After two years of Covid-scuppered Christmas seasons, this year the holiday period in the capital promises to be bigger and better than ever. Whether your festive traditions involve a tour of London’s best Christmas trees, curling up in a cosy alpine bar or winter terrace, tucking into a seasonal afternoon tea or handmaking gifts at workshops and masterclasses, here’s our guide to the best Christmas events taking place in the capital this year.
Central
Season’s Feasting at Selfridges, Oxford Street
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year – especially if you happen to be one of the biggest department stores on Oxford Street. For 2022, Selfridges has gone all out with a Season’s Feasting-themed array of decorations and entertainment. Marvel at its glorious window displays, be serenaded by choirs and live musicians as you shop and catch performances by the Disco Ball Pudding Dancers. For little ones, a visit to Santa’s Grotto is a must while adults can perfect their festive feasts with tablescaping and culinary workshops.
On now, selfridges.com
Holiday Spectacular at NoMad London, Covent Garden
Covent Garden’s NoMad London hotel may already be stuffed to the gills with great places to eat and drink but, somehow, it’s found space to squeeze in one more for the festive season. Holiday Spectacular will take the form of a six-week pop-up serving cocktails by master mixologists Leo Robitschek and Liana Oster. Riffing on classic festive flavours, must-tries include the Not The Buttons (Jameson Black Barrel, Chivas 15-year-old, lemon, gingerbread gardenia, sherry and maple garnished with a gingerbread man) and the sharing Dasher, Dancer, Prancer (Japanese whiskey, rye, falernum, vanilla, orgeat, lime and reindeer garnish). As for entertainment? Drag queen Maxi More and DJs Bestley and Joshua James promise to get the party started.
A Christmas Twist at Scott’s, Mayfair
Rivalling any Christmas tree in the capital, Scott’s famed terrace is home to new installation every year and for 2022 it features a magical menagerie of crystal animals, including dancing penguins and martini-sipping giraffes. Created in partnership with Perrier-Jouët Champagne and Plymouth Gin, there will also be a limited edition menu of Christmas cocktails and champagne pairings. After all, nothing says Christmas like caviar blinis and a bottle of bubbles.
Available now, scotts-restaurant.com
All Wrapped Up at 34 Mayfair
In addition to Scott’s, restaurant tycoon Richard Caring also owns 34 Mayfair, Daphne’s and The Ivy. Each one has been extravagantly dressed up for the festive season, festooned with baubles, trees and ribbon-wrapped parcels – guaranteed to ignite your Christmas spirit. The menus are just as delectable as the decor, with truffle-topped pasta dishes, special choux desserts and delicious spiced cocktails.
Available now, 34-mayfair.co.uk
Winter Forest at 100 Wardour Street, Soho
Escape to 100 Wardour Street’s immersive Winter Forest, nestled in the heart of Soho. The alpine space boasts snow-topped trees, crispy foliage, mistletoe and fairy lights, as well as live music on Wednesdays. Sip on tequila cocktails created in collaboration with Casamigos, from a dark and delicious raspberry and cocnut concoction to Naranja, which stirs Casamigos Anejo with Strega liquor, blue curacao and lemon.
On now, 100wardourstreet.com
Winter Warm Up at Seven Dials
The Seven Dials neighbourhood is kicking off the Christmas season in style with an evening of entertainment, workshops and, of course, plenty of shopping. Start your night with a complimentary cocktail and toasted marshmallows before sampling seasonal menus from Seven Dials’ restaurants and bars, including The Escapologist, BrewDog and Chick’n’Sours. Then it’s time to stretch your creative muscles with candle- and wreath-making workshops, home-scenting classes, and gift-wrapping lessons, while there will also be yoga classes, roaming performers and a concert by the Creative Vocal Freedom Choir.
17 November, sevendials.co.uk
Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park
The Marmite of festive events, Winter Wonderland will be popping up in Hyde Park once again this year bringing with it all manner of seasonal fun. As well as its ever-popular ice rink, this year’s ice theme will see the addition of a 45m ice slide, a Magical Ice Kingdom complete with life-size unicorn, and Bar Ice – a frozen wonderland where drinks are served at ten degrees below. There will also be ice sculpting workshops, as well as the usual slew of fairground rides, street food, festive performances and visits to Santa.
From 18 November, hydeparkwinterwonderland.com
A sustainable Christmas at ME London, The Strand
Curated under the banner of its Sustain the Season campaign, the Strand’s ME London hotel will be hosting a string of sustainably-minded events this winter. First up, there will be a pop-up store from luxury rental platform Rites from 1-5 December, offering the chance to kit yourself out in perfect party attire. Hotel guests will even be able to book a private styling consultation to make sure you’re the belle of the ball. Elsewhere, there will be an exhibition by photographer Siobhan Ferguson, the proceeds from which will go to Ecologi, as well as the lighting of the hotel’s immersive Crhistmas tree installation: a unique digital projection which is waste-free and best experienced in person.
From 1 December, melondonhotel.com
Wreath making at the Charlotte Street Hotel, Fitzrovia
London overflows with an abundance of wreath-making workshops during the festive months but, in our opinion, the Charlotte Street Hotel’s is one of the chicest. For starters, the hotel is located just north of Oxford Street, so perfect for taking in the Christmas lights at the same time. Secondly, it’s enlisted expert florists Mark Welford and Gemma Harvey to lead its session and, finally, the whole thing comes with a three-course lunch and a glass of champagne included. Can’t say fairer than that.
