We didn’t have ideal seats and spent most of the time looking up at the bus roof, but it was still enjoyable. The lights go by quickly, so you can’t really stop to take pictures. If you can, I’d recommend walking down Regent and Oxford Street to appreciate the lights properly.
guccifrenchy67
16 Jan 2026
We have learned so much with our friendly, knowledgeable and informative guide Emma ????
London's Christmas lights tradition began in 1954 on Regent Street, initiated by local businesses to combat post-war gloom and attract shoppers
Regent Street, seeing itself as drab, installed its first display of illuminated trumpet playing angels with massive wingspans, funded by retailers to boost morale and commerce.
Regent Street "Spirits of Christmas" features over 300,000 LED lights and roughly 30 to 45 large-scale "angels" with 17-meter wingspans.
Since the 80's, Celebrities have been invited to switch on the lights to launch the London Christmas season making it a hugely popular event in town featuring Princess Diana, The Spice Girls, Kylie Minogue and Robbie Williams to name but a few.
Fortnum & Mason's "giant advent calendar" refers to their iconic Piccadilly store facade, transformed annually into a festive, giant Advent display with illuminated windows.
Celebrations date back to the Middle Ages, featuring pageants, feasts, carols, and nativity plays, with Westminster Abbey hosting monks and royalty.
Special foods like mince pies and plum pudding appeared, along with traditional wassailing and feasting.
Sir Henry Cole created the first Christmas card in 1843, featuring a Victorian family enjoying wine, sparking both popularity and controversy.
Prince Albert, a German import, popularized the Christmas tree in Britain, making it a must-have for respectable homes, a trend London quickly adopted.
London sweet maker Tom Smith invented crackers in 1846, initially with sweets, then evolving to include toys, hats, and mottoes.
The tradition of servants receiving "Christmas Boxes" (gifts, leftovers) from employers the day after Christmas began in England.
King George V delivered the first Christmas message in 1932, a tradition continued by monarchs, becoming a national fixture.
The iconic tree, a gift from Norway since 1947, symbolizes post-war gratitude and international friendship, despite its German-rooted tradition.
Grayline - Golden tours "hop-on hop-off" “Christmas lights tour” was most fascinating with a running commentary delivered by Brennon a very professional tour guide. Tour became a complete sightseeing trip and a tour to a fantasy of lights in London. The route of the bus was through major squares, circuses and important landmarks in London enabling us to see them at twilight. From the point of leaving to the culmination of the tour Brennon vividly explained about the history and evolution of the Christmas celebrations in London, how London burst in to colour with illuminated streets and décor, the city Christmas markets that are worth visiting an enjoying their presentations, and stories behind the historic monuments along the way that adore London. The almost 2-hour trip was well worth and thanks to Brennon, we learnt a lot about London in one go.