Five London events to get you excited about Christmas
Because it’s never too early, right? Here are five family goings-on that will both warm your heart and get you stupidly excited for the big day
Indulge their sweet tooth at The Dorchester
On Saturday 18 November, The Dorchester will be unveiling its giant gingerbread hotel replica, giving families a tasty insight into the hotel like never before. Be sure to get there for the big reveal, and stop by the hotel’s magical Sweet Emporium on the way out to stock up on candy canes, giant swirl lollipops and flying saucers galore, as well as plenty of other classic English sweets. Don’t forget to snap yourselves next to the life-sized Nutcracker soldiers welcoming you outside!
Available to visit daily until Friday 5 January.
Enjoy films and fun at The Soho Hotel
If you find you’ve got some last-minute shopping to finish, drop the kids off at The Soho Hotel for its ‘Christmas Special’ children’s film club for a fun-filled day of movies and crafts. Children’s party specialists Sharky & George will be there to keep the little ones entertained with festive games and crafts, including DIY tree decorations and Christmas cracker gift boxes to take home. After all the activities, a buffet brunch and drinks will be provided, followed by a special screening of How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
Sunday 17 December. £45 per child for the whole session, or £10 per person for the film only.
Listen to festive storytelling at Fortnum & Mason
Father Christmas returns to Piccadilly’s Fortnum & Mason this December for a magical storytelling session. You’ll be greeted by his elves as you enter a mini Winter Wonderland, complete with seasonal games and music. The big man himself will be reading Fortnum & Mason’s very own Christmas story, before handing out party bags filled with festive treats. The store will also be hosting children’s gingerbread house making and decorating with The Amazing Art Cart at the Cook Shop Events Kitchen on the first floor.
Father Christmas Storytelling; Saturday 2 December, Friday 8 to Sunday 10 December, and Friday 15 to Sunday 24 December. £25 per person.
Children’s Gingerbread House Making and Decorating; Saturday 2 December, 10.30am to 11.30am and 2pm to 3pm. £20 per person.
See the lights switch-on at Seven Dials
Get your Christmas shopping started early with an exclusive 20% off across stores at Seven Dials, as well as a whole host of family friendly activities to be enjoyed on the night. There will be free wreath making, a free s’mores bar, free Swedish Glögg from the pop-up bar by Nordic Bakery, street food tacos from Monmouth Kitchen, and music from fabulous 400-piece choir Some Voices. Also opening on the night is the Seven Dials Loves Christmas pop-up, where you can shop everything from edible festive garlands to English tea in baubles. There will also be various workshops continuing over the next three weeks, including calligraphy, fashion illustration and Christmas cocktail-making.
Thursday 16 November, lights switch on at 6.30pm. Register for your free ticket online.
Get your Christmas bake on at Gail’s
Artisan bakery favourite Gail’s will be hosting its free Christmas gingerbread baking classes for children under 10 years at selected stores in the capital, including Battersea Square, Pimlico, Blackheath Village and Highgate. Armed with rolling pins and cookie cutters, using the bakery’s popular speculoos biscuit dough, little ones can create their own festive treats by hand. Once baked, they’ll love decorating them with icing and taking them home to share with family, along with a whole bunch of other Gail’s goodies.
Tuesday 12 December at Pimlico, Barnes, Blackheath Village and Battersea, from 4pm.
Wednesday 13 December at Highgate and Seymour Place, Marylebone, from 4pm.
