Carols concerts abound in London – but not all (read: none) of them have quite the showbiz clout of Ham Yard Hotel’s annual festive celebration. This year, the Soho hotel is back with its annual Carols in the Courtyard event on Wednesday December 10, collaborating with the independent shops that surround the courtyard for an evening of gift shopping, snacking and carols with a West End twist.
For musical theatre fans, the big drawcard of this annual event is that the Les Misérables cast perform the carols. This year, Ham Yard Hotel is taking things a step further, also inviting the cast of Oliver! – the major new production of Lionel Bart’s classic currently on at the Gielgud Theatre.
“I’m especially excited this year,” Julie Le Sauvage-Barry, general manager of Ham Yard Hotel tells Broadsheet. “What started as a small gathering has grown into a highlight of our Christmas calendar, and it’s a joy to see it grow year after year.”
After the West End performers take their final bow at 6pm, there’ll be two more hours of live music by the Ham Yard Players to accompany visitors as they enjoy mince pies, cherry brownies and mulled wine from Ham Yard restaurant, and admire the gingerbread house in the hotel lobby.
Shops in the courtyard will stay open late, including Australian jewellery and homewares studio Dinosaur Designs, London fashion label Ahkeke and handcrafted teawares shop Yushu Tea Gallery. Textiles and homewares designer Shop Kit Kemp will be giving away free Tall Trees candles with orders of £150 or more, and offer free personalised embroidered initials on its range of patchwork toys.
Carols in the Courtyard is on Wed December 10, 4–8pm. Entry is free, with no booking required. Carols by the casts of Les Miserables and Oliver! runs from 5–6pm.