Mulled wine! Mince pies! Fairground rides! And if you’re lucky, a chance to meet the big boss himself at Santa’s grotto… 🎅 These London Christmas markets are all worth a visit, if you ask us.
Classic London Christmas markets
These big-name London Christmas markets will run throughout the festive season. Check ’em out!
1. Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, until January 2
This great big Christmas fun fair draws Londoners, day-trippers and tourists from far and wide. It plays host to the UK’s largest outdoor ice rink, an ice bar, an après ski-inspired ‘village’, loads of festive food stalls, German beer tents and even hireable karaoke huts so you can work on your best Frank Sinatra impression! Entrance is free but attractions at this London Christmas market are not. More info here.
📍 Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH.
🚇 Nearest stations are Hyde Park Corner and Marble Arch.
2. Leicester Square Christmas Market, until January 8
At the very heart of London’s tourist district, a sparkling Christmas market has returned for the winter season. Wander around the beautiful food and gift stalls, before heading to a bunch of award-winning performances. From variety shows, to fire-breathers and cabaret sensations, to human jukeboxes, girl bands, and world-leading stalls under the lights! Read more about it here.
📍 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7LU.
🚇 Nearest station is Leicester Square.
3. South Bank Christmas Markets, until December 26
At this riverside Christmas market, not far from the London Eye, the perennial Southbank street food market vendors will be adding festive fare to their menus (melted cheese on everything, please!) while other little wooden huts will be selling festive goodies and gifts. Plus, look at the igloos – nothing spells out a London Christmas more than that right?! Find out more here.
📍 The Queen’s Walk, London, SE1 8XX.
🚇 Nearest station is Waterloo.
4. Christmas in Covent Garden, until January 3
There’s nothing more Christmassy than Covent Garden come Winter-time – and we’re not just talking about that shop from that Last Christmas film. This year sees the return of their famous decorations, towering Christmas tree, festive markets, mulled wine stalls, pop-up food stalls and much more besides. New for 2022 is their festive sleigh, which makes for the perfect photo opportunity! Read all about it here.
📍 Covent Garden Market, London, WC2E 7QH.
🚇 Nearest station is Covent Garden.
5. Borough Market at Christmas, until January 2
Decked out in garlands of mistletoe, twinkling lights and countless ornaments, the foodie haven of Borough Market is a great place to while away the hours this Christmas time. Along with Crimbo-themed treats, they’ve also got one-off events including ‘An Evening of Cheese’. Sign. Us. Up! Discover more here.
📍8 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TL.
🚇 Nearest station is London Bridge.
6. Trafalgar Square Christmas Market, until January 2
Aside from viewing the *ahem* unique Christmas tree lying at its centre – there’s now another reason to make your way to Trafalgar Square. Located immediately in front of the National Gallery lies the Trafalgar Square Christmas Market – a cluster of around 25 festive stalls which are new for the 2022 season. From the people that brought you Underbelly, they’ve got everything here from crafty gifts to mulled wine spots. Sounds good to us! Read more here.
📍Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DX.
🚇 Nearest station is Charing Cross.
7. Kingston Christmas Market, until December 24
Filling the town centre with festive cheer, Kingston’s traditional Christmas market will have hand-crafted gifts and mulled wine galore! The market stalls are all housed in lovely wooden cabins adorned with Christmas decorations. It’s the perfect place to get into the festive spirit and start looking for those stocking fillers! More information here.
📍 Market Place, Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 1JT.
🚇 Nearest station is Kingston.
8. Christmas by the River, Bankside, until January 2
Crisp winter air, a lovely riverside spot, and all the trimmings and trappings of Christmas. Really, Christmas by the River has it all. One of London’s prettiest Christmas markets, the festive fiesta returns to the capital on November 15, bringing with it the best seasonal treats and temptations. Read more about it here.
📍London Bridge City, London, SE1 2DB.
🚇 Nearest station is London Bridge.
9. Christmas at Greenwich Market, Lights on date: November 16
Although Greenwich Market is fantastic all year round – boasting a massive 120 stalls within a World Heritage site – if you throw in a few twinkling lights and some mulled wine, it’s festive AF. The market hosts late-opening festive sessions every Wednesday in December, perfect for a post-work winter wander! The switch on date is marked by a lovely little lantern procession, involving children from local schools to mark the start of Christmas. More info here.
📍 5B Greenwich Market, London, SE10 9HZ.
🚇 Nearest stations are Greenwich and Cutty Sark.
10. Flat Iron Square, Southwark Quarter, until January 2023
A flutter of festivity is stretching all the way through the Southwark Quarter, the swelling new corner of Borough this winter. Flat Iron Square is finishing off its stint as one of the top destinations to watch the World Cup until December 18, but a walk through the rest of the area will give you sparkling decoration and a sprawl of Christmas trees. Head to the newly opened Carrubo for twinkly lights, tasty treats and, crucially, outdoor hearing; or hole up in Tap & Bottle for a spice-scented mulled wine. Elsewhere, there’s a new Christmas menu at Audrey’s Brasserie and the Frost Fair, a multimedia art trail paying tribute to the winters of old in London, where the Thames would freeze over and host markets between 1605 and 1815 (read more here).
📍45 Southwark Street, London, SE1 9HP.
