Trafalgar Square’s giant tree—a gift from Norway every year since 1947—doesn’t get its lights switched on until early December, typically the first Thursday. It’s a political and botanical tradition, and the tree itself is chosen with dramatic ceremony in the Norwegian woods. Timing note: The tree arrives in late November, but the lights stay dark until the official ceremony, so don’t rush there on November 15th.
Similarly, King’s Cross and Canary Wharf often wait until late November, creating a gentle spread of glitter across the city. This staggered schedule is a gift—it means you can enjoy fresh Christmas lights for nearly six weeks, rather than a one-day explosion that fades into the background.
When Do London Christmas Lights Come Down at Layla Swallow blog
