Your Guide to a Magical Christmas in London

The twinkly lights of the West End, the magic of the Thames, the cozy cafes and sweet boutiques... there’s nowhere quite like London at Christmas. Here, we guide you to the best bits that you don’t need to book. Enjoy!

Shops

Meri Meri Pop-Up Shop

Enjoy the holiday cheer at our pop-up this season filled with statement decor, elegant tableware and the most magical stocking stuffers around. Alongside vintage-inspired crackers you’ll discover festive garlands, holiday-themed dress-up including angels, little drummers and Santa, as well as sparkling accessories to make the season extra special.

19 Kensington Park Rd, London W11 2EU
www.merimeri.com/pages/shop

Buckingham Palace Pop-Up Shop

You can’t get more quintessentially British than Buckingham Palace. This season, the royal residence hosts the Royal Collection pop-up shop in the Royal Mews for the first time. Find official royal gifts, traditional decorations and food and drink from The Royal Collection Trust. Every purchase helps conserve the royal family’s extensive art collection. Open Nov 14 – Jan 5.

The Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace, Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0QH
www.royalcollectionshop.co.uk

Harrods

The Knightsbridge department store comes into its own at Christmas with lavish festive window displays, in-store events and services from the toy concierge (to help find the perfect gift) to bespoke hampers. Don’t miss the elegant Meri Meri concession on the fourth floor to stock up on Christmas gifts in the form of dreamy dress-up and glittery accessories.

87–135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7XL
www.harrods.com

Liberty

Perhaps London’s most romantic department store, Liberty is a festive wonderland at Christmas and the place to come for Liberty-themed gifts from exquisite 150th-anniversary homeware to notebooks and scarves. And don’t miss our online collection in collaboration with Liberty, available exclusively here at Meri Meri.

210-222 Regent St, London W1B 5AH
www.libertylondon.com

Selfridges

This buzzy store is full of festive razzmatazz, from its legendary Christmas Shop on the ground floor to its themed windows that change every year. Expect everything from glittering themed baubles to designer advent calendars. Find Meri Meri dress-up and gifts in the wonderful kids’ department on the fourth floor.

400 Oxford St, London W1A 1AB
www.selfridges.com

Fortnum & Mason

This classic Piccadilly department store, boasting the most glorious advent-calendar-style windows, is the place to come for culinary gifts like giant jars of honey, champagne truffles and the ultimate festive hampers. The Christmas shop on the first floor is packed with covetable Fortnum-themed decorations and gifts. Head to the fourth floor for a festive afternoon tea.

181 Piccadilly, St. James's, London W1A 1ER
www.fortnumandmason.com

Royal Arcade

This elegant 19th-century arcade is a slice of old-school London, complete with twinkling decorations and quirky luxury boutiques. Perfect for picking up unusual gifts you won’t find anywhere else.

4-7 The Royal Arcade, London W1S 4JE
www.royalarcade.london

Old Bond Street Stroll

No festive shopping trip to London is complete without a wander down Old Bond Street to admire the incredible window displays from the world’s best-loved designer labels, from Chanel to Louis Vuitton. This is where visual merchandisers come into their own, creating jaw-dropping festive scenes.

Top tip: walk from Selfridges via Burlington Arcade up South Molton Street and onto Old Bond Street. Claridge’s is nearby if you fancy a festive cocktail en route.

Bars, Cafes & Clubs

Sketch

A Mayfair institution famous for its bright pink dining room and quirky themed interiors. At Christmas, it glitters with fairy lights and elaborate decorations. Stop for a hot chocolate or festive cocktail and don’t forget to peek at the egg-shaped bathrooms that have become a London icon.

9 Conduit St, London W1S 2XG
www.sketch.london

Claridge’s Bar

Claridge’s is legendary for its Art Deco glamour and spectacular Christmas tree unveiled by a different designer every year. Order a mulled wine or champagne cocktail in the hotel bar for the ultimate festive indulgence.

Brook St, London W1K 4HR
www.claridges.co.uk/restaurants-bars/claridges-bar/

Peggy Porschen

Perhaps London’s most Instagrammed cafe, Peggy Porschen in Belgravia turns into a winter wonderland with candy cane arches and sugar-frosted wreaths. Perfect for a festive cupcake pit stop.

116 Ebury St, Belgravia, London SW1W 9QQ
www.peggyporschen.com

Somerset House Skate Lounge

Even if you don’t lace up your skates, Somerset House is magical in winter. Sip hot chocolate or mulled wine in the Skate Lounge overlooking the ice rink and enjoy live DJ sets under the glittering Christmas tree.

