St James's London - The countdown is on in glowing St James’s.

From distinctive gift ideas to creating your own festive cheer, the countdown to Christmas is on in glowing St James’s.

Christmas Lights Switch On 2019 An unparalleled way to start the season is with the iconic Christmas lights illumination on Thursday 14th of November, the spirits found in St James’s are part of the largest light scheme in London, soaring from St James’s up the full length of Regent Street. Enjoy the vibrant switch on moment on Regent Street before exploring a traffic-free Jermyn Street under a warm canopy of light, complete with festive entertainment on every corner. Over 90 Shops, restaurants and galleries are staying open until late hosting one-off in-store surprises throughout both Regent Street and St James’s. Discover more about this unmissable night here

A Christmas Like No Other The lights are just the beginning of Christmas in St James’s. The festive season is always that little bit different in our corner of London. To bring that special touch to your home, get hands-on at a workshop inside one of St James’s cosy shops complete with festive fizz. Craft Christmas wreaths at the Beau Brummell gastropub, personalised baubles for the tree at Jigsaw, or calligraphy Christmas cards at Aspinal of London. And if you’re not a maker, don’t worry: we’re putting together a guide to help you find that perfectly unexpected gift or experience, all with a twist on the traditional. Peruse our complimentary workshops here

St James’s Christmas Market A very special way to kick off seasonal shopping while enjoying some yuletide cheer is to visit the Christmas Market. The market brings together a hand-picked selection of retailers from St James's alongside carefully curated independents on Saturday 7th of December. Wander the colourful stalls for a range of accessories and hand-crafted goods and enjoy artisanal food and drink as you watch Christmas Carols. Need to cosy up? Grab a spot on the heated terrace of The Beau Brummell or indulge in delicious fare from one of St James’s market's international eateries. Find out more about our Christmas Market here

London Art Week Returns The winter edition of London Art Week is back and St James's is at the heart of it. From 1st-6th of December, some of St James's best galleries invite you to learn more about art dating from Antiquity to Twenty-First Century through talks, event and the workshops. Unmissable is the Old Master Paintings exhibition at Christie's, showcasing art from some of the greatest names in history. Fans of watercolours will enjoy Guy Peppiatt’s gallery in characterful Mason’s Yard. And if learning about history of art piques your interest, make sure you visit The Weiss Gallery at 59 Jermyn Street. Find details of participating galleries in St James's here

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First image is courtesy of @a_ontheroad (Alex Zoughi)