Each December, London’s skyline gains a glittering 20-plus-metre Norwegian spruce: the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree. Gifted by Oslo every year since 1947, this evergreen symbol of gratitude and friendship anchors the capital’s holiday season with a free lighting ceremony, nightly carols and a bustling Christmas market. Here’s everything you need to know before you go—including long-tail answers to the web’s most-searched questions.
History & Meaning of the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree
Why does Norway give London a Christmas tree every year?
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The tradition began in 1947 as Oslo’s thank-you for Britain’s support during World War II, and actually traces back to a wartime spruce erected in 1942 by Norwegian commandos.
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Each year foresters in Nordmarka, just north of Oslo, select a 50–60-year-old spruce (around 20–25 m tall) months in advance.
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A ceremony in Oslo’s Universitetsplassen sees the Lord Mayor of Westminster accept the tree before it travels 550 miles by sea and road to London.
Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 2025
What time is the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree lighting ceremony 2025?
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Date (expected): Thursday 4 December 2025 – the first Thursday of December, following decades of tradition.
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Time: The switch-on usually happens at ≈ 5:30 pm, with pre-event music from 5 pm on the National Gallery side of the square.
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Running order: Salvation Army band, speeches by the Lord Mayor of Westminster & the Norwegian Ambassador, countdown, tree illuminates with 300–500 soft white LEDs, followed by the first public carol of the season.
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Top tip: Arrive by 4 pm to secure a spot on the National Gallery terrace for elevated views and dramatic photos that capture Nelson’s Column and the fountains in one frame.
Where to stand for the best view of the lighting countdown
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Front-and-centre: Around the north fountain if you’re happy to be in the thick of it.
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Photographers’ perch: Steps of St Martin-in-the-Fields for a side-on composition with the church spire.
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Accessibility: A raised viewing platform is usually set up on the north-west corner; reach it via the ramp on the western side of the square.
Trafalgar Square Carol-Singing Schedule 2025
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In 2024, more than 40 choirs performed daily sets between 4 pm – 9 pm, 9–23 December.
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Expect a similar calendar for 2025; the official list is released in early November on the City Hall website.
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Choirs sing under the tree for charity buckets—carry £1/£2 coins or tap-to-donate cards.
Visiting Tips: How to Get to the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree & Beat the Crowds
How to get to the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree by Tube, bus & bike
| Mode | Nearest stop | Lines/Routes | Journey time on foot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tube | Charing Cross | Northern, Bakerloo | 2 min |
| Leicester Square | Northern, Piccadilly | 6 min | |
| Embankment (step-free) | District, Circle | 7 min | |
| Bus | Routes 11, 12, 24, 88, 453 etc. | Stop “Trafalgar Square/Charing Cross” | 1–3 min |
| Cycle | TfL docking stations on Northumberland Ave & St Martin’s Pl | 2 min |
Peak vs. quiet times
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Busiest: 5–7 pm weekdays and all day Saturday.
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Quietest: Early mornings (before 10 am) and late evenings after 9 pm when the tree lights stay on until midnight.
Facilities
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Public toilets (20p) under the north-west plinth, accessible cubicles available.
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Hot drinks & mince-pie stalls pop up on event nights; more options in the Café in the Crypt at St Martin-in-the-Fields.
Best time to photograph the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree for Instagram
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Blue hour (≈ 4:05–4:45 pm early December) gives cobalt skies behind the turquoise tree lights.
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Use the fountains for reflections; ND filters help smooth water into mirror-glass.
Trafalgar Square Christmas Market 2025: Dates, Stalls & Food to Try
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Provisional dates: 9 Nov 2025 – 2 Jan 2026 (to be confirmed).
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More than 25 alpine-style chalets line the square’s north terrace selling glühwein, bratwurst, artisan gifts and Norwegian waffles in honour of the tree’s homeland.
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Opening hours typically 11 am – 9 pm; shorter hours on Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day.
Sustainability: From Forest to Mulch
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Oslo foresters cut the tree by hand to minimise damage, transport it by hybrid-fuel lorry and ship, and carbon-offset the journey.
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After Twelfth Night (6 Jan) the spruce is taken down, chipped and composted for London parks.
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LED bulbs have reduced energy use by up to 80 % compared with 1990s halogens.
Things to Do Near the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree
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National Gallery late openings – warm up among Van Goghs until 9 pm on Fridays.
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St Martin-in-the-Fields candlelit concerts – classical programmes most evenings.
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Covent Garden Christmas lights – 8-minute walk for giant baubles & snow showers.
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West End shows – box offices on the Strand often release same-day tickets after 10 am.
Key Takeaways
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Mark 4 December 2025, 5:30 pm for the lighting ceremony (subject to official confirmation).
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Catch choirs nightly 9–23 December and browse the Christmas market from early November.
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Arrive early, layer up, and don’t forget coins for charity carols.
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Combine your visit with nearby museums or West End festivities for a full festive day out.
Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree 2025 – Frequently Asked Questions
1. When is the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree lighting ceremony 2025?
The switch-on is traditionally the first Thursday of December. In 2024 it fell on 5 December at 5:30 pm; following the same pattern, 4 December 2025 is the likely date, with exact confirmation published by City Hall every November.
2. Do I need tickets for the lighting ceremony?
No—the event is free and unticketed. Simply arrive early (by 4 pm) if you want a prime spot near the fountains or National Gallery steps.
3. How tall is the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree?
The spruce is usually 20–25 metres (65–82 ft) tall and around 50–60 years old when felled in Norway.
4. Why does Norway give London a Christmas tree every year?
Oslo sends the tree as a gift of gratitude for Britain’s support during World War II, a tradition begun in 1947 and renewed annually ever since.
5. How long does the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree stay up?
The tree stands from early December until just before Twelfth Night (6 January), after which it is removed.
6. What happens to the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree after Christmas?
It is chipped and composted into mulch for London parks and gardens—an eco-friendly end to its festive duties.
7. What time do carol singers perform under the tree?
More than 40 choirs sing daily 9–24 December, typically 4-8 pm on weekdays and 2-6 pm on weekends, with one-hour charity slots.
8. What’s the easiest way to get to the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree by public transport?
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Tube: Charing Cross (Northern & Bakerloo) – 2 min walk
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Leicester Square (Northern & Piccadilly) – 6 min
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Embankment (District & Circle) – 7 min
Buses 11, 12, 24, 88, 453 and others stop at Trafalgar Square/Charing Cross.
9. Is it free to visit the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree at other times?
Yes—the square is open 24/7 and completely free to enter; the lights remain on until midnight each night.
10. What kind of lights are used on the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree?
The spruce is decorated “Norwegian-style” with vertical strings of energy-efficient white LEDs, reducing power consumption while honouring tradition.
