31st October 2022
Covent Garden will dazzle this festive season as it launches a magical programme of Christmas events and activities. The famous London neighbourhood will welcome back its much loved Christmas tree and iconic decorations, and the Insta-famous daily snowfall will also return alongside a programme of must-visit events, attractions and the newest photo moment Santa’s Sleigh. For the first time Italian luxury fashion house Dolce&Gabbana will take over the Piazza, gospel choirs and ELF the Musical will be ‘spreading Christmas cheer’ in Covent Garden, and the Christmas Sandwich Festival will return alongside the ever popular Winter Warmer Mulled Wine Festival.
London’s favourite festive neighbourhood will be adorned with over 115,000 lights glittering across the Piazza and the historic streets. The iconic handpicked 60ft British grown Christmas tree, will be decorated with over 30,000 lights and its much loved giant bow, while the Market Building will be decorated with giant snowball-inspired baubles, mistletoe and mirror balls. Back by popular demand is the Market Building’s stunning Wonder Wood where visitors can discover an array of festive trees expertly decorated by Covent Garden’s horticultural team as well as some of the estate’s finest brands. This Christmas at the Wonder Wood, visitors are invited to scan the QR codes amongst the trees, to make a direct donation to children’s charity Cash4Kids. Donations will go towards the charities ‘Mission Christmas’ which ensures that no child goes without a present under the tree on Christmas Day.
New for 2022 is the Covent Garden Christmas Sleigh which will provide the ultimate festive photo moment. The traditionally decorated Sleigh, located in the South Hall of the Market Building, will be a sustainably sourced, reconditioned 1884 carriage hand painted by British artist James Gemmill. Covent Garden’s festive lights will sparkle daily from 11am - midnight from 8th November until 3rd January 2023.
Bringing a flavour of Italy to the Piazza, Dolce&Gabbana will unveil a pop-up store from early November until mid-January 2023. The Italian luxury and lifestyle brand will showcase a special Christmas Market including food and beverage, Dolce&Gabbana Casa gift ideas, ready-to-wear fashion, sneakers and accessories and exclusive Covent Garden-only items. Covent Garden’s famous swings will also be given a festive Italian makeover by Dolce&Gabbana.
From 1st – 31st December, Covent Garden will transform into a winter wonderland as the area’s much loved daily snowfall will return, with hourly flurries from midday – 9pm, in front of Covent Garden’s beloved Christmas tree. Families will be able to visit the Royal Opera House to enjoy a magical festive programme of events and experiences including ballet The Nutcracker throughout December.
From 8th until 20th November, Covent Garden will bring back The Winter Warmer Mulled Wine Festival, for the third year running, with a variety of Piazza pop ups serving delicious festive serves with a twist, for all to enjoy. For a hot chocolate, glass of festive mulled wine or a hot toddy throughout the festive season, visitors should look no further than Covent Garden, with over 100 varieties served across the estate from some of Covent Garden’s top bars and restaurants including Frenchie, Ladureé, Mrs Riot, VyTA, Ave Mario, and more. Also live for the festival and throughout December will be the traditional Christmas cart in the Market Building, dispensing delicious take away treats of mulled wine and mince pies. Restaurants and bars across the estate will also continue to offer drinking and dining experiences for visitors, with weatherproof seating options for over 55 al-fresco dining terraces. As well as festive menus from the estate’s most-loved restaurants, there will be a new late-night venue opening with Stereo from the Experimental Group opening on the Piazza in December whilst the festive favourite Miracle at Henrietta will return once again to the Henrietta Hotel offering a retro and kitsch Christmas experience.
Returning for 2022, Covent Garden will bring its Christmas Sandwich Festival to the Piazza, running from 3rd to 10th December. Celebrating its wide selection of global and independent restaurants, the estate has challenged its eateries to create new takes on the classic Christmas delicacy. Visitors will be able to choose from over 10 Christmas sandwiches, featuring classic, unique, sweet and savoury fillings. Options will be available for both take away or to dine-in across restaurants including Frenchie, Lilly’s Café, Avobar and more.
An exciting partnership with ELF the Musical will spread Christmas cheer with Buddy, Jovie and the full cast performing in the heart of the Piazza in the afternoon of Wednesday 14th December to celebrate the musical coming to central London this Christmas.
For those looking for the perfect Christmas gift, Covent Garden is the place to visit, as the home of the best British and global fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands. Exciting pop-ups opening in time for Christmas include Swiss watchmaker Jaeger-LeCoultre which will be taking over the Piazza from 15th - 24th December, with an exhibition paying homage to its iconic Reverso timepiece, as well as a Michael Murphy installation and an art deco inspired cafe, forming a trifecta of design, storytelling and cultural exchange.
Following last year's charitable success raising £23,000, Covent Garden is excited to announce the return of the Gift For Good charity auction running from 24th – 27th November. For the third year in a row, the auction will be in partnership with charity Only A Pavement Away which works alongside Crisis on its mission to end homelessness. Covent Garden will auction off one-of-a-kind prizes from retailers and restaurants across the estate, including Charlotte Tilbury, Henrietta Hotel, Mrs Riot, Aesop, The NoMad hotel and many more, of which all proceeds will go to supporting those most in need.
Covent Garden will be hosting shopping evenings every Thursday throughout November and December, with retailers and restaurants taking part offering exciting activity, from exclusive discounts across UGG, NARS and Lisa Eldridge, in store eventing at Charlotte Tilbury and Aesop, plus gift wrapping personalisation and calligraphy at Tag Heuer, Jo Malone, Penhaligon’s and more. Surprise and delight gospel choir performances will also set a festive mood across the estate, and partnering with American Express once more, Covent Garden will offer a shopping incentive to customers who will get £10 cash back when spending £50 on the estate from 20th November to 24th December.
Dior, Jo Malone, Bucherer, Lancome, Paul Smith, Mulberry, Lacoste, Tiffany & Co will all be offering shoppers exclusive personalisation for the ultimate gift this festive season, while shoppers in need of extra Christmas gifting inspiration can find a huge variety of options available from the Royal Opera House Shop which will have memorabilia and apparel available. The very best fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands will also be offering exciting festive gifts including Lisa Eldrige in the Market Building, Paul Smith, Apple, Vashi, Ganni, Reformation, Sandro, ba&sh, A.P.C, Dior, Chanel, Tom Ford, and more to choose from.
For further information on new openings, experiences, shopping and dining visit Coventgarden.london
