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 uplifting display features a hot air balloon that stretches over and beyond the building’s three floors – with the front entrance situated in the balloon’s basket. Accompanying the enormous display are a handful of shining stars scattered across the front of the building.
According to the designer, Birley Club’s Creative Director Tatiana Kharchylava, the display is “a symbol of hope and inspiration in a year where the world has faced many difficulties and hardships”.
📍 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 is also looking to the skies for this year’s festive windows, with a blimp hovering among the clouds 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. Gucci
Gucci has seen fit to plaster their iconic horse-bit symbol all over the front of their New Bond Street store. It’s all very suave and chic – but it also does sort of look like a game of Tetris in action from all four sides. Nonetheless, it makes for plenty of Instagram fodder!
📍 You’ll find Gucci at 144-146 New Bond Street, London W1S 2TR
🚇 Nearest station is Bond Street.
5. CHANEL
CHANEL has given the facade above their CHANEL Watches and Fine Jewellery boutique a festive makeover with some Christmas shopping inspiration. They’ve opted for a black and white display, but it’s still inescapable festive. They’ve draped an enormous larger-than-life necklace over the front of the building that features lucky clover charms, floral charms, and charms with the iconic interlocking C logo – naturally.
📍 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‘ 2023 Christmas window display is inspired by fairground rides and general seasonal festivities. Bauble-headed figures that have been kitted out in the finest garms from the store dance with each other and play funfair games amidst dazzling LED-lit scenes. It takes the definition of window shopping to a whole new level… Oh, and naturally they’ve got some Christmas trees flanking their doorways too!
📍 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 a series of larger-than-life characters that could have been pulled straight from the stage (or a panto, more likely!). The curtains have been raised on the gorgeous Christmas window displays – which includes an enchanting display by Notting Hill and Belgravia biscuit brand Biscuiteers – so get on down and see them pronto!
📍 You’ll find Selfridges at 400 Oxford Street, London, W1A 1AB.
🚇 Nearest stations are Marble Arch and Bond Street.
9. Hamleys
Hamleys are (rightfully) renowned around the world for the wonderful Christmas window displays that run the length of their Regent Street store. This year’s sights include Christmas trees (of course!), a Minecraft installation (erm, okay…), and gifts galore! 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. Choose Love
Christmas time at Carnaby Street has never been run-of-the-mill, and this year is no different. Beneath the stunning galactic Christmas lights that illuminate the area throughout the dark winter nights, Choose Love shines bright with their shimmering Christmas window display whilst capturing 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.
📍You’ll find Choose Love at 57 Carnaby Street, London, W1F 9QF.
🚇 Nearest station is Oxford Circus.
11. Harrods
You can’t mention Christmas window displays without mentioning Harrods, and this year’s décor demonstrates exactly why. They’ve popped up an enormous tree outside the doors, festooned in pink lights and decorations. Meanwhile, their Christmas window displays have taken inspiration (and plenty of stock) from Maison Valentino for a perfectly pink theme using the brand’s signature hue. Make sure you head inside, because they didn’t just stop with the exteriors. The whole place has been transformed into a festive wonderland!
📍You’ll find Harrods at 87-135 Brompton Road, London, SW1X 7XL.
🚇 Nearest station is Knightsbridge.
12. Lavender Green Flowers
Chelsea-based florist Lavender Green Flowers have gone all out this year with this Christmas window display, which features a giant ballerina made from flowers. Inside, the store has also been completely decked out and features their new collection of quality, festive decorations. So if you’re looking to pick up some gifts for Crimbo, you best hot foot it down to Kensington and Chelsea!
📍You’ll find Lavender Green Flowers at 239 King’s Road, London, SW3 5EJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Sloane Square.
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!