The festive spirit has arrived in London with lights and pop-ups that virtually no one will want to miss. The streets of the British capital are full of curious walkers looking to capture the magic of Christmas these days. The city is decorated with festive trees on every corner as Londoners, embracing scarves and boots to brave the cold, vie for the crown for most original neighborhood decoration. And of course, the whole thing is best enjoyed and explored with hot chocolate in your hand.
If you want to immerse yourself in this year's dazzling light show in London, your first stop must be Trafalgar Square, a tradition steeped in history. Since 1947, a Norwegian spruce tree has come as a thank you to the British for their help in World War II. The opening ceremony, featuring local carols, officially marks the start of the Christmas season, although rumor has it that this could be the last year the tree will be introduced due to environmental concerns. However, there are always other alternatives waiting in London. This 2023, a special 12 meter tree at Saint Pancras Station will combine Christmas magic with literature thanks to Hatchards, the oldest bookstore in the UK. Featuring an elegant spiral staircase and hand-painted bookshelves with holiday-themed titles like “A Christmas Story” and “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” this cozy nook immerses Christmas lovers in audiobook excerpts from Penguin Books. In a completely different style, that of the famous Harrods shopping center, a pink decorated Christmas tree can be seen, sponsored by the Valentino brand.
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If you walk about 10 minutes from Trafalgar Square you will reach Covent Garden, a shopping destination and many restaurants that dress up in the best luxury during the holidays and markets. It is one of the busiest places at this time of year. Until January 7, 2024, the square, market and surrounding streets will be filled with festive decorations. Next to the market building there is an 18 meter high tree that is illuminated by 3,000 LEDs and decorated with huge bells.
Continuing the walk, in just 15 minutes on foot we arrive at Fortnum & Mason in Picadilly, a shop with all kinds of chocolate, tea, biscuits and many small English gifts that come in beautiful and perfect packaging. . So many people come to visit that on these days you move through the place to the rhythm of “Excuse me”. Its facade causes excitement every Christmas: this year it was transformed into a huge red Advent calendar. Conveniently in front of the store is the Burlington Arcade. This famous shopping street opens its first Christmas grotto and organizes activities such as wreath-making workshops, live classical music and a festive table decoration exhibition. Once we cross the gallery, we turn left and arrive at the glamorous New Bond Street, one of the most exceptionally decorated streets, home to many of London's luxury brands. The street is lit with lights in the shape of royal jewels and they burn until eleven o'clock at night every day, so by then it is full of curious onlookers. You don't have to stop looking up to spot the dazzling displays in stores. One of the most photographed examples is that of Cartier: the clouds floating above the building's facade are a real attraction, right in front of Ralph Lauren's charity tree.
Thousands of people enjoy the Christmas lights in Piccadilly Circus (London). Malcolm Park (Alamy/CORDON PRESS)
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Not far away in Berkeley Square is Annabel's private club, known for its stunning facilities. For this holiday they decorated the building with a hot air balloon. The entrance has been designed so that those who enter the club do so by ascending aboard the same balloon. From here the route continues to Oxford Street, Carnaby Street and Regent Street, other of the most famous streets decorated for the occasion. And because a walk always tastes better with a hot chocolate in hand, the William Curley chocolate shop is hidden in a small corner of the Soho district; It's one of the city's most charming (and delicious) establishments, and they do drinks to go.
Food with a lot of atmosphere
When it comes to Christmas treats, Borough Market is the ultimate foodie paradise. This bustling market offers a wide variety of dishes, from tempting raclette cheese sandwiches to authentic Mexican tacos. And among its protagonists is Turnips, a collaboration between fifth-generation greengrocer Charlie Foster and well-known chef Tomas Lidakevicius. Their fusion brings to life haute cuisine products where seasonality is at the forefront. The colorful fruit and vegetable shop Turnips is distinctive, especially thanks to its famous chocolate and strawberry stall that takes social media by storm every season. But the magic doesn't end there, because in the background the chef runs a gastronomic restaurant where, with Charlie's full confidence, he transforms the market's daily treasures into irresistible dishes. This holiday season the special menu includes mushroom stock, scallops and Dorset venison. And for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve they have prepared a menu for dinner with live musical accompaniment.
In Shoreditch, rooftop bar Aviary has transformed its space into a winter oasis until the New Year. The decoration is inspired by the north and even simulates the northern lights. There are also private igloos with capacity for up to 12 people. Each room is equipped with fluffy blankets and a heater to protect you from the cold. As they say in London, it is a very “cozy” experience.
Of all the locations and concepts in The Cheese Bar chain, which aims to highlight local cheese, The Cheese Barge is one of the main places where you can have lunch or dinner on a boat on Regent's Canal. In addition to their cheese boards with innovative pairings and wines from small producers, this season they introduced Fondue Thursdays, a collaborative series with well-known chefs like Carl Clarke and David Wolanski of Chick'N'Sours, a restaurant known for its quality fried chicken and bittersweet cocktails This December, they're taking the reins with their playful take on a traditional fondue, perfect for dipping fried chicken.
For something a little more refined, there's Rick Stein, a seafood restaurant with a stunning window overlooking the Thames. It is named after the chef and co-owner, a renowned British chef, recipe author and television presenter. Stein, who has shared his kitchen with Felipe de Borbón, Tony Blair and Margaret Thatcher, has prepared a special Christmas menu that will be available until January 1st. A must try is the Christmas pudding with thick Cornish cream.
Following London's Christmas tradition, a visit to a pub is a must: The Churchill Arms, just a few steps from Notting Hill Gate tube station, is a real spectacle with its trees and lights.
Winter experiences and shopping
Christmas marks the return of the season's pop-up activities, such as Winter Wonderland, open until January 1st in Hyde Park. An event so anticipated that ticket sales began in August. As every year, there is entertainment for young and old, there are attractions, various food stalls (curry sausage, Lebanese food, truffle burgers or, in the truest sense of the word, churro burgers) and live music in a lively atmosphere. One of the most famous attractions is the iceberg, where there is a fairly long queue. Therefore, it is advisable to arrive after 8:00 p.m., when many visitors disperse for dinner.
Designer Anya Hindmarch has so many rooms on the same corner of Pond Street in the Chelsea district,
If your Christmas cravings are focused on shopping, there are also some designer pop-ups alongside the well-known malls such as Liberty, Selfridges and Harrods. Designer Anya Hindmarch has so many spaces on the same corner of Pond Street in Chelsea that she named it Anya Village. The space changes depending on the season: At Christmas, on the corner in front of her fashion store, there is a festive gift shop called Anya's Grotto, open until December 24th. In the summer it was called The Icecream Project and original ice cream flavors like Fun Cookie and Ketchup were sold. Anya Hindmarch has other permanent premises including Anya Café, The Labeled Shop – specializing in the organization and sale of labeled suitcases and bags – and Anya Life with home and lifestyle items. Right outside, they opened a stand for Christmas where you can buy Christmas wreaths, some with Anya's signature eye print. If you're traveling to London for Christmas, you'll definitely have no shortage of plans or places to enjoy the festivities or buy gifts.
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