Head to Covent Garden to experience true Christmas magic this festive season. From real snow to London’s first ever mulled wine festival and so much more, it’s not to be missed…
There’s something undeniably magical about Covent Garden and it is reopening for Christmas even more dazzling than ever. If you are heading to one of the city’s most historical locations you can expect daily snowfall on the Piazza throughout December, over 115,000 lights and a 60ft British grown Christmas tree decorating the estate.
From the 2nd of December, all stores and restaurants will reopen their doors with extra magic, offering one of a kind al fresco experiences, world-class dining concepts, new festive menus and an unrivalled selection of gifts, alongside a dazzling Christmas light display. With many popular events cancelled across London, the capital’s favourite neighbourhood will amp up the festivities with a 42m LEGO installation for the whole family, daily snowfall in front of the Christmas tree, London’s first-ever Mulled Wine Festival and many winter-al-fresco drinking and dining experiences.
An immersive LEGO adventure will be a must-see family attraction, inviting families to explore a playful and colourful brick-built world, inspired by the LEGO 2020 Holiday Advert. The not-to-be-missed experience allows them to come face to face with fantasy lands and imaginative giant LEGO installations as well as take part in a treasure hunt to find hidden delights.
For a glass of festive mulled wine or a hot toddy throughout December visitors should look no further than Covent Garden, with over 25 varieties served across the estate from some of Covent Garden’s top bars and restaurants including Laduree, Buns & Buns, The Gentleman’s Baristas, Sticks’n’Sushi and more. From 10th – 13th December, Covent Garden will also welcome London’s first ever Mulled Wine Festival – The Winter Warm Up – with festive Piazza pop ups serving unique takes on mulled wine for Londoners to enjoy some winter-al-fresco fun. Eleven of Covent Garden restaurants and bars also offer year round heated al fresco terraces including SUSHISAMBA, VyTA, Laduree, Frenchie, Petersham Nurseries’ La Goccia, Buns & Buns, Le Pain Quotidien, The Ivy Market Grill, Shake Shack, Aubain and Tuttons.
For the second year running Covent Garden has welcomed the Wonder Wood, an enchanting Christmas tree forest with trees dressed by British and global brands, including The Royal Opera House, Olivia Burton, Lulu Guinness, L’Occitane, For Art’s Sake, Molton Brown, Pollocks and Laduree. Each tree features a spectacular festive decorative scheme.
Many Covent Garden stores are offering exclusive gifts and personalisation include Dior, Jo Malone, Bucherer, Polo Ralph Lauren, Paul Smith, Mulberry, Burberry, Lacoste, Hackett, Tiffany & Co. Shoppers in need of extra Christmas gifting inspiration can find a huge array of gifting options available from Ganni, Sandro, ba&sh, A.P.C, Free People and more, plus the biggest number of beauty brands per square metre including, Dior, Chanel, Tom Ford, Charlotte Tilbury, Aesop and more to choose exclusive gifts from, including personalisation and bespoke gift wrapping.
Adding to Covent Garden’s family friendly festive offering, Benjamin Pollock’s Toyshop has opened Benjamin’s Christmas Shop, an enchanting winter wonderland housing a secret Grotto and selling traditional toys. With wreaths and decorations made from recycled vintage toys by Instagram sensation Dolly Treasure, the Piazza pop up brings an element of traditional Christmas to Covent Garden, selling stocking fillers to gifts for all the ages.
Visitors looking to wind down with a festive cocktail indoors can head to the Henrietta Hotel’s festively famous Miracle pop-up bar, which returns to Covent Garden for the third consecutive year and will be running alongside the newly relaunched Da Henrietta bar. The Christmas-themed pop-up bar, renowned for its kitsch decor and creative cocktails, will be open until 23rd December.
Those looking for exciting dining experiences can visit newly opened Darjeeling Express and Da Henrietta for must-try menus, and visitors looking for a treat for the whole family can visit iconic Balthazar or Petersham Nurseries’ restaurants, shop and courtyard. Elsewhere, special festive menus and dishes will be available across Covent Garden’s wide selection of global restaurant concepts, including the Veuve Clicquot Sticks’n’Santa menu at Sticks’n’Sushi, plus others at SUSHISAMBA, RedFarm, Flat Iron, Din Tai Fung, Oystermen, Cora Pearl, Avobar, Floozie and The Gentlemen Baristas.
Covent Garden favourite The Royal Opera House will also be showing The Nutcracker from 11th December until 3rd January for family entertainment during the festive period.
For festive celebrations, and a wide selection of experiences, shopping and dining, Covent Garden is the best destination to celebrate the festive season.
For further information visit Coventgarden.london
