Last year, the Covent Garden Cool Down brought together ice cream fans and frozen dessert foodies from all around London to nosh on heaps of frozen treats. And this year, they’re back with the Covent Garden Frozen Festival. As the name might suggest, it’s about much more than just ice cream, though, with all manner of frozen treats on offer.
Kicking off today (August 24), the Frozen Festival will run until September 3. That means you’ve got just under two weeks to sample the icy delights. Whether you’re trying to beat the heat (if it sticks around) or love a frozen treat no matter the weather, it’s a true celebration of frozen deliciousness. Shops and restaurants in and around the area, as well as an array of pop-ups, will be serving up a variety of frozen drinks and treats.
Covent Garden Frozen Festival Pop-Ups
We’re particularly excited about Kocktail’s pop-up. Their delightful offerings have been inspired by Wes Anderson’s latest film, Asteroid City. Guests will be able to chow down on ice cream or grab a Frozen Margarita, Negroni or Old Fashioned from the Wes Anderson-inspired vending machines.
But that’s not to say there isn’t plenty more to check out… Vai is also on hand with their 3D gelato designs, while Bubblebros are serving up Frosé Prosecco for a boozy treat. Other pop-ups also include offerings from Pan-n-Ice, Crosstown, Chill Gelato and Wave Artisan Gelato. You’re going to want to plough through all of the offerings – but beware of the brain freeze!
Participating restaurants
Not content with letting the pop-ups have all the fun, over 30 of Covent Garden’s restaurants will also be offering frozen treats. Avobar will be doling out creamy vegan avocado soft serve, while Chestnut Bakery will be flinging affogato (gently). Mariage Freres will have ice cream sandwiches and fresh iced teas to enjoy, and Ô Craquelin Patisserie will highlight their new offering of homemade ice creams. It feels like pretty much everyone is joining in!
The surrounding neighbourhoods are also getting in on the action, with frozen treats to be found on every corner. Amorino’s iconic floral designs are always a hit, but there’s also Anita Gelato and their 150 different flavours of 100% hand-made frozen treats, Soft Serve Society’s wild flavour combinations at Seven Dials Market, and plenty more to discover.
There are two ways to look at all this: either the heat sticks around and we need to cool down or we need a commiseration treat for the pitiful summer we’ve endured. But, if we’re being real, since when did you need an excuse to eat ice cream? We expect to see you all down there scoffing all of the ice cream, gelato, frozen cocktails, and other icy treats!
The Covent Garden Ice Cream Festival takes place around the piazza and surrounding streets from August 24 – September 3. Find out more information here.