The Christmas season is nearly upon us! November will be the start of Christmas light switch-ons, Christmas events and festive workshops to get your creative juices flowing. Below is a round-up of what is happening in London this November!

Mayfair

This Christmas the whole of Mayfair will become a hub of all things festive, with South Molton Street switching on its twinkling canopy of blue light archways and magical fairy lights along the full length of the street on 2nd November. Meanwhile, Mount Street will turn on of its dazzling display of 63,000 sparkling lights on 17th November, which will feature big blue blows running up and down the street. The lighting celebration will also see The Connaught unveil its world-famous Christmas tree, while the boutiques and retailers across Mount Street will offer market stalls, pop-up food and beverage stalls, artisan cocktails, complimentary gifts and special Christmas dining menus and late-night shopping opportunities.

Carnaby Christmas shopping and dining party

It’s that time of the year when we get to look forward to Christmas shopping events, coupled with discounts, entertainment and delicious food and drinks to tuck into! First up is the Carnaby Christmas shopping event taking place on 8th November, from 5pm-9pm! During the evening guests will be treated to 20% off selected retail stores and restaurants, so whether you want a treat for yourself or a loved one, there will be savings all around!

Get your sparkle on at the glitter makeover counter and get photo ready at the phone box photo booth, capturing those special moments. LED dancers on stilts and carnival dancers will be walking throughout the streets of Carnaby entertaining the crowds and if that wasn’t enough you will also be treated to complimentary cocktails while you shop. Feeling lucky? Head to over ‘Spin The Wheel’, where you will have the chance to win an exciting prize from a selection of Carnaby brands, it’s going to be one Christmas shopping event you won’t want to miss out on!

Participating retail brands include Levi’s, RIXO, M.A.C, The North Face, Benefit, IKKS Paris, Vans, NICCE, size?, RS No.9 Carnaby, Havaianas, Stine Goya and Paul Smith.

Participating restaurants and bars include Nightjar, Korean Dinner Party, Kua ‘Aina, Tapas Brindisa, Jinjuu, Marsha, The Good Egg, INO, BAO, Soho Grind, Buns from Home, Island Poké, Farm Girl and Dirty Bones.

On 8th November, Carnaby will unveil a unique and meaningful Christmas installation in collaboration with Choose Love. The theme Carnaby Celebrates is a medley of iconic lights from the past 25 years with themes including an underwater seascape, colourful rainbows, oversized fairy lights, giant snowmen, 60s inflatables, a kaleidoscope of butterflies and collaborations with the Rolling Stones and Queen.

To find the full list of participating brands and to download your 20% ticket to the event visit: www.carnaby.co.uk/christmas

Connaught Village Christmas event

On 17th November, Connaught Village will be hosting a Christmas event to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season. Visitors will be treated to an afternoon of complimentary sustainable craft workshops, live music performances, in-store promotions and a lot of entertainment! The Christmas workshops include snow globe making and pine cone decorating and for those that are dog lovers, don’t miss out on your chance of getting snapped with husky dogs on the day. Or if you are bringing your very own furry friend, look out for the Pawtrait illustrator who will be drawing Pawtraits – an illustration drawn of them with their dog.

Pupils from Connaught House School Choir will perform an open-air performance of classic Christmas carols mixed with a few modern hits to get everyone into the festive spirit. The independent boutiques, art galleries and eateries of Connaught Village will be offering festive treats and discounts.

To find out more information visit: https://www.connaught-village.co.uk/events/connaught-village-christmas-shopping-evening

Event Time: 3pm – 8pm | Free to attend
Where: Connaught Village, London W2

Seven Dial’s Winter Warm Up

Seven Dials is hosting a Winter Warm Up on 17th November 2022 from 5pm-9pm, visitors will enjoy festive workshops, seasonal food and drinks, exclusive discounts and entertainment.

There will be LED light performers, an on-street wreath-making workshop and a Creative Vocal Freedom Choir providing a seasonal soundtrack to the evening. On the evening complimentary Winter Warm Up cocktails, mocktails and toasted marshmallows will be on offer for free.

Visitors can see the unveiling of the new festive decorations as well as illuminate Neal’s Yard Festive Arch with a tap donation to Seven Dial’s charity partner, The Connection, who are also operating a coat drop station at the event. Got a pre-loved coat looking for a new loving home? Drop it off and feel good in knowing someone else will get joy from your pre-loved winter warmer.

To find out what stores will be offering discounts and to sign up to workshops visit: https://www.sevendials.co.uk/whats-on/seven-dials-winter-warm-up

 

Covent Garden’s Festive Entertainment and Activities

Get festive in Covent Garden, admiring their Christmas lights, which will sparkle daily from 11am – midnight from 8th November until 3rd January 2023 and joining in on all their festive activities!

The Winter Warmer Mulled Wine Festival will return from 8th – 20th November with delicious festive serves from mulled wine, hot chocolates and hot toddies.

Insta-famous snow will also return from 1st December for a photo moment in front of the iconic Christmas tree.

Festive favourite the Nutcracker ballet will be showing at the Royal Opera House, alongside live performances on the Piazza from the cast of ELF the musical and the London International Gospel Choir. There will be so much on offer in Covent Garden, ensuring you have a magical festive holiday.

To find out the full line up visit: www.coventgarden.london

Bond Street Xmas light switch on

Bond Street is celebrating the incoming festive season in a regally fashionable style, with a spectacular, brand new Christmas lighting design. Inspired by the legacy and beauty of The Crown Jewels and the world-famous jewellery houses of Bond Street, the lights took over 12 months to create and will be lit from November 17, 2022.

Designed to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, the display features four magnificent crowns inspired by The Imperial State Crown and visible at each of the key junctions on Bond Street. Meanwhile, the gateways at the north and south will form a grand entrance with visitors passing under a grand ‘Tiara-like’ frame of sparkling gold, silver and luminous pearl lights. Lights in the shape of shimmering platinum, gold, diamond and pearl necklaces will be ‘strung’ across Old and New Bond Street, reminiscent of the stunning necklaces in the collections of the renowned jewellers who reside here.

Bond Street’s jewellery legacy stands proud as home to some of the world’s greatest houses, such as Bulgari, Boodles, Cartier, David Morris, DeBeers, and Tiffany & Co. And the best part, the design is made up of 93,652 LED’s using recyclable, long-life materials, which are more sustainable, creating an efficiency saving of 75%. The structures and decorations are also made of reusable and recycled, long life materials such as recycled polymer and aluminium, which will be 100% recyclable at the end of their life span. The hours of illumination will be reduced further cutting down the energy consumption.