Away in a manger? No, for our Christmas break in London we want a luxury hotel where the decorations are turned up to 11, the scent of mulled-wine spices linger longer than Dickensian ghosts, and there’s goodwill all around, with a calendar full of festivities to explore in the neighbourhood.
Nice, naughty and everything in between: we’ve rounded up London’s best Christmas events for 2024 and the London hotels to visit to soak up the Christmas cheer.
CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN KING’S CROSS
Crafts, curling and pamper parties
The Botanical Boys
Its name might sound like the filling of a sad Christmas stocking, but Coal Drops Yard is actually a very merry spot this year, with its sparkling 50-foot tree and an array of festive markets. Pick up pan-Asian homewares at Shōtengai market (12–15 December); play the loteria, swirl with Solidero dancers and whack piñatas at the Mexican market (29 November to 1 December); shop ethically at the vegan market; and find unique etchings at the Illustrators’ Fair (7 December).
The Botanical Boys show you how to wrangle a wreath or build a snowglobe-esque terrarium (with wine). Follow up with a convivial tournament at Club Curling, where God’s Own Junkyard have supplied the dazzling neons for the bar; or explore the area’s large-scale artworks — download a self-guided tour on your phone. Groups should book a pamper party at Blomma Beauty to perfect their gua sha massage technique, make bespoke potions or get an ice-queen shimmer.
Count down the sleeps at… The Standard, London, where you can order a blizzard of Snowball slushies in the Double Standard bar from 1 December (or sip them in a heated yurt on the terrace). If you’re planning to stay over Christmas eve and day, rooftop eatery Decimo says ‘Feliz Navidad’ with a Mexican-inspired feast of chorizos in blankets and Muscovy duck in mole.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN COVENT GARDEN
Sleighing-it selfies, mulled-wine stops and outside-the-(gift)-box dining
Talk about megawatt events — Covent Garden’s 60-foot tree’s branches will groan with 30,000 lights this year. And if that’s not enough of a beacon for a bunch of shepherds and wise men, a further 260,000 lights will illuminate the plaza. The market halls will also be hung with giant bells, and don the gayest of apparel for photos in a 19th-century sleigh.
Crawl mulled-wine stalls then swing by the Petersham restaurant to flex those wreath-making muscles again or take Christmas afternoon tea up a tier with a theatrical Nutcracker theme. At Seven Dials Market, swap turkey for Yum Bun’s pigs-in-blanket-filled baos and tuck into Steakhaus’s beefy Christmas sandwich; or head to Sticks ‘n’ Sushi for miso sprouts and Din Tai Fung for limited-edition chocolate lava buns. Furry friends can have their tarot read and pose for caricatures at The Yards’ Big Winter Woof (from 1 December — find more ways to spoil your pet this season here) and a short walk away there’s ice-skating at Somerset House.
Count down the sleeps at… Henrietta Experimental, where Christmas is delivered with the subtlety of a sherry-sloshed, tap-dancing Santa. At the hotel’s Miracle pop-up bar, decorations of the OTT Seventies kind are hung with gusto, and equally fun festive cocktails are served in kitsch-y glassware. Or enjoy edible presents and baubles at L’oscar’s afternoon tea.
CHRISTMAS CAROLS IN THE CITY OF LONDON
Sky-high DJs, atmospheric walks and an Eastern twist on turkey
The rooftop at Vintry & Mercer
When it comes to Christmas carol services in London, the acoustics of Sir Christopher Wren’s iconic St Paul’s Cathedral dome are the most rousing. Events run from 30 November throughout December: most are free to attend, but you’ll need to book tickets for Handel’s Messiah on 4 December, or enter a ballot for tickets to A Celebration of Christmas on the 12th and traditional services on the 23rd and 24th.
Get a similar lifted-to–the-heavens feel at Searcys at the Gherkin and the Sky Garden, where cross-capital views are enhanced with decadent feasting, Moët & Chandon flutes and DJs. And the Barbican Centre brings the joy with kids’ theatre and film, ballet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, gospel and choral music, and more. Come evening, raise the ghosts of London’s Christmas past on a guided walk through Leadenhall Market, and tuck into Brigadiers’ turkey-masala pot pie and mince-pie kulfi.
Count down the sleeps at… Vintry & Mercer and dine alfresco in the cosiest cabin or igloo; or The Ned City of London for yet more seasonal warbling and Christmas dinner in afternoon tea form.
