Shine bright: Knightsbridge lights up London

Adding to the magic for Christmas 2022 is the fact that Knightsbridge, as a district, has its very own lights display for the first time. Unveiled in late November, the festive displays (all made from recycled aluminium frames) include 40 lamp posts, seven dressed trees and some 24,000 LED lights showcasing the latest in low-energy technology. You can catch the lights from Wilton Place to Brompton Square.

To get visitors even more in the festive spirit, there will be pop-up carol singers on Saturday 10 December. These include performances from Stelle Natale, a collection of singers from London’s prestigious music conservatoires who have performed at the likes of the Royal Opera House, English National Opera and Glyndebourne. There’s also Hartley Voices, a collection of talented opera, musical theatre and choral singers who make up one of the best-loved Christmas singers in the country. You can catch them between 13:30 – 16:45 on Brompton Road, outside Knightsbridge Station, and Hans Crescent.

Then, of course, you have the many landmark hotels of Knightsbridge, who always pull out all the stops when it comes to festive displays. This year, the Mandarin Oriental has gone for traditional greenery and lights on the exterior, with cosy interiors and roaring fireplaces inside. The Lanesborough’s display, on the other hand, is a strikingly modern scheme featuring giant, origami-like cascading snowflakes and a minimalist white Christmas tree. Tony Marklew, the designer behind its Lucky Star installation, described it as a ‘magical and sparkling environment which nods to childhood and romantic tales of the likes of The Snow Queen’. Around the corner, The Berkeley hotel has also gone for a shimmering effect, with thousands of white lights dangling above the main entrance step, which look simply entrancing come nightfall.