London Heritage Quarter partners with The Lumistella Company, come of The Elf on the Shelf® Santaverse® to unveil free festive programme featuring a public art trail of giant Scout Elves, a miniature railway installation and sparkling Christmas lights across central London
- Christmas is coming to the historic centre of London in November, with London Heritage Quarter unveiling a season of festive experiences across the capital’s most iconic landmarks
- A public art trail featuring 12 giant Scout Elves will appear at 12 locations, including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Cathedral and Trafalgar Square
- Children can meet the Scout Elves and send a letter to Santa to join his Nice List, with the chance to win magical family experiences at London’s world-class institutions
- Christmas lights will sparkle from 12 November, illuminating the Strand and Villiers Street for festive selfies
- A Hornby® miniature railway art installation will arrive at Victoria Station, featuring detailed recreations of London’s best-known landmarks
29th October, London: London’s most famous landmarks are set for a festive takeover this Christmas, as London Heritage Quarter announces an upcoming programme of free experiences to raise money for charity, featuring a trail of giant Scout Elves, sparkling Christmas lights and a miniature railway art installation showcasing London’s iconic landmarks.
The festive centrepiece will be London’s first-ever The Elf on the Shelf® Trail, set to surprise city visitors in November. Spanning 1.945km² across the heart of the capital, the trail will feature 12 larger-than-life elf sculptures standing 1.9 metres tall, inviting families to discover the mischievous Christmas characters in unexpected places such as Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament.
Designed by a team of artists, each hand-painted Scout Elf will have its own colourful design, from cosy Christmas jumpers to twinkling stars and snowflakes. Families can follow the trail, spotting the Scout Elves as they explore some of London’s most famous sights.
With Santa on the lookout for good deeds, children can join his famous Nice List by sending a letter through his Scout Elves along the trail. By sharing their acts of kindness, from helping a sibling to lending a hand at home, they’ll have the chance to win festive family experiences at some of London’s world-class institutions and retailers. Those seeking out the trail will also have the opportunity to give back this Christmas by supporting a charity helping those in need.
Adding to the festive magic, London Heritage Quarter’s Christmas lights will switch on across the Strand and Villiers Street on 12 November. Featuring 96,000 LED lights across the historic streets, the displays will create a sparkling backdrop for festive selfies and evening visits to the capital.
And with millions travelling home by train to spend Christmas with their families, beloved British model railway brand Hornby® will bring a touch of early childhood nostalgia to Victoria Station. A miniature railway art installation will wind its way past recreations of some of London’s most recognisable landmarks, including Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Nelson’s Column and 10 Downing Street. The installation will be unveiled at a Christmas tree light switch-on in Victoria, as the area’s festive tree is lit for the first time.
Whether it’s a special weekend in London or an after-work visit to soak up the festive atmosphere, the programme offers another reason to explore the Quarter. The Christmas season will take place across London Heritage Quarter, which stretches from Belgravia and Victoria through Westminster, Whitehall and the Strand, bringing together some of London’s most recognisable landmarks alongside its shops, restaurants and cultural attractions for Christmas.
Ruth Duston OBE, Chief Executive Officer at London Heritage Quarter, said: “Christmas is such a special time in London, and this year we’re bringing extra magic to some of the capital’s most famous landmarks. It’s all about making memories, especially for little ones, and giving families something special to enjoy together. We hope as many people as possible come along to enjoy the festive programme, help raise money for charity and seek out the world-class restaurants and shops that make London so special.”
Further details about The Elf on the Shelf® Christmas trail and Hornby® railway installation will be revealed in the coming weeks.