BEST CHRISTMAS WINDOW DISPLAYS IN LONDON 2023
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This post is about Christmas in London and where the best Christmas window displays are
London is magical at Christmas! There’s Christmas markets, ice skating, Christmas window displays at famous department stores, dazzling displays of Christmas lights… you simply have to visit London at Christmas time.
London is one of the best cities in the world at Christmas time. Walking down the famous streets, wrapped up in cosy winter clothes, seeing the streets sparkle with thousands of Christmas lights, strolling through the Christmas markets that pop up throughout the town. There’s a great feel good, festive atmosphere everywhere you go.
Many department stores and boutiques decorate their windows for the festive season in a incredible manner!
Whilst you’re in London you should definitely make the time to admire the festive beauty of the Christmas window displays.
Here’s a rundown of 12 of the best Christmas window displays in London for you to discover.
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This post is about Christmas in London and the best Christmas window displays in London
There’s so much to do in London at Christmas time. You should check out this guide to the best 15 things to do in London at Christmas. I have a guide to where the best London Christmas markets you simply must visit whilst in London. If Christmas lights are your thing then check out the best Christmas lights in London or the best Christmas window displays in London. If you’re stuggling to know what to pack for a trip to London this London packing guide can help.
WINDOW DISPLAYS IN LONDON
FORTNUM AND MASON
Fortnum and Mason is an iconic department store that started as a small store in Hugh Mason’s house. Fortnum was part of a high class builders family that were reinvigorating Mayfair after the Great Fire. Fortnum was an entrepreneur and met Mason in his spare room where the small shop was being ran. Soon after, in 1707 Fortnum and Mason was born.
Fortnum and Mason is famous for it’s beautifully filled hampers with delicious treats from pies, wine, teas, chocolates and so much more.
Fortnum and Mason is set right in the heart of Piccadilly and they do Christmas like no where else in London. Their famous façade is transformed in to one giant advent calendar with one window being lit up each day in December.
The windows at street level are filled with bright Christmas scenes that twinkle and sparkle.
As you walk past Fortnum and Mason you can’t help but get in the festive mood as the clock is tuned to play a collection of cherry Christmas melodies.
Location : 181 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London, W1A 1ER.
Nearest London Tube station : Piccadilly Circus.
ANNABEL'S
Annabel’s is a prestigious members club in the heart of fancy, glitzy Mayfair.
Annabel’s never does anything by halfs and it’s Christmas facade is no exception.
Billed a ‘carousel of dreams’, it features an actual carousel right outside! The inspiration for the design – from The Birley Clubs Creative Director Tatiana Kharchylava – comes from inside Annabel’s itself.
Most of us have never stepped foot inside Annabel’s given the £3,250 annual membership fee. I dunno about you but that’s just a tad out of my price range! Inside there is a Pegasus that hangs in the reception area and that concept has been taken outside and put on a festive carousel.
As well as the beautiful Christmas facade they are also hosting a toy and clothing donation initiative.
Location : 46 Berkeley Square, London, W1J 5AT
Nearest London Tube station : Green Park
Bus tour of the London Christmas lights : A popular thing to do in London at Christmas is to take a bus tour of the Christmas lights. If you fancy something a little different you can do the tour on a vintage bus. It’s a great way to see the lights if you’re feeling a little lazy and don’t want to do all the walking or if you have mobility issues.
BOOKS TO READ ABOUT LONDON
Lonely Planet Guide to London a fantastic guide book detailing all you need to know about visiting the UK capital.
Kids London Travel Guide is a wonderful book for kids to discover all about London.
THE RITZ
This landmark hotel looks so festive and bright at Christmas with baubles, festive themed decor and Christmas trees lined all across the building.
The Ritz really does deck the halls at Christmas time and the trees and wreaths are beautiful!
At the Ritz you can enjoy their world renowned festive afternoon tea.
Location : 150 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London, W1J 9BR
Nearest London Tube station : Green Park
HARROD'S
Harrod’s is in Knightsbridge on Brompton Road and is London’s iconic, premiere department store. It has seven floors that are filled with all manner of luxurious goods.
In 2022 the theme was ‘Witness a Spectacle’ where they had a giant feasting table that ran the whole length of the store. It featured an automation robot that initally appears as a clockwork toy. Midway through the animation the character becomes self aware, removes the mechanical restraints and begins danncing in the window. By the end the robot jumps up and smashes the window before collapsing back to its start position.
