Culture

London’s iconic ‘Spirit of Christmas’ lights mark tenth anniversary with new interactive Wishing Tree

Friday, 7 November 2025 5:03AM UTC

London's West End transforms into a winter wonderland as the tenth anniversary of the ‘Spirit of Christmas’ display features over 30 illuminated ‘Spirits’ and an interactive Wishing Tree, blending tradition with sustainability, amid mixed social media reactions.

The streets of London have been transformed into a winter wonderland as the much-loved Christmas lights sparkle across the West End, marking the tenth anniversary of the iconic ‘Spirit of Christmas’ display. This seasonal spectacle has once again brought festive magic to Regent Street, St James’s, and surrounding areas, captivating crowds who gathered to watch the capital shine in celebration of the holiday season. Running until 4 January, the lights invite Londoners and visitors alike to revel in the sparkle and joy that characterise the city’s Christmas spirit.

The annual display draws inspiration from the very first angel-themed illuminations introduced in 1954, now evolved into over 30 illuminated ‘Spirits’ floating above Regent Street and St James’s. These radiant figures are crafted from more than 300,000 energy-efficient LED lights, designed to both delight the eye and minimise environmental impact. Additional twinkles can be found lighting up side streets such as Jermyn Street, Glasshouse Street, Swallow Street, alongside the enchanting Princes and Quadrant Arcades, broadening the festive atmosphere beyond the main thoroughfares.

A standout element of this year’s display is the illuminated Wishing Tree installed at St James’s Market. This interactive feature encourages visitors to donate to The Felix Project, a charity dedicated to redistributing surplus food to communities in need across London. Each donation triggers the tree’s lights to twinkle, creating a moment of shared goodwill that blends philanthropy with festive cheer. The launch event itself was marked by lively performances from local choirs and a touch of whimsy courtesy of Hamleys’ famous elves, adding to the celebratory mood as the lights were switched on.

Despite the widespread appreciation, the lights have attracted a mixed reaction on social media. Some commentators feel the seasonal decorations are appearing somewhat early, with one remarking that the lights were "a bit too soon" for their liking, while still acknowledging their beauty. Others have been more critical, branding the display as “ridiculous” or suggesting these might be the "worst yet." Such varied responses highlight the challenges urban centres face in balancing festive enthusiasm with public sentiment.

For those keen to experience the lights in person, the displays operate daily from 3pm until midnight, offering ample opportunity to explore the area’s vibrant shopping, dining, and cultural offerings. Regent Street and St James’s are well known not just for their festive lights but also for a mix of flagship stores, British brands, and renowned restaurants and bars, making the neighbourhood a hub of holiday activity. Visitors can also enjoy a range of theatre productions and cultural attractions, enriching their seasonal experience.

This year’s ‘Spirit of Christmas’ lights maintain the tradition of illuminating the heart of London with a blend of heritage and modern sustainability efforts. The use of energy-efficient LEDs and the charitable engagement through the Wishing Tree reflect a growing emphasis on mindful celebration, ensuring the festive period is both joyful and conscientious.

📌 Reference Map:

^[1] (Daily Mail) - Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
^[2] (Regent Street Online) - Paragraphs 2, 4, 7
^[3] (Regent Street Online) - Paragraph 2, 4, 7
^[4] (Londonist) - Paragraphs 2, 4
^[5] (Time Out) - Paragraph 4
^[6] (London for Christmas) - Paragraph 2, 4
^[7] (Concierge News) - Paragraph 2

