Regent Street is preparing for one of its most anticipated holiday moments as the central London shopping destination goes traffic-free in early December.
The closure will take place on Saturday, December 6, when vehicles will be stopped from entering the stretch between Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus.
The traffic-free period runs from 2pm to 9pm, offering visitors seven hours to enjoy a transformed festive environment.
A major highlight of the event will be three vintage red London buses positioned along what is being called the Regent Street Festive Mile.
Each bus will host its own themed activity designed to provide Christmas-themed fun for families, shoppers, and tourists.
One of the buses will serve as The Spirit of Christmas Selfie Station, giving visitors the chance to take an elevated festive photo.
The top deck is being purposely set up to allow people to capture selfies framed by the famous ‘Spirit of Christmas’ lights that stretch across Regent Street every year.
Organisers have also ensured that the bus features a platform that accommodates visitors with accessibility needs, making the attraction more inclusive.
A second bus will be transformed into the Choose Love Disco Bus, hosted by the charity Choose Love.
The organisation, known for supporting refugees and displaced people, plans to bring music and dancing to the heart of London’s West End.
Choirs and DJs will perform live on the bus, giving visitors the opportunity to dance beneath the illuminated canopy of Christmas lights.
The third vintage bus will be dedicated to crafting, hosting The Gift Wrap Station and Festive Crafts Bus.
Visitors will be able to design wreaths and create small festive items, giving the experience a hands-on creative element.
There will also be a free gift-wrapping service, available for those who have completed their Christmas shopping on Regent Street or in St James’s.
Shoppers simply need to show a same-day receipt to have their purchases wrapped for the holidays.
The traffic-free event will also feature roaming entertainers bringing added Christmas cheer to the area.
Visitors can expect to see stilt walkers, juggling jesters, comedic butlers, and even the famous Hamleys’ elves interacting with families and children.
Food stalls will be available throughout the afternoon and evening, offering hot chocolate, fudge, non-alcoholic mulled wine, and other winter treats.
A special pop-up will also be open on the day to mark its 10-year anniversary, giving shoppers even more reason to explore the festive street.
Choose Love will also operate what it calls ‘The Ultimate Charity Shop,’ where customers can purchase items that directly fund essential supplies and emergency relief for refugees.
Alongside charity merchandise, the store will sell luxury beauty and fashion pieces donated by well-known designers at discounted prices.
The charity shop will offer free gift-wrapping on December 11, 14, and 20, extending festive services beyond the main Regent Street traffic-free event.
For those wanting to combine the festive experience with dining, the surrounding areas offer numerous options.
Nearby Heddon Street features internationally inspired dishes from venues including Fonda, Casa do Frango, Sabor, and Piccolino.
A short walk to Swallow Street brings additional choices such as Bentley’s and Gaucho, both popular destinations for winter dining.
The post Everything to Know as Regent Street Set for Traffic-Free Festive Celebration on December 6 appeared first on Gooner Daily.
