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Christmas in Covent Garden

Ding dong! The Christmas bells are back for 2024

Visit Covent Garden this winter to experience a festive magic takeover of our iconic Piazza, Market Building, Neal's Yard, Seven Dials and surrounding streets!

Last year Covent Garden introduced a brand new decoration scheme for the first time in almost a decade. Inspired by a traditional Christmas, Covent Garden’s world-famous festive installation with over 40 gigantic bells with bows, 12 giant baubles and 8 spinning mirror balls, all displayed in our iconic Market Building will return for thousands to enjoy over November and December this year

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What to expect

Experience the magic of Christmas in London with a visit to Covent Garden. Here's a flavour of our immersive festive period across our neighbourhood:

This November and December...
  • Enjoy the return of our iconic Christmas bells and baubles
  • UK grown, grab the ultimate festive selfie with our 60ft Christmas Tree lighting up the West Piazza
  • Discover our magical Wonder Wood on your stroll down James Street
  • Drink and be merry with our Mulled Wine stations in Central Avenue & discover our Winter Warmer Festival
  • Santa's sleigh is parked on the West Piazza throughout November and December for your Christmas card photo moment, head to VyTA for a sleigh shot under the iconic bells
  • The Covent Garden Chalet will be popping up from 29th November, offering an alpine escape with mulled wine, seasonal treats and more
  • Mouth-watering festive menus will be dropping across over 100 dining destinations
  • Explore gift shopping across hundreds of your favourite brands

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Our Christmas Sleigh Returns

📍 West Piazza South Hall, Covent Garden 
🗓 Throughout November - January 

Back by popular demand, the most magical photo moment has returned to Covent Garden, courtesy of Santa Claus himself. The traditionally decorated sleigh is reconditioned 1884 carriage hand painted by British artist James Gemmill. Our sleigh is a free photo opportunity. *Please note no reindeer or Santa himself will be visiting with the Covent Garden sleigh and from 9pm - 9am the sleigh will be roped off.

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Let it snow!

📍West Piazza 
🗓 6th-31st December

Have yourself a white Christmas with Covent Garden's daily snow showers. Adding to the family fun this December, this FREE experience is a sprinkling of festive fun, guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit with flurries on the hour every hour between midday and 9pm daily.

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The Covent Garden Chalet

📍East Piazza
🗓 Until 23rd December

Offering a cosy, winter warmer escape this December, visit The Covent Garden Chalet to get into the ultimate festive spirit. Relax in the chalet-style pop-up, indulge in a selection of festive tipples including warming mulled wine, hot chocolate and signature hot cocktails, in addition to small bites like churros, mince pies and more.

With a cosy alpine atmosphere and delicious food and drinks in-store, The Covent Garden Chalet promises to provide the ultimate après-ski vibes.

→ Discover Christmas in Covent Garden
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The Winter Warmer Festival

Celebrate the start of the festive season with our Winter Warmer Festival. From hot chocolate and mulled wine to the SUSHISAMBA Patrón terrace, discover the best spots to celebrate across the neighbourhood.

→ The Winter Warmer Festival
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Festive Thursdays

Discover late night shopping, dining offers and feel good performances every Thursday throughout November and December with the return of Festive Thursdays.

→ Discover Festive Thursdays
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SKATE at Somerset House

📍  Somerset House
🗓 Until 12th January 2025

Famous for being one of London's favourite winter experiences, SKATE at Somerset House celebrates the festive period with unrivalled skating and Christmas vibes. Enjoy skating on the beautiful ice-rink beside the 40ft Christmas tree, with contemporary music and a selection of great food and drink from pop up restaurants and bars, including The Chalet and rink-side views at Skate Lounge by Whispering Angel. 

Hosting everything from skating lessons with Skate School to trailblazing DJs partying into the evening, there's something for everyone to enjoy! Visitors can also do start their festive shopping from the pop-up Shelter Boutique by HSBC UK, stocking a handpicked selection of pre-loved clothing, homewares and gifts.

→ Book tickets now
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Escape to the Alps at HENRI Chalet

📍14-15 Henrietta Street
🗓 Open daily through Christmas 

This festive season, Henri have bought the Alps to the heart of Covent Garden, right on the doorstrp of Henrietta Hotel. A cosy outdoor escape, Henri Chalet will be serving up Grey Goose and St.Germain cocktails, alongside a menu from chef Jackson Boxer.

