Every year in mid-November, London gets transformed for the holidays. Christmas carols, festive lights, and heart-warming foods—you can find all of it at London's Christmas markets.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland (November 17, 2023–January 1, 2024)
Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland is the coziest and most famous Christmas market in London. It offers lots of fairground rides, Santa Land for kids, and lots of vendors as well as themed bars. There are endless entertainment and festive activities from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Every day but Christmas Day.
Christmas in Leicester Square (November 8, 2023– January 7, 2024)
Leicester Square Christmas Market offers excellent gifts and foods, as well as Spiegeltent, to enjoy a brilliant line-up of cabaret, comedy, and burlesque. Winterville at Clapham Common is famous for its festive performances, holiday film screenings, market stalls, roller disco, and joyful rides.
Christmas by the River at London Bridge City (November 14, 2023–January 1, 2024)
Christmas By The River market at the London Bridge City will get you Instagram-perfect images of the holiday market with Tower Bridge and London's Tower as the backdrop. Warm-up with mulled wine and stroll through 70 stalls offering gifts and food. Also, throughout December, you can attend workshops and classes in a cozy chalet.
Southbank Centre Winter Market (October 28, 2023–January 7, 2024)
There are quite a few markets to choose from when you are in London. Southbank Centre Wintertime Market really amazes with its size and with so many shops it's easy to find the perfect Christmas gift and try all the delicious treats.
Year-Round Markets
Borough Market (late November–early January 2024)
The renowned Borough Market is located right in the heart of the city, on the southern end of London Bridge. Dating back to 1014, one of the oldest markets in London is open year-round, six days per week. However, Christmas is arguably the best time to visit this mecca for gourmets, chefs, local traders, and food experts. From late November through early January, atmospheric Art Deco alleys of the market, built in the 1850s, are lavishly adorned with lights and Christmas decorations. Feel magic in the air, along with aromas of spices, roasting meats, and freshly baked pastries. Christmas-time Borough Market is a perfect place to find fine seasonal foods, baskets of holiday treats, and delicacies for the festive Christmas dinner.
Greenwich Market (November 15, 2023–early January 2024)
Plenty of Christmas cheer awaits visitors at the Queen’s House Ice Rink and. Greenwich Market, open year-round, seven days a week. Visitors can only witness its awe-inspiring holiday illumination from mid-November through early January. During the Lighting Ceremony, the public can enjoy the Greenwich lantern procession, consisting of children from local schools carrying handmade lanterns. Greenwich Market offers an amazing Christmas shopping experience. Dozens of stalls and shops have on display an array of unique gifts, like vintage maps, decor, linen, antiques, jewelry, and apparel.
Camden Market (November 8– late December 2023)
Camden Market is popular with tourists thanks to its street food and cozy atmosphere. The best time to visit this year-round market is Christmas, when the area boasts lots of hanging lights, festive decorations, and special attractions for the whole family. The Christmas market in Camden Town, which dresses up for the holidays from early November through December, features a popular ice rink, kids' attractions, Santa’s Grotto, snow flurries, and, surely, there's plenty of music and delicious holiday treats.
For the tickets and latest updates, please check with the official websites (see External Resources below.) Also, take a look at the map suggesting the best accommodations nearby.
