13 Festive Things To Do This Weekend
It’s beginning to look (and feel) a lot like Christmas in London right now, with pop-ups and festive lights taking over the streets. If you’re looking for ways to get into the spirit or want to avoid it altogether, we’ve put together a list of events happening this weekend.
From Bluebell Railway’s Christmassy steam rides to Zeena Shah’s annual winter sale, here’s what to look out for.
Things To Do This Weekend, From Bluebell Railway To Vintage Clothing Pop-Ups
Discover a timeless classic at The Old Vic
Fall back in love with Dickens’ classic tale and book in for The Old Vic’s annual A Christmas Carol production.
Adapted for the stage by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, His Dark Materials), this Christmas sees Emmy award-winning actor Christopher Eccleston star as Ebenezer Scrooge. Dickens’ theatrics come to life, with mince pies, music and merriment galore.
This year’s The Old Vic will raise money in aid of City Harvey London throughout the production. Catch more Christmas shows here.
When: Until 06.01.2024
Where: The Old Vic, The Cut, SE1 8NB
Website: www.oldvictheatre.com
Shop partywear at ASOS’s IRL experience
The nation’s favourite online fashion retailer, ASOS is heading to London this weekend. Open from Thursday 23rd until Sunday 26th, the brand’s IRL pop-up will allow Londoners to try on, shop and nab freebies from the retailer’s biggest brands.
Taking over 11 Rathbone Place, expect to uncover new-season styles from big-name brands, enjoy makeovers, listen to guest talks and soak up the ASOS vibes. There’ll even be a few freebies up for grabs too.
When: 23.11.2023 – 26.11.2023
Where: 11 Rathbone Place, W1T 1HR
Website: www.asos.com
Win big prizes at this festive funfair
Roll on up to Harvey Nichols’ fun new Festive Fairground. Channelling their inner child with an in-store fairground with a twist, Harvey Nichols will be letting visitors win luxury prizes.
Taking inspiration from the magic of claw games, up for grabs will be goodies from Fenty and Nars, socks and scrunchies from Ganni and Isabel Marant, and festive food and drink options from the Harvey Nichols Food Hall. At the Knightsbridge store, customers can play for their chance to win one of three Harvey Nichols Gift Cards worth £1,000.
As for who can play, any Harvey Nichols REWARDS member who spends between £100 and £350 (or more) in-store is eligible* – sign up to be a REWARDS member for FREE.
*REWARDS MEMBERS WHO SPEND £100 OR MORE IN-STORE ON FOODMARKET AND WINE SHOP ITEMS, OR £150 ON BEAUTY OR £350 FASHION AND ACCESSORIES CAN HAVE 1 TURN TO PLAY A FAIRGROUND GAME. T&C’S APPLY.
When: select weekends and Christmas events throughout the festive period
Where: Available the following stores – Knightsbridge, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Bristol, Liverpool and Dublin
Website: www.harveynichols.com
Go gift shopping at this Christmas market
Italian-meets-Asian restaurant, Novikov will be bringing its popular Christmas market to Mayfair Place once again this winter. Running from Thursday 23rd until Saturday 25th, expect a whole lot of excitement to await, from a Louis Roederer Champagne Ice Bar to carol singers.
There’ll be an array of Novikov stalls selling seasonal dishes, mulled wine and warming drinks, and plenty of oysters and caviar to go around. Throughout the three-day event, entertainment will be on offer too, including live DJ sets, carol singer performances, roving minstrels and even Mr C himself. On Saturday there’ll be a special guest appearance from real-life reindeer!
When: 23.11.2023 – 25.11.2023
Where: Novikov, Mayfair Place, W1
Website: www.novikovrestaurant.co.uk
Shop @HeartZeena’s wardrobe
Following on from her last clothing sale, fashion influencer and style icon Zeena Shah (AKA Heart Zeena) will be selling some of her pre-loved collection this weekend.
Head down to Hackney Downs Studios to shop all things clothing, jewellery, shoes, beauty products and home accessories. Notorious for her bubbly fashion personality and bright patterns, you can expect an assortment of colourful pieces worth snapping up.
When: 24.11.2023 – 26.11.2023
Where: Hackney Downs Studios, 17 Amhurst Terrace, E8 2BT
Website: www.eventbrite.co.uk
Immerse yourself with Glossier’s fragrance discovery pop-up
Fragrance lovers, this one’s for you. Glossier has launched a new immersive experience inspired by the brand’s best-selling Glossier You fragrance.
Running until the middle of January, the experience, titled ‘Realms of You’, invites you to explore a deconstructed world of the signature scent, all through the conceptual lens of the five senses.
The space will heighten all five of your senses through immersive concepts, from ASMR-style sounds and visuals to playful performances inspired by Alice in Wonderland and David Lynch.
