The magic of Christmas on Sloane Street

The festivities kick off on the afternoon of Saturday 19 November, as the neighbourhood sparkles to life with the Chelsea Christmas Lights Switch-On, that will see Father Christmas make a return to a special Diptyque-scented grotto on Sloane Square and a spectacular fireworks display illuminate the sky above the King’s Road, which will be pedestrianised for the second year running.

On that exciting day, there will be roaming performances across the neighbourhood and captivating festive entertainment on the King’s Road stage, as well as a Christmas edition of the weekly Fine Food Market, where you can shop for festive foodie gifts as you sip on a warming cup of glühwein or hot chocolate (be sure to walk through the magical festive arcade at Duke of York Square (DOYS) on your way there).

Creative sorts will love the makers’ workshops with Hole & Corner in which they can blow their own glass Christmas baubles, make pretty marbled wrapping paper and upcycling decorations from used materials. And little ones will love having their faces painted and seeing Rudolph and all his reindeer pals on the running track outside the Saatchi Gallery.

The much-loved horse and carriage rides will be back to transport you up and down Sloane Street (just ask the elf outside Kate Spade on Symons Street for details), and your favourite boutiques and restaurants will have unmissable offers, refreshments and mince pies throughout the day of the 19th, making this the perfect time to get a jump-start on your Christmas shopping.

Until Christmas Eve, you can try your hand at Bavarian curling at a mini ice rink on Sloane Square. Sessions can be booked online for groups of eight (£7.50 pp), or by turning up on the day for individuals. Stop by the Sloane Square Winter Terrace until Christmas Eve for more al fresco refreshments before or after your game.

While you’re on the Street, drop by The Carlton Tower Jumeirah on the 19th to warm up with a complimentary hot chocolate or mulled wine from the Trolley of Treats, and drop into the new Diptyque flagship (open 18 November 2022) for a glass of Champagne as you shop for gifts that can be personalised with engraving in store.

Visit chelseachristmas.co.uk for the full programme of festive fun.

Other unmissable festive season treats include Anya’s Grotto at Anya’s Village on Pont Street, just off Sloane Street, where you’ll find a fully decked out Christmas shop stocking limited-edition Anya hampers, decorations and consciously crafted gifts. At Anya’s Cafe across the road, you can refuel with mince pies, igloo Christmas cakes, collectable biscuit tins, and gingerbread men.

Make a reservation to enjoy the special festive menus at The Botanist, Sloane Place or Harry’s Dolce Vita throughout the season and, if you don’t feel like cooking on the big day itself, you can book a table at The LaLee, The Fuji Grill or Al Mare for a very special Christmas dining experience (hot tip: reservations for New Year’s Eve are open, too).

If the religious traditions of Christmas are special to you, Holy Trinity on Sloane Street (dubbed the Cathedral of the Arts and Crafts movement by poet Sir John Betjeman), will host carol services on Advent Sunday (Sunday 27 November), and by candlelight on Sunday 18 December, as well as a midnight mass on Christmas Eve and a sung eucharist the next day.

The sounds of Christmas will come to life at Cadogan Hall, where there is something for everyone in its seasonal listings, including a concert of Carols by Candlelight staged in full 18th-century costume on Friday 23 December; Handel’s Messiah, performed by the English Chamber Orchestra on Sunday 4 December; and the NSPCC’s annual concert in aid of Childline, where Michael Ball and others will perform, which will take place on Tuesday 13 December.

We hope you’ll join us on the Street during this special time of year.