Deck the halls! If you’ve taken a look around lately, you’ll have noticed that London is officially in full-on festive mode. There are Christmas trees dotted all about, the Christmas markets are back in action, and dazzling light displays have been strung up around town. But don’t forget about London’s shopfronts – many of which now feature wonderfully festive installations. In this article, we’ve rounded up some of London’s department stores and boutiques that have really stepped up their decoration game this year for their Christmas window displays.
To whet your appetite, here’s a reminder of some of last year’s Christmassy shopfronts.
1. Annabel’s
Kicking off this roundup of the best Christmas window displays in London is the prestigious members’ club Annabel’s – based right in the heart of glitzy Mayfair. This year’s Christmas façade features a glimmering magical bird inside a snow globe. The stunning larger-than-life (much larger-than-life) display has taken over Annabel’s’ entranceway – and the floors above it to boot.
The whimsical installation was designed by Tatiana Kharchylava, Creative Director of The Birley Clubs. Kharchylava wanted the piece to transport viewers “to a place of innocence and delight”.
📍 You’ll find Annabel’s at 46 Berkeley Square, London, W1J 5AT.
🚇 Nearest station is Green Park.
2. Fortnum & Mason
The iconic Fortnum & Mason, right in the heart of Piccadilly, has transformed their famous façade into a gigantic advent calendar. Yep, you read that right. A simple walk by the store will see you rapidly catching the festive fever thanks to the impressive red-hued display!
📍 You’ll find Fortnum & Mason at 181 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London, W1A 1ER.
🚇 Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.
3. Cartier
Cartier has truly outdone itself with this year’s festive display—complete with iconic red boxes orbiting a celestial centrepiece! Wrapped in lush greenery and golden stars, it’s a cosmic celebration of luxury and holiday magic across the front of their Bond Street store. It’s the type of window display that perfectly encapsulates the brand, with class and sophistication just oozing off the walls.
📍 You’ll find Cartier at 175-177 New Bond Street, London, W1S 4RN.
🚇 Nearest station is Bond Street.
4. Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton’s Christmas window display on New Bond Street features a whimsical and festive theme, showcasing festive animals such as zebras, ostriches, and reindeer. The elaborate decorations include vibrant Christmas lights and baubles that create a magical atmosphere. This year, the windows are designed to look like extravagant gifts, reflecting the luxury and creativity associated with the brand
📍 You’ll find Gucci at 144-146 New Bond Street, London W1S 2TR
🚇 Nearest station is Bond Street.
5. CHANEL
Featuring the silhouette of the brand’s iconic CHANEL NO°5 perfume bottle, it’s the very first display of its sort in the area’s 60-year history of lighting up for Christmas.
📍 You’ll find CHANEL at 173 New Bond Street, London W1S 4RF
🚇 Nearest station is Bond Street.
6. Pretty much all of Bond Street
Honestly, at this point, we’d be remiss to not just suggest a stroll down Bond Street! Featuring the above three displays, as well as countless more, it’s a truly stunning sight. Head down just after the sun sets for a gloriously festive sight of Christmas window displays stretching all along the two sides of the road. And up overheard you’ve even got the royal-ly good Bond Street Christmas lights. Get those cameras ready…
🚇 You’ll find Bond Street within easy access from Piccadilly Circus, Green Park, and Bond Street.
7. Harvey Nichols
Harvey Nichols has unveiled its 2024 Christmas windows, inspired by the gothic and fantastical world of Tim Burton. The display is a result of a partnership with the Design Museum and features several unique elements. Five sculptures from Burton’s private collection: These figures are from Burton’s poetry book, “The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy & Other Stories,” and include characters such as the Girl With Many Eyes, Stainboy, and Jimmy, the Hideous Penguin Boy. These sculptures add a playful yet eerie whimsy to the festive displays.
The remaining windows transport viewers into surreal landscapes framed by twisted, ghostly trees. Each scene tells its own unique story, with carefully orchestrated light and shadow, and Burton’s signature black-and-white motifs. The displays reimagine Burton’s iconic style through the lens of festive luxury.
📍 You’ll find Harvey Nichols at 109-125 Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7RJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Knightsbridge.
8. Selfridges
It’s Showtime at Selfridges! This year’s window installations feature spinning trees, fountains of fragrance and tables dripping with candle wax. Filled with colours, patterns and motifs inspired by Andrew Logan. This year’s Christmas windows are a take on the magic of grottos.
📍 You’ll find Selfridges at 400 Oxford Street, London, W1A 1AB.
🚇 Nearest stations are Marble Arch and Bond Street.
9. Hamleys
Hamleys’ 2024 Christmas window display celebrates beloved franchises such as Harry Potter, Paddington Bear, and Wicked. Each window features enchanting scenes from these stories, captivating visitors with magical elements. Added to this, they’ve got elves at the entrance to welcome you into the magical world of Santa’s grotto – which includes presents and fun workshops for all to enjoy of course.
📍 You’ll find Hamleys at 188-196 Regent Street, London, W1B 5BT.
🚇 Nearest station is Oxford Street.
10. Harrods
You can’t mention Christmas window displays without mentioning Harrods, and this year’s décor demonstrates exactly why.
Harrods presents its enchanting “Workshop of Wonders” for Christmas 2024, celebrating Loro Piana’s 100 years of excellence. This immersive installation includes: A full takeover of the Brompton Road façade: The façade features a mesmerising story about a cloud-like fiber transported in bales that transforms into cloth. This culminates in a stunning 17-meter festive tree decorated with swathes of fabric and exclusive ornaments.
36 beautifully themed windows: Each window narrates unique stories related to Loro Piana’s heritage and craftsmanship. These installations provide a time-travel experience through the journey of fibres from their origins to exquisite creations. The display includes mechanical installations that evoke a sense of wonder and nostalgia.
📍You’ll find Harrods at 87-135 Brompton Road, London, SW1X 7XL.
🚇 Nearest station is Knightsbridge.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best Christmas window displays this year. What are you waiting for? Get out and have a gander at them for yourself. Don’t forget to snap some pics!