London's West End shines bright with magical Christmas window displays

1 December 2022: Christmas has officially arrived at London’s West End with the magical transformation of festive store fronts. From iconic British department stores to Christmas themed pop-ups, winter in the West End brings out the most creative shop windows.

This year sees the return of lavish festive facades of iconic department stores such as Harrods, Liberty London and Fortnum & Masons. They are joined by the quirky and eccentric Christmas displays at Mr Fogg’s Tavern, Carnaby Street and everyone’s favourite toy shop, Hamleys.

With twinkling Christmas light displays from Oxford Street to Seven Dials and over 250 stores to choose from, there is no better place to get in the festive spirit or do a bit of Christmas shopping than London’s West End.  

This Christmas, Visit London has rounded up the West End’s top 10 must-see window displays to feast your eyes on this winter season.

1. Fortnum & Mason  
   
   

Countdown to Christmas like you have never done before at Fortnum & Mason. The iconic store in the heart of Piccadilly is celebrating the festive season on a grand scale with their famous façade having been transformed into one gigantic advent calendar. A simple walk by the store will see visitors rapidly catch the festive fever with the merry clock tuned to play a collection of cheery melodies.

2. Harvey Nichols

Harvey Nichols is bringing the party this year with their gleaming store front filled with all the sparkles, mirrors and metallics that hearts desire. Their window displays provide inspiration to festive partygoers with mannequins showcasing the latest outfit inspirations straight from the runway, alongside dazzling gift ideas.

3. Selfridges London
   
   

Season’s Feastings! Christmas at Selfridges is all about celebrating the power of food in bringing people together. With 15 windows decorated with brightly lit leafy arches, this year’s theme might even put the Grinch in a festive spirit. Installations with inflated potatoes, plentiful brussels sprouts, and bowls filled to the brim with grandma’s gravy, the window displays have been designed to delight and amuse.

4. Ritz London

If it takes lights, baubles, and wreaths to officially mark the start of the festive season, then consider the Ritz’s halls decked! Piccadilly never looked so bright with décor and Christmas trees lined up across the building. And if visiting Santa’s Grotto has ever been on your childhood wish list, you can finally cross it off with the Hamleys x The Ritz London Christmas Grotto. Guaranteed to ignite your festive spirit, immerse yourself in the enchanted world of Hamleys elves and Ritz Page Boys to make this Christmas one to remember.

5. Cartier

 Cartier has made a comeback with their extravagant red bow which engulfs the entire building – giving you the illusion you’re seeing a giant present right before your eyes. Alongside bright Christmas trees lined across the doors and their signature gold panther illuminations flying high on the windows, Cartier’s display brings chic and elegance to the Christmas table.

6. Ralph Lauren

Nothing announces the start of Christmas quite like a five-meter-tall Nordmann Fir tree, and Ralph Lauren has done just that. Standing outside its flagship store, the tree compliments the festive feels surrounding the area with wreaths and lit up arches. Ralph Lauren also capture the spirit of kindness this holiday season with the new royal-inspired Christmas lights honouring The Royal Marsden Cancer charity. Visitors are encouraged to make donations in the store and create personalised ornaments to hang on the tree.

7. Mr Fogg’s Tavern

Mr Fogg’s Tavern in Covent Garden has truly embodied the festive season. Its entrance is adorned with red roses, green leaves, candy canes and lollipops – it's as Instagrammable as it gets. However, the festive fun does not end there with activities such as gin safaris that will provide you with gleeful get-togethers and exuberant evenings with family and friends.

8. Hamleys

No one does Christmas quite like Hamleys and this year it’s reindeers galore! The Regent Street display features large reindeers filled with multiple miniature reindeers, giving you a taste of the festive fun you can experience when visiting the store. However, it won’t take much to persuade you to enter as Hamleys elves are at the entrance to welcome you into the magical world that’s Santa’s grotto which includes presents and fun workshops for all to enjoy.

9. Harrods

You can’t discuss Christmas window displays without Harrods, and this year’s décor demonstrates exactly why. The Fabulous World of Dior at Harrods brings the magnificence of the fashion house to life with numerous activations like pop-ups and cafes. However, the real magic starts outside. The entire building has beautifully been transformed into a gingerbread house decorated with a big bright compass rose, lucky stars, and flowers that brightens up Brompton Road.

10. Choose Love

Christmas at Carnaby Street has never been a standard fare and this year is no different. With 14 different themes that illuminate all the stores in the area, Choose Love shines bright and captures 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.

-ENDS- 

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