CHRISTMAS THEATRE IN SOHO
Cabaret, panto and festive flicks
Ronnie Scott’s
Soho loves a spectacle, whether the Carnaby Street illuminations or kids’ illustrations drawn in lights dotted across the ‘hood; or drag and burlesque at the Phoenix Arts Club and colourful — largely blue — cabaret at Crazy Coqs. All theatres deck their halls with punters: Sisters of Shesus bring naughty nuns to the Soho Theatre, expect risqué puns at the Palladium’s Robin Hood pantomime, and at the Apollo, STEM-schooled TV presenter Maddie Moates’ Very Curious Christmas is more edifying for kids.
Win prizes and challenge the house band at Ronnie Scott’s Christmas lunches or bop to Eighties bangers at the Social on 14 December. The Prince Charles Cinema brings back its crowd-pleasing favourites (singalong A Muppets Christmas Carol, It’s a Wonderful Life…) and cinephile favourites (The Silent Partner, anyone?); while little ones can reel off their wishlist to Santa at Hamleys’ legendary grotto or go a touch more silver-spoon at Liberty, where Saint Nick makes an appearance on various dates.
Count down the sleeps at… Ham Yard Hotel, where on 4 December the cast of Les Misérables belt out carols with Theatreland flair, and the guests-only roof terrace becomes a gin garden with boozy hot chocolates and cocktails served in flasks. Or rock’n’roll Chateau Denmark for a Fierce Christmas in the bar, when musician staff from famous neighbouring guitar shops provide the evening’s soundtrack.
ICONIC CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS IN MAYFAIR
Exclusive shopping, nativity scenes and seasonal sippers
For some Londoners, the coming of Mayfair hotel Claridge’s Christmas tree is a clarion call to celebrating akin to the opening warbles of All I Want for Christmas. This year Brit designer Sir Paul Smith will dress it with birdhouses. There’s friendly one-upmanship from the area’s esteemed establishments: Annabel’s façade is fabulously festooned (it’s been a carousel, hot-air balloon and gingerbread house previously) and Sketch has a crystal tree by jewellery-maker Mehbs Yaqub and Nutcracker scenes carved by Hungarian artist Vanda Bahdszki (plus an alt-wreath-making class on 2 December).
Ease into a luxurious gifting spree (Christmas jumpers at Loro Piana, Asprey’s jewellery-filled crackers, custom bags from Goyard…), breakfasting with Santa at the Hard Rock Cafe. Fill logoed hampers at Fortnum & Mason then browse baby Jesuses at the Royal Academy’s Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael exhibition. For lunch, 34 Mayfair is deluged by baubles and its gin, orange and fig cocktail will make you feel all warm inside. Pay your respects by the Ever After garden’s ethereal glowing flowers, then feast Grecian God-style at Bacchanalia or find Alpine cosiness and Krampus-themed cocktails at Fischer’s nearby. On Sundays, solve a seasonal murder mystery at eccentric bar Mr Fogg’s Residence.
Count down the sleeps at… Como Metropolitan, which surveys Hyde Park’s dazzle, close to the Serpentine lido for watching the Peter Pan Cup swimming race on Xmas morning. Book the cocktail masterclass for festive spirit(s) aplenty in the form of cinnamon- and nutmeg-spiced drinks.
CHRISTMAS PARTIES IN SHOREDITCH
Carousing Caribbean style, ballsy brunches and romantic rooftop drinks
East London doesn’t just hang a stocking and go to bed — expect late nights and the less traditional. The Truman Brewery’s Humbug pop-up dive bar has cabaret, beer-can bowling and games with prizes (from 14 November). Enjoy unabashed belting at musical extravaganza Vincent’s Jinglebell Christmas (from 20 November at Brick Lane Music Hall), and at Noir Kringle, Christmas has an Afro-Caribbean flavour, with flowing, nog-style ponche de crème and jubilant Parang music.
House of Hackney sells legend-themed Christmas ornaments (deck your tree with Diana Ross) and the Darkness’s Rough Trade East gig (10 December) will no doubt include Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End). Ten-piece band Moonlight Medicine Club get the Macbeth’s punters dancing on 14 December, while XOYO has a 16-piece brass band on the 18th and Juju’s Bar has a queer jazz troupe on the 7th. Find more gaiety at Nikki’s and Tonight Josephine’s themed drag brunches. Cây Tre’s tables groan with Vietnamese takes on turkey; pick up panettone from Burro e Salvia for dessert, and finish with drinks on the Queen of Hoxton rooftop, usually replete with teepees and rugs.
Count down the sleeps at… Redchurch Townhouse, where Italian restaurant Cecconi’s serves Christmas in Continental style.
Find more Christmas miracles on a Continental getaway and discover the most magical festive markets
Header image courtesy of The Ned, City of London