London Night Bus Tour with Christmas Lights
About this activity
Highlights
- See London's iconic landmarks illuminated at night
- Experience festive Christmas lights displays
- Enjoy live commentary from a knowledgeable guide
- Comfortable open-top bus ride
- Capture stunning nighttime photographs
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Open-top bus tour of London's illuminated landmarks
- Live commentary from a knowledgeable guide
- Seasonal Christmas lights display
- Food and beverages
Itinerary
Pass by: Board the open-top bus at Belvedere Road, by the London Eye, and embark on a 90-minute journey through the heart of London. Enjoy views of the London Eye as you board the bus, capturing the allure of the festivities as your tour begins. The live guide will welcome you on board and share fun facts throughout the tour. Sightseeing in London this Christmas has never been so stunning! Admission to London Eye is not included.
Pass by: Drive down The Strand, home to London’s famous West End. Snap a photo as you get up close to the stunning fairy figures flying with glowing trails of light behind them. Inspired by the history of the nearby Savoy Theatre, this display captures the magic of Christmas.
Pass by: Pass by Trafalgar Square and get a glimpse of the bustling Christmas markets and the famed Christmas tree lighting up the square. Learn about the history of this iconic tree from the knowledgeable guide and learn why it is gifted from Norway each year.
Pass by: Piccadilly Circus is one of London’s most popular areas due to its vibrant billboards. Admire the dazzling lights as you pass through this iconic area.
Pass by: Regent Street offers a delightful sightseeing experience where you can marvel at world-famous shops, beautifully adorned with holly and ivy. The street comes alive with a spectacular display of some of the most breathtaking illuminations you'll ever see.
Pass by: While you embark on a journey through Oxford Street, be captivated by the sight of 5,000 sustainable stars adorning Europe's busiest shopping street. You'll also come across Selfridges, famous for its stunning window displays.
Pass by: Fortnum & Mason is a must-see during the festive period as it transforms into a magnificent red advent calendar! We’ll take you right by this spectacular sight, allowing you to take in its beauty.
Pass by: Admire the grandeur of Big Ben as it illuminates in the night sky. As one of the most iconic symbols of the UK, take in this amazing view from the open-top bus. We’ll then head back to Belvedere Road, by the London Eye, where the tour will end.
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- Tours operate in all weather conditions; cancellations are rare.
- The bus is wheelchair accessible; please inform the operator in advance.
- Children under 5 years old can join for free if seated on a parent's lap.
Know before you go
- Dress warmly, as the open-top bus can be chilly in the evenings.
- Bring a camera to capture the stunning nighttime views.
- Check the weather forecast and bring an umbrella if rain is expected.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Infants Required On Laps
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- Please Note: This is not a Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour and customers will need to remain on the bus for the duration of the tour
- Children aged 0 to 4 years travel free of charge but will not occupy a seat. If you would like your infant to be seated, please purchase a child seat for them.
- The tour itinerary and order may change. There will be no breaks during the tour. No restroom available on board.
- Dates of operations subject to change as Christmas Lights in London are still to be confirmed.
- No food will be provided on this tour
- We reserve the right to refuse entry onto the bus.
- Please arrive 15min prior to your departure time to allow time for boarding.
- Traffic can be heavy in London around Christmas time. We try to keep you on the move and see as many lights as possible. Therefore, the route may alter slightly on certain days. On days when traffic is light, the tour may only take 60 to 70 mins.
- **You can cancel your reservation for this product up to 24 hours before departure and get a refund in full.
Traveler reviews
Great bus tour in the evening
It was a great bus tour with a very nice guide. Emma was very friendly and told very engaging. Even my 12 year old daughter was very enthusiastic and could follow it well. Unforgettable experience and learned a lot
Great tour to see the famous Christmas Lights
We did the Christmas Lights Tour on New Year's Day. Unfortunately due to congestion the route through Central London was a bit amended, but Golden Tours did their utmost to see as much of the Christmas Lights as possible. The staff were very helpful and informative and brought their information with a lot of (British) humour, which made it a very memorable experience! Very good value for money as well!
Would’ve been better not even trying to have emcee.
I was really looking forward to this tour. Our ride started off very confusing. There were no seats left on our bus so instructed to head to second bus -(we were 20 minutes early) which was fine except we then had to wait another 1/2hour. Our guide showed up and things weren’t arranged and a poor family had to be separated (w young kids) so he could set up his gear. While he was very knowledgeable he didn’t command any control over the group and no one could hear him over all the stupid chatter. I couldn’t wait to get off.
London Christmas Lights tour
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.
Magical London's Christmas Lights Experience
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.