Looking for Christmas lights, festive markets and seasonal events near you? This page brings together Christmas celebrations taking place across Kensington and Chelsea this November and December.

From Kensington High Street to Portobello, Sloane Street, King’s Road and World’s End, residents and visitors can enjoy Christmas lights switch-ons, carol singing, markets, festive shopping and family-friendly entertainment across the borough.

Christmas lights switch-ons in Kensington and Chelsea

• Kensington High Street Christmas lights switch-on
  When: Tuesday 10 November, from 6pm
  Where: Holland Green Place, outside the Design Museum shop
  
  Kensington High Street will welcome the festive season with an evening of entertainment and treats from local businesses as its Christmas lights are switched on. Returning for a fourth year, the celebration will also unveil a new look for Kensington’s reusable Christmas tree structure, transformed into a festive centrepiece.
  Special guest Val Garland — internationally acclaimed make-up artist, author and judge on BBC’s Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star — will lead the countdown. What's on in Kensington.

 

• Knightsbridge Christmas lights
  When: From Tuesday 10 November (switch-on time to be announced)
  Where: Brompton Road and Hans Crescent, around Harrods
  Knightsbridge is expected to sparkle as its festive display returns to Brompton Road and the surrounding streets.
  
  Residents and visitors can take an evening stroll to enjoy the lights. Anyone planning to attend a switch-on ceremony should check for updates before travelling, as a public event time has not yet been verified. What's On - Knightsbridge

 

• King’s Road Duke of York Square Christmas tree lighting
  When: Thursday 12 November, 5pm to 7.30pm
  Where: Duke of York Square, King’s Road
  Chelsea will light its 40ft Christmas tree at Duke of York Square in an evening of seasonal entertainment.
  
  Enjoy carol singing, street performers and lanterns, with shimmering, constellation-inspired figures adding sparkle to the square.
  Tree-Lighting Ceremony - InChelsea

 

• Portobello Market Christmas lights switch-on
  When: Thursday 12 November, from 4.45pm
  Where: Christmas tree on Tavistock Square, by the Westway bridge
  Mark the start of the festive season in Portobello at the Christmas lights switch-on.
  
  The festive spirit continues with Portobello’s Winter Sunday markets, offering a chance to browse stalls and enjoy Christmas shopping on:
  • Sunday 6 December, 10am to 4pm
  • Sunday 13 December, 10am to 4pm
  • Sunday 20 December, 10am to 4pm
    Portobello Road Market

 

• Sloane Street Christmas Celebration
  When: Saturday 14 and 20 November, 1pm to 7pm
  Where: Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge.
  Sloane Street will celebrate the start of Christmas with an afternoon and early evening of festive entertainment and seasonal experiences on the 14, followed by the unveiling of the Harvey Nichols display on the 20 November.
  
  Visitors can also explore the Firefly Festive Forest, an artist-designed Christmas tree trail running along Sloane Street from 12 November to 1 December.
  Christmas Celebration 2026 - Sloane Street

 

• World’s End Christmas lights switch-on
  When: Friday 27 November, from 4.30pm
  Where: Chelsea Theatre, 7 World’s End Place
  Gather for mince pies and mulled wine before the Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea switches on the World’s End Christmas lights.
  The switch-on, speeches and a festive sing-along are scheduled from 5pm.
  Christmas Light Switch On, World's End.

 

• Royal Hospital - Chelsea Winter Village 
  When: Wednesday 25 November to Monday 28 December
  Where: Royal Hospital, Chelsea
  
  Fire pits, artisan food, the first mulled wine of the year, The Curling Club, music and the markets, gathered at the heart of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. This is a ticketed event space.
  Chelsea Winter Village & Illuminations.

Cllr Sarah Addenbrooke, lead member for culture, said:
“Christmas is a wonderful time to celebrate our amazing spaces and special destinations across the borough. From Kensington High Street and Knightsbridge to Portobello, Sloane Street, King’s Road and World’s End, there is so much to enjoy.
 

"Whether you are coming together for a light switch-on, browsing a festive market or simply taking in the seasonal sparkle, we hope residents and visitors will explore everything our unique neighbourhoods have to offer this Christmas.”

Christmas shopping and festive markets

• Portobello’s Winter Sunday markets are a great opportunity to shop locally in the run-up to Christmas. They take place on Sunday 6, 13 and 20 December from 10am to 4pm.

 

• The Open Art Market returns to Phillimore Walk on Saturday 14 November. 

Across the borough, Christmas celebrations also support local businesses, high streets and community spaces from Kensington High Street and Knightsbridge to Chelsea, Portobello and World’s End.

 

When the Christmas lights are switched on in Kensington and Chelsea

The first switch-on is Kensington High Street on Tuesday 10 November from 6pm. Further events follow at Duke of York Square and Portobello on Thursday 12 November, Sloane Street on Saturday 14 November and World’s End on Friday 27 November.

Where to see Christmas lights in Kensington and Chelsea

You can see Christmas lights on Kensington High Street, Brompton Road and Hans Crescent in Knightsbridge, Duke of York Square, Tavistock Square by Portobello, Sloane Street and World’s End Place.

Free events

The switch-ons and street celebrations listed are free public events. Some surrounding activities, food, drink or retail experiences may be chargeable.

Christmas shopping in Portobello

Portobello’s Winter Sunday markets take place on 6, 13 and 20 December from 10am to 4pm.