Silent-Disco Walk With Music

London Christmas Lights Guided Tour With Christmas Music. Rated 4.9 across 118 reviews. Runs 1 hour 45 minutes. From $52.

Overview

You put on a pair of headphones, your guide sets the festive playlist going, and suddenly the noise of central London drops away. This is a silent disco walking tour of the Christmas lights, run by Silent Disco Walking Tours, lasting one hour and 45 minutes. Instead of straining to hear over the traffic, everyone hears festive music through the headphones, which gives the whole thing a party feel that several reviewers describe, one of whom compared the energy to Mardi Gras.

The route passes through Christmas display areas such as Regent Street and Seven Dials, along with Neal's Yard, Leicester Square and Soho. Along the way the guide shares stories and local holiday traditions. One reviewer singled out a walk through remembrance gardens filled with lighted rose donations while Silent Night played, a moment they found genuinely moving.

It suits travellers who like their sightseeing sociable and a bit silly. One reviewer mentions singing, dancing and the tour's amazing energy, and another said even their young nephews, aged seven and nine, had a great time. Anyone who prefers a quiet, commentary-only walk might find the disco element too much, but for groups of friends and families up for some fun, it is a distinctive way to see the lights. The tour starts and finishes at the same meeting point on Rathbone Street.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet on Rathbone StreetThe tour meets at 2 Rathbone St, London W1T 1NR, and ends back at the same point.
2. Collect headsetsSilent disco headsets and headphones are provided and included in the booking, so you do not need to bring your own.
3. Neal's YardThe walk begins at Neal's Yard, a stop of about 3 minutes with free admission.
4. Seven DialsThe route passes by Seven Dials, one of the festive display areas named in the listing.
5. Leicester SquareThe group passes by Leicester Square while listening to the festive soundtrack.
6. Regent StreetThe tour passes by Regent Street, one of the display areas named in the listing, as a pass-by rather than a long stop.
7. SohoThe final stretch passes through Soho before the group returns to the meeting point on Rathbone Street.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of this tour, from what to wear to how the group feels on the night.

• Pace and fitness. The listing asks for a moderate level of physical fitness, which makes sense for a walk of this length through busy streets. You are on your feet for the full tour, so comfortable shoes matter. There is no seated break built into the itinerary.
• Group feel. The tour runs with up to 40 travellers, so expect a crowd rather than an intimate gathering. Reviewers consistently describe a lively, high-energy atmosphere. One reviewer even compared the energy to Mardi Gras and advised bringing a singing voice and dancing shoes.
• Food and drink. Food and drinks are not included. One reviewer suggested grabbing a cup of mulled wine near the start to enhance the evening, and mentioned checking your inhibitions at the starting pub. Eat beforehand or plan a stop after, since nothing is provided en route.
• Kids and access. The tour is wheelchair and pushchair accessible, with accessible surfaces and nearby public transport, and service animals are allowed. One reviewer said children as young as seven and nine enjoyed it. Families should be comfortable with the party atmosphere.
• Watch your email. One reviewer reported the starting point being changed by email on the afternoon of the tour. Check your messages before you leave for the meeting point.
• Weather matters. The listing states the experience requires good weather and may be cancelled in poor conditions, with a different date or a full refund offered if so. Dress warmly for an outdoor walk, and bring layers you can move in.

Common issues. A few honest caveats come up. The tour can be cancelled if the minimum number of travellers is not met, and poor weather can also end the evening, though in both cases you are offered an alternative date or a full refund. One reviewer described a last-minute change to the starting point communicated by email on the day, which left their group behind, so it pays to check messages right up to departure. Another reviewer had a poor experience with customer service, though other reviewers praise the guides directly. The group can be as large as 40 people, and the whole outing is on foot, so it is not for anyone wanting a slow or seated tour.

What To Decide Before You Go