It’s definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas in London—Christmas lights are twinkling and there are too many Christmas markets in the city to choose from. Sure, Winter Wonderland is always a festive hit, but this year, Rochester Christmas Market is serving all the festive cheer in the grounds of a medieval castle—and it’s only a two-hour drive from London.
A charming Christmas market just two hours from London
Rochester is a historic English town that inspired some of Charles Dickens’ most beloved stories, most notably ‘Great Expectations’. The town truly comes to life during the festive season, and this winter, the 11th-century Rochester Castle and its adjacent gardens provide the enchanting backdrop for Rochester’s Christmas market.
As you wander through the market, you’ll soon come across the child-friendly funfair featuring a Ferris wheel, carousel, a swing ride and more. Throughout the day, local bands and artists also take to the bandstand stage to bring some live music magic to marketgoers. Expect renditions of classic Christmas carols alongside covers of contemporary hits by the likes of Mariah Carey, Michael Bublé and Wham!
This year, Rochester Christmas Market will feature over 120 stalls, showcasing the best artisan traders from Kent and across South East England. Visitors can browse a range of unique gifts, including handmade candles, soaps, jewellery, Christmas decorations and ornaments, alongside baked goods and festive treats.
You’ll also find a cosy Bavarian-style food village, dishing up everything from Christmas dinner wraps and bratwursts to hog roasts, churros and more. There are plenty of spots to grab a Glühwein, German beer or a hot chocolate while you wander. The seating areas here have heaters to take the edge off the chill, but it’s still a good idea to bundle up in warm layers.
Rochester Christmas Market 2025: dates and opening hours
This year, the market opens its doors on 28 November and will then continue every weekend until 14 December. It’s open from 12pm to 9pm on Fridays; 10am to 9pm on Saturdays; and 10am to 6pm on Sundays.
More things to do in Rochester this Christmas
On the hunt for more festive things to do in Rochester? There’s the Dickensian Christmas Weekend running from 7-8th December where the town transforms into a festive Victorian wonderland—street theatre, parades and Victorian-style music included.
And if you’re after a truly festive plan, there’s a series of live candlelit concerts that are bringing Christmas tunes and more to life inside the 18th-century Corn Exchange Northgate. Performed entirely on strings, soundtracks from Christmas movies like Home Alone and Love Actually fill the air in an enchanting atmosphere lit by thousands of twinkling candles. And if you’re in need of a festive pause, there are classical tributes to Queen and Coldplay this winter too.
Learn more about these classical concerts in Rochester here.
Getting to Rochester from London
Regular trains run from London Victoria to Rochester, with travel times ranging from around 40 to 60 minutes, depending on the service. If you’re driving, the journey along the A2 takes just under two hours. While there’s no parking directly at Rochester Christmas Market, several pay-and-display car parks are close by, including the convenient Corporation Street Car Park.