Christmas markets in London
Christmas markets in London set up across historic squares, riverfront promenades, and commercial districts throughout the winter season. The capital hosts multiple market locations, offering regional food specialties, handcrafted items, and seasonal entertainment. Visitors explore traditional wooden chalets and covered markets while touring central landmarks.
Which is the best Xmas market in London?

Which is the best Xmas market in London?
Determining the best Christmas market in London leads many visitors to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. This event offers the largest combination of market stalls, fairground rides, an open-air ice rink, and circus shows in one location. While comparing the best London Xmas markets, travelers find that this location delivers the highest volume of attractions and vendor choices. The layout incorporates traditional wooden chalets reminiscent of a classic Christmas Fayre London setup alongside specialized entertainment zones. Visitors find event schedules and tickets on the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland official website.
What date are Christmas markets in London?
Christmas markets in London run primarily from mid-November through early January. Opening schedules vary across individual market locations:
| Christmas Market | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|
| Hyde Park Winter Wonderland | November 19, 2026 | January 3, 2027 |
| Covent Garden Christmas Market | November 12, 2026 | January 3, 2027 |
| London Bridge Christmas Market | November 12, 2026 | January 3, 2027 |
| Southbank Centre Winter Market | November 1, 2026 | December 26, 2026 |
| Kingston Christmas Market | November 12, 2026 | December 24, 2026 |
| Greenwich Christmas Market | November 15, 2026 | December 24, 2026 |
| Battersea Christmas Market | November 12, 2026 | January 3, 2027 |
| Mayfair Christmas Market | November 20, 2026 | November 22, 2026 |
| King's Cross Christmas Market | November 26, 2026 | December 23, 2026 |
| Chelsea Christmas Market | November 14, 2026 | December 24, 2026 |
| Camden Christmas Market | November 12, 2026 | December 31, 2026 |
| Old Spitalfields Christmas Market | November 12, 2026 | December 24, 2026 |
| Christmas in Leicester Square | November 6, 2026 | January 3, 2027 |
Christmas markets in London that you should visit
In addition to the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, London hosts a wide variety of seasonal markets across central squares, historic halls, and riverfront paths. Each venue provides distinct vendor selections, street food stalls, and entertainment options:
Covent Garden Christmas Market
The Covent Garden Christmas Market operates inside and around the historic Market Building. The central address is Covent Garden Piazza, London WC2E 8RF. Entry remains free for all visitors. Artisans sell handcrafted jewelry, artwork, hand-poured candles, and leather goods across daily markets inside the Apple Market building. Food stalls and surrounding restaurants offer seasonal holiday menus, baked goods, and hot mulled wine. Visitors view a 60-foot Christmas tree in the central Piazza alongside extensive light installations across the surrounding pedestrian lanes. The market operates daily from 11:00 to 21:00 from mid-November through early January. Find further information, event schedules, and visitor details on the Covent Garden official website.
London Bridge Christmas Market
The London Bridge Christmas Market, also known as Christmas by the River, sits along the riverfront near Tower Bridge. The central address is London Bridge City, Tooley Street, London SE1 2DB. Admission remains free for all visitors. Wooden chalets sell handcrafted jewelry, leather goods, winter accessories, and holiday ornaments. Food stalls offer international street food, craft beer, and hot mulled wine. Visitors view Tower Bridge and the historic Tower of London while walking through riverside pop-up bars and market stalls. The market operates Sunday to Wednesday from 11:00 to 21:00 and Thursday to Saturday from 11:00 to 22:00.
Southbank Centre Winter Market
The Southbank Centre Winter Market extends along the Queen's Walk near the River Thames. The primary location is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. Entry remains free for all attendees throughout the season. Wooden alpine chalets sell handmade gifts, stocking stuffers, artisan home decorations, and crafts. Food stalls serve international street food, gourmet cheese dishes, roasted nuts, and hot mulled wine. Visitors walk along the riverbank to view seasonal light displays and access neighboring cultural performance venues. The market operates Sunday to Thursday from 11:00 to 22:00 and Friday to Saturday from 11:00 to 23:00. Additional event information appears on the Southbank Centre official website.
Kingston Christmas Market
The Kingston Christmas Market sits within the Ancient Market Place in Kingston upon Thames. The central address is Market Place, Kingston upon Thames KT1 1JS. Admission remains free for all visitors. Traditional wooden cabins sell handmade crafts, boutique gifts, and seasonal holiday decorations. Food traders prepare continental street food, Bavarian sausages, sweet pastries, and hot spiced wine. Visitors attend live music performances on the central outdoor stage and participate in interactive curling games. The market operates Sunday to Wednesday from 10:00 to 18:00 and Thursday to Saturday from 10:00 to 20:00. Visitors access schedule details, trader lists, and event news on the Kingston Christmas Market official website.
