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Christmas in Trafalgar Square

Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square

Please note that this event has already occured.

Key information

Start date: Thursday 03 December 2015 at 6:00pm

End date: Sunday 03 January 2016 at 11:00am

Venue: Hybrid, , Online, Digital, GB

Cost: Free

Since 1947, each year a Christmas tree has been given to the people of London from the people of Norway in gratitude for Britain's support for Norway during World War II. For many Londoners the Christmas tree and carol singing in Trafalgar Square signal the countdown to Christmas.

Christmas tree lighting

The lighting of the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree takes place on 3 December from 6pm.

The tree will be lit by the Mayor of Westminster, Norwegian Ambassador and governing Mayor of Oslo.

The Salvation Army and St Martin-in-the-Fields choir will sing carols. This event presented by Westminster Council and supported by the Mayor of London.

Blessing of the crib

Join a torch-lit procession at the steps of St Martin-in-the-Fields as the choir and clergy bless the crib in a special ceremony in Trafalgar Square on 6 December at 5:30pm. The crib is designed by Tomoaki Suzuki with figures inspired by Londoners from around the world. . It will be on display in the square throughout December.

Carol singing

Come and enjoy warming festive tunes beneath the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square from Monday 7 to Wednesday 23 December. More than 50 carol groups will be taking part, each singing for an hour. Performances take place from 4-8pm weekdays, and 2-6pm weekends, except Thursday 10 & Wednesday 16 December 2015.

Latest carol singing programme 2015

Public Transport

The Tube

Charing Cross (Bakerloo and Northern lines) is the closest Tube station, with an entrance/exit on Trafalgar Square.

The following stations are within a few minutes' walk:

Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly lines)

Piccadilly Circus (Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines)

Embankment (Bakerloo, Northern, District and Circle lines)

Mainline train

Charing Cross mainline rail station is about a three minute walk from the Square.

Buses

Routes 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 23, 24, 53, 77A, 88, 91, 139, 159, 176, 453 go past Trafalgar Square. Also routes 22 and 94 terminate nearby at Piccadilly Circus. Many of London's night buses serve Trafalgar Square. The following routes start/end near the square: 53, N2, N5, N18, N20, N21, N26, N29, N41, N47, N50, N89, N91, N97, N279, and N381, and these routes go past the square: 6, 12, 23, 24, 88, 139, 176, 453, N3, N9, N11, N13, N15, N36, N44, N52, N77, N155, N159, N343.

Visit the Transport for London bus maps page to access information on bus routes from Trafalgar Square, for both day-time and night buses.

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