We’ve put together a guide on some exciting things happening in the City and beyond this Christmas. Read on to find out more.
Shop, Create, and Celebrate at the Festive Fleet Street Quarter Makers’ Market
This Christmas, the much-loved Maker’s Market is returning to New Street Square in the Fleet Street Quarter from 4-5th December, transforming the square into hub of festive activity offering up an array of delightful gifts and experiences for visitors to enjoy.
This December 4th and 5th, the Festive Fleet Street Quarter Markers’ Market, supported by Landsec, will be returning to New Street Square, to house an array of exceptional gifts from independent homeware, fashion, beauty, arts and crafts trader provided by the talented Crafty Fox Market where shoppers can enjoy searching for the perfect gifts for their loved ones this Christmas.
In addition to the bustling marketplace, Fleet Street Quarter will also be offering a series of workshops in various locations around the Quarter that promise to ignite the Christmas spirit.
Explore the Festive Fleet Street Quarter Penguin Parade from 14th November to 6th January. Follow the penguins to discover the area and enjoy an audio tour voiced by author and comedian Olaf Falafel, supporting WWF (the World Wildlife Foundation).
This festive adventure features 12 uniquely decorated penguin sculptures throughout the Quarter, located in iconic spots like Chancery Lane and Fleet Street. The free trail not only showcases these charming penguins but also offers fascinating facts about them and the area, narrated by Olaf Falafel. By scanning QR codes on the sculptures, visitors can donate and support WWF’s conservation efforts to protect these remarkable creatures and their habitats.
For more information and to view the full programme of festive events, visit the Fleet Street Quarter website www.fleetstreetquarter.co.uk or follow on Instagram @fleetstquarter.
Christmas Decoration Mosaic Workshop with Natalie Kent – 7th December, 14:00-17:00
Head to Hart Shoreditch for a 3-hour Mosaic Christmas Workshop, perfect for beginners and enthusiasts alike! Move into the art of mosaic-making and craft 1-2 stunning Christmas decorations, such as trees, stars, puddings, and baubles. Choose from a variety of colorful, glittery tiles in festive reds, greens, golds, silvers, and whites. Create unique pieces to bring holiday cheer to the home or for gifting.
Eventbrite link: here
Borough Market
Cheese fans rejoice, on Wednesday 11 December from 6pm-9pm, Borough Market’s popular Evening of Cheese returns. The annual event led by the Market’s community of cheesemongers offers shoppers the chance to indulge in the highest quality cheeses from Britain, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the Netherlands and explore accompanying wines, ciders, chutneys and more. Cheeselovers can take advantage of expert advice – and delicious tastings – on pairing recommendations and creating the perfect festive cheeseboard. And from mid-November, the festive spirit will arrive at London’s iconic Borough Market with Christmas trees, twinkly lights and traditional garlands adorning the space, creating a magical experience for food shoppers stocking up on all the festive essentials. The Market will operate extended opening times, trading seven days a week from Monday 2 December – Tuesday 24 December (included).
To find out more about winter at Borough Market , visit: boroughmarket.org.uk
Hotel Saint
Located in one of London’s most iconic areas, Hotel Saint is a chic and well-connected destination, ideal for guests to explore the city’s magical holiday spots—from the twinkling lights of Oxford Street and Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park, to the winter Spitalfields market and ice-skating rinks just moments away. Whether it’s for soaking up the festive cheer or finishing up last-minute gift shopping, Hotel Saint is the perfect base to enjoy London at Christmas! To make stays even more special, the hotel has launched its exclusive ‘A Saintly Christmas’ package (available from 25th November), offering a luxurious three-course feast at its in-house The Cardinal Bar & Kitchen restaurant, and indulgent treats and amenities to ensure guests’ stay has that extra sparkle!
Christmas with King’s College Choir – Friday, 20th December at 7:30pm
Join the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge and the Crouch End Festival Chorus for a glorious evening of carols and festive classics. A family favourite.
Tickets on-sale at rg.live
The Nutcracker and I – 100th Performance
Tuesday 26 November, 6pm & 8pm, Milton Court Concert Hall, Silk St
Tickets £15, booking via Barbican Box Office
Time: Performances at 6pm and 8pm
Location: Milton Court Concert Hall, Barbican, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 9BH
Price: £15
CHRISTMAS AT ISLINGTON SQUARE
Throughout Christmas there will be a range of experiences on offer in Islington Square. From 30 November The King’s Head Theatre will showcase a new family-friendly Cinderella pantomime running until 5th January. Megan’s, a Mediterranean inspired restaurant, is launching a new Christmas party set menu perfect for getting together with family, friends or colleagues. OMNOM is offering a new Christmas menu, and Selv Roastery will have mulled wine available during this festive period. Get your Christmas shopping done at Borough Kitchen or Karaca or head to Anthropologie to see a lineup of exciting festive gifting in-store from trendy homeware to the most popular beauty products.
