Lighting up London’s main shopping streets

It’s that time of year when London’s main shopping throughfares start the big push for their share of the consumer Christmas spending. One of the traditional ways they try to attract customers is by having large Christmas light displays across their particular street for its entire length, usually preceded by a big celebrity switching on cerermony. The first to light up this year will be Oxford Street next week followed by other major streets during November, here are the details.

Oxford Street Their big switch on will take place on Wednesday 7 November at 6:17pm outside the John Lewis store which is towards the Bond Street end of Oxford Street. The mile and a half long illuminations are based on the Disney film Enchanted and before they’re turned on there will a be a live stage show starting at 5pm. The Oxford Street lighting up should draw a big crowd of people from the thousands heading home after work.

Marylebone High Street Head north from Oxford Street around the Bond Street area and you’ll come to Marylebone High Street, an area with a more of a village feel, independent shops and a more relaxed atmosphere than what Oxford Street a few hundred yards away offers. The switching on ceremony will take place at 6.30pm on 15 November with entertainment on for most of the afternoon.

Regent Street Happening on Tuesday 20 November the guests and person switching on the lights have yet to be announced but Regent Street usually push the boat and make a special effort.

Bond Street The area around which are many of the high end fashion stores will light up at 6pm on 22 November and will have a Christmas party titled Bond Noel from 5pm-8pm with reindeer, carol singers, choir singers, entertainers, musicians, mulled wine, mince pies, man-made snow, fir trees and a Santa Claus. Their special guest will be actress Sophie Dahl who will perform the switching on ceremony at the corner of Burlington Gardens and Old Bond Street.