London Festive Lights

They may seem to go up earlier every year but that still doesn't take away from the magic of London's Christmas lights and decorations. This winter, The Saturdays turn on the iconic lights on Oxford Street, Bill Nighy and Ashley Jensen, stars of festive movie Arthur Christmas, grace the Regent Street lights opening with their presence and, as ever, Covent Garden is transformed into a festive paradise. Here's our special Christmas Lights guide...

Oxford Street Christmas Lights

Oxford Street, W1C 1JN
1st November 2011 - 5th January 2012

Most years, turning on the Oxford Street Christmas Lights is part of a large and star-studded event watched by thousands - several years ago Hollywood A-Lister Jim Carrey flicked the switch. And in 2011 the theme will continue as glamorous girl-group The Saturdays climb the platform and push the plunger to switch on one of the UK's most spectacular Christmas light displays. Heart 106.2's Toby Anstis will introduce the girls who will treat the gathered masses to several of their chart-topping singles, as well as their new Christmas single 'My Heart Takes Over'. If the star-power on display isn't enough for you then the lights are sure to dazzle and bewitch the hordes of shoppers who throng to the West End's shopping strip during the festive season.

More info: Oxford Street Christmas Lights Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Regent Street Christmas Lights

Regent Street, W1B 5SJ
8th November 2011 - 6th January 2012

The Christmas Lights on Regent Street has a glittering event is staged for the opening night. The seasonal new movie, Arthur Christmas, will be the main theme of the evening as stars from the film Bill Nighy and Ashley Jensen switch on the lights before performances from Kelly Clarkson and Matt Cardle. Heart 106.2's Jamie Theakston and Emma Bunton will be playing the role of host for the evening and will be introducing the acts on stage at the junction of Regent Street and New Burlington Street. Regent Street's Christmas Lights are some of the most breathtaking in the capital, set off beautifully against the regal sweep of John Nash's architectural excellence. World famous British stores like Hamleys and Liberty sit alongside global stalwarts like Banana Republic, Gant and Armani Exchange on Regent Street, so once you've been wowed by the light display, you can enjoy some world class present shopping opportunities.

More info: Regent Street Christmas Lights Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Carnaby Christmas Decorations

Carnaby Street, W1F 7DN
10th November 2011 - 6th January 2012

The exact details are yet to be confirmed but you can bet your bottom dollar that Carnaby Street will come up with another visually arresting idea for their Christmas Lights display. Last year, the area was transformed into a space age extravaganza with huge inflatable globes surrounded by planets, stars, sputniks and life-sized Santas (complete with space suits and helmets). Carnaby Street has developed a name for creating excitingly different Christmas displays over the years and visitors can always expect something pretty special. The decorations and light installations typically extend to Kingly Court and the Newburgh Quarter, where a predominance of independent shops create a unique atmosphere.

More info: Carnaby Christmas Decorations Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Covent Garden Christmas

Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 9DD
9th November 2011 - 3rd January 2012

Covent Garden Piazza has something special planned for this Christmas, with a stunning light installation courtesy of United Visual Artists transforming the area. Covent Garden is notorious for its festive lighting extravaganzas - past achievements include a series of giant chandeliers and an interactive tree installation. This years switching on ceremony includes live entertainment and festive fun for all. The gathered crowds will be treated to a spell-binding lights display right in the heart of Covent Garden and, in addition to the lights, there will also be a large, traditional Christmas Tree, giant red baubles and a 32ft topiary reindeer on display. New for this year is a digital nativity scene installation that shifts and changes through the day. Visitors can expect just as much fanfare this year as in previous events - the cobbled stone piazza that millions of people cross each day will be transformed into a festive wonderland.

More info: Covent Garden Christmas Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Marylebone Christmas Lights

Marylebone High Street, W1U 5HD
16th November 2011 - 1st January 2012

Just a short walk away from the crowded throng of Oxford Street lies Marylebone High Street and its rarefied delights. From Compton des Cotonniers to Agnes and Rose; Daunt Books to Designers Guild and from The Ginger Pig to La Fromagerie, it's the perfect place to enjoy upmarket shopping without the scrum. Marylebone puts on a great lights display at Christmas and Ruby Wax will be mistress of the illumination ceremonies this year, which take place on 17th November. In the lead up to her big moment, local retailers will be offering champagne, mulled wine, hot chocolate and tempting discounts. Out on the street, Father Christmas will be giving out presents to children (at no charge), a brass quintet will be filling everyone's ears with seasonal sounds; there will be snow on the ground and fireworks in the air.

