There’s an old saying that when one is tired of London, they are tired of life itself.
Well, it’s near impossible to tire of the capital when every week there is a new restaurant to taste, show to see and sale to shop in.
How could you get bored in a city so full of life and newness?
This winter, London is serving up more ways to spend your time with plenty of companies launching pop-ups just for the colder months.
From food to fashion, beauty to family-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone.
These are some of our top picks for the season:
Entertainment & activities
Relive a classic at The Luna Winter Cinema
It’s cold outside, so let’s stay in.
Or, go to the Luna Cinema for their festive film season hosted at venues including Kensington Palace and Battersea Arts Centre.
From £15.50 you can kick back to a classic surrounded by Christmas trees and fake falling snow, all with a Christmas-themed menu to order from.
Runs from December 12-23.
Make your own wreath at Canteen
Get creative, either alone or with the family, and head down to Greenwich for a pop-up workshop to design and build your own festive wreath.
Partnering with Bloom East, a local floral design studio, you’ll be carefully guided as you make a wreath ready to hang once you get home.
Tickets cost £20.
December 1, 5 and 7.
Send a surprise to a loved one with Cadbury
For one day on London’s Southbank, Cadbury are popping up with a sweet offering.
Anyone can send a chocolate bar to a loved one for free. And to better it, Cadbury will donate another bar to the Trussell Trust – a foodbank charity.
Open December 4.
Put a day aside for Winter Wonderland
After we missed it last year, Winter Wonderland is back and boasting the UK’s largest outdoor ice rink.
There’s plenty to do, so carve out time to explore.
This year, tickets will cost £5-7.50 depending on your time of entry.
Opens November 19 until January 3 from 10am – 10pm.
Get festive at London City Island
For a festive family day out, check out the London City Island.
There will be a street food market, carol singing, a 20-ft illuminated Christmas tree (plus a tree seller), a Santa’s grotto and more.
Open now – check online to find out what’s on each day.
Food & drink
Taste the flavours that make up the capital at Taste of London
Delicious eats will pop-up at Tobacco Dock, and you can expect a mix of cuisines that make up London’s eclectic food scene.
There will be masterclasses, too, if you’re lucky enough to book onto one.
Hurry – it’s only around for three days.
Opens November 18-21.
Gather the group at The Barge East Winter Gardens
The Barge East is a riverside floating café, but soon they’ll be moving back on the ground to open their winter gardens.
With heated and covered areas for groups of 2-25 guests, it’s perfect for big social gatherings over street food.
There are bookable igloos and and cabins too, along with a mini market to help you shop local.
Opens November 18.
Pay what you can at Mr Organic’s Café
Vegan Italian food… for everyone.
At this pop-up only running for two days in east London, you can try the aubergine dip, grissini breadsticks, focaccia, breaded artichokes, and more.
And the price? You decide – this is pay what you can.
Opens November 20-21.
DIY hot chocolate with Sipsmith and the Ham Yard Hotel
Head to the rooftop of the Ham Yard Hotel and make your own gin cocktail or a DIY hot chocolate at a dedicated station – with plenty of toppings and sauces to select from.
Even better, the chocolate is being supplied by luxe brand Tony’s Chocolonely, which if you haven’t tried, is delicious.
And let’s face it, on a rooftop you’ll want the comforting warm cup of hot choc.
Open from today, with booking essential.
Choose the high life with Cepage
Drink fancy wine and champagne, the latter of which will be poured by Maison Frerejean Frères.
While trying iconic high end drinks, there will be a DJ, life drawing and more to indulge in.
Open November 15-20 from 4pm – 9pm.
For pop corn mega fans, hit up Joe & Steph’s at Harvey Nichols
Customise your own gourmet popcorn and have it made fresh in front of you.
Expect to see flavours like toffee apple and cinnamon to white chocolate and caramel – plus their brand new salted caramel and camembert cheese option.
Open now, 10am-8pm Monday to Saturday until December 23.
Enjoy a hot toddy at the Stambecco x Aubaine Winter Terrace
It’s that time of year where nothing is quite so comforting as a warming night cap.
Head to Covent Garden to pick up a £10 hot toddy, or a host of other options if that doesn’t take your fancy.
Open now from 11am-10pm.
Beauty & fashion
Get your makeup fix at the House of Eldridge
Over in Covent Garden, renowned celebrity makeup artist Lisa Eldridge has just opened her first pop-up in the captial.
Covent Garden is a beauty hotspot, with the likes of Glossier having opened there pre-pandemic.
Given how rapid fire her lipsticks sell out online, you can now see what all fuss is about in person. Be prepared to spend.
Open now from 11am to 7pm all week, aside from Sundays when the store closes at 6pm.
Make it personal with Pantherella at Liberty London
The older you get, the more socks appeal as a present.
For two days, you can get your fancy sock presents sorted all with monogramming for free on Pantherella pairs.
Head to the menswear department on the Lower Ground Floor in Liberty and pick up a pair of socks, then get them personalised for free.
Opens December 10-12 between 1pm and 7pm.
Design your own crystal jewellery with The Alkemistry
Crystals are still having their moment in the sun.
Whether you believe they have healing powers or you just like the way they look, go to Selfridges’ Ground Floor Luxury Accessories Hall to The Alkemistry Crystal Apothecary.
This might be a time for self-gifting, given the luxe pricing.
Open now until the end of the year.
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