What To Do Over The Christmas Break

Esmeralda’s Late-Night Lounge 

This new late-night lounge brings New York decadence to Hanover Square. Open from Thursday to Saturday evenings, guests can enjoy live music from a six-piece band playing soul, funk and disco tracks, with DJs keeping the party going late into the night. The playful cocktail menu includes twists on the classics, from the Dubai Layover to the Green Room Colada, while the indulgent food offering spans everything from truffle-topped hotdogs to lobster rolls, caviar nuggets to over-the-top desserts. Designed by twins Lee and Nicky Caulfield, this intimate space combines great music, food and drinks for an immersive late-night experience.

Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, Hanover Square, W1S 1DX

Visit MANDARINORIENTAL.COM

Maset 

Fresh on the scene and already making waves is the newly opened Maset, which is inviting Londoners to experience modern French coastal cuisine from the Occitanie region. The menu, influenced by North Africa, Italy and Spain, offers a bright and seasonal take on French classics. Highlights include Bouillabaisse croquettas, Pâtes au Pistou with fresh spinach linguine, whole-tail monkfish with lardo and sea beets, and Camargue rice with capers, olives and herbs. All dishes work well with its expansive drink menu, full of preserved lemon martinis and curated wines from small vineyards in France, Italy and Spain.

40 Chiltern Street, Marylebone, W1U 7LQ

Visit MASET.LONDON

Tasca Residency At Giacco's 

One of London’s most sought-after culinary duos, chef Josh Dallaway and sommelier Sinead Murdoch, are bringing their second residency to Giacco’s, until 31st January. Inspired by their travels through Portugal, Spain and the south of France, the menu is a vibrant celebration of seasonal produce and shared dining. Expect dishes like focaccia with whipped goat’s curd and Cornish mussel and chorizo rice, complete with bold flavours and a communal spirit.

Giacco’s, 176 Blackstock Road, N5 1HA 

Visit GIACCOS.BAR

Bar Leone Takeover at Bar 45

From 7pm on Sunday 21st December, Hong Kong’s Bar Leone – ranked number one in The World’s 50 Best Bars – will take over Bar 45 at 45 Park Lane for one night only. Expect exclusive cocktails and a dose of high Italian glamour, making it the perfect setting for drinks with friends or a pre-theatre aperitivo. The special menu will be unveiled closer to the time but given Bar Leone’s reputation, we’re expecting good things.

45 Park Lane, Mayfair, W1K 1PN 

Visit DORCHESTERCOLLECTION.COM

Fire & Fromage

If Christmas to you means molten cheese and mulled wine, make a beeline for Jimmy’s Winter Lodge on the South Bank. Back for the season, its heated igloos offer a cosy Alpine escape right by the Thames. Inside, expect fondue pots, bubbling raclette, generous charcuterie boards and warming winter drinks, all served in snug, candlelit surroundings. 

Southbank Centre, South Bank, SE1 8XX; until 31st December 

Visit JIMMYSPOPUP.COM

Top Hat

Chichester Festival Theatre’s joyful revival of Top Hat glides into London’s Southbank Centre just in time for the festive season. Inspired by the classic Fred Astaire film, the story follows Broadway star Jerry Travers as a chance late-night tap routine sparks a glamorous, misunderstanding-filled romance. Expect dazzling costumes, slick choreography and all the charm of a golden-age musical, complete with toe-tapping numbers and old-school Hollywood sparkle. 

Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, South Bank, SE1 8XX; until 17th January 

Visit SOUTHBANKCENTRE.CO.UK

Jazz On The Water 

For something a little different, head to St Katharine Docks, where the marina’s floating pontoon has been transformed into an intimate jazz venue. For two special performances, the waterside setting will become a cosy live-music spot, with vocalist Olivia Swann breathing new life into jazz standards and festive favourites. Expect a relaxed, atmospheric evening with the city lights reflecting off the water – ideal for a low-key cultural fix away from the Christmas crowds.

Floating Pontoon, St Katharine Docks Marina, St Katharine’s Way, E1W 1LA 

Visit SKDOCKS.CO.UK

Carols By Candlelight 

One of London’s most atmospheric carol services returns to Union Chapel this December. Thousands of candles illuminate the Grade II-listed space as the Union Chapel Voices choir performs classic carols and selections from Handel’s Messiah, accompanied by the church’s powerful organ. There are also plenty of opportunities to join in with well-loved festive favourites. It’s free to attend but arrive early if you want a good seat – this one always draws a crowd.

Union Chapel, Compton Terrace, Islington, N1 2UN; 21st December, 6pm for a 7pm start

Visit UNIONCHAPEL.ORG.UK 

Oliver!

Matthew Bourne’s much-loved staging of Oliver! returns in a big, exuberant production that brings together the best bits of previous incarnations. All the classics are here – ‘Food Glorious Food’, ‘Consider Yourself’ and ‘I’d Do Anything’ – delivered with energy, heart and just the right amount of nostalgia. 

Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, West End, W1D 6AR 

Visit OLIVERTHEMUSICAL.COM

Hercules 

Disney’s Hercules has landed in the West End with a big, bold musical adaptation that’s tailor-made for the festive season. Expect gospel-inspired numbers, slick choreography and plenty of larger-than-life moments as the story of the unlikely hero unfolds on stage. With a long run confirmed, performances are available throughout the Christmas period, making it a reliable option for Boxing Day or a treat during the school holidays.

Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine Street, WC2B 5JF

Visit LWTHEATRES.CO.UK

Dino Disco At The Natural History Museum 

One of the hottest tickets for families just before Christmas is the Natural History Museum’s festive party – with a Jurassic twist. Join Santa for a silent disco and dance among the dinosaurs as three DJs play in unison on different channels. Pop-up bars will serve seasonal drinks, making it a magical, energetic evening for kids and adults alike. 

Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7 5BD; 19th-20th December 

Visit NHM.AC.UK

Winter By The River 

Set against the backdrop of Tower Bridge and the Thames, Winter by the River is a festive crowd-pleaser for all ages. Browse twinkling market stalls selling gifts and decorations, refuel at street-food traders and pop-up bars, or try something a little more playful, like curling at the Pier Bar. With an après-ski-style Glasshouse Terrace and plenty of Christmas cheer to go round, it’s an easy win for a daytime family outing.

London Riverside, London Bridge, SE1 2DB; until 4th January 

Visit LONDONBRIDGECITY.CO.UK

Into The Woods, Bridge Theatre 

Stephen Sondheim’s twisted fairytale returns in a clever new production that makes full use of the Bridge Theatre’s immersive staging. Expect witches, curses and darkly funny moral lessons as familiar stories collide in unexpected ways. Director Jordan Fein draws the audience right into the action, creating a playful yet unsettling experience that’s best suited to families with older children. Smart, subversive and surprisingly moving, it’s classic Sondheim at his best.

3 Potters Fields Park, Tower Bridge, SE1 2SG; until 18th April 

Visit BRIDGETHEATRE.CO.UK

The Magic Circle Christmas Show

For a festive outing with a twist, book tickets to The Magic Circle’s annual Christmas show. Hosted at the society’s famously secretive London headquarters, this riotously entertaining production combines jaw-dropping illusions with plenty of humour and audience participation. It’s also a rare chance to step inside the ‘house of 1,000 secrets’, which is usually closed to the public. 

12 Stephenson Way, NW1 2HD £14+; from 19th-29th December

Visit THEMAGICCIRCLE.CO.UK

Farm Rio Installation

Brazilian brand Farm Rio brings some much-needed colour to Christmas with a striking light installation at its Carnaby Street store. Created in collaboration with Pirilampos do Planeta, the display blends LED lights with upcycled plastic waste from the fashion and beauty industries. Inside, you’ll also spot hand-painted glass panels by the brand’s print designer Paulo Marcelo Oz. It’s bold, joyful and refreshingly different from the usual festive sparkle.

Farm Rio, 1 Carnaby Street, W1F 9QG 

Visit FARMRIO.UK

Choose Love Pop-Up Shop 

Choose Love’s annual Regent Street pop-up is back and bigger than ever. Spanning two floors, the store gives shoppers the chance to buy essential items for refugees, from winter coats to emergency bundles, alongside Choose Love merchandise and a curated edit of discounted fashion and beauty gifts. There’s also a coffee shop serving Allpress beans, with every penny of profit going to the charity. 

245 Regent Street, West End, W1B 2EN; until 24th December 

Visit CHOOSE.LOVE

Sellier Treasure Hunt

Following the viral success of Sellier’s Luxury Treasure Hunt in 2024, the luxury resale platform is back at it again this Christmas. One lucky shopper can discover a Hermès Birkin hidden in a London charity shop. Sellier will donate a mystery Birkin to a selected shop for £3,000, while Chanel, Louis Vuitton and other coveted bags are priced at £300 – up to 70% OFF typical resale values. The hunt, teased across TikTok and Instagram, encourages sign-ups to the newsletter for clues and location drops, championing charity shopping and the circular economy at a critical time.

Visit SELLIERKNIGHTSBRIDGE.COM

Chanel Pop-Up 

This Christmas, Chanel has filled Covent Garden’s North Piazza with an immersive, light-filled installation celebrating the brand’s most iconic symbols. Inspired by constellations, expect celestial takes on the lion, camellia, pearls and, of course, the Nº5 bottle, all set beneath a starry sky. Open to the public throughout December, the space also hosts live music performances on select evenings, making it a magical stop for festive wandering and photo-worthy moments.

Covent Garden Piazza, The Market, WC2E 8RF; until 28th December (excl. Christmas Day) 

Visit COVENTGARDEN.LONDON