Covent Garden Christmas: The capital’s festive hot spot

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Christmas in London is a magical time…. and there’s no better place in the capital than Covent Garden to get into the Christmas spirit.

Don’t worry if you’ve still got a touch of Scrooge left in you because this year’s offerings in Covent Garden look like an absolute (Christmas) blast.

From magical decorations and trees to the ultimate Christmas sandwich, check out my roundup for everything you need to wrap yourself in tinsel and shout ho ho ho.

Covent Garden Christmas – Festive Spirit

The neighborhood’s main square transforms into a magical Christmas village, with food stalls, art installations, and exclusive restaurants for you to venture into during the festive season.

Warming delights galore.

First up, the Winter Warmer Festival will bring some excitement.

Pop-up booths and old favorites will offer mulled wine and other hot beverages to warm you up during the cold season. I’m already excited to try the Mulled Rosé.

Covent Garden’s many great restaurants and bars serve various varieties of popular drinks. Laduree, Mariage Frères, and Ave Mario are among the eateries ramping up their holiday offerings.

Christmas Sandwich Festival

Are you sticking with the classic with turkey and cranberries? Or with stuffing and gravy in the bread?

Whatever you like in your holiday sandwich, nothing is off the table at the Christmas Sandwich Festival in Covent Garden.

Surrounding restaurants and eateries were challenged to create the perfect Christmas sandwich…. I can’t wait to see who rises to the challenge.

Dolce & Gabbana Pop Up

Italian luxury fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana brings a festive pop-up to Covent Garden during winter.

Running until January 15, 2023, the market’s piazza will host a super-instagrammatic Holiday Market where you can buy food and drinks, ready-to-wear fashion (including an exclusive T-shirt), and plenty of D&G gift ideas.

And the famous Covent Garden swing? Yes, D&G has jazzed it up with a bit of Italian flair. Buon Natale!

The sleigh
Covent Garden Santa Claus

But that’s not the only Covent Garden Christmas pop-up this year. New for 2022 is a Christmas sleigh that has landed in the area. So, unfortunately, I can’t guarantee that the big man will be there.

The traditional sleigh in the South Hall of the Market Building is a refurbished 1884 carriage hand-painted by British artist James Gemmill.

Head over to take some happy photos.

Festive family fun

Last year, Covent Garden introduced random snow flurries as part of the Frozen pop-up – much to the delight of kids (and adults) in the area. This year, it’s back, and we can’t wait.

Also, Covent Garden has a “Festive Thursday” shopping event every week in November and December. There are lots of bargains and exclusive discounts for visitors here.

The London International Gospel Choir will surprise you with a weekly gospel concert – so keep your ears open for their magical sounds.
Take a look at the Covent Garden Christmas tree.

There are plenty of Christmas trees in London every year (although the tree in Trafalgar Square dwarfs most) – but if you want to get that all-important photo for your photos, check out the impressive Christmas tree in West Piazza.

At 60 feet tall (up from 55 feet last year), the beautiful tree towers over the rest of Covent Garden – and provides a stunning backdrop for a selfie.

Covent Garden Christmas lights

Can’t get enough of London’s dazzling Christmas lights? Join the club. Covent Garden refuses to be outshone (literally) and is once again joining in the fun this winter.

Not only that, but the Market Building will once again be lit up with its popular giant baubles, mistletoe, mirror balls, and giant nutcrackers that will guard the Royal Opera House Arcade.

Practical tips for visiting Covent Garden at Christmas.

I love visiting Covent Garden at Christmas…. And so do a lot of other people. In other words, it can get very crowded. So go early to avoid the crowds.
Many stores offer discounts during the season, so it’s a great place to do Christmas shopping at big chains and independent retailers.