I can’t believe the most festive time of the year is nearly here! And what a better way of getting the ultimate Christmas spirit than in London! The whole city gets so beautifully decorated, so that it feels like every street, shop and restaurant is competing to have the most beautiful Christmas display. Annabel’s Mayfair, Cartier Old Bond St and Ivy Garden Chelsea never disappoint! However, I am bringing you here the ultimate list of most instagrammable Christmas spots in London that I have accumulated and revisited over the years of living here.

Ho-ho-ho, let’s go! 🎅🏻🤩

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Most Instagrammable Christmas Spots in London

💡Local’s Tip: Before we go into instagrammable Christmas spots in London, I just want to say that you have to be prepared for crowds, especially if you’re visiting during the weekend. However, if you visit about 3 weeks before Christmas and on a working day (Monday preferably because the weekend has just ended and people tend not to go out as much), you might be able to get that perfect photo with no people in it.

Old Bond Street

Old Bond Street is probably the most instagrammable Christmas street in London, mainly because there are multiple stores here with absolutely stunning displays, however, no one can beat Cartier as they always have the most beautiful outdoor store decorations.

Cartier

Every year they do something different, but so far the colours have always been red with some green, gold and lots of lights.

🫶 My photo tip: stand next to the red phone booth with Cartier shop in the background and you’ll get a beautiful instagram photo.

Ralph Lauren

On the opposite side to Cartier, you will find a Ralph Lauren shop with their gorgeous Christmas tree which is another beautiful and instagrammable Christmas spot here. While technically located in New Bond Street, this particular tree is basically at Old Bond Street, that’s why I included it here.

🫶 My photo tip: You can stand in front of the tree or next to it with blurry Cartier shop in the background.

Another beautiful photo idea is to sit at the table because you can also get their coffee there. Unfortunately I didn’t get the chance because most of the time these tables are always taken, but maybe you’d have better luck.

Royal Arcade

Everyone’s favourite is Burlington Arcade (and yes, I’ve included it too down below), however, I really loved the Royal Arcade, maybe even more than the Burlington one. Perhaps because it’s not that busy and it’s always open whereas Burlington gets closed at 7 pm, so you can only see it from the closed gates if you’re there after the working hours (Burlington Arcade is practically a shopping centre with luxury shops). They are almost next to each other which is convenient.

Burlington Arcade

📖 Read my Best Festive Things to Do in London for Christmas (2024) blog post for more ideas on what to do in London for Christmas aside chasing Christmas Lights and Decorations.

Annabel’s Mayfair

One of the most instagrammable spots in London year after year. My favourite year was 2018 when they had a gorgeous Christmas tree displayed. 🎄

I also loved the Gingerbread House which was super cute too. I’m so excited to see what they have come up with this year! 🤩

Sadly, Annabel’s is a members-only club, but at least we can all enjoy it from the outside!

Fortnum & Mason

One of the most beautiful and instagrammable department stores is Fortnum & Mason. Every year they have an advent calendar on display over the whole building, but don’t stay outside only. It took me a few years to finally go inside the store too and omg, how beautiful! I especially loved their Christmas moving bubbles which I hope they will keep this year too. Fortnum & Mason is also a great place for buying Christmas presents.

Here’s my IG Reel, so you understand what I’m talking about:

Regent Street

I’m sure this is what first comes to mind when you’re thinking about Christmas in London. Regent Street was the first ever central London location to display Christmas lights, which decorated the street in 1954. Ever since they’re having the most beautiful lights in the entire London, which for years now have been the angels. It is absolutely gorgeous, you’d feel like you’re in a Christmas fairytale. 😍

Oxford Street

Another beautiful street with Christmas lights is Oxford Street. In both Regent and Oxford Streets be prepared for crowds because in the end, they are the shopping streets. However, if you follow my tip that I mentioned in my intro and visit them on a working day like Monday, you’d be able to find good photo angles without a million people next to you. 😉

📖 Read my London Travel Itinerary: How to Spend 4 Days in London to help you plan the most of your time in the British Capital.

