London lights up in December, flooding its busy streets of shoppers with a festive glow that seems to supersede its reputation year on year. These are London’s best Christmas trees in 2024.
2024 has set the Christmas tree standard high (again), with a beautifully decorated creations across the capital, from The Londoner’s sophisticated collaboration with bridal designer Kate Halfpenny to Sir Paul Smith’s colourful and quirky take at Claridge’s. Here are a few of our favourites.
The Londoner x Kate Halfpenny
The Londoner hotel and bespoke bridal-wear designer Kate Halfpenny have joined creative forces for an elegant Christmas tree this year. Adorning The Londoner’s warm-toned hotel lobby in a white glow and with strings of fairy lights and oversized, ivory silk-satin ribbons crafted from bridal offcuts, this Christmas tree celebrates the joy of romance that goes hand-in-hand with the festive period. Cleverly, Kate Halfpenny has swapped traditional baubles with monochrome disc gold coins as a pun on her name. Enjoy the minimalist-chic tree from The Londoner’s Champagne Bar, The Stage, with two limited edition cocktails curated in collaboration with Miller Harris‘ bridal fragrance Secret Gardenia, that borrow the delicate citrus and floral notes of the scent.
Park Hyatt London River Thames x FLOWERBX
Riverside hotel Park Hyatt London River Thames has partnered with FLOWERBX for a show-stopping Christmas tree decked in metallics; yellow gold and rose gold on the tree match the hotel’s regal entrance and signature Charlie Whinney lobby sculpture. FLOWERBX is a boutique florist founded by ex-Senior Vice President of Communications at TOM FORD, Whitney Bromberg Hawkins, celebrating the timeless and elegant simplicity of single-variety flower bouquets and arrangements. The florist’s signature gold-dipped hydrangeas are scattered across the pine branches of this tree, adding a botanical depth and unique focal points to the large tree. To continue the festive cheer, this elegant collaboration seeps further than the glow of the tree’s fairy lights and into Park Hyatt London River Thames’ calendar of experiences this month; on Saturday 7 December and Wednesday December, FLOWERBX will host a bespoke wreath making class for guests to enjoy.
The Connaught x Conrad Shawcross RA
The Connaught has officially started Mount Street’s festive charm with a towering Nordmann Fir tree guarding the hotel’s equally Christmassy entrance. For 2024, The Connaught has partnered with artist Conrad Shawcross who is known for his mathematical precision and geometrical patterns to explore unique perceptions in art. For a tree so tall, fairy lights have given way to 90 bespoke lanterns, each made from aluminium and hand painted in silver and crafted by Conrad to fit the tree, lighting up Carlos Place with the orange-toned glow that is so symbolic of this time of year.
Battersea Power Station
Battersea Power Station truly comes alive in December with festive arts and crafts sessions for adults and Santa’s School for Elves for children. And this year’s Christmas tree at the Power Station has the energy to match. Standing an impressive 40 foot tall it displays over 1,500 baubles as well as supersized candle canes that nod to the building’s art deco heritage. Admire the multi-storey tall tree from skates while gliding across Battersea Power Station’s large ice rink before browsing Christmas markets where more than 150 independent British and international brands are selling sweet gift ideas sure to help tick off your Christmas shopping list.
Claridge's x Paul Smith
Claridge’s has long stood out in Mayfair’s luxurious hotel scene as a landmark property for both Londoner’s and visitors. The hotel’s newly unveiled Christmas tree only adds to their sparkling reputation. In collaboration with British fashion designer Sir Paul Smith, the 20 foot tree’s pastel and oranges baubles (designed by Smith) add to a traditional wintery colours scheme for extra oomph. The tree also showcases over 100 birdhouses made by acclaimed fashion designer and a birdsong chorus emanates from within, bringing relaxing tones to the hotel lobby. Christmas is undoubtably one of the most magical times at Claridge’s; swing by the beautiful tree en route to The Foyer for one of the hotel’s signature afternoon teas.
The Dorchester
The Dorchester has officially kicked off its ‘The Magic of Christmas’ theme for 2024 with a beautiful array of festive decorations – both inside and outside the hotel. There’s also a programme of festive events in support of its official charity partner, Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice. To help usher you inside – not that we need the encouragement, of course – stands a 15 foot, UK-grown Nordmann spruce, under the lobby’s beautiful chandelier. The Dorchester’s festive ornaments, including the Christmas tree, have been curated by the hotel’s in-house designer florist Philip Hammond with a tasteful take on the traditional, as is signature of the property.
Pan Pacific London
Pan Pacific always showcases a tall tree, and this year is no different. At 67 feet tall, decorating this tree is no mean feat. In order to cover the expansive facade, the tree has been strung with 65,000 lights and 800 red and gold baubles illuminated by Dame Joan Collins – a classic finish but one that will still stop you in the street for a few seconds. This tree is best admired from Pan Pacific’s Ginger Lily Lounge with a Pierre Marcolini hot chocolate in hand.
Covent Garden
Covent Garden at Christmas is always magical. The piazza glistens with twinkling lights, Christmas tunes echo out of nearby shops and stalls, and the impressive centrepiece tree stands at an impressive 55 feet tall, adorned with 30,000 LED lights. The tree itself is magnificent, but its also part of a larger display that will see the entire Covent Garden area sparkle with a total of 260,000 LED lights, nearly doubling the previous year’s count and creating an iconic seasonal glow throughout the square. There’s plenty to get involved in, including pop-up events, family-friendly activities, surprise performances, Santa’s sleigh, “Festive Thursdays” and Christmas Candlelight concerts, all with the Covent Garden Christmas tree a focal point of a quintessential London Christmas experience. Sheena Bhattessa
Lead image: The Dorchester
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