UK. Heathrow Airport has announced a host of festive events and activities as the one-month countdown to Christmas begins.
This week (commencing 25 November), the airport will be transformed into a winter wonderland complete with sparkling Christmas trees, festive decorations and seasonal events.
Among the highlights is the return of Father Christmas and his elves, who will meet and greet passengers across all terminals.
Children can enjoy seasonal arts and crafts with Heathrow’s Christmas Fairies from 9 to 30 December. Activities include scratch art, card-making and themed colouring projects, including designing their own Father Christmas.
Travellers can visit a digital caricaturist who will create free personalised portraits sent directly to their phones. From 19 to 23 December, Yuletide cheer will fill the terminals with live performances from choral quartet The Jingle Belles.
Heathrow has introduced arcade-style claw machines for an added element of gamification. Travellers also have the chance to win instant prizes from popular brands such Charlotte Tilbury, Hamley’s and Bollinger.
The airport’s polar bear mascot Bjorn will make appearances throughout December, creating magical photo opportunities for families.
Enhacing these festive features is an array of decorations, including 29ft Christmas trees, giant glowing presents and wreaths. Across terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 an impressive 58 Christmas trees and countless lights complete the holiday transformation.
Heathrow has introduced a complimentary shopping experience to help passengers find the perfect gifts. A present-picking quiz, available on Heathrow’s website, guides travellers to the ideal products, ensuring stress-free last-minute shopping. Click here to access the digital quiz.
For a more exclusive experience, passengers can book the airport’s Personal Shopper service, now enhanced by a luxury shopping suite in Terminal 4.
The airport’s complimentary gift-wrapping service, available across all terminals, adds a personal touch to presents with custom ribbon printing.
Advanced weather forecasting from the Met Office ensures Heathrow is well-equipped to handle wintry conditions and keep flights running smoothly. Behind the scenes, the airport has prepared extensively for winter operations with 1,100 winter operation vehicles on standby to clear snow and ice from the airfield and 2.5 million litres of de-icer stockpiled, enough for nearly two weeks. Heathrow is also upgrading its security systems.
Heathrow Retail Director Fraser Brown commented: “Winter is a special time at Heathrow as we help passengers on their way to reunite and celebrate with loved ones. Throughout the year, our team has been planning festive surprises so the celebrations can begin at the airport.
“We are proud to reveal a range of exciting retail offers to make gifting easier, visits from memorable Christmas characters and entertaining activities to make every journey better.” ✈
