Keep up to date with festive happenings in the capital on our Christmas 2026 in London page.
London’s bewitching in November and December, twinkling with Christmas lights.
You could wander around them all, or you could hop on a bus and watch the illuminations roll by your window; several special bus tours operate during the festive season. Here’s a selection of organised tours which’ll take you into the heart of the festive magic.
Note that due to the pedestrianisation of a large part of Oxford Street from October 2026, many of these tours are taking different routes to previous years.
Golden Tours’ London Christmas Lights bus tours 2026
Golden Tours offers a bus tour of the London Christmas lights with a live guide on an open-top bus, passing the lights of Oxford Street, Regent Street and Piccadilly Circus, as well as the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree (in situ from early December). For Christmas 2026, the route heads up Regent Street, through Oxford Circus, west along Wigmore Street, and southwards back through Mayfair, including Berkeley Square where Annabel’s always puts on a fantastic display. Although you don’t travel along Oxford Street, you cross it twice, getting a glimpse of those Harry Potter lights.
For added audience participation, book onto the Singalong Christmas Lights Tour, and spend 90 minutes touring the sights while singing along to well-known Christmas tunes. Mince pies, shortbread biscuits and festive drinks are included (or hot chocolate or prosecco are available on different versions of this tour). Note that this one is not an open-top bus.
Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and can’t be reserved in advance. And unlike other Golden Tours routes, these are not hop-on, hop-off tours.
Duration: 70-90 minutes.
Departure and return locations: Choose between the London Eye, Buckingham Palace Road (Victoria), or Green Park station, and take a full circular tour.
Dates: From 7 November 2026.
Tootbus Christmas Lights Tour 2026 with boat cruise
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Tootbus’ non-stop Christmas sightseeing tour starts close to Leicester Square. Board an open-top double-decker and pass the lights of Trafalgar Square (from early December) and Piccadilly, before heading up Park Lane, crossing Oxford Street twice, and heading back down Regent Street — all while a guide regales you with stories of London Christmases past and present. Alternatively, an audio guide is available in 10 different languages.
New for 2026: Your ticket includes a daytime hop-on hop-off Thames cruise operated by City Cruises, to be taken before you board the evening bus tour.
Duration: Approx. 75-90 minutes on the bus (plus separate boat cruise).
Departure and return location: Coventry Street (between Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus)
Dates: 14 November 2026-3 January 2027.
Vintage London Christmas Lights Bus Tour 2026
For added retro glam, take a tour of the illuminations on a vintage 1960s Routemaster. The Christmas Lights Bus Tour provides you with live commentary as you pass Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street, Berkeley Square, Hyde Park (home to Winter Wonderland during Christmas), Piccadilly, Big Ben and the London Eye. Festive music is thrown into the mix.
Note: it’s a semi open-top Routemaster, so dress warmly. Though you’re guaranteed a seat on the top deck, specific seats are on a first-come, first-served basis and can’t be reserved in advance.
Duration: 75 minutes.
Departure and return location: Round trip from Northumberland Avenue (just south of Trafalgar Square).
Dates: 16 November-30 December 2026.
Brigit’s Bakery’s London Christmas Lights Afternoon Tea Bus Tour 2026
Legendary roving afternoon tea slingers Brigit’s Bakery offer two options for seeing the Christmas lights from buses this year.
The Christmas Lights Afternoon Tea Sightseeing Bus Tour is a 90-minute route swinging past landmarks including the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park, St James’s Park, the Royal Albert Hall, Marble Arch, Nelson’s Column, the Regent Street lights and the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree. Note that different routes run at different times of day — check the FAQs at the bottom of this page for details. For the best view of the lights, book the 5pm or 5.30pm trip (it’s dark by then). Your ticket includes an on board afternoon tea, consisting of cakes, pastries and tea, coffee or hot chocolate (bubbly is available at an extra cost).
Alternatively, the Sparkling Christmas Lights Open Top Bus Tour is a 60-minute route on an open-top bus (so wrap up warm!) taking place in the evening with an entertainer on board. You’ll pass the Regent Street angels, the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree (from early December), plus Hamleys’ Christmas windows, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Marble Arch, Piccadilly Circus and the Ritz. This option includes a glass of Silverhand bubbly for all adults, with the chance to add on a festive hamper of treats (must be booked in advance).
Note: the Brigit’s Bakery booking process gives you the chance to specifically reserve a seat on the top deck — make sure you do so, for the best views!
Departure and return locations: Christmas Lights Bus Tour from Victoria Coach Station. Sparkling Christmas Tour from Trafalgar Square.
Dates: 11 November 2026-5 January 2027.
Santa’s Sleigh Christmas Lights Open-Top Bus Tour 2026
There’s festive music on board the Santa’s Sleigh Christmas lights tour, which whisks you on an open-top past Trafalgar Square, through St James’s and Piccadilly, up Regent Street (passing the Hamleys windows) and across Oxford Street before returning to Trafalgar Square.
Duration: 90 minutes.
Departure and return locations: Board at Embankment station. Choose to get dropped off at Trafalgar Square or return to Embankment.
Dates: 14 November 2026-3 January 2027.
