Find out what’s happening in December, from festive activities and free events to special offers and new openings. On this page: Events & Ways to Get Involved, Dining & Entertainment, and Operations, Insights & Security.
Events & Ways to Get Involved
Festive Steam Train Installation at Victoria Station – All aboard the North Pole Express! Visit our display from 11 to 15 December and grab some chocolate too. Plus, meet Santa Claus daily from 12pm to 4pm.
Festive Fairy Workshops – In celebration of our new fairy Christmas lights on Strand, we’re hosting a series of children’s themed workshops at The Trafalgar St James, The Clermont Charing Cross and Strand Palace Hotel on 8, 14, and 15 December, respectively.
Deliver Christmas Hampers across Westminster – Help us and the Sir Simon Milton Foundation spread Christmas cheer by distributing hampers to over 800 residents with support and care needs. There’s a particular need for drivers & vehicles and volunteering slots available from 9 to 13 December.
Online Advent Calendar – Open the doors throughout December for a chance to win a brilliant selection of prizes from local businesses including hotel stays, theatre tickets, afternoon teas, gym classes, vouchers for top brands and so much more.
Christmas Lights in London Heritage Quarter – Discover our new fairy lights on Strand and Villiers Street, and find Christmas trees on Westminster Cathedral Piazza, Christchurch Gardens and Victoria Tower Gardens. Don’t forget to tag us on social media!
Complete our Sustainability Strategy & Action Plan Survey – Our landmark sustainability project is underway! Share your thoughts to shape the 10-point plan and 2030 net zero roadmap.
Low Carbon District Heat Network is Coming to Westminster – Project SWAN, a £1bn sustainable energy network, will utilise low carbon sources like the River Thames and TfL ventilation shafts. Tap the link to find out more and how your business can get involved.
Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree Lighting-up Ceremony – Gifted from Norway, the magnificent spruce tree has returned and Lord Mayor, Cllr Robert Rigby, will host the Lighting-up Ceremony on 5 December from 5pm.
Carol Singing on Trafalgar Square – Carol singing will take place daily by the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree. Tap the link to see the full schedule.
Win Big At Victoria London this Christmas – Spot an adventurous elf popping-up with gifts and prizes in Cardinal Place, Nova and Victoria Street
Big Bus Christmas Lights Tour – Explore sparkling Christmas lights, the towering Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, and the sights of Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, along with festive facts and stories.
Events at The RSA – Celebrate the season at a Festive Gathering on 10 December with drinks, a London Larder buffet, and great company. Feeling creative? Craft your own clay Christmas decorations at Sculpt & Sip on 18 December.
Christmas Market on Westminster Cathedral Piazza – Pop along to a traditional Christmas market with 20 market stalls selling goods and seasonal takeaway food on 11 December from 10am to 5pm.
Christmas Carol Service by Candlelight with The Passage – Light a candle and sing along with the fantastic St. Margaret’s Choir. Celebrity guests will also give festive readings in the beautiful surroundings of St Margaret’s Church on 13 December from 6pm to 7pm.
Give Back this Christmas – Discover ways to support local charities through volunteering, donating, or raising awareness.
Westminster Chapel Wins for ‘Conservation’ in the NLA Awards – The ultra-low carbon refurbishment has provided a community space and café for the local community.
Dining & Entertainment
Host the Ultimate Kids & Teens Party at BAM Karaoke Box – Whatever the occasion, U18s can sing their hearts out in private karaoke rooms to 45,000+ songs, plus food and drinks!
VIP Packages at The Apollo Victoria Theatre – Upgrade your theatre experience and relax with refreshments before seeing Wicked The Musical live on stage.
Celebrate a belated Christmas party at TOZI Victoria – For the month of January, enjoy a reduced price set menu for £36pp for groups of 8 or more. For large bookings, room hire and minimum spend will be waived when booking the whole bar or private dining room.
January sale at The Alchemist – From Sunday to Friday throughout January, enjoy 20% off captivating cocktails and 25% off delectable dishes. Book online to redeem.
What’s Happening This Christmas? – See the full schedule of what’s on, from enchanting light displays to festive theatre performances. Plus, view our guide on Dining and Christmas Parties, find a Festive Afternoon Tea and plan your New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Save at Your Stations this Christmas – Find special offers at retail outlets in Charing Cross and Victoria Stations
New Outlets at Victoria Station – Discover fresh smoothies and juices for on-the-go nutrition with expert advice at EXALT, on the ground floor opposite the taxi rank. In Victoria Place, visit the newly opened Starbucks, and from 14 December, Oseyo, a market-leading Korean food and culture hub. German Doner Kebab will open in the upstairs food court soon.
Rockwell Bistro & Wine Bar Reopens – Offering a seamless day-to-night transition from morning coffee to evening wine and delicious food.
New Restaurant Openings – Osteria Del Mare from Bocconcino to open on Strand on 9 December, inspired by Italy’s classic osterias and authentic flavours. Flat Iron opens its doors on 10 December at Terminus Place, Victoria, serving remarkable steak, accessible to all.
New Bakeries and Patisseries – Find Sakurado Japanese Patisserie on Southampton Street and buns from home on Villiers Street by Embankment Station. Plus, try the limited edition mince pie bun from buns from home this festive season!
2 Whole Socials for £30 at Ole & Steen – Treat your friends and colleagues to deliciously Danish sharing Socials, the perfect addition to any meeting, party or event. Offer valid until 31 December.
Operations, Insights & Security
New Year’s Eve Security Briefing – The event organisers of the Mayor of London’s New Year’s Eve Celebrations 2024, Identity, will be hosting an online briefing for businesses on Monday 9th December at 3pm. RSVP to info@london-hq.co.uk.
Help Address Rough Sleeping – If you see someone sleeping rough, please take a few seconds to record the instance with StreetLink. In Westminster, your report also goes to the council’s outreach team who we work with. They use StreetLink records and other metrics, to determine how to resource the outreach team.
#ShopKind this Festive Season – This campaign is uniting the retail sector to tackle violence and abuse against shopworkers by asking people to ShopKind when in stores. ShopKind is backed by the Home Office.
West End Security Group Winter Awareness Calendar – See daily security advice and guidance across the WESG social media channels until Christmas.
Have your say on Waste and Cleansing Services in Westminster – Share experiences around Waste, Recycling and Clean Streets services, and future improvements with Westminster City Council.
Railway Guardian App – All-in-one safety app to report crime on public transport or at stations. It also provides information on what to do if you witness sexual harassment.
Bookable EV-Only Loading Bay Scheme – ‘The Kerb Platform’ is a first-of-its-kind scheme, supporting smarter, cleaner freight.
Nuisance e-bikes? Report them! – Report bikes that are causing a nuisance or parked outside designated bays here.
Regular Services
Free Business Radio Scheme – Connect to our security patrol team for help with low level anti-social and criminal behaviour.
SentrySIS – Share information and access the latest intelligence about crime, anti-social behaviour, or offenders in the area, including incidents within your premise. Information is shared with the police and Westminster City Council.
View Monthly Footfall Reports – We work in partnership with Colliers to collect footfall data across the area.
Free Janitorial Service – Our teams aim to resolve cleaning issues (spillages, litter, graffiti) within 2 hours of reporting.
