Christmas at Covent Garden: Switch on and new festive theme

The central London district’s festivities will kick off on November 7 when the area’s many glittering lights will be switched on.

For the first time in nearly a decade, Covent Garden has changed up its decorations, and will dress up the listed Market Building with more than 40 gigantic bells with bows, 12 giant baubles and eight spinning mirror balls bedazzled with more than 29 miles of gold leaf and 275 kilos of glitter. 

Covent Garden’s light switch on takes place on November 7 (Image: Covent Garden)

A team of 70 people have spent the last 18 months creating these decorations in a studio in London, with bells weighing close to five tonnes.

Covent Garden will still have its show-stopping Christmas tree, a whooping 60-foot British grown beauty that will be lavishly adorned with 30,000 LED lights and more than 200 new giant gold baubles. 

The estate will sparkle more than ever, with more than 140,000 LED lights lighting up the Piazza, Seven Dials and the surrounding streets. 

The switch on marks the start of a seven-week festive programme filled with fun stuff such as surprise performances, daily snow fall, family photo opportunities and shopping events galore.

Covent Garden will also host festive food and drink festivals, including the Winter Warmer Festival, filled with mulled wine and hot drinks, and look out for the festive sandwich festival also. 

Story Cellar, The Barbary, Balthazar and The Petersham are among the many Covent Garden restaurants putting on festive menus. 

Around 75 outdoor terraces will have their heating turned up high throughout November and December, so the neighbourhood’s charm can be enjoyed even when the cold weather sets in.

Ave Mario, Frenchie, La Goccia, SUSHISAMBA and VyTa will have their gas cannisters full and blankets at the ready. 

For more information visit coventgarden.london