Location : 87-135 Brompton Road, London, SW1X 7XL
Nearest London Tube station : Knightsbridge
SELFRIDGE'S
Selfridges is a high end department store that is located on Oxford Street.
This store is famous for its creative window designs at all times of the year, so much so that they have been photographed and featured in Vogue, Icon, Harper’s Bazaar, and The New York Times.
In December, the window displays take on a Christmas theme and are definitly worth checking out whilst you’re on Oxford Street.
Christmas at Selfridges is all about ‘celebrating the power of food in bringing people together’.
Installations include inflated potatoes, bright green brussels sprouts, and gravy boats filled to the brim.
Location : 400 Oxford Street, London, W1A 1AB
Nearest London Tube station : Marble Arch and Bond Street
LIBERTY LONDON
Liberty London is a shop that looks amazing at any time of year. It’s one of my most favourite buildings in London. The exterior looks like a Tudor building with its black pillars. Liberty London is located in the West End on Great Marlborough Street.
Inside it is a department store full of clothing, jewellery and Liberty fabric which is famous for its bold, colourful prints. On the 4th floor they feature an entire Christmas shop featuring their collectible baubles and other Christmas decorations.
Location : Regent Street, Carnaby, London W1B 5AH
Nearest London Tube station : Oxford Circus
HAMLEYS
Hamley’s is located on Regents Street and is London’s largest toy store. If you’re visiting London with kids you just have to visit this chaotic, crazy store that has so much going on.
Hamley’s Christmas window display features large reindeers that are filled with many minature reindeers!
There’s elves at the entrance to welcome you in to the magical world that feels like a Santa’s grotto full of presents.
There are several floors with toys filling the shelves on every one. There are toys out that children are encouraged to have a play with and staff are demonstrating other toys.
Location : 188-196 Regent Street, London, W1B 5BT
Nearest London Tube station : Oxford Street
HARVEY NICHOLS
Harvey Nichols window displays are designed to provide inspiration to festive partygoers, with mannequins showcasing the latest outfit inspirations straight from the runway, alongside some pretty glamorous gift ideas.
Harvey Nichols gleaming store front is filled with all the sparkles, mirrors and metallics that you could ever want with disco balls and sequins everywhere.
The metallic colour palette is sure to catch any passerbys attention.
Location : 109-125 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RJ
Nearest London Tube station : Knightsbridge
CARTIER
Cartier go all out with their Christmas window displays.
The red bows of Cartier have become a standard sight that is expected in London at Christmas.
The design covers the entire building and makes it look as if you’re looking a giant present right before your eyes.
Alongside the festive building all wrapped up like a gift there are trees across the doors and Cartiers signature gold panther illuminations flying high on the windows.
Location : 175-177 New Bond Street, London, W1S 4RN
Nearest London Tube station : Bond Street
RALPH LAUREN
Ralph Lauren has a five metre tall Normann Fir tree right outside that really lets you know it’s Christmas.
The Royal-inspired Christmas lights honour The Royal Marsden Cancer charity which is a fabulous thing to do at Christmas time and reminds us all about others in need, particularly at this time of year. Visitors are encouraged to make donations in the store and create personalised ornaments to hang on the tree too.
Location : 1 New Bond Street, London, W1S 3LU
Nearest London Tube station : Bond Street
MR FOGG'S
Mr Fogg’s Tavern is a quirky Covent Garden pub that’s pretty impressive at any time of year but when Christmas comes it really comes in to it’s own.
It’s what Instagram dreams are made of with its entrance adorned with red roses, green leaves, candy canes and lollipops.
You shouldn’t just look outside Mr Fogg’s Tavern as inside you’ll be delighted with more decorations and a wonderful, traditional style British tavern that serves amazing cocktails such as Be A Barrel of Laughs and Fanny’s Expresso Martini. They also have mulled wine on tap.
On Monday to Saturday between 12pm to 3pm you can enjoy a delicious sandwich, burger or other delight.
On Sundays, they offer a delectable Sunday Roast from 12pm, complete with all the trimmings and served with a unique Mr Fogg’s twist!
There’s also The Gin Club which is accessed through a secret entrance. It’s perfect for holiday get togethers and has a huge selection of gins.
