There are plenty of opportunities to get into the Christmas spirit in Mayfair this year, whether you want to buy beautiful gifts or enjoy festive food and drink.

A taste of Christmas

The weekly Mayfair Market in Brown Hart Gardens is being extended to a full week and transformed into a Christmas Market. The elevated public garden just off Oxford Street will be hosting stalls selling gifts and food such as scented candles, French and Italian hampers, crêpes and galettes, and Bavarian sausages.

When: 23-30 November, 11am-8pm

All lit up

The main shopping streets of Mayfair will be a feast for the eyes this year. The Christmas lights on North Audley Street and Duke Street will be illuminated from Monday 14 November, and 10 days later there’s a special event to celebrate the switching on of the lights on Mount Street. Retailers along London’s leading luxury shopping street will be opening late and there will be plenty of festive food on offer, from mince pies at the Mount Street Deli to crêpes at Christian Louboutin.

When: 24 November, 6pm onwards

Glamorous gifts

If the thought of braving the crowds doing their Christmas shopping on Oxford Street fills you with horror, why not take a detour south into Mayfair, where the quieter streets are home to high-fashion brands and hidden gems. Whomever you’re shopping for, your best bet is to make a beeline for Mount Street, with its mix of fashion and beauty brands and art and antiques dealers. It’s home to world-famous brands such as Christian Louboutin, Marc Jacobs, Alfred Dunhill and Balenciaga, among many others.

Festive fine dining

When you want to treat yourself to some fine food, Mayfair has plenty of options. A great example is Maze Grill in Grosvenor Square, part of Gordon Ramsey’s chain of restaurants, offering a sophisticated blend of Asian and French cuisine in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Or for a different kind of eating experience, try the Mount Street Deli, a lovely place for lunch with a specials menu that changes every day.

A five-star Christmas

If you have a hankering for a glamorous, sophisticated Christmas, why not do it in style and stay at one of Mayfair’s famous luxury hotels? There’s The Beaumont in Brown Hart Gardens, an Art Deco-inspired haven that includes Anthony Gormley’s unique inhabitable sculpture, ROOM; The Connaught in Mount Street, in the heart of Mayfair Village, combining tradition and modernity in sumptuous style; and of course Claridge’s in Brook Street, synonymous with elegance and a long-time favourite with celebrities.

The Place to be

South Molton Street will be transformed into a festive paradise this year for one day only, spreading some festive cheer with its very own evening event. As well as enjoying traditional al fresco choral performances, you can sample delicious mulled wine, mince pies and other hot treats such as crepes and waffles. Individual shops along the parade will also be pulling out all the stops to get you in the mood for Christmas, so peruse at your leisure to discover each of their unique seasonal surprises.

When: 1 December, 5pm-8pm