Greenwich Market Christmas Lights Switch-On Set for Nov. 18, 2026

Verified and updated November 13, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. GMT (UTC+00:00).

Greenwich Market will switch on its Christmas lights at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, after a lantern parade gathers at 4 p.m. in the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College. The procession is scheduled to pass through Cutty Sark Gardens and continue to the market for the countdown. Greenwich Market’s event page lists performances and activities across the day, with the event ending at 6:30 p.m. GMT (UTC+00:00). Greenwich Market’s official event schedule is the source for the times and route described here.

Destaques

• The lights switch-on is scheduled for 5 p.m. GMT on Nov. 18.
• Lantern parade gathering starts at 4 p.m. at the Old Royal Naval College.
• The parade proceeds via Cutty Sark Gardens to Greenwich Market.
• The official schedule says the event ends at 6:30 p.m., not 6 p.m.

When do the Greenwich Market Christmas lights switch on?

The switch-on is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at Greenwich Market in London. The official event listing says the countdown and switch-on will be led by the Mayor of Royal Greenwich, Councillor David Gardner. London will be on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT, UTC+00:00) on that date, so the listed time is 17:00 GMT and 17:00 UTC.

Visitors should plan to arrive before the countdown. The event page schedules a festive brass band performance for 5:10 p.m., followed by a dance school performance from 5:40 to 6:15 p.m. It gives 6:30 p.m. as the event end time. That is the currently published schedule; visitors should check the market’s page for any changes before setting out.

Where does the lantern parade start, and where does it go?

The parade gathering is due to begin at 4 p.m. in the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College. From there, the lantern procession is scheduled to travel through the historic grounds, cross Cutty Sark Gardens, and arrive at Greenwich Market for the 5 p.m. lights countdown. The parade is the lead-in to the switch-on: it brings participants and spectators toward the market ahead of the central moment of the evening.

Greenwich Market says local primary school children will carry handmade lanterns. The schedule does not give a separate minute-by-minute timetable for each section of the route, so allow time for the procession and crowd movement rather than assuming it will arrive exactly at a particular minute before 5 p.m. The market’s address is Greenwich Market, SE10 9HZ.

What happens before the parade and switch-on?

The listed program begins earlier in the day on the Greenwich Market stage. It includes a Christmas singer from noon to 1 p.m., a Captain Fantastic performance from 1:30 to 3 p.m., and a choir performance listed from 3:10 to 3:50 p.m. At 4 p.m., the market schedule lists live entertainment, games, and activities hosted by David Ribi before the procession and countdown.

This means visitors can make an afternoon of the event, but the parade and lights moment are concentrated in the late afternoon. Anyone primarily interested in the procession should be at the Old Royal Naval College grounds by the 4 p.m. gathering time. Those heading straight to the market for the switch-on should leave time to navigate the area and find a viewing spot before the countdown.

How long do the celebrations last?

The current official listing states that the event ends at 6:30 p.m. and gives performances through 6:15 p.m. A separate supplied event note described celebrations as continuing until 6 p.m.; that conflicts with the live event page, so this article uses the market’s currently published 6:30 p.m. end time. The schedule does not promise that every stall, shop, or food outlet will follow the same hours as the event, so check with individual businesses if you have a specific stop in mind.

What should visitors expect next?

The confirmed plan is a 4 p.m. parade gathering, a route from the Old Royal Naval College via Cutty Sark Gardens to the market, and a 5 p.m. switch-on. The market has also listed performances after the countdown and a 6:30 p.m. event end. As with any scheduled outdoor gathering, timings or arrangements could change; the official Greenwich Market event page is the best place to check for updates before traveling.

Frequently asked questions

What time are the Greenwich Market Christmas lights switched on?

The switch-on is scheduled for 5 p.m. GMT on Wednesday, November 18, 2026.

What time does the lantern parade start?

The gathering is scheduled for 4 p.m. in the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College. The parade then heads toward Greenwich Market via Cutty Sark Gardens.

When does the event finish?

Greenwich Market’s current event page lists 6:30 p.m. as the end time.