London Christmas Lights Tour by Black Taxi

See London’s Christmas lights from the warmth of a private black cab, with a licensed cabbie guide at the wheel. Our Christmas lights tour of London takes in the Oxford Street and Regent Street displays, the festive Piazza at Covent Garden and the Norwegian tree in Trafalgar Square, stopping wherever you want a photo. No queues, no pushing through crowds on the pavement and no bus timetable just your group and a guide who knows every shortcut in the city.

Every route is planned around you. Your guide will share the stories behind the lights – and the landmarks in between – and will pull over at the best vantage points for photos. Travelling with children or older relatives? The cab is heated, and black cabs are wheelchair accessible, so nobody has to walk far in the cold.

Tours run from the November switch-on until early January. Book your 3 or 4-hour tour online for instant confirmation – December evenings and weekends sell out first.

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• 3 or 4-hours tour • Price per taxi

• Up to 6 guests • Bespoke tour

From £330

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What’s Included in Your
Private Christmas Lights Tour

A private, heated London black cab for your group only – up to 6 guests per taxi
A licensed cabbie guide with The Knowledge, giving live commentary throughout
A 3 or 4-hour tour from £330 per taxi, not per person (see all prices)
Pickup and drop-off at any central London postcode
Photo stops at the best vantage points along the route
A route tailored to you, add a pub dinner, a Christmas market or extra sightseeing stops, or build your own tour

Larger group? Send us an enquiry and we’ll arrange several cabs travelling together.

Christmas Lights Tour Highlights across London

Every route is tailored to your group, but most tours take in the West End’s headline displays plus a few quieter streets that bus tours can’t reach. The installations change every year, so your guide will check the latest displays before you set off. For a preview, see our guide to the best Christmas lights in London. Popular stops include:

Oxford Street

London’s best-known Christmas lights run for more than a mile along Oxford Street, from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road. From November the pavements are packed with shoppers, which is exactly why seeing it from a cab makes sense: you take in the whole display without the crush. It’s the centrepiece of almost every Christmas lights tour we run.

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Regent Street

The sweeping curve of Regent Street is one of the most photographed Christmas scenes in the capital. The overhead lights stay up from the November switch-on until early January, and the view down towards Piccadilly Circus is a favourite photo stop on our tours.

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Soho & Carnaby Street

Carnaby Street is known for its playful, themed Christmas installation, which changes every year, while the side streets of Soho glow with lights strung between bars and restaurants. It’s one of the liveliest corners of the West End in December – and much easier to enjoy when you don’t have to find a parking space.

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Fitzrovia

Just north of Oxford Street, Fitzrovia offers a calmer side of festive London, with decorated shopfronts, lit-up pubs and quieter streets. It’s a good place to pause for photos away from the West End crowds.

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Covent Garden

Covent Garden goes all out for Christmas, with a giant tree in the Piazza, oversized decorations in the Market Building and street performers keeping the atmosphere going. If you’d like to stop and explore on foot, your guide will park nearby. It pairs perfectly with a visit to one of the best Christmas markets in London.

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Westminster & Trafalgar Square

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament look spectacular after dark, and just up Whitehall the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree takes centre stage – a gift from the people of Oslo every year since 1947. Ask your guide about the history of the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree as you pass.

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Knightsbridge

Knightsbridge is home to some of London’s most elaborate festive window displays, and the Harrods frontage, lit up with thousands of bulbs, is a sight in itself. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is just around the corner if you’d like to finish your evening there – see our guide to London’s Christmas markets for more ideas.

On the 4-hour tour, it may be possible to head further afield to Hampstead or Highgate, whose village high streets are beautifully lit at Christmas. Both are home to some of London’s most historic pubs – the perfect place to warm up over a festive meal.

Would you prefer a longer tour? Or maybe you want to create your own itinerary?

Want to see more? Build your own tour and book a guide for up to 10 hours – combine the lights with daytime sightseeing, a Christmas market or dinner.

Who will enjoy a tour of
London’s Christmas lights?

Couples, families, groups of friends and first-time visitors – anyone who wants to see London at its most festive without battling the crowds on Oxford Street. It works especially well for:

Families – children love the lights and the stories. See more kid-friendly black taxi tour ideas.
Older guests or anyone with limited mobility – step-free, heated and seated throughout.
Photographers – your guide knows the best angles. Read our tips on black taxi tours for photographers.
First-time visitors – combine the lights with a classic London sightseeing tour.

Our guides will make it fun for every age. Can you guess how many bulbs it takes to light up Oxford Street? And do you know the story behind the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree? Hop into one of our cabs and you’ll find out.

Exploring London’s Christmas lights by black taxi

The black cab is as much a part of a London Christmas as the lights themselves. Every one of our guides is a licensed London cabbie who has passed The Knowledge – the famously demanding test of around 25,000 streets – so you’ll get from Knightsbridge to Covent Garden by the quickest route and hear stories you won’t find in a guidebook. It’s why we’ve won multiple Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice awards – read what our guests say.