3 December, £150 per person, firmdalehotels.com
Christmas at Annabel’s, Mayfair
As well as its usual festive facade, which this year promises to be more show-stopping than ever, Mayfair private members’ club Annabel’s will be hosting a series of events specially created for its littlest members. On Sundays throughout December, the Tarka kids club will be hosting Christmas-themed games, interactive entertainment and transforming the nightclub into a carousel-inspired wonderland. There will also be magicians, Santa and his elves roaming through the club’s restaurant, and a toy and clothing drive, with all donations given to the Tower Hamlets Hub.
From 4 December, annabels.co.uk
Christmas shopping at Ham Yard Village, Soho
If the thought of Oxford street in December feels too daunting, set your Citymapper a little further south and head to Soho’s Ham Yard Village, which will be hosting a special shopping evening on 13 December. Home to 13 elegant boutiques, including Dinosaur Designs, Kit Kemp Design Studio and My Cup of Tea, it’s the perfect place to find a unique gift. And, if all that retail therapy has left you exhausted, pop into the village’s Ham Yard Hotel, where the spa will be offering a range of high-tech facials and relaxing massages to get you looking party perfect.
13 December, firmdalehotels.com
East
Brother Marcus Christmas pop-up
Spitalfields’ much-lauded Eastern Mediterranean restaurant Brother Marcus has teamed up with Greek spirit Metaxa to create a festive pop-up bar serving warming cocktails throughout December. Pull up a stool and indulge in festive serves including the Brandy Snap (Metaxa 12 Stars, double cream, fresh ginger juice and condensed milk) and the Festive Old Fashioned (Metaxa 12 Stars, sea salt honey reduction and bitters).
16 November – 31 December, brothermarcus.co.uk
West
Christmas in Chelsea
Being home to the brilliant boutiques of the King’s Road, as well as gorgeous restaurants and luxurious hotels, Chelsea is the perfect place to get into the Christmas spirit. This year, events in the neighbourhood kick off on 19 November, when Santa will be turning on the Christmas lights during a day that promises to be full of festive entertainment. Enjoy live performances and cocktails on the Sloane Square Winter Terrace, peruse the stalls of the Fine Food Market on Duke of York Square and shop the area’s luxury boutiques at leisure. Throughout the season you can also expect special offers, promotions and entertainment across the neighbourhood, as well as complimentary horse-and-carriage rides.
From 19 November, chelseachristmas.co.uk
Japanese wreath-making at Pantechnicon, Belgravia
If holly and ivy aren’t really your thing, restaurant, bar and multi-use events space Pantechnicon will be putting an Eastern spin on the tradition with a series of Japanese wreath-making workshops. Known as shimekazari, and used to mark the Japanese New Year celebration Shogatsu, each wreath is made using rice straw, foliage and flowers which symbolise prosperity and luck in Japanese culture. Led by Mariko Kinoshita of Matsurika Flowers, it’s an ideal way to sharpen your skills or hone a new talent.
1, 10 and 11 December, £60 per person, pantechnicon.com
South
Winter Festival at Southbank
As ever, the Embankment will light up with a series of Christmas markets, events and seasonal performances at the Southbank this winter. Outside, don’t miss the Winter Light installation, which will set Riverside Walk’s famous buildings aglow with works by 10 renowned contemporary artists. The annual Christmas market will also return with warming street food, Alpine drinks from Fire and Fromage and winter sport with the Curling Club. Inside, highlights from the Southbank’s winter season include productions of Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol, The Guilty Feminist presents Camp as Christmas and Off Menu: The Christmas Dinner Party.
Until 8 January, southbankcentre.co.uk
Christmas at Borough Market
Determined to excel to even higher heights of epicurean extravagance this Christmas? Borough Market is the destination for you. From 15 November it will be illuminated with traditional Christmas decorations while the party starts in full swing on 1 December, when a weekly programme of live bands and choirs will soundtrack your foodie shopping. Also save the date for the market’s annual Evening of Cheese, a fabulously funky evening led by Borough Market’s expert cheesemongers, including Neal’s Yard, Kappacasein and L’Ubriaco.
From 15 November, boroughmarket.org.uk
North
Christmas at The Great Northern Hotel, King’s Cross
The Great Northern Hotel has teamed up with the artisans of nearby Coal Drop’s Yard to create a range of events and workshops suitable for accomplished artists and newbies alike. Begin by fuelling up with a champagne brunch or lunch at the hotel’s Rails restaurant before moving on to a wreath-making masterclass under the guidance of floral artist Sophie Kim of Roseur or a gingerbread decorating (with mulled wine) in the hotel’s GNH bar & Terrace.
From 14 November, gnhlondon.com
Christmas at Alexandra Palace
Looking for a festive day out that has something for everyone? From darts and ice skating to musicals and a Santa’s grotto, Alexandra Palace quite literally has it all. Its Christmas extravaganza runs from 28 November 2022 to 15 January 2023 with highlights including the Cazoo World Darts championships, performances of Bugsy Malone at the Palace’s Victorian Theatre and even a pantomime on ice, with Disney of Ice professionals telling the story of Rapunzel. Add to this carol signing, meet and greet with Saint Nick and a whole host of seasonal drinking and dining options and you’ve got a day to remember.
28 November 2022 – 15 January 2023, alexandrapalace.com
Read more: The essential guide London’s Christmas lights
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