Everybody loves a day out in London, and Covent Garden at Christmas is one of the most magical places in London. There are so many things to do in Covent Garden at Christmas in and around the Square, such as Christmas lights, Pop-ups, Photo opportunities and Christmas stalls. What’s more, most of it is accessible in Covent Garden at Christmas time.
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London has so much to do, from Christmas markets and pop-ups to Christmas-themed cocktail bars and restaurants. Look at these fun Christmas ideas for Christmas when you are in Covent Garden this year.
Everything you need to know about visiting Covent Garden this Christmas
Christmas in London is done so well, and there is no better place to be than in London at Covent Garden. During Christmas, Covent Garden offers a magical atmosphere with delightful things to do during the holiday season.
See Snow every Hour under the Covent Garden Tree.
Spread joy and have fun with your loved ones with daily snow showers by the giant Christmas tree or sipping a mulled wine to two. The snow falls in Covent Garden piazza between 12 pm and 6 pm every hour on the hour.
Take a look at things to do all over London at Christmas here.
Have photos taken at all of the Christmas instalments around Covent Garden piazza
Every year at Covent Garden, you have your photo taken at a variety of different Places. Covent Garden is a great place for selfies and is very Instagram-able. There is a giant Christmas tree, a Santa sleigh, and magical snow showers during the hour. Have selfies in the woodland Christmas tree area or at the Christmas pop-up.
Take a Photo with the Christmas Mini Car
Have Photos with the Christmas Mini Car sponsored by the Sezane Paris pop-up Boutique store in the Square.
Check out the oversize Christmas Decorations for a photo
Check out the oversized Christmas Decorations for a photo every year at Covent Garden. This year Christmas bells are back for 2024, over 40 giant Baubles and Golden Bells have replaced the giant Mistletoe.
The Santa Sleigh
The Christmas sleigh is located in the south hall of the market and has been reconditioned from the 1884 carriage. British artist James General hand-painted the carriage for you to sit on and have your photographs taken. There can sometimes be quite a queue, so be patient. You will get your turn.
Photos at the Wonder Wood
The enchanting Wonder Wood returns in 2024, featuring a diverse collection of festive trees adorned by Covent Garden’s skilled horticultural team. This year, guests can scan QR codes to contribute directly to the children’s charity, Cash4Kids. The charity’s mission ensures that every child receives a gift under the Christmas tree on Christmas Day, guaranteeing joy and delight for all during the festive season.
Check out one of the Covent Garden Festivals.
Covent Garden will also be holding a range of different markets and festivals. The traditional Covent Garden Christmas market will go ahead amongst its regular stalls as well as festive Thursdays in Covent Garden, a winter warmer festival where you can find mulled wine, and a Christmas sandwich festival.
- The Winter Warmer Festival: 7th – 26th November
- The Christmas Sandwich Festival: 7th – 17th December
Catch a Concert at St Paul’s Covent Garden
Visit the St Paul’s the Actors church at Covent Garden, which has a whole host of events for the Christmas season. With concerts such as Musicals by Candlelight and carol-singing events. The Actors’ Church has so many things to do and many Christmas events every day. From familiar faces to new treats, from intimate carol services to West End extravaganzas! See the lineup and join them for this festive season.
Christmas shopping in Covent Garden
During Christmas, Covent Garden transforms into a bustling shopping haven, radiating festive cheer and offering an unforgettable retail experience. The cobbled streets and historical market halls come alive with charming boutiques, speciality stores, designer shops, and beauty shops, all adorned with glittering decorations and twinkling lights. Visitors can enjoy the joyful ambience while exploring unique gift options, from artisanal crafts and bespoke items to high-end fashion and delightful trinkets.
Check out the Christmas pop-up.
This year, Designer Marc Jacob’s store is hosting the pop-up, and you can have your photo taken on the huge shopping tote bag seat. The Pop-up is an entirely mirrored box showcasing the Marc Jacobs Resort Collection. It also includes the Crystal Canvas Mini Tote Bag, Which is exclusively available in Covent Garden.
