Marylebone Village will celebrate the start of the festive period with its annual Christmas lights switch-on event, Merry Marylebone, taking place on Wednesday 13 November, 3-8pm. The Christmas lights will be switched on at 6pm, while the fun-filled event will see special late-night shopping offers and activations, market stalls, family friendly festive workshops, a Ferris wheel, a Santa’s grotto, roaming music, a charity tombola, and more.

A range of seasonal activities will be in full swing suitable for families, including bauble painting and wreath making workshops:
For more details and to book your space on the Christmas bauble painting workshop (£25pp), visit here.
For more details and to book your space on the wreath making workshops (£25pp), visit here.

The event is organised by the Howard de Walden Estate in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity) this year. All proceeds made from the festive activities – including the Santa’s Grotto and creative workshops – will be donated to GOSH Charity to help give seriously ill children the best chance, and childhood, possible.

Funds raised for the charity this festive season will help staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) bring joy to the wards and create magical memories – whether through bedside carols or Christmas parties. It will also help fund support services like free accommodation so loved ones can be there from the 5am stocking unwrapping to bedtime stories on Christmas night.

The pedestrianised Marylebone High Street and Paddington Street will be lined with 25 market stalls and street food vendors which includes Viennese delights from Fischer’s; Persian dishes from Naroon; Italian charcuterie from The Italians; pizza from LAVO; oysters and wine from Blandford Comptoir; and pick up a glass of mulled wine from 28-50. For gifts, explore Bayley & Sage’s stall for perfect Christmas present sets, Mejuri for timeless jewellery pieces, and Seal Skinz for all weather accessories.

Visitors can also enjoy a range of offers and experiences from a host of Marylebone Village retailers and restaurants:

Caroline Gardner – pop in for mince pies and bubbles, plus the two winning cards of the Merry Marylebone Christmas Card Competition run with local schools (Founder Caroline is part of the judging panel) will be displayed in store
David Mellor – enjoy a 20% discount off David Mellor designs in-store on the night
TAKA – grab a takeaway mug of mulled wine and one of their signature Katsu Sandos
Theory – receive a complimentary illustrated gift box when purchasing cashmere or gifting in-store
Third Space – take part in their ski mountain challenge and grab a snack on your way out
31 Below – book a spot for complimentary drinks and nibbles between 6-7pm. Spaces are limited to 75 people only. RSVP required for entry (name and number of guests): marylebone@31below.co.uk

More activities and offers will be announced in due course. The ever-popular charity tombola is also back and offers the chance to win fantastic prizes from a host of Marylebone Village brands.

Merry Marylebone launches on Wednesday 13 November and will continue throughout the festive season with a series of special seasonal promotions, and further activations that will all be announced shortly. For full event information, participating brands, updates and activations, visit Marylebonevillage.com and follow @MaryleboneVillage.