Get into the spirit with some of the most dazzling Christmas displays in the capital
Where to see the festive lights in Knightsbridge
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – a time made all the more magical when Christmas lights twinkle in the night sky and London’s luxury stores unveil their festive displays in all their glory.
If making a pilgrimage to London to look at the Christmas lights is part of your annual tradition – or even if you’re local to the area – a trip to Knightsbridge this festive season is a must. Home to some of London’s most fabulous brands, five-star hotels and iconic department stores, it should come as no surprise that SW1 is also where to find some of the capital’s most captivating Christmas displays.
Harrods has lit up for Christmas every year since 1959, and its famous facade is made up of an incredible 12,000 bulbs (discover more fascinating Harrods facts here). All 12,000 are currently aglow in the department store’s 2025 display, which this year explores the story of Italian cashmere brand Brunello Cucinelli. The eponymous designer unveiled the takeover in-person on 1 December, which includes enchanting window displays and limited-edition pieces made especially for Harrods, all under the theme of ‘Feelosophy’ in a nod to the brand’s commitment to craft and luxe fabrics.
Inside you’ll find even more festive action via the recently opened Christmas World: a veritable winter wonderland of festive decorations and gift ideas.
Knightsbridge’s other historic department store, Harvey Nichols, is undergoing major refurbishment, with the initial ground-floor phase now complete (we recently spoke with CEO Julia Goddard to find out more). Christmas 2025 is a thoroughly modern affair, with large digital screens displaying a ravishing red photo shoot and the entrance flanked by sparkling red and green trees.
Stroll along Brompton Road and you’ll see glittering Christmas lights affixed to a number of lamp posts, as well as bauble-shaped lights in the trees at Knightsbridge Green, while the facade of Watches of Switzerland is festooned with festive foliage and twinkling lights. And Knightsbridge’s plethora of five-star hotels have pulled out all the stops this year. Starting from Hyde Park Corner, The Lanesborough has gone for traditional bows, baubles and twinkling Christmas trees as part of its whimsical Enchanted Residence theme. But the biggest tree in SW1 surely belongs to The Wellesley, which features a giant sparkling spruce affixed to its famous entrance, plus many more inside.
Down the road, you’ll spot The Berkeley’s colourful Aurora: Light in Motion installation, created by husband-and-wife artist duo Rob and Nick Carter. Also quite literally unmissable is Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London’s dazzling festive facade, which centres around an 8-metre wide fan. The five-star hotel has teamed up with De Beers jewellers this year to unveil The Enchanted Lotus Bar inside the lobby, where guests can enjoy the finest champagne and caviar. A newly launched De Beers London Festive Afternoon Tea pays homage to the jeweller’s origins with South African culinary influences.