Black Cab, Bus or Walking: Which Christmas Lights Tour Is Right for You?

There are three main ways to see London’s Christmas lights: an open-top or double-decker bus tour, a guided walk, or a private black cab tour. Here’s how they compare:

	Private black Taxi tour	Bus tour	Walking tour
Who you travel with	Your group only (up to 6)	Shared with other passengers	Shared group
Comfort	Heated cab, seated throughout	Depends on the deck – open-top seats are exposed to the weather	Outdoors throughout
Route	Tailored to you	Fixed route	Fixed route, on foot
Pickup	Any central London postcode	Set departure point	Set meeting point
Photo stops	Whenever you like	Usually from your seat	At set points
Commentary	Live, from a licensed London cabbie	Live or recorded	Live guide
Walking involved	Minimal	None	1–2 hours or more
Pricing	Per taxi, from £330	Per person	Per person

If you’re a group of four to six, it’s worth comparing the per-taxi price with the cost of individual bus or walking tour tickets for everyone see our tour prices. If you’re visiting in the evening anyway, our guide to London at night by taxi has more ideas for after dark.

Planning Your Christmas Lights Tour

When is the best time to go?

The lights look best after dark, and in December it’s dark by around 4pm, so most guests choose a late-afternoon or early-evening start. Weekday evenings are quieter than weekends, and the dates in the two weeks before Christmas are always the first to book up.

Make an evening of it

Combine your tour with one of London’s Christmas markets, a pub dinner or a stop at Covent Garden. Visiting with children? Our list of things to do in London with children has more festive ideas.

Staying outside central London?

We can collect you from outside the centre just get in touch and we’ll recommend the right tour length for your pickup point.

Frequently asked questions

When do the Christmas lights switch on in London?

Most of London’s major displays switch on in early to mid-November. In 2026, the Oxford Street lights are due to switch on the 13 November, with Regent Street, Carnaby Street, Soho and Covent Garden following through the month. Our Christmas lights tours run from the switch-on until early January.

How long do the Christmas lights stay up for?

Most displays stay up until early January, so you can book a Christmas lights tour at any point from November through to the New Year.

Which areas have the best Christmas lights?

The most popular areas are Oxford Street, Regent Street, Carnaby Street, Soho, Covent Garden, Knightsbridge, Westminster and Trafalgar Square. All of these can be included in your personalised route. For a full rundown, see our guide to the top Christmas lights in London.

Is London decorated for Christmas in November?

Yes. Central London begins decorating and lighting up from early November, making it a great time to book this tour.

What time do the Regent Street lights switch on?

Once switched on for the season, the Regent Street lights come on each afternoon at around 3:30pm and stay on until midnight until early January. For the best views, we recommend starting your tour after dark, from around 4pm.

What is the best way to see London’s Christmas lights?

A private black taxi tour is one of the most comfortable and efficient ways to explore the displays, allowing you to stay warm, avoid crowds, and enjoy expert local commentary along the way.

How long is the Christmas Lights Tour?

Choose a 3-hour or 4-hour tour. The 4-hour option gives time for travelling further afield and seeing more. For a longer day, you can build your own tour of up to 10 hours.

How many people can join the tour?

Each black cab seats up to 6 guests, and the price is per taxi, not per person. For larger groups, we can arrange several cabs travelling together – just send us an enquiry.

Where do you pick us up?

We collect from any central London postcode – your hotel, home or restaurant. If you’re staying outside the centre, get in touch and we’ll recommend a suitable tour length.

Can we customise the route?

Yes. Every tour is private, so the route is built around you. Tell us which displays you most want to see when you book, or simply ask your guide on the day. Find out more about how to customise your London taxi tour.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes, it’s one of our most popular family tours. Children love the lights and the stories, there’s no long walking in the cold, and your guide will keep things fun for all ages. See more kid-friendly black taxi tour ideas.

Is this tour accessible for older guests or those with limited mobility?

Yes. London black cabs are wheelchair accessible, with a ramp and spacious seating, so guests can enjoy the lights without walking long distances in the cold. Let us know about any access needs when you book. Read more about wheelchair-accessible black cab tours.

Do we stop to take photos?

Yes. Your guide will stop at the best vantage points and park safely nearby so you can step out for photos. Just ask if there’s a particular shot you’re after.

What makes this Christmas Lights Tour different from other tours?

It’s completely private. You travel in a heated black cab with a licensed London cabbie who has passed The Knowledge, follow a route tailored to your group and hear the stories behind the lights that bus tours miss.

When should I book?

As early as possible. Weekend evenings and dates in the two weeks before Christmas are the first to sell out. Book online for instant confirmation.

Want a longer tour?

If you want a more leisurely day or want to see more of the sights, why not book in a longer tour? This gives you time to stop for lunch, visit more areas of the city and make the most of your time in London. Build your own tour here, or get in touch and we’ll arrange everything for you. We can also pick you up outside central London – send us an enquiry with your pickup point and we’ll recommend a suitable tour length.