a festive weekend in london
The city feels different in December. Lights shimmer above the streets, theatres hum, and the scent of mulled wine drifts through Soho. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or simply looking for a little winter magic, here’s how we’d spend two days in London - from your check-in at Broadwick Soho to the final curtain call at The Nutcracker.
Day One: Check In & Explore the Lights
Drop your bags and settle into your room at Broadwick Soho. From here, you’re perfectly placed for whatever you want to do next.
Start your day with an activity - choose between skating at Somerset House, spinning around Leicester Square, or heading to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland for the full festive spectacle - fairground rides, ice bars, and all. If you’re in the mood for something quieter, the glowing trails of Christmas at Kew are worth the short journey west.
When you’re ready to warm up, London’s Christmas markets do the job well. The South Bank Winter Market is perfect for riverside strolls and mulled wine; Chelsea Winter Village brings boutique shopping and seasonal charm; or, if you’re after royal grandeur, head to the Buckingham Palace Christmas Market. For something a little more intimate, Columbia Road Christmas Wednesdays are charming - lights, mulled wine, makers, all tucked into one street.
End the evening back in Soho… perhaps a cocktail at Flute overlooking the city.
DAY TWO: CULTURE, SHOPPING & A TOUCH OF THEATRE
Mornings call for coffee at Bar Jackie before diving into London’s festive traditions.
Start at Liberty London, Selfridges, or Harrods for their world-famous window displays, then wander through Covent Garden, where the tree, performers, and warm energy set the tone for the season. Closer to home, Soho Nights offers late-evening shopping and independent finds, perfect for those who prefer something unique.
Afternoons are for performances. Choose between Elf: The Musical for a dose of nostalgia, Home Alone in Concert for a festive classic reimagined, or save the evening for the Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House, a timeless finale to your winter weekend.
Before the show, return to Broadwick Soho for pre-theatre dining at Dear Jackie - handmade pasta, rich wines, and a little pause before the magic begins.
Two days in a city that never stops moving. However you spend your festive weekend, Broadwick Soho is your perfect base: right in the heart of it all, and just steps from everything that makes London so magical this time of year.