Christmas is pretty much here at this point folks! The Christmas lights have turned on, Michael Bublé has completed defrosting, and Mariah can be heard on every street corner. And that means London’s remarkable Christmas trees have also been unveiled. Here are some of our favourite (fir-vourite?) Christmas trees to check out around our festive city:
1. St. Pancras International
Image: @stpancrasinternational via Instagram
St. Pancras International’s highly anticipated Christmas tree has been unveiled for the 2024 festive season, and it’s doused with the magic of ‘Wicked’ this year. For 2024, the station has partnered with Universal Pictures UK to create a ‘Wicked’-themed tree, standing 11 meters high and featuring immersive elements from the film and a striking green and gold colour scheme.
The structure includes over 100 intricately illuminated towers with more than 200 lights woven into the display and it took 20 expert craftspeople over 4,000 hours to create.
📍 Euston Road, King’s Cross, N1C 4QP.
🚇 Nearest station is, erm, St. Pancras International.
2. Covent Garden
The Covent Garden Christmas tree is always a breathtaking centrepiece of the area’s festive decorations, and this year’s tree is no different. Standing at an impressive 55 feet tall, it’s adorned with a whopping 30,000 LED lights.
The tree is part of a larger display that sees the entire Covent Garden area sparkling with a total of 260,000 LED lights. That’s nearly twice as many as last year! Visitors can enjoy a comprehensive Christmas experience surrounding the tree, including pop-up events, family-friendly activities, surprise performances, and festive food and drink offerings such as mulled wine. Oh, and daily flurries of snow!
📍 Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 8RF.
🚇 Nearest station is Covent Garden.
3. Coal Drops Yard
Image: @kingscrossn1c via Instagram
This lovely central London spot has always got something going on, and it’s full of fantastic shops and restaurants. And with Coal Drops Yard’s fairy lights, it always feels at least a bit festive, no matter the time of the year.
But at Christmas time it gets properly cosy and festive. And their Christmas tree makes the place all the more of a must-visit London destination. Last year they had an alpine, après-ski-themed tree with neon ski accessories. This year they’ve gone a little more traditional, but no less gorgeous and festive, with a twinkling display.
📍 Coal Drops Yard, Stable Street, King’s Cross, N1C 4DQ.
🚇 Nearest station is King’s Cross St Pancras.
4. Glide at Battersea Power Station
Image: @glideatbps via Instagram
Ever since opening, it’s been clear that Battersea Power Station is not set to do anything by half-measures. Last year, for the festive season, they unveiled a gorgeous Christmas tree smack in the middle of a wonderfully large ice-skating rink, alongside cosy rink-side igloos, fairground rides, and more. And this year they’ve brought it all back once again for 2024. It’s all fabulously festive indeed!
📍 Battersea Power Station, Nine Elms, Battersea, SW11 8EF.
🚇 Nearest station is Battersea Power Station.
5. Leadenhall Market
This magical market stood in for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, so you know it’s as pretty as a picture. And it’s equally fantastical during the festive season. Leadenhall Market’s extraordinary tree illuminates the area with its dazzling lights and striking decorations.
They’re also offering up all sorts of Christmas workshops, pop-ups, and events throughout the Christmas season. So, why not dial that festive feeling all the way up to a hundred with a trip to Leadenhall Market?
📍 Gracechurch Street, Langbourn, EC3V 1LT.
🚇 Nearest station is Monument.
6. The Connaught Hotel
Image: @conradshawcross via Instagram
The Connaught Hotel is not only home to one of the best bars in the world, you’ll also find a pretty spectacular Christmas tree waiting outside to greet you during the festive season. An esteemed artist designs the stunning display each year – making it one of the must-see Christmas trees in the capital. This year’s tree was designed by British artist Conrad Shawcross RA and is a stunning angular take on the traditional sight.
Previous years have seen the likes of Damien Hirst, Rachel Whiteread, Antony Gormley, Tracey Emin, Michael Craig-Martin, and Suzy Murphy designing the tree.
📍 Carlos Place, Mayfair, W1K 2AL.
🚇 Nearest station is Bond Street.
7. Westfield London
Image: @westfieldlondon via Instagram
Visitors to Westfield’s Winter Village were stopped short in their paths last year when confronted by Europe’s tallest Christmas tree on an ice rink. The all-new ice rink, covering 1,000 square metres, allowed revellers to skate their way around the towering festive instalment for a delightful experience. And they’ve (thankfully) brought it back for 2024 – except this time they’ve partnered up with Disney’s Moana 2!
📍 1081 Ariel Way, Shepherd’s Bush, W12 7GF.
🚇 Nearest station is Shepherd’s Bush.
8. Claridge’s
For this year’s edition, Claridge’s Christmas Tree has been designed by the renowned British fashion designer Sir Paul Smith. The tree stands 19 feet tall and has been adorned with 100 bespoke birdhouses, each featuring a playful Paul Smith twist. These unique decorations include roofs decorated with playing cards, postage stamps, and dice, reflecting Smith’s characteristic whimsical style.
The designer has collaborated with British architect Nik Ramage to create a series of mechanical birdhouses, adding an interactive element to the display. Additionally, design studio Studiomama has contributed by crafting whimsical ‘Off Cut Creatures’ to be placed around the base of the tree, further enhancing its charm and creativity.
📍 Brook Street, Mayfair, W1K 4HR.
🚇 Nearest station is Bond Street.
9. Pan Pacific London
Last year, the traditional Christmas tree was completely reimagined outside the Pan Pacific London, with a sculptural installation of recycled emerald-green glass and mirrored cubes. This year they’ve gone for a more traditional tree – that just so happens to be the tallest Christmas tree in London. It stands at a whopping 67 feet tall, which is the same height as five double-decker buses. Compare that to Covent Garden’s impressive specimen, which measures in at a paltry 55 feet. Don’t miss out on this one when you go touring all of London’s Christmas trees. You can’t miss it – literally!
📍 One Bishopsgate Plaza, 80 Houndsditch, EC3A 7AB.
🚇 Nearest station is Liverpool Street.
10. Hay’s Galleria
Image: @ldnbridgecity via Instagram
Over near London Bridge, you’ll find Hay’s Galleria, and yet another of London’s stunning Christmas trees. Nestled away under the building’s Victorian-style glass roof soon, the tree is lit up with stunning stars and baubles and casts a soft golden glow on the area. It’s pretty stunning, indeed!
📍 1 Battle Bridge Lane, SE1 2HD.
🚇 Nearest station is London Bridge.
11. The Ritz
Video: @theritzlondon, via Instagram
In a manner befitting its location, the Christmas Tree at The Ritz is always, well, ritzy! Last year, it was so densely and incredibly decorated that it was almost hard to see the green Christmas tree underneath the forest of red and gold ornaments. But then, it’s not really about the tree itself, is it? It’s about how gorgeous it is – and this year’s edition is no different. It’s absolutely GORGEOUS this year around. Well, as you’d expect! Naturally, the rest of The Ritz has also undergone a stunning makeover into a red-and-gold-hued winter wonderland.
📍 150 Piccadilly, St. James’s, W1J 9BR.
🚇 The nearest station is Green Park.
12. 45 Park Lane
Video: @45parklane via Instagram
45 Park Lane has leaned into its Art Deco reputation with a Christmas tree that draws inspiration from iconic elements such as “It’s a Wonderful Life,” the Ziegfeld Follies, and the golden age of cinema. The tree was designed by acclaimed artist Maria Rivans in collaboration with designer florist Philip Hammond and embodies the glamour and allure of old Hollywood.
📍 45 Park Lane, W1K 1PN.
🚇 The nearest stations are Green Park and Hyde Park Corner.
13. The Ned
Image: @grandirosa via Instagram
Over at The Ned, a touch of sophistication and old-world charm awaits. The floral designers from grandirosa floral deisgn unveiled a stunning tree at The Ned, dripping with luxuriously tasteful decor. If a Christmas tree could be said to be sauve – it would be this one.
📍 27 Poultry, EC2R 8AJ.
🚇 The nearest station is Bank.
14. Battersea Power Station
Over at Battersea Power Station, they’re commemorating the holidays with multiple impressive Christmas trees. The first can be found right in the middle of the Battersea Power Station ice rink, Glide. But there’s also a spectacular 40-foot-tall centrepiece located in Malaysia Square, which has been adorned with over 1,500 baubles. This impressive tree is part of a larger festive transformation at Battersea Power Station, with more than 150 Christmas trees of various shapes and sizes scattered throughout the riverside neighbourhood.
📍 Circus Road West, Nine Elms, SW11 8DD.
🚇 Nearest station is Battersea Power Station.
15. Trafalgar Square
Image: @trafalgartree via Instagram
We couldn’t possibly leave this one out of the list of London’s Christmas trees. Regardless of what you think of it (and there are MANY opinions on it) the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is a proper London Christmas tradition. And since it’s an annual gift from Norway, given each year as thanks for helping them out in World War II, maybe we should be a bit more appreciative of it. After all – as my mother says before I unwrap any present – ‘it’s the thought that counts’!
📍 Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DS.
🚇 Nearest station is Charing Cross.
16. Royal Hospital Chelsea
This year, a new contender has arrived to dazzle locals and visitors alike: Christmas in Chelsea, hosted inside Ranelagh Gardens on the gorgeous grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. There is not only a gorgeous tree surrounded by strips of gold tinsel and light but also an immersive 1km light trail combines the beauty and the magic of Christmas!
📍Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4SR.
🚇 Nearest station is Sloane Square.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best Christmas trees in London in 2024. Which one is your favourite?