Starting in 1954, Christmas lights have been a tradition in Regent Street since 1949 when wartimes restrictions were finally lifted and a full display started in 1953, some years before the Oxford Street light display began.
During the rest of the year Regent Street is one of the main shopping centres of London with many presitgous shops including Hamleys - one of the worlds most famous toy stores.
Fifteen things no visitor to London should miss
15 food, antiques and clothing markets in London worth visiting
Troops being mustered for the open carriage procession for the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II
Royal salute for the Household Cavalry at the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II in an open top carriage in Whitehall, London to commerate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II in an open carriage procession to Buckingham Palace to commerate the Diamond Jubilee
Christmas lights on Oxford Street in central London
Fountains lit at night at Trafalgar Square in central London
London - 15 things not to miss - Fifteen things no visitor to London should miss
London - museums not to miss - Information on and about the museums in London
London - 4 Samuel Smiths pubs - Four great Samuel Smtihs pubs around London for a drink
London - the 11 best pubs - 11 great pubs to have a beer in in London
London - 6 historic pubs - Six historic pubs worth visiting in London
Diamond Jubilee - Royal Salute - Royal salute for the Household Cavalry at the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II
London - Queen Elizabeth II at the Diamond Jubilee carriage procession - Queen Elizabeth II in an open top carriage in Whitehall, London to commerate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II
London - Palace of Westminster - The Palace of Westminster and Big Ben overlooking the Thames River in central London
London - The London Eye in front of Big Ben - Detail of the London Eye with Big Ben in the background
London - view of the Thames and the London Eye - View of the London Eye on the banks of the River Thames in central London
Visit London - Official website of the London Tourist Board
Mark Sukhija is a travel and wine blogger, photographer, tourism researcher, hat-touting, white-shirt-wearing, New Zealand fantatic and eclipse chaser. Aside from at least annual visits to New Zealand, Mark has seen eclipses in South Australia (2002), Libya (2006), China (2009) and Queensland (2012). After twelve years in Switzerland, Mark moved back to London in 2012. You can follow Mark on Twitter or Facebook