Location : 58 St. Martin’s Lane, London, WC2N 4EA
Nearest London Tube station : Leicester Square
BURLINGTON ARCADE
Burlington Arcade is not quite a window display but it had to be included on this list as it’s a wonderful shopping place that you simply must visit if you’re in London for Christmas.
The shopping arcade gets transformed with a 1920s Hollywood glam Christmas theme.
There are Hollywood lights, a red carpet, shimmering disco balls and the biggest surprise - a 12 foot elephant.
Location : 51 Piccadilly, London, WIJ 0QJ
Nearest London Tube station : Green Park
CHRISTMAS IN LONDON ON A MAP
This map shows the best Christmas markets, Christmas lights and Christmas window displays in London. As well as 3 walking tours you can follow to see the best of London at Christmas.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it worth visiting London at Christmas?
I absolutely love London and would recommend visiting at any time of year but there’s something magical about London at Christmas. It’s full of dazzling light displays, festive markets, ice skating rinks and so many other Christmas themed activities you can take part in to really get in the mood for the holidays.
What is the weather like in London at Christmas?
The weather is England is famously unpredictable but for the month of December the average high is 9°C/49°F and the average low is 5°C/41°F.
The days are short in December with the shortest day of the year on December 21st. Sunrise is around 8am and sunset is 3:30 - 4pm. This may seem like it could be a problem but a lot of the activities to do in London at Christmas are better in the dark - the Christmas trees, the lights, the markets etc.
It can be quite rainy in December with an average of 9 rainy days each month. Snow can fall in December but it is quite rare. If you’re lucky enough to be in London at Christmas time during the snow you’re in for a rare treat - and I’m very jealous as I’ve not managed to be there during a snowy December yet.
What are the best things to do in London at Christmas with kids?
If you will be visiting London during the Christmas holiday season, there is plenty of child friendly activites for all ages. You can visit Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, have Christmas-themed afternoon tea, go ice skating, visit Hamley’s, see the Christmas lights, and watch a holiday musical. All great activities for kids and adults alike.
CHRISTMAS LIGHT TOURS
BOAT TRIPS
TOP 10 LONDON EXPERIENCES
WHERE TO STAY IN LONDON
These are my favourite hotels for a range of budgets in London.
BUDGET TRAVELLER
Dover Castle Hotel is great for budget travellers costing around £40 per night during the festive season. It’s less than a mile from the Tower and London and Tower Bridge and offers dorm rooms at a great price in a handy location.
The Walrus Bar and Hostel is on the south side of the river just across from Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. It offers twin rooms with breakfast available close to Lambeth North and Southwark tube stations.
MID RANGE BUDGET
The Portico Hotel is located in Westminster so excellent for Big Ben and Houses and Parliament and most of the central London tourist attractions. Room are available for around £150 per night during the festive season.
Inhabit, Southwick Street is near Paddington Station and offers beautiful rooms. Breakfast is available at the hotel should you wish to eat before you head out on your day exploring the capital.
LUXURY ACCOMODATION
is located right by Hyde Park. It has breath taking views over the famous London skyline. There is a gym on site and two award winning restaurants.
this superb luxury hotel is located in the heart of the city overlooking the impressive Somerset House. You can stay here from £450 per night over the festive season. There is an amazing rooftop bar with spectacular views over London.
LONDON ESSENTIALS
Planning a trip to London? Here are some of the resources and tools I personally use to organise my travel plans to anywhere in the UK.
FLIGHTS : Find the best deals on flights to London using Skyscanner.
VISAS : Use iVisa to check if you need a tourist visa for the UK and apply for an expedited visa online. Use OneWayFly to obtain proof of onward travel/hotel reservation for your visa application if needed.
TRAVEL INSURANCE : Insure your trip with my preferred insurance for single trip and annual cover HeyMondo
AIRPORT TRANSFER : Pre-book your hotel transfer from Stanstead Airport, Gatwick Airport or Gatwick Airport
ACCOMMODATION : Find the best hotel deals in London on Booking.com.
BUS TICKETS : It is easy to book your transport once you’re in London but if you’d like to book in advance you can buy private transfers online through Bookaway .
DAY TRIPS : Find the best city tours and day excursions in London on Viator or Get Your Guide.
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