Art, Cuisine, Fashion And Theater To Brighten A London Winter

Lunch at Maison François, shop for festive nightwear at Daniel Hanson on Savile Row, check out emerging artist talent Winsor & Newton x Paul Smith’s Foundation International Art Prize, see the Narnia-inspired Christmas lights at Annabel’s, watch smash-hit musical The Producers at The Garrick Theatre, and finish the evening with pasta and cocktails at Cecconi’s Mayfair. Here are some suggestions for festive season in London’s Mayfair district.

The Producers: Festive Theatrical fun at The Garrick Theatre

If you’re looking for a guaranteed way to brighten the winter months, the critically acclaimed, smash-hit revival of The Producers at the Garrick Theatre is your festive tonic. Recently extended until September 2026, this riotous production is a perfect dose of theatrical medicine: two hours of pure, joyous escapism filled with big laughs, sparkling costumes, and gloriously over-the-top performances.

Based on the book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, with music and lyrics by Brooks, this production is directed by Patrick Marber and transferred to the West End from the Menier Chocolate Factory after its sold-out run earlier this year. A reimagining of Brooks’ cult-classic film, the original Broadway version famously won twelve Tony Awards, and this revival more than justifies the show’s legendary status.

The plot follows down-on-his-luck producer Max Bialystock and anxious accountant Leo Bloom, who hatch a plan to produce a surefire flop, only to watch it become an accidental hit, much to their dismay and the audience’s delight. Under Marber’s direction, the show fizzes with energy, leaning into Brooks’ sharp satire and unapologetically cheeky humour. The jokes may teeter on the edge of good taste, but the tongue-in-cheek delivery keeps the comedy buoyant and brilliantly entertaining.

The cast is pitch-perfect: Andy Nyman brings delightful scheming charm as Max (channelling comic screen legend Norman Wisdom with his slapstick delivery), Marc Antolin is endearing as the shy yet ambitious Leo, and Joanna Woodward dazzles as Ulla. The dazzling dynamic between Nyman, Antolin and Woodward recalls Marilyn Monroe’s fizzy on-screen chemistry with Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon in Billy Wilder’s Some Like It Hot.

Trevor Ashley steals his scenes as flamboyant director Roger DeBris, alongside Raj Ghatak as his deliciously camp assistant Carmen Ghia, and Harry Morrison as unhinged playwright Franz Liebkind.

Visually, the production is a feast. Scott Pask’s set design, Paul Farnsworth’s costumes and Tim Lutkin’s lighting create a world of kitsch glamour, while Paul Groothuis’ sound design and a vibrant orchestra led by orchestrators Larry Blank and Mark Cumberland keep the show musically buoyant. The ensemble shines with razor-sharp timing in Lorin Latarro’s choreography, supported by Gareth Valentine’s musical supervision.

Presented by David Babani, Nica Burns & Max Weitzenhoffer, Kevin Salter, Seaview, Creative Partners Productions and 2ontheaisle, with original direction and choreography by Susan Stroman, The Producers is West End escapism at its finest, a show that sends you back into the London night with a grin on your face and a spring in your step.

Maison François

Maison François is a perfect place to have lunch in Mayfair pre-theatre or following a spot of Christmas shopping. They offer a ‘formule pre-Theatre’ with tempting dishes such as celeriac remoulade to start followed by roast chicken or ravioles du Dauphine and culminating in a tempting choice of chocolate mousse or ice-cream (which sounds better in French: les glaces au choix).

Maison François was founded on Duke Street in the heart of St James’s, Mayfair in 2020 by François O’Neill, Ed Wyand and Executive Chef Matthew Ryle. It’s a buzzy brasserie and wine bar inspired by the Grand Brasseries of Paris, Lyon and Alsace. Traditional French dishes populate the menu created using fresh ingredients and served by friendly professional staff. Highlights of the all-day menu include a delectable dish of crab, fennel, samphire, capers and anchovy croutons, and entrecote of beef with pepper sauce. Those with a sweet tooth would love the dessert trolley, a veritable Aladdin’s cave of treats on three levels, offering indulgent desserts such as gold-topped eclairs, madeleines and tarte au citron.

There is a focus on using seasonal ingredients to create simple dishes that are beautifully prepared and presented and delicious to digest. Maison François is open from morning to night and offers breads and patisserie prepared in the in-house bakery. An open plan design means that Diners can watch the chefs at work in the kitchen, and there is a wine bar called Frank’s in the basement with small plates, wine and cocktails.

Paul Smith’s Foundation and Winsor & Newton International Art Prize Exhibition at Paul Smith Space on Albemarle Street

Art lovers on the lookout for emerging talent might like to check out an exhibition at Paul Smith’s flagship shop on Albemarle Street in Mayfair.