Strand, London WC2R 1LA
www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/skate-somerset-house

Annabel’s Mayfair

Famous for its elaborate Christmas displays, which in the past have included a sparkling peacock, a life-sized Nutcracker and a giant gingerbread house. Worth the photo op alone. From here, take a festive stroll over Green Park to Buckingham Palace to see its seasonal pop-up (below).

46 Berkeley Square, London W1J 5AT
www.annabels.co.uk

The Wolseley

Stylish and traditional, The Wolseley is one of the best spots in London for a festive breakfast. Expect silver teapots, marble floors and the perfect scrambled eggs before a day of Christmas shopping.

160 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EB
www.thewolseley.com

Galleries

The Wallace Collection

An opulent townhouse filled with Old Masters, sparkling chandeliers and intimate paneled galleries. Bedecked in beautiful Christmas decorations from Nov 22, it feels like stepping into a Christmas card from another century. This year, you’ll be able to see Caravaggio’s Cupid, displayed in London for the first time. Expect Cupid-inspired decorations and gifts!

The Wallace Collection, Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN
www.wallacecollection.org

The V&A

Home to one of London’s most magnificent Christmas trees and the famous V&A Shop, which turns into a design lover’s dream at this time of year. Expect glittering baubles, quirky jewelry and fashion-forward stocking stuffers.

V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL
www.vam.ac.uk

Dennis Severs House

A candlelit journey into Christmas past. This 18th-century Spitalfields townhouse feels like time travel, complete with crackling fires, oranges studded with cloves and traditional festive garlands and festoons. The star of the show? The Victorian parlour, a tree bedecked in sparkling glass decorations. From Nov 21 to Jan 11.

18 Folgate Street, London E1 6BX
www.dennissevershouse.co.uk

Southbank Centre

On the edge of the Thames, the Southbank Centre is one of London’s cultural powerhouses and its Winter Festival is brimming with art installations, concerts and festive craft markets. Stop by the Hayward Gallery for bold contemporary exhibitions, then wander outside for fairy lights, street food and the smell of roasting chestnuts.

Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
www.southbankcentre.co.uk

A Festive Walk

From Covent Garden to the Southbank

Start in Covent Garden, where the piazza sparkles with baubles and a towering Christmas tree. Warm up with a hot chocolate from Ladurée. From there, wander down Bedford Street to the Strand and cut through Charing Cross Station. Step out onto Hungerford Bridge and walk across as the Thames shimmers below.

To your left, you’ll see the London Eye glowing with festive lights and to your right, the Houses of Parliament twinkle in the distance. On the far side, the Southbank Centre awaits with its Winter Market, wooden chalets, spiced treats and riverside cheer. One of the simplest and most magical festive walks in the city.

Other areas to explore

Carnaby Street

A fun wander on the way to Liberty, especially if you have teens in tow, Carnaby’s Christmas lights are famous for being quirky. Past themes include neon lyrics, undersea worlds and eco-conscious recycled displays.

Chelsea

King’s Road and Duke of York Square sparkle with fairy lights while festive markets pop up on weekends. A chic spot for last-minute gifts.

Eccleston Yards

This hidden courtyard near Victoria transforms into a stylish festive hub with indie stores, Christmas markets and even yoga under twinkling lights.

Motcomb Street

A fun wander on the way to Liberty, especially if you have teens in tow, Carnaby’s Christmas lights are famous for being quirky. Past themes include neon lyrics, undersea worlds, and eco-conscious recycled displays.

Elizabeth Street

One of London’s prettiest streets, with pastel-hued shopfronts all dressed up for Christmas. Find your perfect Instagram moment alongside macarons and boutique shopping.

Shoreditch

East London’s contemporary quarter goes full alternative Christmas with street-art-inspired lights, pop-up bars and independent gift shops.

Camden Passage, Islington

A treasure trove of antiques, vintage finds and quirky collectables. Ideal for unique stocking stuffers.

Neal’s Yard & Seven Dials

A rainbow-colored courtyard strung with fairy lights, surrounded by indie cafes and holistic shops. Seven Dials’ star-shaped Christmas lights are some of London’s prettiest.

Notting Hill

London’s most stylish neighbourhood is also home to some of the city’s most stylish independent shops, including our very own pop-up. See our Notting Hill area guide here:

www.merimeri.com/blogs/stories/notting-hill-shopping-guide