Christmas shoppers are in for a treat as London’s West End village, Seven Dials, officially goes live with Christmas merriments to coincide with shops, cafes and restaurants reopening.
Following Government restrictions lifting on 2 December, visitors to the iconic village can visit Father Christmas and his elves at his festive grotto located on 19 Earlham Street from 5 December, every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday until Christmas. A ‘live’ window display, the only one in London’s West End, will give families the chance to catch a glimpse of Father Christmas hard at work. There are also prizes on offer for those that spot, snap and share pictures on social media of Father Christmas out and about in the streets of Seven Dials.
And that’s not all, packing even more merry mirth, visitors can enjoy the return ‘Seven Dials Unplugged’, live, acoustic music performances from some of the best of the UK’s up and coming artists every Thursday and Saturday– from 5th December. To adhere to social distancing guidelines and avoid crowding, all performances will last only 15 minutes taking place simultaneously in a number of different outdoor locations throughout the intertwined streets, encouraging visitors to walk and listen to multiple performances at once
To coincide with the festive window display and live music performances, Seven Dials is partnering with local charity, Dragon Hall Trust who support members of the community in food poverty, including those who are in quarantine or vulnerable, older people and disadvantaged families, children and young people during the holidays and beyond. All activities will have a tap & donate point where passers-by can donate to the charity to support their vital work and assisting those in need to celebrate Christmas.
Christmas shoppers can also enjoy and admire Seven Dials’ Christmas light display throughout the area. This year’s traditional scheme sees the area adorned with sparkling lights zig zagging down the streets of Seven Dials with festive wreaths with colourful baubles marking the start and finish of Earlham and Neal Street. The famous Dial is dressed in a halo of branch lights, accented with coloured baubles and silver birch sprays.
From 2nd December, many restaurants will be getting into the Christmas Spirit with Seven Dials Market stuffed and ready with Christmas Markets, cheese fondue and wine nights, bottomless brunch, one-off festive dishes and cocktails, and top it off carols galore. Alongside Chick N Sours, The Barbary, and Apple Butter are amongst others welcoming shoppers back with festive menus and outdoor seating. Furthermore, many of Seven Dials independent brands will be reopen from this week giving Christmas shoppers the opportunity to purchase presents for friends and family from their favourite retailers
Commenting on this year’s plans, Karen Baines, Head of Group Marketing & Communication at Shaftesbury, “We recognise that it has been a very difficult year for everyone, which is why we are more delighted than ever to announce the range of Christmas festivities taking place in Seven Dials this year. From Father Christmas’ grotto to our Seven Dials Unplugged live acoustic music sessions there is something for everyone to enjoy safely. We look forward to safely welcoming you back to the area and being part of your Christmas again.”
Nicole Furre, Director at Dragon Hall Trust said, “We are pleased to be the chosen Christmas charity partner for Seven Dials this year. Donations received from the public will provide emergency food to those in need and support the local community throughout Christmas and into 2021.”