When: Until 14.01.2024
Where: 173 Regent Street, W1B 4JQ
Website: www.glossier.com
Dream big at this immersive bubble experience
It doesn’t matter what age you are, you can’t help but love the magic of bubbles. Which is why we’re super excited about the new immersive experience that’s landing this weekend. Opening in Wembley, the Bubble Planet Experience will see you voyage through pastel landscapes designed to peak all five senses.
Journey through the experience, immersing yourself in all of the rooms, from the bubble-inspired ocean to the infinity room. In true Fever style, there’s of course an obligatory selfie room waiting for you midway through. Expect to come out with a whole reel of photographs and videos to keep your Insta and TikTok feed busy for weeks.
When: Opens 24.11.2023
Where: 22 Fulton Road, Wembley, HA9 0TF
Website: www.bubble-planet.com
Explore London’s most festive restaurants
With five weekends until the big day, now’s the time to start soaking up the best of the city’s festive offerings, and that includes dining in fantastical settings. London is home to some seriously extra restaurants that go all out in the lead-up to Christmas.
From cosy winter terraces to bauble paradises (we’re looking at you, Daphne’s), we’ve got you covered with our edit of the most Christmassy restaurants and bars worth exploring.
Rummage through vintage garments at this pop-up
Vintage clothing extraordinaire, Glass Onion, will be bringing its pop-ups back to East London this November.
Renowned for offering the best vintage garments to UK cities, Glass Onion is the UK’s leading vintage clothing company and roots through pieces that would otherwise be destined for landfill. This East London pop-up will bring an exciting line-up of pieces, allowing you to find and take home your very own vintage gem.
WHEN: 26.11.2023
WHERE: BIG PENNY SOCIAL, 1 PRIESTLEY WAY, E17 6AL
WEBSITE: WWW.GLASS-ONION.COM
Check out this new opening
Heading to Battersea Power Station this weekend? Avoid the crowded riverside restaurants and book yourself into Archway; the new neighbourhood restaurant located just a stone’s throw away, under the old railway arch.
Archway offers a relaxed and intimate dining experience, with a small seasonal menu that celebrates the best ingredients. Hero dishes include fresh pasta made daily, Wood Braised Lamb Breast with scarola, olives, capers, lemon and oregano; and their Grilled Langoustine with herbs butter and puntarelle salad is an absolute must.
WHERE: Arch 65 Queen’s Circus, Nine Elms, London SW8 4NE
WEBSITE: www.archwaybattersea.co.uk
Find handmade gifts at this curated pop-up
Curator&Maker, the London-based pop-up retail experience known for championing handmade, returns with its fourth edition.
Taking over Myriad Antiques until Saturday 2nd December, you’ll be able to shop a curated collection of fashion, homewares, bath & body, ceramics and festive decorations from 14 makers from around the UK. Makers include Kate Black, Jess Wheeler and C. Atherley by Cath Kidson.
Expect to uncover everything from hand-blown baubles to Holy Kitsch Christmas shrines, everlasting plants hand-made from cut paper to hand-knitted jumpers.
When: 22.11.2023 – 02.12.2023
Where: Myriad Antiques,131 Portland Road, W11 4LW
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3 Events Worth Travelling For
Embark on a snowman trail
The nation’s favourite festive story is set to come alive once more thanks to the epic return of the Walking with the Snowman trail.
Popping up at locations across the UK, including Fleet Street Squarter, Hillsborough Castle & Gardens and Knole House, you’ll be able to rediscover Raymond Brigg’s heart-warming tome.
There are twelve giant Snowman sculptures dotted around these locations, all based on the song, The Twelve Days of Christmas. Wrap up and venture around to uncover the festive trail.
When: Various dates
Where: Various locations
Website: www.walkingwiththesnowman.co.uk
Meet Santa at Bluebell Railway
Embark on a magical journey this weekend and book in for the Bluebell Railway’s Santa special.
Following the success of last year, this year’s experience will bring all of the sights, sounds and aromas of Christmas to one place. Jump aboard the steam engine and you can enjoy a festive trip to see Mr C himself. Little ones will even be able to collect a special gift from Santa from his toy parlour.
When: 25.11.2023 – 24.12.2023
Where: Sheffield Park Station, East Sussex, TN22 3QL
Website: www.bluebell-railway.com
Journey to Narnia with Longleat
Brimming with life-size lanterns, Longleat’s iconic safari park has undergone a festive transformation this winter. Running until 7th January, visitors will be able to walk through the mesmerising light trails.
Expect to uncover scenes from beautiful tales, including The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S Lewis; Cinderella; The Wizard of Oz; Winnie the Pooh; and more. Wind around the safari park, spotting by the 15-metre enchanted Christmas tree show, Santa train and luminous lanterns.
When: Until 07.01.2024
Where: Longleat, Warminster, BA12 7NW
Website: www.longleat.co.uk