Christmas 2014 in Covent Garden

Celebrating our switch-on

Covent Garden Christmas lights transforms the neighbourhood into a glittering spectacle for the festive season. Thousands of twinkling lights will once again adorn London’s biggest and brightest hand-picked Christmas tree, and illuminate the famous cobbled Piazza. The stunning decoration scheme across Covent Garden includes more than 150,000 sparkling pea lights, and a new arrival for 2014 – a giant 22 feet tall silver reindeer. The beautiful spectacle, designed by specialist design agency Sculptivate took three months to construct and can now be found covered in 1,500 pea lights. From 6pm, The London Youth Choir will mark the switch-on moment with a free, open-air performance featuring traditional festive carols with a modern twist. To top things off, the trendy doughnut concept, Crosstown Doughnuts will be giving away personalised Covent Garden ringed doughnuts during the evening. The delicious treats are packed full with homemade raspberry jam, topped with a delicious vanilla bean glaze and finished with white icing and freeze dried raspberries.

Festive fun for all the family
A modern tradition, live reindeer petting returns to Covent Garden for families to get up close and meet Santa’s helpers. Every Saturday from 8th November – 20th December, 12pm-4pm, the reindeer will visit the West Piazza to pose for festive selfies, and visitors can even help hand feed these beautiful creatures. Elsewhere on the Piazza, LEGO will unveil a spectacular Christmas scene on Thursday 27th November featuring Santa on his sleigh, made from thousands of the famous toy bricks.

Exclusive brands and exceptional Christmas gifts
Explore the Market Building to find the UK’s only luxury beauty boutiques by Burberry, Chanel and Dior, as well as unexpected and one-of-a-kind gifts in the Apple Market. Be among the first to visit new concept stores by Bobbi Brown and Clinique in the Royal Opera Arcade, or stop by the world’s largest Apple store for the latest must-have product. Visit King Street to browse the latest collections from contemporary fashion labels including Sandro and the newly-launched footwear emporium by Galeria Melissa. And head down to Henrietta Street to visit the first UK stores for Japanese menswear favourites Nigel Cabourn and The Real McCoy’s.

Party season in the capital’s finest bars and restaurants
If shopping works up your appetite, there are plenty of culinary treats to suit all palettes across Covent Garden. The Ivy’s little sister, The Ivy Market Grill & Café opens its doors this November, offering diners a relaxed and informal dining experience with a menu inspired by the West End’s famous Ivy restaurant. The space will contain a grill restaurant and bar as well as a café and a dining terrace with views across Covent Garden’s historical buildings. Day to night, Balthazar on Russell Street is a firm favourite throughout party season, or enjoy a taste of Peru at star chef Virgilio Martinez’s LIMA Floral on Floral Street.