23/10/26

Christmas light switch on in London - 2026

Nothing says Christmas is just around the corner quite like London’s streets sparkling with festive lights! From dazzling displays to magical switch-on celebrations. We’ve rounded up when the capital’s biggest shopping destinations will be lighting up for the season, from Oxford Street and Regent Street to Marylebone Village, Covent Garden and Carnaby.

Carnaby Street - 4th November

Carnaby Street is excited to light up their latest new-look Christmas lights for 2026 - ‘Press Play on Christmas’, on 4th November. bringing the colour, creativity and playful energy of the 90s to the heart of London’s West End. ‘Press Play on Christmas’ invites Londoners to a festive season inspired by a time when shopping was a day out, discoveries happened in person and festive memories were made together. The new-look display takes the spirit of the decade and reimagines it for today.

The Carnaby Street Switch-On is free and open to all. Visitors can also register for a free Switch-On Pass, unlocking additional offers and experiences on the night and throughout the festive season.

To register, click here.

Regent Street and St James’s - 5th November

The iconic ‘The Spirits of Christmas’ lights, on Regent Street and St James’s will be switched on 5^th November. This year, visitors will be able to enjoy the switch on of the lights in a traffic-free setting, as Regent Street will be closed to vehicles between 5pm and 9pm, while additional festive fun will be provided by family-friendly entertainment along the street.

Stores will be offering a range of in-store experiences, offers and surprises, it will be well worth the visit! The festive displays will span Regent Street and St James's, including Jermyn Street and St James’s Market, as well as Glasshouse Street, Swallow Street, Princes Arcade and the Quadrant Arcade too.

For more information, click here.

Marylebone Village - 11th November

On 11th November, Marylebone Village will be transformed into a fun-filled winter wonderland, with curated stalls, festive food and drink, family entertainment, and a 55-foot Ferris wheel. BBC broadcaster and local resident Jo Good returns to host an afternoon of live performances culminating in the official Lights Switch-On at 6pm, led by a special celebrity guest - to be announced.

Visitors can also enjoy Santa's grotto, fairground attractions, festive shopping and seasonal experiences throughout the Village. There will be a programme of workshops, events and family activities running throughout the festive season. This year's event will support the Evelina London Children’s Hospital, part of Guys & St Thomas’s, raising vital funds in to support the development of a new children’s cancer hospital.

For more information and to book a festive workshop click here. www.MaryleboneVillage.com

Covent Garden - 12th November

Covent Garden’s iconic Christmas lights and decorations return to the heart of London, with 40 gigantic gold bells with glittering red bows, 12 giant baubles and 8 spinning mirror disco balls transforming the historic Market Building. With over 29 miles of gold leaf and 275 kilos of glitter suspended overhead, the destination offers a free-to-enjoy festive experience and one of London’s most dazzling, globally renowned backdrops.

The iconic 50ft Norwegian Spruce Christmas Tree returns to the Piazza, adorned with over 30,000 LED lights and 200 baubles, while a further 300,000 LED lights illuminate the surrounding streets, Seven Dials and Neal’s Yard. There will be special festive treats on the day, discounts and a lot of festive fun!

For more information, click here.

Leadenhall Market - 19th November

Leadenhall Market will mark the start of the festive season in the City at its Christmas lights switch-on ceremony on 19th November. The Market’s Victorian walkways will be dressed for the season with festive garlands and decorations, with a towering 26ft Christmas tree taking centre stage beneath the atrium. A festive light tunnel will stretch through Beehive Passage, illuminated with Victorian-style lights, while live music and a flurry of snow will add to the celebrations as the lights are switched on at 6pm.

Leadenhall Market’s restaurants, pubs and bars will be open throughout the evening for festive drinks and dinner.

For more information, click here.

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Review of The Engineer pub in Primrose Hill

Jun 16, 2025

2 min read

Primrose Hill has no shortage of charming pubs, but few rival The Engineer in legacy, character, and that elusive mix of traditional and cool. Tucked away on a quiet residential street, this historic pub is named after the great Isambard Kingdom Brunel, whose offices were said to be located on the upper floors. This striking building has been a fixture since the 1800s. Its stately exterior and recently refurbished interior strike the perfect balance between period charm and modern comfort, with rich wood panelling, open fireplaces, and a mellow, inviting glow throughout.

We visited on a warm Sunday evening after a very pleasant walk around the hill. While the outdoor tables and walled beer garden were tempting, we opted for the upstairs dining room—cosy, softly lit, and overlooking the street below. It was a perfect setting for what turned into a relaxed and truly indulgent dinner.

The menu celebrates seasonal British cooking, with a thoughtful blend of pub classics and contemporary flourishes. Several of the larger mains—like the chateaubriand or sharing steaks—are designed for two, making it an ideal spot for date night or a low-key celebration.

To start, we shared pan-seared scallops with crispy chorizo and a zingy beetroot salad. Both were elegant, light, and full of clean, balanced flavours. It set a high bar for what followed.

The Engineer is known for its Sunday lunch (and still buzzing with late diners when we arrived at 6pm), we focused on the à la carte menu as many roasts had already sold out—fair warning if you have your heart set on one of the Specials or Chateaubriand.

Instead, we ordered two stalwarts: the beer-battered Atlantic haddock and chips, and one of the Aged Steak specials. The haddock was spot-on—light, crisp batter, flaky fish, fat golden chips, a pot of mushy peas, and a sharp tartare sauce. The steak was generously portioned, juicy, and came with triple-cooked chips and fresh watercress. Proper pub food, done exceptionally well.

The drinks list is impressive too. Classic cocktails sit alongside a curated global wine selection. My Argentinian Malbec was smooth and rich—an ideal pairing for the steak.

Dessert stayed true to the theme with nostalgic British classics. We went for the Dark Rum Sticky Toffee Pudding and a silky chocolate mousse—both rich, satisfying, and just indulgent enough. There’s also a tempting British Cheese Plate for those who prefer a savoury finish, featuring cheddar, goat’s cheese, and Stilton with oatcakes and hedgerow chutney.

 The Engineer nails what a modern gastropub should be: warm, unpretentious, and deeply satisfying. It’s the kind of place that feels like a local secret, whether you’re settling in for Sunday lunch, escaping with a pint by the fire, or treating yourself to an elevated fish and chips. If you’re heading to Primrose Hill, consider this an essential stop.

Address:  The Engineer 65 Gloucester Avenue, NW1 8JH

To book click here.

Written by Claire Bloom

Photography courtesy of The Engineer