The Connaught Christmas tree 2024

The legendary Connaught Christmas Tree 2024 has been unveiled outside The Connaught, and this year has been designed by influential British artist Conrad Shawcross RA.

The magnificent Nordmann Fir tree stands 9m tall on Carlos Place and is bedecked with 90 eye-striking, bespoke lanterns, each one made from aluminum and hand-painted with a silver coating. At the top of the tree is a bright shining star which illuminates the streets of Mayfair, representing a symbol of hope this Christmas. Shawcross is known for incorporating mathematical ideas and geometrical patterns of interference within his designs, which are also echoed across this year's tree. 

I first stepped inside The Connaught as a young boy in the ‘80s when my stepfather, Jonny Dewe Matthews, was an artist in residence at the hotel. He captured the busy processes of the chefs in the kitchen and portrayed this in his artwork. I still have a copper saucepan that I was given at the time, and the chef made me the best scrambled eggs. I am pleased to be re-living this happy memory and working with the hotel to create a bit of Christmas magic. I’ve been using light for over 30 years in my work so I hope my unique perspective on this medium will be a fitting and welcoming continuance of the designers who came before me.

Conrad Shawcross RA

The Connaught Christmas Tree 2024 by Conrad Shawcross RA will shine bright and illuminate Carlos Place until the first week of January 2025.