As a weekend treat, Henri are also serving a Raclette Duet, available on Saturday and Sunday lunch only. Best washed down with a glass of red, it is the pause for sustenance amid a hectic Christmas shopping spree.

→ Discover HENRI
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Hansel and Gretel at the Royal Ballet and Opera

📍Royal Opera House
🗓 Until 6th January 

From fairy tale performances to mince pies, festive cocktails, and specially curated Christmas gift-shopping, the Royal Ballet and Opera has Christmas covered.

On stage, enjoy family friendly shows like The Royal Ballet’s Cinderella and The Royal Opera’s Hansel and Gretel, a classic opera and beautiful Christmas love story with La bohème, or a modern twist on a Greek myth with Lost Dog’s Ruination.

Off stage, visit the Royal Ballet and Opera’s first ever tutu tree in the Linbury Foyer and follow the beautiful snow theme through the entire House. Enjoy festive feasts and delicious Christmas cocktails at the Piazza Restaurant and Piazza Terrace Bar, as well as mince pies and specialty hot chocolates in the RBO Café.

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Snowfall at Seven Dials Market

Bringing the Christmas magic to Seven Dials Market with snowfall like you’ve never seen before, the Banana Warehouse is transforming into London’s biggest indoor snow globe!

Snowfall timings until Christmas: 

Wednesday - 8:30
Thursday - 8:30
Friday - 4:30, 6:30 and 8:30
Saturday - 4:30, 6:30 and 8:30

→ Discover Seven Dials Market
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Save the Children pop-up

📍28 Henrietta Street
🗓 Until 15th December

Covent Garden is delighted to be continuing its partnership with international children’s charity Save the ChildrenThe festive pop-up shop features a selection of beautiful homewares and gifts adorned with artwork designed by children who Save the Children has worked with through its global programmes.

Shop for unique Christmas cards, decorations, and more, making it a one-stop shop for meaningful, one-of-a-kind gifts that give back. The store will also offer pre-loved Christmas jumpers provided by Beyond Retro in support of the charity’s annual Christmas Jumper Day fundraiser on December 12th.

Open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM (and 8 PM on weekends)

100% of the shop's proceeds will go to Save the Children’s vital work helping create positive lasting change for children all over the world including here in the UK.

→ Donate here
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Covent Garden’s iconic 60-foot British grown handpicked Christmas tree is decorated with over 30,000 lights and wrapped up with a picture perfect tag and bow.

International Gospel Choir

Weekly Choir Performances

📍 Covent Garden, including Seven Dials
🗓 Every Thursday until 19th December 

Take a break from your Christmas shopping and festive dining to revel in the live performances of the London International Gospel Choir and The London Gay Men's Chorus throughout November and December, raising donations for Save the Children.

Spreading festive cheer throughout the streets of Covent Garden, these performances are guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit.

Thursday 12th December:  London International Gospel Choir

  • 6:30pm - Wonder Wood on the North Piazza
  • 7:15pm - Neal's Yard

Jo Malone London's in-store festive events

Wax Seal: Wednesday 11th and 18th December 

Add a touch of festive magic to your gift box. In-store stylists will be on hand to finish your gift with a bespoke Merry Christmas stamp in your choice of red or green wax, adding a personalised touch to make it truly showstopping.

Festive Shopping Days: Thursday 12th December (all day)

Enjoy a complimentary glass of fizz and limited-edition treats while boutique stylists help you find the perfect present for everyone on your list. Take a seat to enjoy a festive activity where you can personalise your gift box with a choice of bespoke Christmas stamps, creating a showstopping gift that will dazzle under the tree.

Discover Jo Malone London here.

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Christmas Wax Seal Asset

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Seven Dials' magical light installation

This Christmas welcomes the arrival of a brand-new festive lighting scheme throughout the Seven Dials!

Featuring brand-new canopies of 150,000 LED twinkling lights, it is not one to miss this festive season.

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Sweeping through the cobbled streets of Seven Dials, Christmas magic has taken over creating the ultimate festive feeling

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Tucked away in Seven Dials, visit Neal's Yard for a glimpse of it's Christmas makeover, with a magnificent tree and adorned with stunning lights

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Christmas at Seven Dials Market

Until 31st December

Visit Seven Dials Market this Christmas to get your hands on the tastiest dishes this festive season including:

→ Seven Dials Market
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Festive magic that slays

📍Seven Dials Market, enter on Earlham Street or Short's Gardens
🗓 11th and 18th December 6:30pm-12am 

Sleigh your way into the Christmas season at Slay Bells in Seven Dials Market, an unmatched festive takeover.

