This year the holiday period in the capital promises to be bigger and better than ever. Whether your festive traditions involve a tour of London’s best Christmas trees, curling up in a cosy alpine bar or winter terrace, tucking into a seasonal afternoon tea or handmaking gifts at workshops and masterclasses, here’s our guide to the best Christmas events in London this year.

Christmas shopping at Chiltern Street, Marylebone

On 29 November, Chiltern Street, one of London’s most characterful shopping destinations, will come alive for a special one day only Christmas celebration from 12-6pm. The street’s collection of independent boutiques, specialist stores, and cafés are opening their doors, inviting visitors to explore a programme of exclusive offers and creative workshops to kickstart the festive period. Set against a backdrop of distinctive red brick architecture, the street will be soundtracked by live music from a roaming choir and brass band. 

Visit portmanmarylebone.com

Spitalfields Christmas Market, Shoreditch

Throughout the Christmas period, visitors to Spitalfields Market can enjoy a range of family-friendly activities that make for the perfect festive day out, from live choirs, craft activities, and more. From 12 November, Bishops Square will be transformed into a pop-up Christmas village, with cosy chalets serving delicious seasonal food and drinks, and a Gingerbread House hosting a range of festive activities. The festive chalet bar will be serving mulled wine, hot chocolates, winterberry spritz, espresso martinis and festive pina coladas – and every weekday from 5-6pm, the special happy hour will feature discounted Malibu cocktails.  

Building on last year’s success, Light the World will be returning to Spitalfields with a programme of festive activities. Head to E1 on 6 December to meet Santa Claus and his elves, and discover the Light the World machines designed to spread Christmas joy and invite visitors to donate directly to charities such as The Felix Project. From 5-7 December, the Arts Market will host up-and-coming artists selling a range of affordable and unique gifts including bespoke fashion, jewellery and accessories, while elsewhere the area is home to more than 90 independent traders open everyday. With a wide range of street food vendors, bars and dining options, visitors can refuel after a day of Christmas shopping. From quick bites at street food kiosks, such as Nigerian Boys, Mamma’s Goodies or Ebby’s Kitchen, to all-out occasions at Italian restaurant Alfi and bottleshop and bar Kill The Cat, there’s plenty to satiate any appetite. 

Visit spitalfields.co.uk

Frozen Enchanted Forest at Four Seasons at Tower Bridge, Tower Hill

The Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge has teamed up with vodka brand Beluga to transform The Rotunda into a beautiful frozen forest, where guests can enjoy exquisite cocktails by Michele Lombardi served from martini trees. Launching on 13 November, the hotel will host a unique tableside cocktail experience, where guests can indulge in martinis, as well as a festive afternoon tea from Lily Vanilli, a hot chocolate trolley from Valrhona and a selection of bespoke seasonal masterclasses.

The magical display begins at the entrance to the hotel, where guests are led past sledges, lanterns, and festive greenery into The Rotunda, where a magnificent 12-foot tree takes centre stage, adorned with hundreds of elegant Beluga martini glasses. The martini tree tableside experience, designed by head of bars Michele Lombardi, invites guests to take a glass, choose their perfect ratio of Beluga Vodka to vermouth, and create their very own bespoke martini from a selection of garnishes and tinctures, or pick from Lombardi’s festive menu, served from the cocktail trolley, which includes the Christmas Martini complete with a blue-cheese filled marzipan olive. 

Visit fourseasons.com

Christmas shopping at Carnaby, Soho

Adding to the excitement on Carnaby Street this festive season, a number of new pop-ups will be joining the line-up. British brand Arne has announced its arrival at 5-7 Carnaby Street from 1 November with a dedicated pop-up showcasing its signature menswear, womenswear, and footwear collections. The Bothy will be adding to the celebrations with a special presence at 52-55 Carnaby Street, where visitors will be able to take shelter and enjoy a well deserved break from Christmas shopping with a delicious Baileys Hot Chocolate or a perfect pint of Guinness. 

From 12 November until 17 November, take advantage of Soho Nights: a celebration of festive dining, live performances and exclusive shopping experiences from participating brands including Miznon, Kolamba, Pangaia, Ray-Ban, Nobody’s Child and Ffern. Plus, an exclusive all-day shopping event on 22 November will see stores across Soho and Carnaby Street offer exclusive discounts.  