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15267419/Illuminated-angels-soar-streets-London-message-welcome-capital-new-Christmas-lights-day-Bonfire-Night.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.regentstreetonline.com/news/the-spirit-of-christmas-by-regent-street-2025 - Regent Street's 'Spirit of Christmas' lights return on 6 November 2025, marking the start of the festive season in London. The display features over 30 radiant 'Spirits' crafted from more than 300,000 energy-efficient LED lights, illuminating Regent Street, St James's, and surrounding areas. The lights will be on daily from 3pm until midnight, running until 4 January 2026. The launch event includes festive performances and a Wishing Tree at St James's Market, where donations to The Felix Project will trigger additional twinkling lights.
https://www.regentstreetonline.com/christmas - Regent Street's Christmas celebrations include the 'Spirit of Christmas' lights, which return on 6 November 2025. The display features over 30 radiant 'Spirits' crafted from more than 300,000 energy-efficient LED lights, illuminating Regent Street, St James's, and surrounding areas. The lights will be on daily from 3pm until midnight, running until 4 January 2026. The launch event includes festive performances and a Wishing Tree at St James's Market, where donations to The Felix Project will trigger additional twinkling lights.
https://londonist.com/london/christmas-in-london/when-are-london-s-christmas-lights-switched-on - London's Christmas lights for 2025 begin on 1 November with the West End lights, including Piccadilly, Leicester Square, and St Martin's Lane. Regent Street and St James's lights switch on from 6 November, featuring 30 'spirits' made from 300,000 LED lights. The illuminated Wishing Tree at St James's Market returns, twinkling into life when visitors donate to The Felix Project. The lights will be on daily from 3pm until midnight, running until 4 January 2026.
https://www.timeout.com/london/news/the-exact-date-that-regent-streets-festive-lights-will-turn-on-for-christmas-2025-100325 - Regent Street's festive lights for Christmas 2025 will switch on from Thursday 6 November. The display features 30 'spirits' made up of more than 300,000 energy-efficient LED bulbs, illuminating Regent Street, St James's, and surrounding areas. The lights will be on daily from 3pm until midnight, running until 4 January 2026. The launch event includes festive performances and a Wishing Tree at St James's Market, where donations to The Felix Project will trigger additional twinkling lights.
https://www.londonforchristmas.com/pages/what/lights_regent_street.html - Regent Street and St James's Christmas lights return on 6 November 2025. The display features over 30 radiant 'Spirits' crafted from more than 300,000 energy-efficient LED lights, illuminating Regent Street, St James's, and surrounding areas. The lights will be on daily from 3pm until midnight, running until 4 January 2026. The launch event includes festive performances and a Wishing Tree at St James's Market, where donations to The Felix Project will trigger additional twinkling lights.
https://www.conciergenews.co.uk/post/regent-street-st-james-festive-lights-displays-2023 - The 'Spirits of Christmas' return to glisten above Regent Street and St James's from 9th November 2023 with new illuminations in place. The display features over 50 large-scale 'spirits' designed by James Glancy Design, soaring high above Regent Street, Regent Street St James's, Piccadilly, Jermyn Street, and St James's Market. New lights will sparkle over additional locations, including Glasshouse Street, Quadrant Arcade, St James's Market, and Swallow Street, enhancing the festive decoration across central London.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative is based on a press release announcing the 2025 'Spirit of Christmas' lights in London, marking their tenth anniversary. The lights were switched on on 6 November 2025, with displays running until 4 January 2026. The press release was published on 6 November 2024, a year prior to the event. This indicates that the content is original and timely, with no evidence of recycled news. The press release format typically warrants a high freshness score.

Quotes check

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative includes direct quotes from the press release, such as descriptions of the lights and the Wishing Tree. These quotes are unique to the press release and do not appear in earlier material, indicating originality.

Source reliability

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative originates from a reputable organisation, the official Regent Street website, which is a strength.

Plausibility check

Score: 10

Notes: The claims about the 'Spirit of Christmas' lights, including the number of 'Spirits,' the use of over 300,000 LED lights, and the inclusion of the Wishing Tree at St James’s Market, are consistent with other reputable sources. The narrative's language and tone are appropriate for the region and topic, and the structure is focused on the event details without excessive or off-topic information.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative is original, timely, and sourced from a reputable organisation. All claims are consistent with other reputable sources, and the content is well-structured and appropriate for the topic.

London Christmas lights
Regent Street
Festive celebrations