Exploring the Christmas Markets in London

In November, the days may be shorter and it might be getting much colder, but there’s still a silver (and red and gold) lining, in the shape of Christmas! For many, Christmas time is the best time of the year, and is a chance to celebrate with family and friends.

Another reason why Christmas is so magical is thanks to the huge selection of Christmas markets that spring up from the song (or rain, as the case often is in the UK). And there’s no better place to immerse yourself in the festivities than in London. The Christmas markets in London are among the best in the country, with plenty of events going on in and around the capital to fill you with Christmas cheer.

In this article, we’re going to run through some of our favourite Christmas markets in London and let you know the sort of things they have to offer, so you can surround yourself in feel-good Christmas magic.

Where are the Christmas Markets in London and what can you expect to see?

No matter where you are in the capital, during November and December you’re almost guaranteed to not be too far from a Christmas market. Here’s just some of our favourites.

Winter Wonderland

Every year, Hyde Park transforms into Winter Wonderland, an enormous festival filled with shows, exhibitions, food halls, kids’ rides and even roller coasters. But, the icing on the Christmas cake is the huge Christmas market. If you’re after something Christmassy, you’re bound to find it at Winter Wonderland, including decorations, gifts, sweets and more winter warming comfort dishes than you could ever eat.

The best thing is, Winter Wonderland is completely free to access, so you don’t need to pay a penny to immerse yourself in the atmosphere. The only thing you pay for are the rides, attractions, food and experiences, which we guarantee you’ll want to do.

Leicester Square Christmas Market

Leicester Square might be known for its nightlife and cinemas in the heart of the West End, but at Christmas it’s home to a Christmas market, with rides, craft stalls, food vans, live music and entertainment and Santa’s Grotto. It’s also illuminated by thousands of festive lights, making it a must-see spot during the lead up to the big day.

Kingston Christmas Market

To the south west of the capital, Kingston-upon-Thames hosts its annual Christmas market. It offers that small, traditional market town feel, which is washed in thousands of lights and has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, despite the cold (though we still recommend you wear plenty of layers). Of course there’s a market with a variety of stalls and retailers, as well as food and drink (we recommend the hog roast) carolers, live bands and even Bavarian curling lanes so you can try something new.

Greenwich Market

Greenwich market is on year-round, but at Christmas it’s home to a lantern parade and accompanying Christmas lights, and the stalls switch up their offerings so you can find plenty of gifts, decorations and festive treats. There’s also live entertainment, which fills Greenwich with festive vibes.

Winter by the River

Winter by the River is a London Christmas-time favourite, and fills the banks of the River Thames with festive cheer and stretches from London Bridge right down to Tower Bridge. It even fills Hays Galleria, so there’s absolutely loads to see and do during your visit.

Not only does Winter by the River have masses of market stalls, it’s also close to many of London’s iconic attractions and sights, making it a must-visit during your visit to the city during November and December.

King's Cross Christmas Markets

King’s Cross is already associated with the magic of Harry Potter, but every Christmas it becomes a hive of holiday activities, including curling, cocktails and an enormous 46-foot illuminated tree.

And it wouldn’t be a Christmas market without the stalls. Beneath a huge canopy there are vendors offering homeware, gifts, fashion, beauty items and more. There are also workshops, entertainment offerings and specialty food and drink offerings to keep you more than satisfied.

Southbank Winter Festival

Every year the Southbank Centre hosts their Winter Festival, which includes wooden chalets, cosy igloos and thousands of twinkling lights along the banks of the Thames. Inside, there are performances and galleries so you can enjoy pantos, choirs, international acts and plays.

Trafalgar Square Christmas Market

Take a trip to the iconic Trafalgar Square to browse dozens of wooden chalets that offer everything from high-end gifts to delectable Christmas snacks. It’s not the biggest Christmas Market in the city, but it’s right in the heart of London and is hard to miss. It’s also a popular spot for tourists, so be prepared for it to be a little busy.

Seven Dials Christmas Market

Seven Dials Market in the legendary Covent Garden is open year-round serving amazing food from 20 independent vendors, but at Christmas they really embrace the holiday spirit. Try festive foods from around the world while listening to Christmas bangers from the resident DJ. They even offer bottomless food events which you need to book in advance and are a great way to fill your boots and try something new.

See what living with UNCLE in London is like!

If you’re a big fan of Christmas markets, London is definitely the place to be. The entire city becomes a haven of Christmassy fun, with plenty of ways to have fun, spend some money and fill yourself with sugary treats.

But there’s way more to London than just its Christmas offerings. See what living with UNCLE in London is like, so you can call this iconic city home for less.