The best Christmas markets in London

Name: Christmas markets in London
Start: 2024-11-01
End: 2025-01-05
Location: Various locations

Where? Various locations When? 1st November 2024 to 5th January 2025 Tickets? Free to visit Bus routes: London bus fares Trains: London train fares

South Bank Winter Market - 1st Nov to 26th Dec

The South Bank Winter Market stretches out down the river past the Royal Festival Hall and under Waterloo Bridge. It's one of the larger markets in London, with chalet-style stalls selling everything from colourful candles and stocking fillers to hand-crafted jewellery.

It also has a great range of tasty food and drink stalls selling mulled wine, mince pies, flame-grilled burgers, hot dogs with lashings of mustard and onions, and hot cups of cocoa.

Christmas in Leicester Square - 6th Nov to 5th Jan

Christmas in Leicester Square is one of our favourites with the whole centre of the square turned over to seasonal stalls and little bars and the surrounding trees all strung up with fairy lights.

They sell everything from handmade arts and crafts and woolly gloves and scarfs, to dangling candle holders and decorations for your tree.

You might like to book some tickets for the Spiegeltent as well, which hosts an award-winning circus and cabaret show called La Clique.

Trafalgar Square Christmas Market - 9th Nov to 2nd Jan

It's one of the smaller Christmas markets in London, but it's still worth visiting Trafalgar Square for all the decorated wooden chalets in front of the National Gallery.

There are usually around 20 stalls selling a variety of handmade gifts, woolly hats and scarfs, and seasonal treats liked mulled wine, mince pies and hot chocolate. And while you're there you can admire the giant Christmas tree by Nelson's Column.

Christmas in Covent Garden - from 12 Nov

Don't miss Christmas in Covent Garden when they bring in one of the city's biggest trees and decorate the inside of the piazza with thousands of glittering lights, 40 giant bells, 12 giant baubles and 8 spinning mirror balls.

They always have a great range of heated dining areas and market stalls whenever you visit, but over the Christmas season they'll be selling everything from artisan arts and crafts to tasty treats and gifts you won't find anywhere else.

There'll also be lots of Christmas activities dotted around the piazza and festive-themed photo opportunities - like having a seat in Santa's hand-painted sleigh from 1884.

Winter by the River at London Bridge City - 14th Nov to 5th Jan

The Christmas market by London Bridge City stretches out down the river past HMS Belfast towards the old City Hall and Tower Bridge, giving you a great view of the Tower of London across the water.

You'll find lots of Alpine-style huts and fairly-lit stalls, and they usually have a couple of pop-up bars as well (last year then even had some karaoke!) making it a great alternative to the pub.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland - 21st Nov to 5th Jan

Most people visit Hyde Park Winter Wonderland for the rollercoaster rides and ice rink, but did you know that it also contains one of London's best Christmas markets? It's one of the biggest in the city with over 100 Swiss-style cabins and everywhere you go is the seasonal sound of Bing Crosby and Perry Como.

You'll also find a great range of food and drink stalls selling real fairground food like hot dogs and onions, meat pies in gravy, jacket potatoes with baked beans and butter on top, and even a German beer hall - complete with cheesy oompah music!

Borough Market at Christmas - date TBC

It's always enjoyable walking around the atmospheric arches of Borough Market, but it's extra special when they're decked out with twinkling lights, Christmas trees and mistletoe, and listening to the buskers strumming their festive tunes.

It's a lovely place to browse around, past shelves stacked up with colourful fruits and vegetables, giant piles of artisan bread and rolls, giant wheels of cheese, and stalls selling handmade sweets and treats.