Greenwich Christmas Market
The Greenwich Christmas Market takes place inside the historic Greenwich Market structure. The central address is 5B Greenwich Market, London SE10 9HZ. Entry is free for all guests throughout the season. Over 120 stalls display items from independent designers, antique traders, and craft artisans. Food vendors sell international street food, fresh pastries, and warm beverages. Activities include viewing the light switch-on procession and visiting a Santa's grotto area for children. The market operates daily from 10:00 to 17:30 throughout November and December. Full event details, vendor listings, and holiday schedules appear on the Greenwich Market official website.
Battersea Christmas Market
The Battersea Christmas Market operates around the restored landmark building at Nine Elms. The central address is Circus Road West, Nine Elms, London SW11 8AL. Entry remains free for all attendees. Stalls offer designer crafts, home decor items, winter accessories, and artisanal gifts. Food vendors serve hot cocktails, sweet treats, and street food specialties across open-air plazas. Activities include skating on an open-air ice rink with direct views of the power station chimneys and viewing festive light displays. The market operates Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 22:00 and Saturday to Sunday from 10:00 to 22:00. Find details on the Battersea Power Station official website.
Mayfair Christmas Market
The Mayfair Christmas Market takes place in the Mayfair district along Mayfair Place. The central address is Mayfair Place, London W1J 8AJ. Admission is free for all guests during the market dates. Stalls display luxury products, fine jewelry, artisan leather goods, and seasonal gifts. Specialty vendors offer champagne, winter cocktails, gourmet street food, and holiday sweets. Visitors experience live musical performances while browsing boutique stalls set up throughout the event area. The market operates daily from 11:00 to 21:00 during its opening weekend in late November.
King's Cross Christmas Market
The King's Cross Christmas Market takes place under the covered outdoor structure at West Handyside Canopy. The address is 2 Exhibition Way, London N1C 4BZ. Entry remains free for all visitors. Stalls sell goods from independent designers, handcrafted jewelry, ceramics, and specialty foods like artisanal cheeses and baked goods. Food traders offer hot drinks, craft beers, and international street food. The site hosts rotating themed market days and live acoustic music performances throughout the festive season. The market operates Monday to Sunday from 11:00 to 20:00, extending until 21:00 on Fridays.
Chelsea Christmas Market
The Chelsea Christmas Market operates around Duke of York Square along King's Road. The central address is Duke of York Square, King's Road, London SW3 4LY. Entry to the market area remains free for all attendees. Vendors sell gourmet food items, handcrafted gifts, luxury winter accessories, and seasonal decorations. Stalls offer warm beverages, roasted chestnuts, and specialty holiday pastries. Activities include visiting a Santa's grotto area for children and viewing festive light displays across the square. The market operates Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00 and Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00.
Camden Christmas Market
The Camden Christmas Market takes place within the historic Camden Market complex. The central address is Camden Lock Place, London NW1 8AF. Admission remains free for all visitors throughout the season. Stalls sell vintage clothing, alternative fashion, hand-poured candles, original artwork, and artisan crafts. Food stalls serve international street food, specialty desserts, and warm spiced drinks across multiple courtyards. Visitors skate at the open-air ice rink in the North Yard and attend scheduled family activities throughout November and December. The market operates daily from 10:00 to 22:00 from mid-November through December 31. Details appear on the Camden Market official website.
Old Spitalfields Christmas Market
The Old Spitalfields Christmas Market occupies a fully covered historic market hall. The central address is 16 Horner Square, London E1 6EW. Entry remains free for all attendees throughout the season. Stalls feature vintage items, contemporary artwork, handmade jewelry, leather crafts, and sustainable fashion. Food traders inside the market hall serve global street food, gourmet pastries, and hot beverages. The site hosts specialized themed artisan days and creative craft workshops throughout the winter season. The market operates Monday to Wednesday and Friday from 08:00 to 20:00, Thursday from 08:00 to 18:00, Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00, and Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00. Visitors access full schedule details, vendor directories, and workshop bookings on the Old Spitalfields Market official website.
Christmas in Leicester Square
Christmas in Leicester Square occupies the central pedestrian square in London's West End. The central address is Leicester Square, London WC2H 7LU. Entry to the market space remains free for all attendees throughout the season. Stalls sell handcrafted ornaments, winter accessories, artisan crafts, and confectionery. Food stands offer sweet crepes, Bavarian sausages, roasted nuts, and warm spiced drinks. The site features a traditional Spiegeltent hosting ticketed theatrical and circus performances throughout the winter. The market operates Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 22:00 and Saturday to Sunday from 10:00 to 22:00.
Are London Christmas markets worth it?
Yes. Visiting London Christmas markets delivers a diverse seasonal experience across iconic city locations. The capital offers over a dozen festive markets featuring artisan craft stalls, regional food specialty vendors, ice skating rinks, and live entertainment. Most venues offer free entry, allowing travelers to explore central neighborhoods, riverfront promenades, and historic shopping districts without paying admission fees. Visitors sample winter food, purchase handcrafted gifts, and enjoy seasonal light displays. The central distribution of market locations makes it easy to combine market visits with trips to other attractions in London.
Book tickets for the top attractions in London
Visitors purchase entry passes for iconic observation decks, historic landmarks, royal residences, and botanical displays across the capital to complement their winter itinerary: