Central London wishes Merry Christmas 2014

It's that time of the year again - the time of Christmas lights in Central London. Went down to Oxford Street with high hopes. After getting off at Bond Street I was greeted by Paddington the Bear.

The lights were magnificent as always, even though not much had changed since last year. Below Oxford Street.

Regent Street:

Lit up Harrods in an empty London

London on Christmas Day is special. There is no public transport at all, meaning that the city is as empty as you will ever find it in the day time. There is still traffic and there is still tourists, but there is nothing like it.

The traffic in Knightsbridge and especially on Brompton Road, which passes by the iconic department store Harrods, is still relatively thick (albeit not as much traffic as usual). During the dark hours of the day Harrods is lit up and driving by it is always a special feeling. A true London land mark.

Information on the bus stop:

Maria.

Playing with the camera.

Finally we went to Fielding Court, a roundabout close to Covent Garden. It has seven roads going out of it and there are Christmas lights in each one of the roads. 

Oxford Circus as empty as you will ever see it

In Sweden we celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve. There were only two of us so it was difficult to have a full traditional Christmas table, but we had meatballs, sausages, ham and some salmon plus Swedish hard cheese (Vasterbottenost) and hard bread (knackebrod). It was a very nice evening.

The day after we decided to head out and look at London. London on Christmas Day is special. There is no public transport at all, meaning that the city is as empty as you will ever find it in the day time. There is still some traffic and there is still some tourists, but it is a very special feeling. Here Oxford Circus in late afternoon.  

Oxford Street close to John Lewis

Regent Street.

Carnaby Street. 

Tomorrow Boxing Day sales start. It will most likely be far busier.  

Christmas spirit in Covent Garden

All of London has transformed into Christmas mode. I love the holiday seasons! After seeing Oxford Street and Regent Street we went on to Covent Garden. First off is a Christmasy pub - doesn't the sight want you pop inside for a mulled wine?

Must be cold to sit there and play. No idea what his instrument is called but it was very nice. 

He was happy for me to take his picture for a little something in return… :)

Inside the mall. Too big to fit in my Christmas tree but what a feeling! 

After some shopping we went to our little oasis next to Covent Garden - Neal's Yard. I promise you, the picture below IS taken in London. 

Modern art in Neal's yard

Lights on the way from Neal's. 

Regent Street celebrates Christmas

I love Christmas! A new traditions since moving to London is to go and see the lights at Regent and Oxford Street. This year's signs are featuring the upcoming movie Mr Peabody and Sherman from DreamWorks. The overall experience is magic. So pretty! Can't wait for the holidays! Here are the Regent Street lights:

Merry Christmas from Oxford Street

The lights on Oxford Street are more different than last year than the ones on Regent Street, even though they are both very pretty in their own ways. Which one do you like best? Enjoy Oxford Street!

Oxford Street and Regent Street wish Merry Christmas

No exploration of Christmas lights is complete without the yearly light in the heart of London - from Piccadilly Circus up Regent Street and all along Oxford Street. We had a nice walk and I must confess that I have a little more Christmas feeling than a couple of days ago. Our Christmas tree at home has been set up and we have a Swedish 'adventsljusstake' but the Christmas decorations all over the city... Well, I guess it's the icing on the cake.

Oxford Circus looking down towards Selfridges. 

Looking in the other direction.

Regent Street wishes us all a Merry Christmas

Regent Street

Back on Oxford Street, walking towards Selfridges. 

Marmite - you either love it or hate it. I can admit - I am _ _ _ a fan... But thank you for sponsoring this years lights of course!