John Lewis' New Christmas Advert For 2025 Is Here – And It's Another Emotional Tear-Jerker

John Lewis has unveiled its annual Christmas advert and it’s safe to say it’s another real tear-jerker.

While in recent history, the retailer’s festive campaigns have featured cute (and, indeed, very marketable) mascots like Snapper the venus flytrap, Edgar the dragon and Moz the monster, the ad for 2024 took a very different approach, telling a real human story about two sisters over the festive season.

This year’s ad takes a similar approach, this time focussing on a father and his teenage son who have seemingly drifted apart, but who share a special moment together on Christmas Day.

After clearing up the wrapping paper under the tree, the father spots one last present from his son, in the form of a vinyl record.

When the needle drops, the music takes him on a time-travelling journey, not just back to his own youth, but also through his son’s life (with, it has to be said, a massive nod to the tear-jerking drama Aftersun, starring Paul Mescal).

Having been transported back to the present day, the father and son struggle to find the words to express themselves, instead sharing a brief hug that says it all, and we’re positive there won’t be a dry eye in the house.

Takes look for yourself below:

As for this year’s music, the record featured in the ad is Alison Limerick’s 90s house smash Where Love Lies, with singer-songwriter Labrinth having also retooled it to run in the ad’s modern-day moments.

“I squealed when I heard that Where Loves Lives would be in the advert – literally squealed like an excited child,” Alison admitted.

“Music has always had the power to bring all kinds of peeps together, but I hope this year’s John Lewis Christmas advert will give those who see it a new, emotional connection with the song – especially with what Labrinth has created. His gentle version is just so beautiful; it’s sure to fill the heart with love.”

Labrinth said: “To think a boy like me from East London Hackney, who grew up watching this iconic advert would one day reimagine a classic and compose a piece of music for John Lewis’s forward thinking direction is a big deal for me. This advert is embedded in British Christmas culture and I miss home, so I’m honoured to be a part of it.”

From today, a vinyl record featuring both versions of the song will be available in John Lewis, with proceeds going towards John Lewis Partnership’s Building Happier Futures programme, which helps those who have grown up in care.