Covent Garden Festive Thursdays
Every Thursday throughout November and December, Covent Garden is hosting Festive Thursdays. On this night, you can experience late-night shopping, activities and exciting freebies on booking certain restaurants. These events are for you to enjoy whilst sharing Christmas with the whole family.
Children’s Shops in Covent Garden
Covent Garden is fun for kids too! Don’t forget to check out the different markets in and around the Piazza for handmade children’s clothes, teddy bears, sweet stalls and even a Magic trick stall.
Find these kids-themed shops in Covent Garden:
Festive Cocktails in Covent Garden
Miracle at Henrietta Street
Miracle is the Christmas-themed Cocktail bar of the Henrietta Hotel, located in Covent Garden in London. Enjoy Christmas festive season in a bar adorned with glittering lights and Christmas decorations stuck in the 80s! Do not worry if you do not get a booking; they accept walk-ins if you do not mind a short wait throughout most of the day.
Sipsmith Martini Express
New at the Piazza is a delightful Christmas drinks affair aboard the Sipsmith Martini Express. Check-in at Covent Garden to satisfy your thirst during this festive period. Take a break from your holiday shopping and relish the opportunity to savour G&Ts and seasonal Martinis at London’s premier drinks pop-up of the season.
Sushisamba’s Winter Terrace
Located on the East Piazza, the Sushisamba winter terrace has had a festive makeover in partnership with Grey Goose. Enter through the Christmas decorative archway, transformed into a cosy winter hideout with a specially curated menu of hot and cold festive cocktails on a heated al fresco Piazza terrace.
Places to eat in Covent Garden at Christmas
Many of the restaurants in Covent Garden are decorated for Christmas and look so festive. Try these restaurants that get in the Christmas Spirit in Covent Garden:
- Maggiore, with its stunning Christmas decorations
- Balthazar
- The Ivy Market Grill
Why not try a Nutcracker Afternoon Tea at The Petersham?
There are many places to eat; try some of these fun places for some sweet delights.
- Buy a Macaroon Laduree
- Grab a cookie in Bens Cookies
- Demolish a Cupcake from Lolas Cupcakes
- Warm up with a Nutella Crepe in Gelatorino
- Have a freak shake and Ribs in Maxwells
- Munch on a burger in Byrons
- Check out the food stalls in the Jubilee market.
Visit the London Transport Museum at Christmas and see Santa
If you have lots of time, visit the London Transport Museum and go and meet Father Christmas, who has been on a journey on the Northern Line North Pole Express.
This Christmas, Santa is landing his sleigh at the Museum again! You can see Santa from the 25th of November by visiting the Museum for special family activities. Meet Santa and his elves in a twinkling winter wonderland. You can also Climb aboard his Routemaster-inspired interactive sleigh and step inside a giant festive transport poster for a Christmas selfie. There is a wintery trail, card-making workshops, an interactive Routemaster-inspired sleigh and the chance to meet Santa and his elf in their magical winter wonderland.
Santa Wonderland dates at the London Transport Museum;
- Saturday, 9 December 2023 to Sunday, 17 December 2023
All festive family activities are free with your Museum tickets – kids go free!
Children are free entry to the museum, adults are £21, but your ticket lasts for a year!
Take a stroll down to Oxford street to see the Windows at Selfridge too!
Visit a theatre Show in Covent Garden this Christmas.
Visit a Theatre show this Christmas at Covent Gardens Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Frozen, the musical is playing at the Theatre, Royal Drury Lane. You can’t get anything better than a really wintry adaptation of Disney’s frozen film. Before you go to see Frozen, why not go to one of Covent Garden’s many restaurants that are suitable for children for a pre-theatre dinner? These are the closest restaurants to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, in and around Covent Garden.
Book the Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre in Covent Garden, or hop over to the TKTS booth for discounted cheap theatre tickets.
Previously at Covent Garden at Christmas
In previous years, you could hunt for reindeer or visit Santa Workshop, which is built entirely of Lego. Built with over 700,000 bricks, Santas’s workshop had been built by Duncan Titmarsh.
Thank you for reading Covent Garden for Kids at Christmas; I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Have a great Christmas.
D x
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