Paul Smith’s Foundation and Winsor & Newton have partnered for a second edition of the International Art Prize, presenting P.O.V – Defining Your Point of View, a group exhibition celebrating the 2025 prize-winning artists. On view at Paul Smith Space, the permanent gallery beneath Paul Smith’s shop on Albemarle Street in Mayfair, the exhibition showcases a dynamic all-woman cohort of winners selected from across the globe: Laura Basterra Sanz (Antwerp), Cecilia Lamptey-Botchway (New York), Charlotte Winifred Guérard (London), Michelle Heron (Nottingham), Zhongwen Hu (Shanghai), and Silke Weißbach (Copenhagen).

Centered on the theme P.O.V – Defining Your Point of View, this year’s prize invites each artist to articulate the lens through which they see and interpret the world. The exhibition brings together painting, drawing, mixed media, and innovative approaches to materiality, revealing how personal histories, cultural influences, and lived experience shape creative expression. Alongside the 2025 winners, the exhibition also features contributions from past participants in Paul Smith’s ongoing artistic programme, underscoring the Foundation’s commitment to long-term engagement with artists. You can also peruse the Paul Smith clothes, shoes and accessories collections after seeing the exhibition.

P.O.V – Defining Your Point of View runs until 12th January, 2026 at Paul Smith Space, 9 Albemarle Street, London.

Luxurious Festive Dressing Gowns and Silk Pyjamas at Daniel Hanson, Savile Row

A festive itinerary in Mayfair would be incomplete without a stop at Daniel Hanson, the world’s premier designer and maker of luxury dressing gowns and favourite of movie stars, royalty and music Royalty Sir Elton John. Tucked elegantly along Savile Row, the global capital of bespoke clothing, the boutique offers a sumptuous escape into craftsmanship, colour and comfort. For 37 years, the Hanson family has created exquisite robes, pyjamas and accessories for show-business royalty, celebrated global brands and discerning sartorial collectors. Every garment is meticulously hand-cut and sewn at their Nottingham atelier, where the family has been based since the late 1980s.

The collection is entirely designed in-house and showcases vibrant pure-silk pyjama sets, richly coloured dressing gowns, kimono-inspired robes, smoking jackets and coordinating accessories. These pieces would make perfect gifts for anyone who cherishes beautifully made loungewear. The shop itself feels part gallery, part textile studio: a vivid, inviting space curated with luxurious fabrics, limited-edition designs and capsule collections created by Nicholas Hanson, representing the next generation of the family’s artistry.

Visitors are warmly welcomed by Julian Hanson, the late Daniel’s elder son, who manages the store and its bespoke clientele. Julian’s encyclopaedic knowledge of textiles and tailoring brings the experience to life, often accompanied by stories from his 1990s after-school sewing lessons and the brand’s long-standing work creating garments for icons of stage and screen.

A visit to Daniel Hanson at 36 Savile Row is a uniquely personal immersion into British craftsmanship and creativity.

Cecconi’s Mayfair

Nestled in the heart of Mayfair at 5A Burlington Gardens, just a short stroll from Bond Street, Cecconi’s original location in Burlington Gardens has been delighting guests since it was opened by Venice-born founder Enzo Cecconi in 1978. Celebrated for its elegant yet lively atmosphere, the restaurant brings the charm and theatricality of Northern Italy to the capital.

The menu at Cecconi’s Mayfair is a celebration of classic Italian cuisine, with standout dishes including fresh fish and to-die-for pasta,elevated with rich, indulgent truffles that keep devoted Cecconi’s fans coming back for more. Each dish is crafted with care and often finished at the table, adding a sense of theatre to the dining experience.

Cecconi’s isn’t just about the food. The buzzy bar provides the perfect spot for a post-shopping tipple, whether it’s a craft cocktail or a glass of champagne after browsing the luxury boutiques of nearby Savile Row. The combination of impeccable service with timeless Italian flavors and a dash of La Dolce Vita glamour make Cecconi’s Mayfair a timeless classic. This means it’s often hard to get a table, but worth the wait if you can.

Annabel’s The Wardrobe: A World of Wonder Festive Light Display

Annabel’s Mayfair has transformed its iconic 46 Berkeley Square entrance into a dazzling festive spectacle, inspired by C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Designed by Tatiana Kharchylava, Creative Director of The Birley Clubs, the 2025 installation titled Annabel’s The Wardrobe: A World of Wonder celebrates “light in the darkness,” reflecting the hope and resilience embodied by children. Guests are greeted by an ornate, oversized wardrobe opening onto a magical winter scene, complete with snow-dusted trees, shimmering icicles, and a striking porcelain-like lion standing proudly at its centre.

Beyond its visual wonder, the display supports The Caring Family Foundation’s Food From The Heart campaign, which has provided over 3.5 million meals to families in need since 2020, including more than a million in the past year alone. Throughout the festive season, Annabel’s will host fundraising events, offering visitors a chance to enjoy the enchantment of the display while contributing to a cause that brings hope, warmth, and sustenance to families across the UK.