Visit thisissoho.co.uk

Fabrica X Festive Concept Market, Kings Cross

Open until 21 December, Fabrica X, The Mills Fabrica’s sustainable innovation gallery, will host the Festive Concept Market: an inspiring, all-under-one-roof, curation of gifting options that are both covetable and responsibly made. Bringing together a thoughtful selection of purpose-driven brands to showcase emerging designers practising slow fashion principles, circularity and considered sourcing, visitors are invited to explore an exclusive collection of sustainable gifts and festive finds from pioneering brands including Homework, Leiho, E.L.V. Denim, Beyond Retro, Yumi, Zephyr Jewellery and more. 

Alongside gift shopping, visitors can expect engaging activations from the featured brands: Beyond Retro will be providing vintage scarves for circular gift-wrapping, ELV Denim will be hosting a fireside chat with Anna Foster and Tiffanie Darke on 13 November and Positive Luxury will be hosting an intimate panel discussion in the space on 2 December.

Visit themillsfabrica.com

Christmas carols and workshops at Petersham Nurseries, Richmond

Throughout the yuletide season, visitors to Petersham Nurseries in Richmond can get hands-on in a series of wintry workshops, fuelled by mince pies and warming drinks. First up on 19 November is the Christmas Calligraphy masterclass by resident calligrapher Kate Ridyard, where each participant will master the art of beautifully lettered gift tags to take home and use to personalise presents, while other creative events include the Christmas Crackers Workshop on 27 November focusing on design techniques to craft personalised crackers, each filled with a thoughtful, garden-inspired prize. 

Those who are green-thumbed can take advantage of the Stylish Festive Containers event on 26 November, where guests can get hands-on with planting seasonal flora, as well as the classic Scented Fruit Garland Workshop, Festive Flower Arrangements and wreath making classes throughout December. Also don’t miss the annual Christmas shopping and carol concert on 3 December, where the nursery will have been transformed into a winter woodland and complemented by warming mulled wine and mince pies. 

Visit petershamnurseries.com

Partnership Editions market at The Walmer Castle, Notting Hill

On 12 November, The Walmer Castle will host a special, one-off independent makers’ market in collaboration with Partnership Editions. The first-floor Lonsdale Room will be transformed to offer guests a chance to shop a handpicked selection of pieces by some of Partnership Editions’ emerging artists, coinciding with the launch of their online November drop. Expect delicately embroidered cushions, ceramics, hand-painted baubles and some artists will also offer on-the-spot personalisation allowing shoppers to add a meaningful touch to their gift. All purchases will include a discount voucher for a meal at The Walmer Castle that can be enjoyed at a later date. 

Visit walmercastle-nottinghill.co.uk

Festive workshops at Lavender Green Flowers, Chelsea

Dress your door in style this Christmas with Lavender Green Flowers’ handcrafted wreaths. On 22, 23, 28, 30 November and 6-7 December, the florists will host a Christmas Wreath Making Masterclass for £125 per person, where guests can create their own showstopper with expert guidance, festive music, and seasonal refreshments.

Visit lavendergreen.co.uk

Novikov's Christmas Market, Mayfair

From 27-29 November, Mayfair Place, connecting Berkeley Street and Stratton Street, will once again be transformed into a traffic-free winter wonderland. Guests are invited to shop, eat, drink and dance their shoes off from 11am until 9pm. The Champagne Ice Bar will be the perfect place to toast the season, while throughout the market, visitors can enjoy live music, carol singers, and performers, along with a free festive photo booth to capture merry moments. 

Novikov’s signature gourmet food stalls will return, serving caviar bumps or blinis, oysters and homemade pastas prepared in a show stopping parmesan wheel. Also indulge in the new Sweet Corner, where warming mulled wine and a range of holiday cocktails will be flowing. As evening falls, resident house DJs Sally and Spencer will take over from 6pm until 9pm each night, filling the air with vibrant beats and transforming the market into a lively festive party.

