Best pop-ups to visit in London this Christmas
London becomes a hub of pop-up excitement during the festive season. Beyond ice skating and winter markets, the city welcomes unique pop-ups, ranging from nostalgic Christmas bars to immersive culinary experiences and cosy festive igloos. Here's a curated list of 14 must-visit pop-ups to discover in the city this winter.
The Sipsmith Martini Express
Sipsmith Martini Express at Covent Garden
#FLODown: Sipsmith Gin presents a festive drink experience aboard the Sipsmith Martini Express at Covent Garden. Daytime offers G&Ts, Hot Mulled Sloe, and Hot Lemon Drizzle Martinis. Evenings feature masterclasses to craft personalised martinis, delving into Covent Garden's history and gin-making, focusing on Sipsmith's gin revival contribution. Unique gin gifts available onboard.
Date: until 3 December 2023. Masterclasses run Sunday to Thursday at 6pm and 9pm. Location: East Piazza, Covent Garden, Westminster, London, WC2E 9DD. Website: sipsmith.com
Taste Film
Taste Film London. Photo by Valeria Boltneva
#FLODown: Taste Film presents cinematic culinary adventures merging food and film. Partnering with top chefs and eateries, it crafts bespoke menus complementing movie scenes. During the festive period they will be showing films including The Holiday and Home Alone.
Date: Various dates until 22 December 2023. Location: Various locations based on the movie. Price: from £75 per person. Book now.
Kitchen at Holmes Rootop Cinema
Kitchen at Holmes. Photo by Matthew Shaw.
#FLODown: The Kitchen at Holmes' festive rooftop cinema is back! Experience the Winter Movie Terrace, where cinematic charm meets culinary excellence amidst twinkling lights. Watch beloved classics like The Holiday, Miracle on 34th Street, and the action-packed Die Hard. Chef Stefano Motta's seasonal menu at Kitchen at Holmes sets the scene, offering festive food paired with Perrier Jouët Champagne, popcorn, and Christmas cocktails.
Date: 22 November – 21 December 2023. Location: 108 Baker Street, W1U 6LJ. Price: from £70 per person including a festive tasting menu. Website: kitchenatholmes.co.uk.
Sky Garden x Moët & Chandon
#FLODown: Sky Garden collaborates with Moët for an exclusive pop-up bar. Enjoy specatular city views while ALR Music and resident DJs set the festive tone. Indulge in seasonal cocktails like the Velvet Elixir, the Berry Sour, and the Fireside Royale, each priced at £16.50. Perfect for post-work gatherings or special occasions, but remember to dress warmly for the open-air space!
Location: 1 Sky Garden Walk, EC3M 8AF. Website: skygarden.london
The Great Christmas Feast
The Great Christmas Feast returns until 14 January 2024.
#FLODown: For its sixth consecutive year, The Lost Estate proudly presents its legendary festive extravaganza, The Great Christmas Feast. This immersive event whisks eager Londoners away to the enchanting Victorian streets depicted in Dickens' timeless classic, A Christmas Carol. Directed by Simon Pittman and starring Alex Phelps as Dickens, the experience in West Kensington intricately weaves live performances of the beloved tale with a lavish three-course Yuletide feast. Guided by "Charles Dickens" himself, guests delve into mesmerising set designs, cinematic live music, and Victorian-inspired dishes meticulously crafted by chef Ashley Clarke.
Date: 7 November 2023 -14 January 2024, with additional 1pm matinees on weekends and during peak weeks. Location: The Lost Estate, 9 Beaumont Avenue, London, W14 9LP. Price: £49.50 - £149.50. Book now.
Gingerbread City
Gingerbread City returns to Westfield in White City.
#FLODown: The annual Gingerbread City returns this year to Westfield in White City. London’s Museum of Architecture presents an eagerly anticipated exhibition featuring five edible miniature cities made entirely from gingerbread, each representing distinct climate zones. There is also an opportunity to immerse yourself in a Gingerbread Workshop experience, where you can create your very own masterpiece!
Date: from 2 December - 7 January 2024. Location: Westfield White City, Westfield London, W12 7GF. Price: from £18.50/£12.50.Tickets to exhibition and workshops are sold separately. Book now.
Deck the Halls at Pergola Paddington
Image: Deck the Halls at Pergola Paddington
#FLODown: Experience the magic of Christmas at Pergola Paddington's Deck The Halls. Amidst snow-dusted pines and twinkling lights in the Alpine Hall, enjoy festive parties, singalongs, candlelit evenings, and indulgent feasts. Chalets and charming woodland scenes await, while the Polar Express terrace boasts reindeer, Santa’s sleigh, and themed decorations. Sip on mulled wines, hot toddies, Pravha pilsner, and those much-needed tempting festive hot chocolates!
Date: from 9 November – January 2024. Location: 5 Kingdom Street, Paddington Central, W2 6PY. Website: pergolapaddington.com.
Fire & Fromage by Jimmy’s Pop Up
Fire & Fromage by Jimmy’s Pop Up.
#FLODown: Cheese fans, good news—Jimmy’s Pop Up is back at Southbank! Enjoy unlimited raclette by the fire pits and toast marshmallows at their raclette bar's. Snuggle up in their cosy snow globes with blankets. They also offer tasty winter cocktails and loaded hot chocolates for you to enjoy while admiring the Thames view amid the seasonal lights.
Date: 2 November - 31 December 2023. Location: Fire & Fromage, London SE1 9PP. Website: jimmyspopup.com.
Humbug Christmas
Humbug dive bar at Leake Street.
#FLODown: Humbug, an immersive Christmas dive bar in the Leake Street vaults below Waterloo Station by Secret Speakeasy, returns. Enjoy a lively two-hour show with Santa, live music, cocktails, and singalongs, followed by an after-party with DJs. Bring your Christmas A-game and help restore Santa's holiday spirit!
Date: 15 November 2023 - 6 January 2024. Performances Tuesday – Sunday at 2pm and 7pm. Location: Unit 9, Leake Street Arches, SE1 8SW. Price: from £19.50. Book now.
The Curling Club
Image: The Curling Club part of the Southbank Centre’s Winter Festival
#FLODown: This winter, The Curling Club is back with its ice-free 'casual curling' lanes, après-ski ambiance, Alpine street food, live entertainment, and festive cocktails in a snug chalet beneath Hungerford Bridge. Ideal for gathering friends for some festive fun or adding a competitive twist to an office Christmas party.
Date: 13 October 2023 - 11 February 2024. Location: Curling Club, The Queen's Walk, London, SE1. Price: from £24 per person. Book now.
Miracle at Henrietta
Miracle pop-up at Henrietta Hotel in Covent Garden. © MTotoe.
#FLODown: Step into a world of nostalgia and fun at Miracle at the Henrietta Hotel. Discover a charming retro Christmas setup with lively decorations and an array of colourful lights. Indulge in a variety of festive cocktails such as the ‘Christmapolitan,’ ‘Elfling Around,’ and ‘Snowball Old-Fashioned,’ among other options!
Date:13 November - 23 December 2023. Location: 14-15 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8PS. Website: miracleathenrietta.com.
