Whether you’re looking for artisanal gifts, traditional Bratwurst, a warming glass of mulled wine or just some good old festive fun, read on for our list of the best London Christmas markets.
1. Christmas in Leicester Square
Christmas in Leicester Square is back for the third year running with its Santa’s grotto, traditional Christmas market, and shows inside the 1920s spiegeltent.
While the shows and visits to Santa’s grotto are ticketed events with individual prices, it’s free to browse the Christmas market stalls, which include festive food and drink.
9 November – 6 January 2019
12pm – 10pm Monday to Friday and 10am – 10pm Saturday and Sunday
Leicester Square, London WC2H 7NA
Free entry
2. Southbank Centre Winter Market
There’s plenty to see on a walk along the South bank of the Thames at any time of the year, but during the months of November and December it becomes particularly festive with the arrival of the Winter Market.
On offer you’ll find warming street food, mulled wine, handmade gifts and decorations, and much more – all displayed in charming wooden cabins under twinkling fairy lights.
9 November – 27 December 2018
Open 11am – 10pm Sunday to Thursday and 11am – 1pm Friday to Saturday
Queen’s Walk, under Hungerford Bridge, London
Free entry
The alternative winter festival on Clapham Common is back for its second year after moving from Victoria Park in 2017. There are two markets to explore – Street Feast, offering the best street food and drink London has to offer (frozen toffee vodka shots anyone?), and Solo Craft Fair, which has a great selection of handmade crafts, homewares, and accessories that make great Christmas gifts.
When you’re finished shopping there’s still plenty more to explore including an outdoor ice rink, backyard cinema, roller disco, mini golf, circus, theatre, and magic shows, kids activities, and a fairground.
15 November – 23 December 2018
2pm – 10pm Tuesday to Thursday, 2pm – 10.30pm Friday, 10am – 10.30pm Saturday, and 10am – 10pm Sunday
Clapham Common, Windmill Drive, London SW4 9DE
Free entry on Tuesdays and with an attraction or event ticket (priced separately), £2 all other days (£5 for entry after 6pm on Friday and Saturday)
The second Christmas market on the banks of the Thames, Christmas by the River at London Bridge City gives you even more chance to stock up on festive goodies. On offer are unique gifts, stocking fillers, tasty treats and handmade decorations, all sold from traditional wooden cabins lit up with fairy lights.
There are also free workshops, storytelling events and tastings to enjoy, making this a great festive excursion for the whole family.
29 November – 2 January 2019
Free entry
London Bridge City, SE1 2DB
5. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Hyde Park’s annual festive attraction really lives up to its name and if you feel at all lacking in Christmas spirit, this yuletide extravaganza is the perfect antidote.
As well as the quintessential Bavarian-style wooden chalet Christmas market for gifts and treats, there’s plenty of options for eating and drinking (Bavarian village bratwurst and beers, an ice bar, an “Alpine Après Ski” restaurant, and a fire pit for toasting marshmallows), ice sculpting workshops, ice skating, a giant Ferris wheel, circus and comedy shows, The Snowman Experience, Peter Pan on Ice, Magical Ice Kingdom, Santa Land, and more.
23 November – 6 January 2019
10am – 10pm
Hyde Park, London W2
Free entry. Attractions are priced separately
The historic daily market at Greenwich gets into the Christmas spirit on the 21st November with a lantern parade and the official switching on of the Christmas lights.
As well as the usual setup there’s a late market with arts, crafts, Christmas gifts and festive food until 8pm on Wednesday 5th, 12th and 19th December. Father Christmas is also in his grotto for visits on the 20th and 21st of November and every weekend in December until Christmas Eve.
21 November – 24 December 2018
Open 10am – 5.30pm Monday to Sunday, with late night opening until 8pm every Wednesday in December.
Free entry
7. Kingston Christmas Market
If there was an award for the most festive town centre each December, Kingston would probably win. Each year the town transforms its marketplace and the surrounding streets with traditional chalet-style market stalls, Christmas lights, and an impressive Christmas tree in the centre
While you shop for gifts and decorations, enjoy a mug of steaming mulled wine and some warming street food. The kids can also get in on the fun with the Candy Cane Forest – an entertainment area with fairground rides and other special surprises.
15 November – 31 December 2018
Open 10am – 6pm Sunday to Wednesday and 10am – 8pm Thursday to Saturday
Kingston Ancient Market Place, London, KT1 1JS
Free entry
8. Hyper Japan Christmas Market
If you’re looking for an alternative to the traditional European-style Christmas markets, why not check out this celebration of all things Japan at the Olympia London?
It’s a great place to shop for unusual Christmas gifts, with a myriad of stalls offering kawaii toys, stationery, art, fashion, and more. There’s also plenty of Japanese food and drink, anime screenings, cultural workshops, and plenty of cosplayers to spot.
16 – 18 November 2018
12 – 8pm Friday 16th, 9am – 2.45pm and 3.30pm – 9pm Saturday 17th, and 9am – 5pm Sunday 18th.
Tickets from £19 on the door
Olympia London, Hammersmith Rd, London W14 8UX
9. Crafty Fox Christmas Market
The Crafty Fox Christmas Markets are a great place to pick up some unusual gifts for your arty friends, with several indie markets being held across the city in December.
As well as art, crafts, and handmade Christmas decorations, homewares, fashion, and accessories, there are workshops on offer, festive food and drink, and live music to get you in the Christmas spirit.
1 – 2 December 2018
11am – 5pm
Mercato Metropolitano, 40-42 Newington Causeway, London, SE1 6DR
7 – 9 December 2018
12 – 6pm
Canopy Market, West Handyside Canopy, Kings Cross, London
15 – 16 December 2018
11am – 5pm
The Department Store, 248 Ferndale Road, Brixton, SW9 8FR
Free entry
10. Belgravia Christmas Market
If you’re looking for a Christmas market without the tat, head to this elegant one-day annual market held annually on Belgravia’s Elizabeth Street.
As well as the selection of boutique stalls, there are carol performances, mulled wine, and a special appearance by Father Christmas that promises to get you in the festive spirit.
2 December 2018
11am – 5pm
Elizabeth Street, Belgravia, London SW1
Free entry