Visit novikovrestaurant.co.uk

Festive fun at Pan Pacific London, Liverpool Street

From 20 November, Pan Pacific London will be transformed into a winter wonderland. The plaza in front of the glamorous glass-fronted hotel in Bishopsgate will become home to London’s tallest Christmas tree, however, you must step inside the hotel to discover a whole host of festive feasts and spectacular soirées this season. Make Sundays a day to remember with Straits Kitchen's new roasts, featuring three courses and paired with glass of Taittinger. Also don't miss the impressive festive afternoon tea featuring finger sandwiches, sausage rolls and Christmas pudding macarons, alongside tea, scones and champagne. Those with little ones in tow can allow them to unleash their creativity and decorate their own cupcakes and biscuits thanks to the children's afternoon tea, presented alongside hot chocolate and snowball cake pops.

Visit panpacific.com

Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park

The Marmite of festive events, Winter Wonderland will be popping up in Hyde Park from 14 November, bringing with it all manner of seasonal fun. As well as its ever-popular ice rink, this year’s theme will see the addition of a 45m ice slide, a Magical Ice Kingdom complete with a life-size unicorn, and Bar Ice – a frozen wonderland where drinks are served at 10 degrees below. There will also be ice sculpting workshops, as well as the usual slew of fairground rides, street food, festive performances and visits to Santa.

Visit hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

Christmas market at The Other House, South Kensington

The Other House will welcome the return of its pop-up Christmas market,in partnership with local fashion brand, Debonnaire, from 11–13 November. Curated by Countess Debonnaire von Bismarck, the market features a handpicked mix of luxury brands including Philippa 1970, Iacobella, Parioca, Mairead Lewin Vintage, and Debonnaire’s own collection. Shoppers can enjoy live embroidery and hot-stamping services, perfect for personalised gifts, plus late-night shopping sessions and festive breakfasts.

Elsewhere, on 20 November, The Other House and Need It For Tonight (NIFT) will host How to Shop Consciously for Christmas: a dynamic evening of live styling, gifting demonstrations, and interactive sessions with celebrity stylist Marion Perles. Plus, throughout December, The Other House's Library will be transformed into a magical grotto, complete with visits from Santa and mulled wine, while The Den screening room will screen classic Christmas films. Other events, with tickets available to public, will include gingerbread house decorating and Christmas card and wrapping paper work, while new, seasonal menus and cocktails in The Other Kitchen and Owl and Monkey will complete the celebrations.

Visit otherhouse.com

Christmas carols and workshops at Firmdale Hotels, across London

If the thought of Oxford Street in December feels too daunting, set your Citymapper a little further south and head to Soho’s Ham Yard Village, which will be hosting a special shopping evening on 10 December. The cast of Les Misérables will be performing carols in the twinkling courtyard, where guests can enjoy festive treats like mince pies and mulled wine from Ham Yard Restaurant and special offers across the Yard's range of shops. Inside, Ham Yard Hotel will unveil its magical gingerbread village created by the hotel’s talented pastry chefs.

Elsewhere at the Haymarket Hotel on 30 November, artist and textile designer Alice Mary Lynch – best known for her whimsical creations, drawing inspiration from costumes, fairy tales, and nature’s circus – will guide guests in designing and painting a pair of ‘tree dancer’ wooden decorations. The beautiful creations are ideal for gifting or treasuring personally and all will be hand finished with Edward Bulmer paints. Tickets are priced at £165 per person and the session includes a seasonal lunch in Brumus Restaurant, tea, coffee and mince pies.

Visit firmdalehotels.com

12 Days of Craftmas at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, Knightsbridge

On 17 November, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park kickstart its Christmas celebrations with 12 Days of Craftmas. Priced at £12 per workshop, this series immersive series of workshops and masterclasses, hosted by the hotel’s own artisans and trusted partners, will take place throughout November and December. With events hosted in The Rosebery and The Aubrey, join the engaging activities such as learning the craft of sushi making (17 December), creating a festive wreath with the hotel’s in-house florist Moyses Stevens (27 November), or learning the technique of ornament painting with bauble designer Tom Martin (20 November). Each experience offers the joy of making while also giving back, with all proceeds going to Mandarin Oriental's chosen festive charity.

Visit mandarinoriental.com

Read more: Everything the Luxury London team has been loving this month