If you ask me, London is the prettiest of the cities during festive winter period! This year, we were even lucky to have snow for the whole week meaning that we had some really picturesque winter scenery.
As usual, I’m showing you the best things to do in London at Christmas, from visiting seasonal Fabulous world of Dior to wandering around the iconic Covent garden! Sadly, some things were different this year as the Natural History Museum ice rink closed down. But before we proceed to things to do at Christmas in London…
Our Christmas in London
Our own Xmas tree was inspired by gingerbread and golden hues as well but also I’ve tried to make it toddler-proof: the majority of toys were safe to touch and would not be broken into the thousand sharp pieces.
Let’s see my favourite Christmas activities in London and compare it with the 2019 and 2021 edition!
1. Bond Street
Bond street is usually my favourite go-to place to enjoy the decorations, and this year it got a full upgrade! White peacock feathers got replaced with crows and precious jewellery items. Tiffany and Cartier are the usual stars, and Stella McCartney, Dior, Chanel, Smythson, Ralph Lauren didn’t disappoint either.
Burlington arcade (as well as the Royal arcade by the way) is obviously worth a visit too: now it has the Babylon movie themed decorations paired with some Christmas displays. And don’t forget to treat yourself with some Laduree festive macarons!
2. Knightsbridge and Harrods
Knightsbridge is all glowing with Christmas lights this season.
Harrods was definitely the star of the Christmas show as Dior has placed gingerbread displays, cafe and exhibition there! Fabulous World of Dior was my highlight of the season.
3.Covent Garden
Covent garden feels special during every season but even more so in winter. Clos Maggiore restaurant was as pretty as usual. The tree in a pot and giant disco balls and mistletoes have returned for another consequent year, and the latest addition was the red sleigh – that got very popular!
Another novelty was provided by Dolce and Gabbana: their festive pop up store for D&G Casa definitely was worth visiting!
4. Mayfair stars
Mayfair is huge, and I don’t dare to limit it to Bond street. The Sexy Fish, Bocconcino, Park Chinois, Hedonism wines, The Connaught, The Claridge, The Scott’s all had the pretty displays this year: which one is your favourite?
Annabel’s facade is probably one of the most instagrammable things in Londons, and every display is a masterpiece. And this year they went for the huge Merry-go-Round with unicorns!
5. The Ritz
London hotels do look amazing over the Christmas period, and the Ritz is one of the best-looking of them! Traditional garlands and wreaths adorning its facade look so iconic year after year.
6. Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland remains one of the places-to-go during winter for me, and this year we’ve been there three times! It’s better to book tickets in advance, and now you can buy game coins and food vouchers as well as rides tokens too!
Food stalls include the Bavarian village, Christmas markets, games and so many more – have you been?
And how glorious liked the Hyde Park in the snow!
7. Chelsea stars
Chelsea is a beautiful area where I usually go wreath hunting. However, there are some indisputable starts of the show.
Peggy Porschen is one of them with the beautiful pink displays, cupcakes and coffees with snowflakes on it.
The Ivy Chelsea garden undoubtedly always has one of the most memorable and the largest decorations, and this year their display was dedicated to magical circus of animals including monkeys and pheasants.
8. Regent’s Street
No Christmas is Christmas in London without seeing the Angels of Regent’s Street – don’t worry, they are there this year too. Many shops there have closed since the pandemic but Cakes and Bubbles cafe and shops such as Ted Baker, Hobbs, updated Kate Spade, Penhaligon’s, Reiss, L’Occitaine, HM home are still there.
9.Christmas in the Zoo
Christmas vibes in the Zoo? Why not! Actually, London Zoo get very well prepared: it had many Christmas trees, food stalls, Santa meeting point, advent calendar dedicated to different animals and super pretty decorations!
10. Belgravia
Belgravia gets higher and higher on my personal list of places in London, with its decoration getting better and better. Elan, Pantechnicon and the Motcomb street not to mention the masterpieces of Neiil’s flowers looked absolutely glorious! Did I convince you to spend Christmas in London already?
11.116 Pall Mall
116 Pall Mall is an iconic address where one of the famous British clubs for the military high ranked gentlemen was located till the late 1970s. We were lucky to have hat a great Christmas Champagne tasting there and enjoyed the most beautiful decorations of the building.
12.Trafalgar Square
I’m finishing my festive blog on Trafalgar Square, one of the most famous squares of London! The Tree that has been gifted by Norwegians as always since the second world war glittering with lights and was accompanied by the scene of nativity and menorah lit up for Hanukkah.
Merry Christmas and happy New Year!
You might also like:
Dublin at Christmas
Copenhagen
London’2021
Paris’2021
London: festive food
British rustic Christmas
Nice
Vienna
Salzburg
Stirling castle
Geneva
Montreux
Moscow
Bethlehem
Furoshiki: Japanese Christmas
Thank you for your kind support in 2022.
Yours,
Anna
