It's The Most Magical Time of The Year. Christmas in London 2019. There is no place on earth quiet like it.
So what if it gets dark at 3:30 in the afternoon and the nights last longer than a snowman in the artic, it is Christmas time and London is TOTALY lit. Each neighborhood has elaborately decorated their storefronts, cafes, hotels, parks, and streets as they throw festive block parties to “turn on the lights” and celebrate the arrival of the Christmas season.
Since London has done this better than any other place I have ever seen with elaborate angels whose heavenly wings span cross Regent Street or giant white light chandeliers floating above the streets of Mayfair, I decided to visit the parts of the city that makes London so unbelievably magically this time of year. It will make even the most Grinch-like of us say, Ho Ho Ho.
It's The Most Magical Time of The Year, Christmas in London. There Is No Place On Earth Quite Like It
Old Bond Street, Mayfair
CARNABY STREET
Not surprising the birthplace of the mod hippy movement had an environmental theme to their decorations this year collaborating with ocean conservation charity Project Zero. All of the street’s decorations had been made using recycled and reusable materials, including repurposed fishing nets, 500 metres of upcycled bubble wrap and more than 1,500 recycled plastic bottles. What’s more, the power for the lights is 100 percent renewably sourced.
OXFORD STREET AND REGENT STREET
Oxford Street
Oxford Street has changed its street decorations this year. From bright colourful orbs that floated above the street to large modern transparent screens with projected images of snowflakes, snowballs, and messages of festive cheer. Although I personally miss the whimsy of the orbs that seemed to go on for as far as the eye could see, the lit modern panels when lined up in the right angle give a wonderful sense of infinity that could not be fully captured on camera.
Oxford Street
Regent Street, which is celebrating its 200th year was the first street in Central London to display Christmas lights and every time I see them I feel like I have died and gone to Christmas heaven. The angels that span across Regent Street are the largest Christmas light display in the UK.
The Angels of Regent Street. Lights being turned on.
MARYLEBONE
This is my hood Marylebone and it has the quaint old-fashioned charm of a small European village. Their Street Lighting Party had a choir singing Christmas carols, an opera singer belting out seasonal hits, lots of mulled wine and lead singer of The Kaiser Chiefs Ricky Wilson turning on the lights.
COVENT GARDEN
It doesn't matter what the season Covent Garden has always dressed accordingly and to the nines. Over 115,000 lights don the piazza and surrounding exterior with a whopping 55-foot tree decorated with 30,000 lights. It makes me purely joyous whenever I am there.
Covent Garden
Covent Garden
KEW GARDENS
Kew Gardens had to be the winter wonderland equivalent of Dorothy arriving in Oz… all decked out for Christmas… on acid. You spent about 90 minutes walking the gardens at nighttime being transported from one magical light installation to another each with its own unique piece of music.
The finale being a projected light and water show all choreographed to a spectacular soundtrack. It truly was awe-inspiring even if I had lost all feeling in my blocks of ice for feet. Next time I will wear more sensible footwear (as if). Super impressive!
Christmas at Kew Gardens
LONDON SHOPS
I have to say some of this year’s Christmas decorations had left me dead in my tracks with a huge sense of awe and respect for the creativity and design that goes into some of the seasonal decorations.
LIBERTY LONDON
One of London’s most beautiful department stores, Liberty had a four-story teal and pink bonsai Christmas tree filling up its elegant atrium celebrating all things fantastical.
Liberty London department store.
LENDENHALL MARKET
FORTNUM & MASON
UK’s oldest department store Fortnum & Mason turned their entire facade into a giant advent calander
Fortnum & Mason
CARTIER, ANNABEL’S & STELLA MCCARTNEY ~ MAYFAIR
ST CHRISTOPHER’S PLACE, MARYLEBONE
HARROD’S
Finally, for me, nothing says London Christmas like shopping in the food-hall at Harrods. I mean where else should you be buying your Christmas pud?
For all my British friends please tune in on Tuesday, December 17th, 8:00 PM on Channel 5 as I take you through the Christmas shopping experience in the TV special “Harrods at Christmas”. Ho Ho Ho!
Heals Over Head. Inventive Christmas pop-up from Boots. Soho.