More info: Marylebone Christmas Lights Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Kingston Town Centre Christmas Lights

Kingston upon Thames, London, KT1 1EU
17th November 2011 - 6th January 2012

Father Christmas himself will be turning on the Christmas Lights over Kingston town centre on Thursday 17th November. Kingston always puts on a good show to mark the switching on of the Christmas Lights and this year they've got The Roving Entertainers appearing alongside Stamford the Lion, the Chelsea FC mascot (bit of an annoyance if you're not a Blues fan...). There will also be stilt walkers, a Christmas Tree Fairy and entertainment from the Radio Jackie team. The seasonal fun goes on across Kingston from 3pm-7pm including face painting and a roaming brass band at John Lewis, and a dedicated family area at the Memorial Gardens with a live nativity farm. There you'll find face painters and craft workshops. In the market square, the traditional German Market sets the scene for carol singers and mulled wine, and on Eden Walk, there will be music from Articulate and the Kingston Youth Big Band. It's a fantastic community event for all the family.

More info: Kingston Town Centre Christmas Lights Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Leadenhall Market Christmas Lights

Leadenhall Market, EC3V 1LR
19th November 2011 - 7th January 2012

The Lord Mayor of the City of London turns out in all his regalia to light up the Christmas Illuminations in the ornate Leadenhall Market by triggering them (and considerable amounts of confetti) with a plunger. It's all done to a fanfare played live by the musicians of the Guildhall School Of Music And Drama, who will have been there all week providing free lunchtime recitals from noon-2pm. Leadenhall Market a beautiful setting for this friendly festive event. The celebrations begin at 5pm with mulled wine, mince pies and hot cider punch, and carries on into the evening, when a ten piece jazz band take over the entertainment. The Lord Mayor officially switches on the lights at 5.30pm. The event is free, but do turn up early as numbers are limited and it's sure to be a popular night out in the City. Leadenhall Market, with its Dickensian feel, is also a lovely place to get a few presents in the run up to Christmas.

More info: Leadenhall Market Christmas Lights Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Justin Bieber Westfield Christmas Lights

Westfield Stratford City Shopping Centre, London, E20 1EJ
7th November 2011

Teen pin-up Justin Bieber will turn on the Christmas lights at both Westfield shopping centres on the same night, on Monday 7th November, flitting from Westfield in West London (where he switches on the lights at 5pm) to Westfield Stratford City in East London at 7.45pm. The 17-year old global superstar will perform on stage in The Atrium at Westfield, Shepherd's Bush, singing four of his hit singles, including new song Mistletoe, to an expected 10,000 fans. And one hundred lucky Bieber devotees will get to meet him backstage. The busy Justin will then be whisked away to the newly opened Westfield Stratford City, located at the gateway to Olympic Park, to lead the countdown to the big switch-on moment at Westfield's outdoor Chestnut Plaza. The switch on will be celebrated with a fireworks display set to light-up the skies over the Olympic Park. Justin will then perform four acoustic tracks and ends the evening by meeting and greeting another group of die-hard fans. Christmas come early for some. For the chance to be one of the lucky fans to meet Justin Bieber in person, visit Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City.

More info: Justin Bieber Westfield Christmas Lights Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree & Carols

Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DS
1st December 2011 - 6th January 2012

Since 1947, stately Trafalgar Square receives a majestic Norwegian Christmas Tree as an annual gift from the people of Oslo, thanking Britain for its support and friendship during World War Two. The enormous tree is a popular seasonal tourist attraction, particularly in the fortnight leading up to Christmas, when each evening from Monday 5 December to Thursday 22 December 2011, between 5pm and 9pm, a different choir gathers there to sing carols and raise money for a range of voluntary or charitable organisations. Passers-by are welcome to come and listen to the carols in the square, and even join in the festive cheer. Nelson's Column is decorated with Norwegian white lights and the tree is illuminated from noon until midnight until the Twelfth Night of Christmas in early January. The tree actually goes up in late November if you want to see it in all its naked evergreen glory. Then, on Thursday 1st December 2011, you can join the Choir of St Martin-in-the-Fields and sing carols around the tree from 6pm before the lighting of the tree at 6.30pm.

More info: Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree & Carols Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube