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 several Christmas trees dotted about, the Christmas markets are back in action, and dazzling lights displays to enjoy in town, however London’s shopfronts shouldn’t be overlooked. Many department stores and boutiques have really stepped up their decoration game this year for their Christmas window displays.
So why not celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with a tour of the most colourful and out-there ones in town? Have a cheeky photoshoot outside, go window shopping, or simply admire their beauty from afar. Here’s a rundown of 12 of the best Christmas window displays in London for you to discover (right after you’ve had a gander at our Tik-Tok):
1. Annabel’s
Kicking off this roundup of the best Christmas window displays in London is the prestigious members’ club Annabels – based right in the heart of glitzy Mayfair. Billed a ‘carousel of dreams’, it features an actual carousel right outside! No, seriously. Inspiration for the design – from The Birley Clubs Creative Director Tatiana Kharchylava – comes from inside Annabel’s itself.
Features, such as the Pegasus that hangs in the reception area and greets guests, have been transported outside and given a festive touch. There’s also inspo from fairground rides too, and running alongside the design, they’re also hosting a toy and clothing donation initiative.
📍You’ll find Annabel’s at 46 Berkeley Square, London, W1J 5AT.
🚇 Nearest station is Green Park.
2. Fortnum & Mason
The iconic Fortnum & Mason set right in the heart of Piccadilly is celebrating the festive season on a grander scale than ever with their famous façade having been transformed into one gigantic advent calendar. Yep, you read that right. A simple walk by the store will see you rapidly catching the festive fever with the merry clock tuned to play a collection of cheery melodies. A Tik-Toker’s dream if we say so ourselves…
📍You’ll find Fortnum & Mason at 181 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London, W1A 1ER.
🚇 Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.
3. Harvey Nichols
Harvey Nichols is really pulling out all the stops this year with their gleaming store front filled with all the sparkles, mirrors and metallics that you could ever want. Their 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. Oh darrrrrrling!
📍You’ll find Harvey Nichols at 109-125 Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7RJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Knightsbridge.
4. Selfridges
Season’s Feastings! Christmas at Selfridges is all about ‘celebrating the power of food in bringing people together’, so you see what we did there?! With 15 shop windows decorated with brightly-lit, leafy arches, this year’s theme might even put our good old friend the Grinch in a festive spirit.
Installations include inflated potatoes, bright green brussels sprouts, and bowls filled to the brim with granny’s piping hot gravy. Sounds like a real winner to us.
📍You’ll find Selfridges at 400 Oxford Street, London, W1A 1AB.
🚇 Nearest stations are Marble Arch and Bond Street.
5. The Ritz
If it takes lights, baubles, and wreaths to officially mark the start of the festive season, then consider the Ritz’s halls well and truly decked! This landmark hotel never looked so bright with baubles, festive-themed décor and Christmas trees lined all across the building.
And, if visiting Santa’s Grotto has ever been on your childhood wish list, you can finally cross it off with the Hamleys x The Ritz London Christmas Grotto. Guaranteed to ignite your festive spirit, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the enchanted world of Hamleys elves and Ritz Page Boys to make this one hell of a Crimbo to remember.
📍You’ll find The Ritz at 150 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London, W1J 9BR.
🚇 Nearest station is Green Park.
6. Hamleys
Speaking of Hamleys, their Regent Street store’s display really takes the biscuit. It features large reindeers – filled with multiple miniature reindeers – I mean what more could you want right?! Added to this, they’ve got elves at the entrance which will welcome you into the magical world that is 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.
7. Cartier
“Diamonds are a girl’s best friend” as the saying goes – or is that red bows? This year Cartier have gone all out and are bringing their famous red bow back. Engulfing the entire building, it’s designed to give you the illusion that you’re seeing a giant present right before your eyes.
Alongside light-dappled Christmas trees lining the shop’s doors and their signature gold panther illuminations flying high on the windows, Cartier’s display really brings the chic and elegance to this Christmas window displays roundup.
📍You’ll find Cartier at 175-177 New Bond Street, London, W1S 4RN.
🚇 Nearest station is Bond Street.
8. Ralph Lauren
Nothing announces the start of the Christmas period quite like a five-metre-tall Nordmann Fir tree, and Ralph Lauren has done just that. Standing outside its flagship store in Central London, the tree compliments all the festive feels within the area with wreaths and lit-up arches.
They’ve also captured the spirit of kindness this holiday season with their new Royal-inspired Christmas lights honouring The Royal Marsden Cancer charity. Visitors are encouraged to make donations in the store and create personalised ornaments to hang on the tree too. Now if that doesn’t say the season for giving – we don’t know what does.
📍You’ll find Ralph Lauren at 1 New Bond Street, London, W1S 3LU.
🚇 Nearest station is Bond Street.
9. Mr Fogg’s Tavern
Mr Fogg’s Tavern is a pretty impressive pub at any time of year, let’s be honest, but come the festive season, it really comes alive. Its entrance is adorned with red roses, green leaves, candy canes and lollipops – and it’s as Instagrammable as it gets. However, the festive fun does not end there with activities such as gin safaris that will provide you with gleeful get-togethers and exuberant evenings with family and friends alike. They’ve also got a mean mug of mulled wine of tap. Cheers!
📍You’ll find Mr Fogg’s Tavern at 58 St. Martin’s Lane, London, WC2N 4EA.
🚇 Nearest station is Leicester Square.
10. Choose Love
Christmas at Carnaby Street has never been run-of-the-mill, and this year is no different. With 14 different themes that illuminate all the stores in the area, Choose Love shines bright and captures the essence of what the holiday period is all about– giving. The Choose Love Shop is a store like no other, where you can buy essential supplies and life-saving interventions for refugees and displaced people across the globe. Expect vivid colours and some pretty impressive festive displays at this one.
📍You’ll find Choose Love at 15 – 17 Foubert’s Place, Carnaby Street, Carnaby, London, W1F 7QB.
🚇 Nearest station is Oxford Circus.
11. Battersea Power Station
Another solid addition to our Christmas window displays roundup here. Following its unveiling earlier in the year, Battersea Power Station has been transformed for the festive season and – on top of their ice rink and fancy lift – they’ve developed a Christmas trail with eye-catching decorations, a Christmas street food market on The Coaling Jetty and even a Giant Bauble Selfie Spot along the River Walk.
📍You’ll find the Battersea Power Station at Circus Road West, Nine Elms, London, SW8 5BN.
🚇 Nearest station is Battersea Power Station.
12. Harrods
You can mention Christmas window displays without mentioning Harrods, and this year’s out-of-this-world décor demonstrates exactly why. The Fabulous World of Dior at Harrods brings the magnificence of the fashion house to life with numerous activations like Crimbo-themed pop-ups and cafes inside.
However, the real magic starts outside. The entire building has beautifully been transformed into a gingerbread house decorated with a big bright compass rose, lucky stars, and flowers that really brightens up Brompton Road. Get yourself down there!
📍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!