k, it’s not going to be the festive season you expected. But the capital at Christmas is magic, whatever the year and thanks to the (slightly) relaxed restrictions, Londoners can now enjoy a few weeks of festive fun. From Christmas tree crawls to distanced ice rinks and drive-in pantomimes — this is your guide.
Tree chic
The silver lining to 2020? Everyone is happy to get their Christmas hat on. Mariah Carey’s annual belter All I Want For Christmas Is You returned to the Top 40 nine days earlier this year than 2019 and artificial tree sellers are reporting sales up 140 per cent this year from last. Bloom & Wild and Green Elf Trees are even delivering real full-sized trees for anyone stuck at home or shielding.
Green Elf Trees’ sustainable delivery service
/ Green Elf Trees )
Out on the streets, London’s megatrees are already shining bright, so create your own Christmas crawl: Coal Drops Yard has an interactive People’s Tree that lights up with the movements of visitors (warm up with a hot chocolate or a cocktail at Vermuteria afterwards); Covent Garden boasts a 60ft-tall Norwegian spruce adorned with 30,000 lights; and Trafalgar Square had its virtual lighting-up ceremony on Thursday.
The plus-side to virtual viewings is you can catch up on YouTube. To max out on festive cheer, add a tour of the capital’s twinkliest lights: Oxford Street’s 27 LED curtains, Kew Gardens’ one million twinkling bulbs and the Tate Britain’s illuminated “brave new world” winter display are among this year’s most spectacular.
Merry feast-mas
2020 might have ended in tiers but Covid can’t stop the festive feasting. Use the “substantial meal” rule as an excuse to try London’s best dishes. Islington’s Irish bar Homeboy is offering a selection of souped-up snacks from taco chips to chicken fillet rolls, Dalston tequila specialist Hacha is plating up Mexican favourites from kitchen partner Maiz Azul, and Old Street bar Tayēr + Elementary has enlisted French residency Kitchen FM to cook for guests.
Pergola Paddington’s festive food spread
/ Pergola )London Bridge has a shiny new openair rooftop called Winter Heights serving up Ginger Pig hot dogs, cinnamon-topped hot toddies and bottomless fondue. Winter terraces at Vinegar Yard in London Bridge, The Laundry in Brixton and the magic garden at Flight Club Victoria are also now open for drinking and dining among the twinkling lights.
Mindful merriment
Need a pre-Christmas spruce after a year of Zoom? Head to House of Lady Muck on Mare Street to sort out your nails and brows. You can add on a head massage for £15 — much needed after this year. Gyms are open too —and a quick hit of endorphins could be a merry way to kick off pandemic party season.
London Bridge’s new Christmas rooftop, Winter Heights
/ Winter Heights )Add some sparkle
December brings a welcome chance to dust off that sequined party dress, even if it’s just for dancing around the living room on your work Christmas Zoom (experts say bauble earrings and bold lipsticks are the this year’s Christmas beauty trends – check out Wolf and Badger in Coal Drops Yard for statement earrings by Yaa Yaa London).
Pergola Paddington’s new heated igloos
/ Pergola )It’s show time
Festive screenings are back on for December, too. The Parking Lot Social in Syon Park is hosting a drive-in Christmas cinema with screenings of Home Alone, Elf and Love Actually, and from this week you can even do drive-in for a panto. Expect live DJs and a Christmas food market before the show, then a professionally produced production of Cinderella. Party season is back on (oh yes it is!).
