ONE of the most famous streets in London is going car-free for one very festive day.
Without the hassle of dodging cars and going up and down the pavements, it means you can shop and even dance on a party bus well into the evening.
On Saturday, December 6, Regent Street will close to traffic and will be turned into a winter wonderland.
All of the festive mile will be completely walkable between 2pm and 9pm and as well as exploring the shops, there will be plenty of other fun festive activities too.
Parked up on Regent Street will be three vintage red buses with a different surprise in each.
In one will be The Spirit of Christmas Selfie Station where there will be an ‘Instagrammable’ selfie spot on the top deck with the backdrop of the iconic angel light displays.
On another vintage bus will be a disco from ‘Choose Love’ where you can enjoy a boogie under flashing lights.
There will also be live music from choirs and DJs who bring the festive cheer.
Then make sure to check out The Gift Wrap and Festive Crafts Bus where you’ll find all sorts from wreath making or children’s Christmas crafting – you might have to book in advance for some so head here for more info.
If you’ve bought some gifts from the shops along Regent Street, take them onto the bus and take advantage of the free wrapping station.
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Just show the receipt from a Regent Street or St James’s store and leave with a perfectly wrapped present.
This is the first time since 2020 that the busy shopping street has closed for a Christmas shopping afternoon.
Some of your favourite shops are holding special offers too – at NEOM you can have a go on the spin-to-win wheel.
If you land on the right spot, you’ll get your hands on some goodies and enjoy a complimentary travel candle (with any £20 purchase).
Marc Jacobs are having an exclusive in their shop with a DJ set and drinks.
66°North are giving out drinks to customers and if you choose to dine at Ziggy Green – the Soho Saint Brass Band will be playing in the background.
Or head over to Bentley’s where there will be Christmas carols on the terrace which you can listen to while sipping on mulled wine or having oysters – which you can also take away.
For Christmas, The Choose love Shop will return to Regent Street as part of the charity’s 10th birthday.
Free gift wrapping will also be available in-store on December 11, 14, 20 – all that’s needed is a valid receipt from a shop in Regent Street or St James’s.
While this experience is just for one day, the road in the West End that runs between Piccadilly Circus and St James’s Park.
As part of the proposal, Regent Street St James would be prioritised for pedestrians, and Haymarket would become a two-way street for motors.
Some surrounding side streets would be restricted for vehicles too in order to make space for pedestrians, and possibly outdoor cafes too.
It will introduce safer cycling routes, better pedestrian crossings and the removal of the central island on Regent Street itself.
Other areas that could become car-free include Oxford Street and Camden.
Here’s what you’ll find at Winter Wonderland this year…
Winter Wonderland in London – which was recently named the UK’s best Christmas market – will launch on November 14 and run for six weeks until January 1.
Santa Land has been revamped this year with a new interactive Elves Workshop experience.
Visitors can play puzzles, spin giant cogs and help the elves bring Santa’s toys to life. Families can also uncover hidden treasures and get Santa’s autograph.
Part of the revamped Santa Land will also be a free Santa’s Grotto experience.
Visitors will head off on a journey through the new Elves Workshop and see Mrs Claus before meeting the big man himself.
Completely new for this year is the world’s first street food market just for kids.
Known as Jingle Bell Bistro, inside elves have collected the top foodie finds from across the globe for kids to enjoy.
Whilst the Magical Ice Kingdom is nothing new, it will have a new theme this year – ‘A Mystical, Mythical Fantasy World’.
Visitors will be able to adventure through the Four Realms of Earth, Fire, Air and Water, which will all be made from 500 tonnes of snow and ice by sculptors from the UK and Belgium.
The Magical Ice Kingdom is rather chilly at -10C and it is one of Europe‘s largest ice attractions.
Over in the much-loved Bavarian Village – where there is usually live music, traditional German food and mulled wine – there will be a new Apres-Ski themed village.
Here visitors will be able to grab a festive-themed drink, bratwursts and enjoy live DJ sets.
The iconic Luminarie light arches were introduced to Winter Wonderland back in 2015, but this year will feature a new extension with an additional 50,260 LED bulbs.
It will also feature a market selling unique and traditional festive gifts.
This year the award-winning Cirque Berserk will return with their “most thrilling exclusive show yet” called Ignite.
It will include a number of daredevil performers, including motorbike stunts and fire acts.