Regent Street is a popular destination in London both for people who love to shop, and also for people who love to just look - all year round!
But Christmas is when Regent Street truly (and literally!) shines, and we should know because we lead regular walking tours here for the holidays.
And, in the video below, Sinead, a local London tour guide with us, Free Tours by Foot, takes you on a virtual walk on Regent Street (from last year).
Regent Street is a stop on our nightly Christmas Lights Tour of London.
Now, let's get to the post.
What is Regent Street?
The long, curving street is home to dozens of luxury and mid-range shops with world-class window displays and a little something for everyone.
And when it comes to Christmas, Regent Street truly stands out.
Boasting some of the best lights in the city, with varying themes throughout the year, the Christmas lights on Regent Street in 2023 are sure not to disappoint!
The Regent Street Christmas lights have been dazzling spectators since 1954!
In fact, it was here at Regent Street that the tradition of decorating London streets for the Christmas season first began.
Regent Street is centrally located in the heart of the West End.
To the east sits Soho and Leicester Square, to the South is St. James and Westminster, to the West is Mayfair and to the North is beautiful Regent's Park.
With two of the best-connected London Underground Stations on either end of the Street, getting here is incredibly simple.
Nearest Underground Stations: Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Street
Bus Routes: 3, 6, 12, 13, 23, 88, 94, 139, 159, 453, C2
Or, come with us on our nightly pay-what-you-wish London Christmas Lights Walking Tour.
Regent Street Christmas Lights 2023
This year sees the popular Regent Street angels returning to our capital!
Known as the "Spirit of Christmas" these beautiful lights feature the figures of spirits, or angels, soaring through the skies above Regent Street.
Previously, the spirits played trumpets but this year they are sans instruments, majestically flying over the heads of thousands of shoppers.
The display features over 300,000 low-energy LED lights, bringing 45 magical spirits to life.
The display has grown throughout the years and you will also now find the spirits on St. James as well as Piccadilly - leading toward the iconic Fortnum & Mason who have gone ALL OUT for Christmas this year, too!
The sparkling lights give the illusion of the wings "flapping" which adds something extra to the display.
Described as, "...the spirit of Christmas filling Regent Street with a hovering presence of glamour," this is one display you won't want to miss.
For 2023, the Regent Street Christmas Lights will be switched on on the 8th of November and will sparkle until the 3rd of January.
In an effort to reduce the impact on the environment, this year the lights will be shining in a reduced time slot from 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm.
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