Caroling London in 48 Hours

Travel Destinations

Audio By Carbonatix

With Halloween in the rearview mirror and Thanksgiving barely on the horizon, our sights are already set across the Atlantic. This December, our friends Keith and Kristyn Getty have invited us to their famous Christmas concert but this year not here at legendary Carnegie Hall but rather at equally historic London’s Royal Albert Hall—a festive performance that transforms one of the world’s most storied stages into a cathedral of carol and light.

And since London knows how to celebrate the season better than almost anywhere on earth, we’re shaping this quick trip into a 48-hour holiday escape of elegance, music, and merriment.

Where We’ll Stay: The Kensington Hotel

Our London base will be the Kensington Hotel, a collection of refined Victorian townhouses that feel straight from a Dickens novel—if Dickens had discovered plush velvet and perfect room service. The lobby glows with garlands and candles in December, and the entire space hums with quiet luxury.

Mornings will begin in Town House, where breakfast feels like ceremony—soft-boiled eggs, wildflower honey, and coffee strong enough to cut through the fog. Between outings, The Drawing Room is the ideal stop for afternoon tea—delicate sandwiches, scones, and an excuse to pause beneath twinkling chandeliers. Evenings promise thick duvets, candlelight, and the gentle hum of the city beyond the frosted panes.

The Main Event: A Christmas at Royal Albert Hall

If you’ve never experienced a Getty Christmas concert, picture the power of a full orchestra, soaring choir, and 5,000 voices singing Joy to the World in unison beneath Royal Albert Hall’s domed ceiling. The Gettys’ blend of Celtic charm, classical precision, and festive energy has made this concert an annual tradition for Londoners and travelers alike.

We plan to arrive early for a glass of champagne at Verdi Italian Kitchen inside the Hall, then settle into the Grand Tier for the best view in the house. When the final carol swells and the Hall glows with candlelight, it’s pure Christmas wonder—a memory we’ll carry long after the plane lands home again.

What To Eat: The Flavors of Festive London

No December in London should pass without indulgence. For lunch, we’ll stroll to The Ivy Kensington Brasserie, where holly drapes the doorways and the shepherd’s pie is the definition of cozy.

Dinner will be an event: Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, where centuries-old recipes meet modern flair (and the “Meat Fruit” remains a showstopper). For something more relaxed, Da Mario—the charming trattoria once favored by Princess Diana—offers comfort food and candlelight just steps from our hotel.

And of course, a quick pilgrimage to Harrods’ Food Halls will supply a few sweet souvenirs: chocolate-dipped orange peel and buttery mince pies for the flight home.

How We’ll Spend Our Hours

Our mornings will belong to London itself—beginning with a walk through Hyde Park, then a loop through the Winter Wonderland fair for mulled wine, music, and perhaps a turn on the carousel. The Victoria and Albert Museum awaits next with its stunning jewelry and fashion collections. If time allows, we’ll slip across the street to the Natural History Museum, where the Christmas tree glitters beneath its cathedral-like ceiling.

Before departing, a final toast at The Franklin Bar—gin, citrus, and just enough sparkle to seal the trip.

A London Christmas, Perfectly Measured

Two days. One concert. A city shimmering in gold and evergreen. With the Gettys’ music echoing through Royal Albert Hall and the warmth of The Kensington waiting afterward, it’s a short visit with a long afterglow—the very definition of Christmas done right.