Expect surprise performances, Instagram opportunities, and the best of festive food and drinks! Gather your friends and family, don your best holiday outfit and get into the festive feels with a night of pure joy.

→ Discover Seven Dials Market
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Christmas 2024 is set to be our most festive yet, plan your visit to experience the magic ahead of the rush. Uncover our famous markets for handmade or antique stocking fillers, shop big name brands in our globally famous shopping destination and drink and dine after all that festive thirsty work!
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Festive Dining in Covent Garden

Uncover the best of festive feasts at some of Covent Garden's most popular dining destinations this Christmas:

  • Balthazar - Enjoy Balthazar's new festive set menu with two or three courses, like pumpkin soup, festive turkey ballotine, and traditional steamed Christmas pudding

  • Mariage Frères - Enjoy an exceptional Christmas Afternoon Tea, indulgent Christmas logs and other delightful creations in the restaurant

  • Sticks 'n' Sushi - Dine on festive group set menus, with starters, Nigiri, Maki and sticks including their famous 'Chicks 'n' Blankets'

  • La Goccia - Feast on fine Italian food in the comfort of the cosy heated courtyard

  • SUSHISAMBA - Celebrate the festive season with a festive taste of samba, with a multi-course selection of season specials and a Christmas Day set menu

→ Discover more Festive Dining in Covent Garden
  • LIMA CANTINA - Tired of turky? Enjoy a taste of Peru for a change this Christmas

  • Din Tai Fung - Dine on exclusive festive, Taiwanese dishes, including the Courgette & Prawn Xiao Long Bao, Truffle & Mushroom Soup and Chocolate Lava Buns. Pair with a festive cocktail, 'Winter Thyme' or 'Snowball Spice' anyone?
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Christmas at The London Transport Museum

All aboard for family fun at London Transport Museum with their 2024 series of winter festivities, perfect for the whole family, with kids going free! 

  • Meet Santa and play on his interactive sleigh in a twinkling winter scene until the 23rd December
  • Cosy up for festive stories in the winter hideaway
  • Join a digital family trail through the Museum's galleries, and discover weird and wonderful objects along the way
→ Find out more
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Brrr.. Stay warm this winter with heated al fresco dining

With over 50 locations and 1,000+ seats, Covent Garden is still the ultimate al fresco dining destination this winter. With heated dining areas, enjoy the Piazza views at some of your favourite eateries this festive season.

→ Al fresco in Covent Garden
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Festive Dining at the Royal Ballet and Opera

From Friday 29 November the rooftop Piazza Restaurant and Terrace Bar will offer a festive three-course set menu serving Christmas classics made with the best local ingredients (£65pp).

The menu has festive favourites including a traditional turkey roast with pigs-in-blankets, duck fat roast potatoes, roast vegetables, gravy and chestnut stuffing, and a mouth-watering wild mushroom tart with an artichoke, spinach and goats cheese salad. Decadent desserts include cherry and amaretto Christmas pudding, and dark chocolate and pecan nut tart with mulled wine poached pears.

→ Book tickets now
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Christmas Markets in Covent Garden

Looking for the ultimate Christmas Market in London this festive season? Did you know the Apple and Jubilee Markets in Covent Garden are available to shop all year round for gifting, not just throughout November and December. Find handmade and antique gifts for your loved ones in and around our iconic Market Building.

Feeling hungry? Head to Seven Dials Market for a range of Christmas menu specials this Winter with a variety of vendors serving cuisine types from all over the globe.

→ Learn more about The Apple Market
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What's on in Floral Court

  • Friday 13th December - La Goccia are hosting a special evening featuring renowned Chef, Author and Content Creator, Danilo Cortellini. Taking over the kitchen with his Italian cuisine, indulge in four courses and an exclusive chance to purchase a signed copy of his latest book "Better Than Nonna". Book here.

  • Monday 16th December - Piedmont's Joy: Barolo & Truffles. Visit The Petersham for an exclusive evening celebrating the classic union between Barolo and White Truffle, as the sommelier guides you through six wines. Book here.
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