Unmissable festive celebrations in the heart of London

With Waterloo Place Christmas tree (one of the largest in the country), whimsical window displays and a canopy of thousands of twinkling lights, Regent Street and St James’s in London’s West End have been coming alive at Christmas for 70 years. Easily accessible by foot, a quick hop on a bus, or the Tube from Piccadilly Circus, Green Park or Oxford Circus, the grandest illuminations in the capital will be switched on on 7 November – a tradition dating back to 1954. Here’s how to have the ultimate festive day out…

Luminous lights

Stretching from Langham Place to Waterloo Place, the Spirit of Christmas lights flying high are made up of 300,000 lights in a canopy of white nets and 30 handcrafted ‘Spirits’ who dazzle from above. Start your wintery stroll at The Langham hotel, walking towards Piccadilly Circus. Outside Karl Lagerfeld, stand on the pedestrian central divider and snap an Instagram-worthy photo under a soaring Spirit, before continuing down Regent Street’s iconic curve. Gaze towards Piccadilly Circus from outside Burberry, then take a detour through Glasshouse Street for more installations, and onwards through the arches of Air Street. From there, Piccadilly Circus and St James’s Markets are at your fingertips. Looking for a best bar with a view? Enjoy a winter tipple at The Nest, Treehouse Hotel’s rooftop bar with 360° vistas of London.

Festive feasts

Start the merry celebrations at Aqua Kyoto, whose fifth-floor Japanese bar and restaurant overlooks the twinkling Christmas Spirits. Or if you prefer to gaze on the traditional Trafalgar Square Christmas tree, the Rooftop at the Trafalgar is your best bet. Christmas menus abound, and the choice is endless. There’s Casa do Frango’s Portuguese classics, Piccolino’s Italian dishes, South American Gaucho and European brasserie Heddon Street Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay. Fonda, serving modern Mexican dishes, and Ambassadors Clubhouse, celebrating party mansions and flavours of Northern India, are new to the scene. For a proper British gastropub, there’s The George with its festive takes on hearty classics – including Christmas stuffing Scotch egg. Or, if you really can’t decide, head to St James’s Market for a range of cuisines, from Fowl’s popular ‘beak-to-feet’ menu to newly opened British Brasserie Sael from Michelin-rated chef Jason Atherton or Fallow’s delicious modern European dishes. The brown butter soft serve topped with cornflakes and the Heddon Street highball cocktail are both a must.

Olde-worlde thrills

Step into Santa’s Grotto at Hamleys, the world’s oldest toy shop. Sprawling over seven floors and brimming with classic games and the latest gadgets, kids (and big kids) will love greeting Santa and his elves before he sets off with his reindeers. Continue the Christmas magic in Fortnum & Mason. first opened in 1707, the store’s current 181 Piccadilly address has been its home since 1840, and its glittering window displays and festive hampers are the ultimate seasonal treat. Wander into Liberty London next, with its Tudor-revival architecture and six floors of fashion, beauty, homeware and famous fabrics. For a wealth of timeless tailoring and British craftsmanship, head to Jermyn Street, before ticking off Paxton and Whitfield – London’s oldest cheese shop that ages its rounds in cellars beneath the street. Quite the Christmas gift, we think. Want the wine to match? Trading since 1698, Berry Bros & Rudd in St James’s Street is Britain’s oldest wine and spirit merchant.

Wellness gems

By now, it’s time to pamper body and soul. Stop off at Art Deco shopping spot Quadrant Arcade for a tailored massage at MASAJ or a trim from barber Supply 91, browse British candles and scents at Creed, or top up on home fragrance and bath products at Earl of East (you can also try your hand at candle-making). Fitness fanatics are already flocking to recently opened Alo Yoga and Vuori for their go-to athleisure wear, and those looking to break a sweat will love Third Space Soho’s 20m pool, steam and sauna, three-floor training gym and wealth of fitness classes. Keep the kids busy at Microsoft Experience Centre, with its dedicated first-floor Xbox Gaming Lounge including the latest games, tournament zones and simulators. No trip to the West End is complete without a stroll inside Princes Arcade. It’s home to Prestat truffles, which are a real crowd-pleaser (and the ultimate stocking filler!).  

Follow @regentstreetw1 and @stjameslondon for more ideas for your perfect central London trip. Find Regent Street inspiration here. Learn all about St James’s here.