Oxford Street will be the first in the UK to turn on its Christmas lights when the switch is flicked on Tuesday 6 November 2018

The Oxford Street Christmas lights switch on will officially kick-start the festive season, lighting up the capital with 1,778 baubles and 750,000 LED bulbs, which use 75% less energy than conventional bulbs.

Oxford Street Christmas Lights

Famous for firsts, Oxford Street will launch Christmas with in-store gigs, one-night-only shopping events and dining offers, plus a series of surprise-and-delight moments.

There’ll be live, in-store performances from 2018 Mercury Prize nominee Novelist (performing at JD Sports from 7.30-8.30pm), R&B powerhouse Kara Marni (Tezenis from 6-7pm), and singer-songwriters Ray BLK (Nike from 6.30pm-7.30pm) and Isaac Waddington (Uniqlo from 7pm-8pm).

Capital XTRA presenters Yinka Bokinni and Robert Bruce will get the celebrations underway with DJ sets ahead of each performance.

The lights switch on will mark the start of Oxford Street’s seven-week Christmas is Calling campaign, and more than 90 stores will also be joining in the celebrations with offers of up to 20% off at high street favourites Warehouse, G Star RAW, Aldo, Bershka and Stradivarius, as well as in-store giveaways and complimentary gift wrapping.

Other highlights include a nine-piece New York Brass Band at John Lewis’ Skyline Skating with Sipsmith on the Roof from 7-8pm; 1,000 giveaway scratch cards available from Debenhams with chances to win beauty gifts, a KAT VON D bag, Dolce & Gabbana makeup bag, Hermes gift set and more; and a “Lite-Up Run” with ASICS from 5.20pm, complete with UV face painting and glow sticks.

Oxford Street is Europe’s longest shopping street, with 1.5 miles of shopping running from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road and more than 90 flagship stores. Join the conversation @oxfordstreetW1 using the hashtag #ChristmasIsCalling.

Find out more at oxfordstreet.co.uk