within the ‘Ever After Gallery’ – in Grosvenor Square
Me & the ‘GLW ‘ (eg Good Lady Wife) – amongst the ‘Ever After Gallery’ – Grosvenor Square
The famous London Palladium Theatre – a big Panto time for them
‘Goldilocks & the 3 Bears’ – this years Panto at the London Palladium
Even the back streets of Soho are getting into the Christmas spirit this year.
The ‘Project Zero’ ocean conservation themed light display in Carnaby Street
Crowds gathering to view the ‘Project Zero’ ocean conservation themed light display in Carnaby Street
The ‘Project Zero’ ocean conservation themed light display in Carnaby Street
A few luminous ‘squids’ on display in the side streets off of Carnaby Street
The ‘Project Zero’ ocean conservation themed light display in Carnaby Street
More of the ‘Project Zero’ ocean conservation themed light display in Carnaby Street
A festive Liberty’s department store – just off Regent Street
Nothing to do with the west-end Xmas lights – but ‘lights’ of a different kind – A ‘chandelier’ shop
Me – outside a chandelier shop just off Oxford Street
The world famous ‘Selfridges’ store in Oxford Street – looking all festive
Not quite sure what Selfridges have got going on with their famous window display this year – it is titled ‘Future Fantasy Tales’, which is supposed to represent the old Xmas stories, but for the modern day times – for me, nowhere near as good as previous years
Selfridges Xmas window display for this year
Selfridges Xmas window display for this year
Inside ‘Selfridges’ – Oxford St
I bumped into my dear old friend the ‘Gruffalo’ in the toy dept at Selfridges – I know this story off by heart, having read it hundreds of times to my 3 grandchildren over the past few years
Lovely cuddly toys – but I think it would have been a bit of a challenge getting them home on the tube
A Lego ‘Elsa’ from ‘Frozen’ – in the toy dept at Selfridges
Me & Frozen’s ‘Elsa’ in Selfridges – and that’s a film I’ve had to sit through countless times with our eldest granddaughter
Inside ‘Selfridges’ – Oxford St
A festive ‘Food Hall’ Inside ‘Selfridges’ – Oxford St
Even old ‘Queen Liz’ was on sale in the Selfridges toy dept!!
More of Selfridges lovely cuddly toys
‘Regent Street’ has returned to its usual ‘Spirit of Christmas-Angels’. The angels are inspired by the street’s debut display back in 1954, which featured traditional angels playing trumpets.
Regent Street’s ‘Spirit of Angels’ Xmas lights display
Regent Street’s ‘Spirit of Angels’ Xmas lights display
Regent Street’s ‘Spirit of Angels’ Xmas lights display
The amazing ‘Churchill Arms’ pub in Notting Hill – completely covered in 97 Xmas trees and illuminated by some 27,500 lights !!
The amazing ‘Churchill Arms’ pub in Notting Hill – completely covered in Xmas trees
Me – outside the entrance to the amazing ‘Churchill Arms’ pub in Notting Hill – completely covered in Xmas trees
Another view of the amazing ‘Churchill Arms’ pub in Notting Hill – completely covered in Xmas trees & lights
Me – under the Memory Arch in Grosvenor Square
As someone who is always referred to as ‘The Grinch’ at this time of year – it felt only right to have a photo taken alongside my mentor 🙂 🙂
Wonderful photos Geoff. Love the idea of the ever after gallery x
Fab photos! Love the buzz of London at Christmas 🎄
Love our home town at Christmas. Great photos ☃️❄️🎄🤶
I love London anytime of year but at Christmas it really is extra special and those fantastic photos captured it. Well done Geoff
Great tour for those of us too far away to make it in person. As always, very entertaining and dare I say, on this occasion, particularly “enlightening”?
Thanks for sharing,brilliant photos
Love those pics, it looks lovely x
Brilliant photos
Beautiful tour that, seasons greetings Geoff to you and yours!
Looks amazing!!!!!!!!! 🤩