Pledging to celebrate the season bigger and better than ever before, the capital is alight with twinkling lights, bauble-adorned storefronts and more events and attractions than your little festive heart can handle. Whether it's a themed dinner rendezvous with Santa or a merry romp through Fortnum and Masons, there's a Christmas event out there for every Londoner. To help you out, we've compiled a handy selection of all the coolest unknown festivities London has on offer. How many have you ticked off?
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Fortnum and Mason's Piccadilly Puddings
Going BIG on the Christmas bling this year, Fortnum and Mason have transformed into a suitably sparkly uber-luxe festive fairground, with a giant pudding display at the centre of its festooned Piccadilly halls. Celebrating the magic of retail, their canopy of levitating puddings is a thing of beauty, transporting shoppers into a whimsical wonderland full of joy and festive tunes. So if you're looking to pick up some last-minute gifts, you best wobble down to Fortnums to witness the dance of the Christmas puddins.
Natural History Museum's T-Rex
Santa Claws is coming to town. Probably the rarest Christmas sight in all of London, the Natural History Museum has dolled up its iconic animatronic dinosaur in a giant, festive red jumper, proving you're never too old to get into the X-mas spirit. You can even purchase sustainable, human-sized versions of the Christmas jumper from the museum store or online. Twinsies! PS: Don't miss his not-so-little Santa hat; it really brings his eyes out.
Jo Malone Immersive Gingerbread House
Looking to the skies for this year's festivities, Jo Malone has set up a free life-size gingerbread house pop-up against the backdrop of the stunning Battersea Power Station. Sponsoring the retail space's Glide ice rink for the second year running, the space features icing-frosted walls, interactive gingerbread man displays and fragrance masterclasses. Open till 8th January 2024, visitors can skate around the rink while marvelling at the magnificent 30-foot Christmas tree adorned with the British fragrance brand's classic cream and black boxes.
Jimmy's Pop-Up
Our favourite winter pop-up is back with Fire and Fromage, bringing authentic mountain delicacies to picture-perfect snow globes. Warm up with delicious eats from their three-course winter sample menu, featuring UNLIMITED Alpine fondue, toast-your-own marshmallows, mixed charcuterie boards, and piping hot stone-cooked steak. With a firepit-laden raclette bar serving up mulled cider and cocktails nearby, you're bound to get all the festive feels at Jimmy's dreamy pop-up—Spenny at £55 p/head but worth the splurge.
The Lucky Club Gravy Fondue
Gravy lovers, this one's for you. For a fondue fix in London, head down to The Lucky Club in Camden, which has transformed into a cosy ski lodge offering a steaming sharing pot of bottomless gravy fondue for only £25PP. And when you're done stuffing your face with their delicious range of dippers, choose from their special selection of winter beverages and score a 2-4-1 cocktail. It's safe to say this is London's ultimate gravy experience.
Taste Film Immersive Film Experience: Home Alone
A film experience to excite your senses like no other. Treat your favourite person (aka you) to an exclusive £80 'eat-what-you-see' immersive film experience where the food and drinks you gorge match up with the flavours of the scenes happening right on the screen in front of you. Join Kevin Mac Allister for a night of mouth-watering tidbits, a dose of laughs and a generous serving of holiday cheer. Trust us, this will definitely be your most lavish cinema experience to date.
Miracle at Henrietta Cocktail Bar
Dubbed the 'Christmassiest bar in London', Miracle at Henrietta is outrageously festive, in the best way possible. Decked in an army of tacky ornaments, colourful lights and kitschy decor, if you're not in a more-than-merry spirit yet, you NEED to head down to this OTT Covent Garden haunt for a night of raucous fun and Christmas cheer. Don't miss out on the yuletide concoctions; you can transport back to Chrimbo's past from 13th November to 23rd December and sip on whacky cocktails like Christmapolitan, made up of vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce and an absinthe mist.
On the hunt for more festivities this Chrimbo season? Check out our guide to the best Christmas events in London and sign up to our newsletter.