What To Do In London Over The Christmas Break
Images: WINTER WONDERLAND; MANDARIN ORIENTAL; ST. PAULS CATHEDRAL
/

What To Do In London Over The Christmas Break

If you’re looking for things to do in London over the Christmas break, look no further. From new exhibitions and pop-ups to a New Year’s Day party, our guide has options for everyone…
Images: WINTER WONDERLAND; MANDARIN ORIENTAL; ST. PAULS CATHEDRAL

MEET THE GIRLS:

Bagatelle

Bagatelle has relaunched its brunch menu. Each Saturday, guests can enjoy a selection of Mediterranean-inspired dishes while the restaurant creates a fun party atmosphere with live music. Options include eggs benedict, matcha waffles with smoked salmon, panettone French toast with vanilla cream, and brioche cake. Add on a glass of fresh juice (mango and mint, pineapple and ginger or peaches and curcuma) or treat yourself to fizz or a champagne cocktail. 

34 Dover Street, Mayfair, W1S 4NG

Visit Bagatelle.com

ENJOY A GLASS OF FIZZ:

A Christmas Carousel Bar at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park has created a custom-made Christmas carousel bar in partnership with Moët & Chandon. Over the festive period, guests can visit the bar in the hotel lounge to enjoy complimentary treats, from a glass of fizz to pastries made by the hotel chefs. From noon to 7pm each day, you can also purchase a glass of Moët as well as a warming glass of spiced hot chocolate or mulled tea from The Rosebery.

66 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7LA

Visit MandarinOriental.com

GO OUT OUT:

Glitterbox New Year’s Day Party

If you didn’t manage to get tickets to Defected’s NYE party, Glitterbox is taking over the same venue for its annual New Year’s Day bash at OVO Arena, Wembley. This year’s headliners include Groove Armada, The Shapeshifters, DJ Eats Everything, John Morales, Melvo Baptiste and Natasha Diggs. The day party starts at 3pm and continues into the evening, with a selection of house, disco and soul tunes. Final-release tickets start from £70. 

Engineers Way, Wembley, HA9 0AA

Visit Defected.lnk.to

TAKE THE KIDS:

Winter Wonderland

There’s still time to take the kids to Winter Wonderland. Glide on the UK’s largest open-air ice rink around Hyde Park’s Victorian bandstand, slide down the ‘Real Ice Slide’ and visit the Magical Kingdom made from 500 tonnes of ice and snow. This year’s rides include a giant wheel, Oktoberfest’s Munich Looping and the Aeronaut Starflyer. Stop for food and drink at one of the many Bavarian-inspired stalls where you’ll find everything from fondue and raclette to boozy hot chocolate and Christmas cocktails. Entry costs £5.

Hyde Park, W2 4RU; until Monday 1st January

Visit WinterWonderland.SeeTickets.com

DISCOVER NEW BEAUTY:

Gisou Pop-Up at Harrods

Regular SL readers will know the beauty team rates Negin Mirsalehi’s honey-infused beauty brand Gisou, so we were pleased to hear the brand has opened a pop-up in the Harrods beauty hall. Shoppers will find its full range of hair products and oils, as well as the Complexion range – which includes the Honey Infused Face Oil, Lip Oil, Beauty Balm and Body Oil – which will be sold exclusively at Harrods. You’ll also find limited-edition Christmas gifts and a fun ‘Bedazzled Vault Game’, where you’ll have the chance to win a Honey Infused Hair Oil and other surprises.

Beauty Hall, 87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7XL

Visit UK.Gisou.com

GET A CULTURE FIX:

Balloon Museum

After exhibiting in Naples, New York, Paris and Rome, the Balloon Museum will open its doors in London on Wednesday 27th December. Opening exhibition ‘EmotionAir’ features pieces from 20 artists, with new works and installations seen in other cities, including inflatable art, neon sculptures and whole rooms of balloons. 

1 Old Billingsgate Walk, City, EC3R 6DX; until 18th February

Visit BalloonMuseum.world

SHOP PARTY OUTFITS:

Sign of the Times Pop-Up at Peter Jones

Pre-loved designer site Sign of the Times has opened a fashion pop-up at Sloane Square department store Peter Jones. Open until the end of January, the pop-up has a selection of luxury brands including Goyard, Chanel, Moncler, Gucci and Loewe. Expect to find a selection of accessories and outerwear, from shearling coats to designer bags and winter essentials. 

Sloane Square, Chelsea, SW1W 8EL; until 31st January 

Visit WeAreSOTT.com

SEE A SHOW:

La La Land In Concert

On Wednesday 27th December, visitors will have a chance to see La La Land in concert at the Royal Albert Hall. There are two showings (2.30pm and 7.30pm), when the film’s original composer Justin Hurwitz will conduct the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra live to picture. In the 2017 film, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone star as Sebastian and Mia, a jazz musician and actress pursuing their Hollywood dreams. As success mounts, they face decisions that begin to fray the fragile fabric of their love affair in a vibrant celebration of hope, dreams and love. Tickets start from £28.

Kensington Gore, South Kensington, SW7 2AP

Visit RoyalAlbertHall.com

ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL

BRING THE FAMILY:

Christmas Carol Service at St Paul's Cathedral

St Paul's Cathedral will host its annual Carol Service on Christmas Eve from 4pm to 5pm. It’s a traditional service of lessons and carols, with music from the St Paul's Cathedral Choir and readings given by representatives of London life and the St Paul's Cathedral Community. The service will finish with a festive rendition of ‘We Wish You A Merry Christmas’. Tickets are free but need to be booked at the link below. 

St Paul's Churchyard, St Paul's, EC4M 8AD

Visit StPauls.co.uk

STOP FOR A DRINK:

Capilungo

Capilungo is the new Italian café and wine bar in Covent Garden to know. Visitors can try a selection of Italian pastries, including pasticciotto pies filled with pastry creams including classic custard, cherry, pistachio and chocolate, as well as savoury rusticos filled with mozzarella and tomato, and mini pizzettas. In the evening, the bar will serve a selection on Italian wines and classic cocktails. 

76 Long Acre, Covent Garden, WC2E 9LB

Follow @CapilungoLondon

EDWARD HOWELL PHOTOGRAPHY

MEET THE GIRLS:

Tipis On The Green

If you’re quick, you can still meet the girls at Tipis On The Green, an eco-friendly festive pop-up in Parsons Green. The lodge has been inspired by cosy alpine ski chalets, decked out with glittering fairy lights, vintage Christmas decorations, retro ski memorabilia, and biofuel fire pit tables. Tuck into alpine dishes like tartiflette, wild mushroom arancini, and French diot sausages cooked in white wine, and warm up at the bar with a Christmas negroni or Baileys hot chocolate. 

Parsons Green, SW6 4UL; until 22nd December

Visit TipisOnTheGreen.uk

Fashion. Beauty. Culture. Life. Home
Delivered to your inbox, daily