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.

Festive fun at Pan Pacific London, Liverpool Street

From 11 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 with unlimited sides soundtracked by live music for the complete experience. For sophisticated festive drinks, head to the Ginger Lily Bar & Lounge to sip on gourmet hot chocolates and cocktails from the Pierre Marcolini cart – expect Cinnamon Hot Chocolate with rum, Cointreau and cinnamon, or the festive Gingerbread Hot Chocolate with gingerbread syrup, whipped cream and marshmallows.

Also don’t miss decadent festive feasts by the hotel’s executive chef Adam Bateman, or the impressive festive afternoon tea featuring a Rudolph pecan tart, mint chocolate macaron wreath, and a plum and chestnut mousse bauble. Those with little ones in tow can allow them to unleash their creativity and decorate their own pineapple cupcakes and orange biscuits thanks to the children’s afternoon tea, presented alongside tasty savouries, sweet treats and a creamy coconut hot chocolate or fruity iced tea.

80 Houndsditch, EC3A 7AB, visit panpacific.com

Winter Guided Tours at Buckingham Palace, Westminster

As part of an expanded programme of exclusive tours, the Buckingham Palace State Rooms will open their doors every Friday, Saturday and Sunday on select dates throughout December (including Christmas Eve). Evening tours will offer a behind-the-ropes experience of Buckingham Palace’s grandest rooms, ending with a glass of English Sparkling Wine while taking in the magic of the Palace once the doors have closed for the day.

Visit rct.uk

The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden

This Christmas, the Royal Opera House is opening up a world of festivities aiming to get people of all ages in the holiday spirit. On 22 November, for the first time in the theatre’s history, the Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO) will reveal a magnificent tutu Christmas tree in the Linbury Theatre Foyer. Crafted from recycled tulle and borrowed tutus, the tree – designed by Hugo Dalton – reflects the heritage and artistry of the Royal Ballet and will be the centrepiece of a snowy theme that will take over the whole venue.

On the main stage, the Royal Ballet presents the glittering rags-to-riches tale Cinderella and the Royal Opera will stage Antony McDonald’s storybook production of Hansel and Gretel. Paris at Christmas sets the scene for La Bohème, with Speranza Scappucci leading her first Covent Garden production, while over at the Linbury Theatre, Ruination returns, turning the classic Greek myth of Medea on its head. Plus, the 2024 winter programme opens with the most accessible performances on record, offering neurodiverse people relaxed performances of both ballets and operas.

Bow Street, WC2E 9DD, visit rbo.org.uk

Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park

The Marmite of festive events, Winter Wonderland will be popping up in Hyde Park from 21 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.

Hyde Park, W2 4RU, visit hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

Christmas market at The Other House, South Kensington

The Other House will welcome the return of its pop-up Christmas market, aptly named Rock Around the Shop, in partnership with local fashion brand, Debonnaire. Curated by Countess Debbonaire von Bismarck, Debonnaire will showcase its hero pieces alongside a range of fashion pieces, unique gift options, and artisanal treasures, offering an ideal opportunity for Christmas shopping in the heart of South Kensington. Chef and TV personality Clodagh McKenna will also be on hand with a selection of her cakes and freshly-baked goods. Happy shopping!

15-17 Harrington Gardens, SW7 4JJ, visit otherhouse.com

Christmas carols at Ham Yard Hotel, Soho

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 4 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.

1 Ham Yard, W1D 7DT, visit firmdalehotels.com

Dovetale's Winter Village, Mayfair

12 November will see 1 Hotel Mayfair’s Dovetale courtyard transform into a
whimsical winter village in partnership with Guinness, The Singleton whisky and Casamigos tequila. Home to three woodland huts serving Christmas treats, the courtyard will be decorated with a canopy of lights and seasonal wood panelling with a festive arch centrepiece.

The first hut will be dedicated to Guinness, serving fresh pints of the Irish stout and its non-alcoholic counterpart each printed with its drinker's choice of photo on top. The next hut will be decorated with the dark teals and deep mahoganies of The Singleton whisky, and will be selling exclusive bottles and serving Tom Sellers’ limited-edition mince pies. Dovetale’s own hut will be the largest of the three, emulating a Bavarian grotto and housing a Big Green Egg barbecue, grilling bratwursts and roasting nuts to order. Casamigos tequila has also curated a special pop-up hatch on the hotel's Berkeley Street entrance, where it will be serving Cafemigos coffees and hot chocolates with a tequila twist, as well as nitro brew coffees for those on the go.

3 Berkeley Street, W1J 8DL, visit 1hotels.com

The Gantry’s Artisan Christmas Market, Stratford

From 30 November to 1 December, The Gantry hotel will host an Artisan Christmas Market, celebrating London's talent and creativity. Promising local crafts that can't be found on the high street, tick off your gift list by perusing stalls of stunning jewellery, accessories, cards, and a selection of wines from Vinify. Pair with indulgent sweet treats, festive cocktails and live choirs, before taking in the views from a rooftop terrace decked out with roaring fire pits. Plus, those with green fingers shouldn't miss a wreath-making masterclass from Walthamstow-based florist Bloom of the Block on 30 November.

40 Celebration Avenue, East Village, E20 1DB, visit thegantrylondon.com

Winterhaus at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, Knightsbridge

On 19 November, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park will transform its lobby into a cosy alpine Winterhaus, inspired by a traditional Bavarian chalet. A place for gathering and celebrating, guests are invited to sink into comfortable seating and pick a story book from the shelves lining the walls, where they will discover a menu of indulgent German treats inspired by the hotel’s sister property in Munich. Highlights include stollen, pretzels and flammkuchen, paired with glasses of Krug Champagne and Munich-based Noam lager.

A cuckoo clock will take centre stage, surprising guests with a range of gifts throughout the day, from delectable drinks and tasty treats to special experiences at the hotel. Every Saturday in the lead up to Christmas, children are also invited to join the hotel’s pastry chefs for a gingerbread decorating experience.

66 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7LA, visit mandarinoriental.com

Christmas at Alexandra Palace

Looking for a festive day out that has something for everyone? From darts and ice skating to musicals and a Santa’s grotto, Alexandra Palace quite literally has it all. Its Christmas extravaganza runs from 27 November 2024 to 5 January 2025 with highlights including the World Darts championships, performances at the Palace’s Victorian Theatre and even a pantomime on ice. Add to this carol signing, meet and greet with Saint Nick and a whole host of seasonal drinking and dining options and you’ve got a day to remember.

Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY, visit alexandrapalace.com

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