🚇 Nearest station is London Bridge.
Short-running, TBC and Christmas markets you may have already missed
From crafty Christmas markets to local Christmas festivities, this lot of London Christmas markets are only around for a short while! Plus, we’ve thrown in a few that could return this year!
11. Brixton Village Black-Owned Christmas Market, December 4, 11 & 18
Taking place in bustling Brixton, this unique event is taking place every Sunday from 12-5pm on the run-up to Christmas. Come and fill those stockings with gifts from 30+ black-owned businesses including clothing, sauces, hair and skincare, art, books, toys, home scents, jewellery, fashion and a hell of a lot more. They’ve also got mulled wine, rum punch and more courtesy of The Brixton Social pop-up bar. Discover more here.
📍 Brixton Village, Coldharbour Lane, London, SW9 8PS.
🚇 Nearest station is Brixton.
12. Hackney Christmas Market, every weekend from November 26 to December 18
Take a wander down the sparkling Bohemia Street this Christmas where you’ll be able to find all manner of Christmas treats and goodies! You’ll get to tuck into some festive street food, buy artisan gifts from a whole range of producers, glug your way through mulled wine and a whole bunch of themed cocktails and get involved with some Crimbo workshops! More info here.
📍 Bohemia Place, Hackney Central, London, E8 1DU.
🚇 Nearest station is Hackney Central.
13. South London Makers Market x Selfridges Christmas market pop-up, November 24-27
It’s looking like there’s no Helter Skelter Christmas market at Selfridges this year, but this lovely little pop-up market from A South London Makers Market is here for a free occasion at the department store. They’re back for a second year running to provide stalls with jewellry, skincare, Christmas cards and more, all of which have been crafted in London. Get more details and free tickets here!
📍 79 Westow Hill, Crystal Palace, London, SE19 1TX.
🚇 Nearest station is Crystal Palace.
14. Crafty Fox Market, December 11
Although they’re around all year, Crafty Fox run some charming Christmas markets across town – and they’ve got another festive spread planned over at King’s Cross. More info here.
📍 Granary Square, King’s Cross St. Pancras, London, N1C 4AA.
🚇 Nearest station is King’s Cross St. Pancras.
15. Pexmas, December 3-4
The annual festive market in Peckham is returning for 2022, taking place at Copeland Park for two days in December. Pexmas hosts a brilliant selection of independent businesses and traders selling delicious food and crafted gifts. Read more here.
📍 Copeland Road, Peckham, London, SE15 3SN.
🚇 Nearest station is Peckham Rye.
16. DIY Christmas Art Market, December 7
This fantastic arts and crafts market offers visitors the chance to engage directly with artists / independent publishers, and purchase a broad selection of artwork at affordable prices this Crimbo.
Expect ceramics, zines, independent publications, originals, patches, comics, custom t-shirts, tote bags, art prints, screen prints, jewellery and artist books too. Entry is just a quid. You can find out more here.
📍 Bethnal Green Road, Bethnal Green, London, E1 6LA.
🚇 Nearest station is Shoreditch High Street.
17. Maltby Street Night Market, December 2, 9 & 16
Another market that runs all year round, but things get super special at this south eastern market during Christmas time. In previous years there were plenty of opportunities to scoff on festive gastronomic delights and do some late-night Christmas shopping, before retreating to one of Maltby Street Market’s cosy bars for a G&T. Every Friday in the run up to Christmas will see the market shine with a festive glow, in the form of trees, wreaths, live music, carols and much more! More details here.
📍 Arch 46, Ropewalk, Maltby Street, London, SE1 3PA.
🚇 Nearest station is London Bridge.
18. Christmas Under The Canopy, November 26 – December 23
Independent food and crafts haven, Canopy Market, also gets into the Christmas spirit with festive fare, crafty workshops, carols and live music, a mulled wine bar, and even a live reindeer. You’ll find it all besides a giant tree, decorated with twinkly lights and garlands. Read more here.
📍 Granary Square, King’s Cross St. Pancras, London, N1C 4BH.
🚇 Nearest station is King’s Cross St. Pancras.
19. Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair, November 24-27
Experience a quiet and peaceful, yet no less Christmassy, affair at the Chelsea Physic Christmas Fair. There’s over 100 handpicked stands selling everything from ceramics to cheese to jewellery to children’s toys. After you’ve picked up some Christmas gifts, you can enjoy the vast array of food and drink on offer before heading home full of festive cheer. Read more and book your place here.
📍 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 4HS.
🚇 Nearest station is Sloane Square.
20. Christmas Garden Party: A chocolate, cheese and wine fest on Parsons Green, December 16-19
Fulham will be kitted out in Christmassy attire come December, when this lovely festival comes to town. There’s plenty of alcohol to taste, with wine, champagne, beer and gin from the alpine bar warming the blood of many a visitor on a chilly evening, with mulled hot chocolate and artisanal cheese on hand for some extra indulgence. The market also boasts some fabulous hot food from souvlaki to hot dogs and veggie bites to raclette; with plenty of stands to buy gifts at after filling your stomachs. Find out more here.
📍 Parsons Green, Fulham, SW6 4UL.
🚇 Nearest station is Parsons Green.
Also published on Medium.