London’s Leicester Square is buzzing with new energy this holiday season, as two beloved British traditions—cinema and Christmas markets—intertwine in the city’s historic heart. With the unveiling of a bronze statue of Bridget Jones, the famously relatable heroine, and the return of the vibrant Christmas Market, Leicester Square has become a magnet for movie buffs, festive shoppers, and families alike.
This Monday, December 1, 2025, will see the much-anticipated unveiling of the Bridget Jones statue in Leicester Square, a move that cements the character’s place alongside icons like Paddington and Harry Potter on the West End’s film trail. The statue, modeled on Renée Zellweger’s portrayal of Bridget, captures the essence of a character who has charmed audiences for over two decades. According to The Daily Mail, the bronze figure even pays homage to Bridget’s legendary ‘mummy pants’—a cheeky nod to the scene-stealing support knickers immortalized in the first film, Bridget Jones’s Diary.
“It’s got Renée’s head from the first movie and I think she’s wearing the mummy pants because she’s got a very flat stomach!” author Helen Fielding said, offering a sneak preview of the statue. Fielding, who first introduced Bridget in a newspaper column before penning the best-selling novels, is expected to attend the unveiling. She’ll be joined by Zellweger, as well as Sally Phillips—who plays Bridget’s loyal friend Shazzer—and actors Chiwetel Ejiofor and Leo Woodall, both of whom star as love interests in the latest film installment released earlier this year.
The decision to place Bridget Jones among cinematic greats in Leicester Square is not just about nostalgia. “She’s just an emotionally honest, authentic, slightly messy, human, normal person who has a great sense of humour. That’s very British—and to have that celebrated alongside Paddington Bear is a great honour,” Fielding told the BBC.
As the statue joins the film trail, Leicester Square itself is alive with seasonal festivities. The Christmas Market, running until January 4, 2026, offers a festive escape just steps from the Underground station and a stone’s throw from Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden. According to MyLondon, the market is a sensory delight: visitors are greeted by the aroma of mulled wine, sizzling sausages, and sweet treats, all set against a backdrop of twinkling lights and alpine-inspired stalls.
Foodies can indulge in a range of options, from pasta dishes at The Cheese Wheel—starting at £11.45 for classic fettuccine Alfredo and rising to £15.45 with black truffle sauce—to steak on fries for £18, steak sandwiches for £13, and veggie burgers for £9. Traditional German Bratwurst is also on offer at £11, with extras like onions and sauerkraut available for £1 each. For those seeking a warm beverage, the festive bar’s Bailey’s Hot Chocolate (topped with cream, caramel sauce, and marshmallows) is a must-try at £9, while mulled wine and cider are priced at £6.90. Regular hot chocolate is a relative bargain at £4—a price point that, as MyLondon notes, is “honestly cheaper than most London coffee shops these days.”
Gift hunters won’t be disappointed either. The market boasts stalls selling personalized baubles, blocks of fudge, and every winter accessory imaginable—from massive hats to cozy scarves. Whether you’re shopping for a friend or simply treating yourself, the market’s variety and festive spirit make it a top destination for locals and tourists alike.
New this year is a circular Ice Rink, quietly inviting skaters of all ages to glide beneath the city lights. A 45-minute session costs £11.50 for children aged 3-12 and £15.50 for adults, including skate hire. The rink’s addition brings an extra layer of charm to the market, offering visitors another way to embrace the holiday spirit.
All the while, the presence of the Bridget Jones statue adds a unique twist to the festivities. The character’s journey—from a single woman navigating love and career in London to a wife, mother, widow, and back to single life—has resonated with generations. The first book was published in 1996, and the 2001 film adaptation, Bridget Jones’s Diary, became an instant classic. The subsequent films, including The Edge of Reason, Bridget Jones’s Baby, and this year’s Mad About the Boy, have continued to capture the ups and downs of Bridget’s life, each chapter reflecting the evolving challenges and triumphs of modern womanhood.
Fielding believes Bridget’s enduring popularity is rooted in her authenticity. “When Bridget first took off, I didn’t understand why but after a bit I understood it was because she was touching on the gap of how we all feel we are supposed to be and how we really are inside—the side of us we show to our friends and the people who love us just as we are,” she explained on Radio 4’s Today programme. For today’s Gen Z audience, she says, Bridget is more relevant than ever: “For the new generation of young women, it is so much harder for them particularly with social media than it was for Bridget—they have so many images of perfection thrown at them and filtered images and they still worry about their shape and on top of that they have the body positivity movement so secretly they are also feeling guilty about worrying about their shape.”
The statue’s unveiling is timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the first film’s release in 2001, a milestone that’s sure to prompt reflection among fans old and new. As Fielding puts it, “There’s a great deal of pressure on them and it makes me happy when they come up to me to have their books signed and talk to me about the idea that just being a person and being kind and being good to your friends and being good enough and having a sense of humour and sense of resilience—these are the important things in life and not how they present to the world.”
For now, Leicester Square is a place where cinema, tradition, and the magic of the holidays collide. Whether you’re skating beneath the stars, sipping on a Bailey’s Hot Chocolate, or snapping a selfie with Bridget Jones herself, the square offers a little bit of joy for everyone. And really, isn’t that what the season—and Bridget’s message—is all about?