Covent Garden

Okay, this is probably the most instagrammable Christmas spot in London. Especially the sleigh. 😍

🫶 Don’t worry, even on the busiest day people stay politely in the queue until it’s their turn to snap that perfect instagram photo. 🥰

Aside from the sleigh, in Covent Garden you will also find the most famous London’s giant Christmas tree. 🎄

Koyn

Koyn is an Asian restaurant in Mayfair with great food, but more importantly, they have the cutest Christmas photo spot in London – a red car with Christmas decorations. 🥰

New Bond Street

Just like the Old Bond Street, the New Bond Street also gets very instagrammable during Christmas. My favourite shops there with gorgeous Christmas displays are Chanel and Dior. 😍

Chanel

Dior

Piccadilly Arcade

Next to Fortnum & Mason, you will find the Piccadilly Arcade which doesn’t get mentioned often, but is gorgeous and competes with the Burlington and Royal Arcades.

Miracle Bar

I mean, can it BE more Christmassy than this!? 🎅🏻

💡A Local’s Tip: Every year they open a few slots for reservation during Christmas, so you really need to react quickly to secure your spot! But fear not, there’s a way to get into the bar for drinks in case you don’t have a reservation. Practically, you need to come and if someone doesn’t show up for their reservation or leaves early enough before the other time slot, you can get it. But it is on a first come – first serve basis. That’s how I got in, but I had to wait for an hour before the next time slot and make sure I am among the first people with the same idea who want to have drinks there.

Was it worth it? Totally! The drinks are all themed, the bar is stunningly decorated and they only have a playlist of Christmas songs. Ultimate Xmas vibe.

This bar is part of HENRI Hotel at Henrietta Street in Covent Garden.

More on this in my IG Reel:

Winter Wonderland

What is a festive season without Christmas markets, German sausage and sauerkraut, mulled wine and rollercoasters!?

This and more you’d find at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park which is a fun place for every age. While not the most instagrammable place on this list, there are still good corners you can find after you ate, drank and played good. 😁

Carnaby Street

Carnaby Street is one of the most creative streets in London during Christmas time. Every year they have a different theme for Christmas lights and it’s always something unusual. In 2023 their lights represented the galactic Carnaby Universe. I loved 2018 the most because it represented the Bohemian Rhapsody. ❤️

Ivy Garden Chelsea

Definitely one of my favourite places in London for Christmas. Just like Annabel’s, each year you can expect a different display with my favourite being the first one in 2019 representing the Santa’s Workshop. The Grinch was pretty cool too. 🤩

Peggy Porschen

Peggy Porschen is always a very instagrammable place, but it gets a special festive charm for Christmas.

Sadly, this exact photo was taken at Peggy Porschen Chelsea which is now permanently closed, but they are still at their original and first location in Belgravia.

Leadenhall Market

Leadenhall Market is not only a Harry Potter filming location, it is also a gorgeous spot during Christmas time in London.

Harrods

After Fortnum & Mason, my next favourite department store with a gorgeous Christmas display is Harrods. Obviously, the decoration is more upscale because it’s a luxury department store, but the photo with it is free. 😉

Hays Gallery Tree

Close to Tower Bridge and London Bridge you will find Hays Gallery which is a pretty cool place with shops, coffee shops and restaurants. For Christmas they display a beautiful Christmas tree which is probably my favourite out of all big Christmas trees throughout London. And it’s less busy here. 🙂

Duke of York Square

I love the South Kensington and Sloane Square area in London, but I like it even more during the festive season! Duke of York Square is filled with shops, cafes and restaurants and as you’re approaching it, there’s a beautiful arcade-like passage which gets beautifully decorated for Christmas. It’s always decorated actually, but it gets specifically magical for the Christmas season.

Conduit Court

And last but by no means the least on this list of the most instagrammable Christmas spots in London is the Conduit Court in Covent Garden. It is also an arcade-like passage (yep, there are many of them in London!) which is decorated with LED-bulbs. Perfect instagram Christmas location.

Google Maps with Most Instagrammable Christmas Spots in London

Where to Stay

As you can see, most of the best instagrammable Christmas spots are either in the Covent Garden area, Soho or Mayfair, therefore it is best to stay there, so that everything is within a walking distance (public transport in London is VERY expensive!).

Best Christmas Activities in London

Apart from visiting all the instagrammable spots in London (which is a must!), London is actually pretty fun for Christmas, so I recommend you to do at least one Christmassy activity during your time here.

📖 Read my 11 Best Christmas Shows in London (2024) blog post for a more comprehensive overview of best Christmas shows this year.

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