Young V&A
From 30 November Young V&A presents Quantum Jungle: Festive Edition, an interactive installation to light up the dark winter nights, by artist, engineer and designer Robin Baumgarten. Located in the heart of the museum’s Town Square, this playful and mesmerising installation builds on Robin’s experiments reimagining videogame controllers and features over 800 tactile springs in an artwork that lights up when touched. Encouraging hands-on play and sparking curiosity, this special edition of Quantum Jungle reflects on festivals of light around the world, prompting us to think about what makes us feel festive at this time of year.
More information about these events can be found at What’s On · Exhibitions, Events & Courses · V&A.
Aviary’s Champagne Brunch
Aviary’s Champagne Brunch offers two to three courses, featuring a selection of lavish, sumptuous dishes. The menu, crated by esteemed chefs, showcases a fusion of seasonal ingredients and innovative techniques. Highlights include Chickpea and Kale Salad with tahini dressing, Roast Peterhead Cod with creamed leeks, and a variety of decadent desserts. Complementing the brunch, Aviary’s curated champagne menu includes choices from premium labels such as Bollinger, Dom Pérignon, and Taittinger, all of which are priced at 50% off. Opened in 2016, Aviary is the ultimate spot to soak up the breathtaking panoramic views of the London skyline while indulging on signature meals and refreshments. Perched high above the capital with enviable views out over the City, Aviary is London’s premier rooftop destination.
Flea London: Your One-Stop Shop for Festive Gifts and Vintage
Style this Christmas Season
Flea London has your Christmas shopping and party outfit needs all wrapped up this holiday season! Whether searching for the perfect gifts or seeking the finest vintage attire for festive gatherings and events, we’ve got you covered.
Flea London’s Vintage and Makers market at Vinegar Yard will be a treasure trove of Christmas gift ideas and seasonal merriment. Discover a delightful array of items from our artisan makers and vintage traders including exquisite jewellery, handcrafted candles, vintage clothing and accessories, ceramics, toys for the kids, homewares to decorate your
home for the festive season, captivating art pieces and much more.
As you browse through the stalls and our shipping container shops, take a break with mulled drinks and delicious food from the street food vendors at Vinegar Yard or have a go at The Curling Club’s 10 enclosed rinks on the mezzanine above the market.
Vinegar Yard is next to London Bridge station, Shard exit.
Rudy’s Pizza
This Christmas, cult-favourite pizza restaurant Rudy’s Pizza, is aiming to raise money for over 20 grassroots charities with its festive programming.
This year, Rudy’s Pizza is hosting its first ever Pizza Toy Swap Shop. This event invites the public to bring in brand new children’s toys to its restaurants, which are then wrapped by the staff and donated to charity, Cash For Kids. Customers can then enjoy a free pizza when bringing in a brand new, boxed children’s toy to any Rudy’s pizzeria nationwide from Monday 2 Dec to Friday 6 Dec, 12-5pm.
As a further charity drive, Rudy’s Pizza is launching its first ever limited edition wrapping paper with all proceeds going to charity. The limited-edition design is available in sets of three large sheets and two gift tags, priced at £5 and will be available to purchase at Rudy’s pizzerias nationwide, and online HERE with any order of Rudy’s Bake At Home range.
CHRISTMAS COCKTAIL MASTERCLASS
Come along to a Christmas cocktail masterclass and shake, shake, shake the night away. Become a mixologist for the night, with exclusive behind the bar access, along with the Lucky Voice bar elves on hand to help! Make, try & taste all kinds of unique festive cocktails, accompanied by some bar snacks (and of course mince pies!).
The masterclasses are available in 3 packages:
Silver (£50pp), 60-minute masterclass – with bar snacks and mince pies.
Gold (£55pp), 60-minute masterclass – with bar snacks and mince pies, plus one hour of private karaoke included.
Platinum (£60pp), 90-minute masterclass – with bar snacks, pizza and mince pies, plus one hour of private karaoke included.
Lucky Voice: Karaoke In Your Own Private Room
The Black Book Exchange Xmas Fair
BOXPARK Shoreditch, 15 December
The Black Book Exchange provides a space for readers and writers to connect, swap books and explore the multifarious narratives that define the Black & other diverse experiences.
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