WINTER IS COMING! Are you ready for the holiday season yet? Here in London, we always are! Time to update this year’s London Christmas Markets post.
For a city break to England, I can recommend visiting in November or December, because there are a couple of really atmospheric Christmas markets and jolly Winter festivals around. Nothing beats a mulled wine or cider and roasted chestnuts, while walking along the festively lit South Bank, overlooking the Thames river, while browsing the many Christmas stalls, in my opinion.
Here are some of my top suggestions on places you shouldn’t miss during Christmas in London this year:
BEST LONDON CHRISTMAS MARKETS LIST
#01 – Southbank Centre Winter Market
Along the river Thames, from roughly the base of the London Eye, you can find the Southbank Centre Winter Market every year. Fun little wooden chalets with handmade gifts and food are lined up. One of the most fun (because…eh… free!) Winter activities in London!
This market is part of the Southbank Winter Festival, where you can also enjoy lots of music, theater and comedy for all ages.
TIP: don’t miss the Rekorderlig Cider Lodge for a mulled cider, my favourite winter drink. Yummyyyy!
When: First week of November to first week of January
Where: On the quay in front of the Southbank Center (next to the London Eye)
Metro: Waterloo Station (Bakerloo line, brown / Jubilee line, gray / Northern line, black / Waterloo & City line, mint green) or Embankment and then overflow the bridge (Bakerloo line, brown, Circle line, yellow, District line, green and Northern line, black)
Get your Visitor Oyster Card in the official Visit Britain Shop before you leave! >>
Admission: Free, with paid shows.
Website: www.southbankcentre.co.uk
#02 – Winter Wonderland London in Hyde Park
There is always a bit of a discussion among the locals whether Winter Wonderland is worth it or not. I have been there once and during my visit, it was quite atmospheric, but still very busy and expensive. You can enter the festival site for free, but you pay for all the attractions that you often have to reserve in advance.
In addition to a Christmas Market (which to me wasn’t that great, not compared the ones in Germany, for example) you will find several Christmas shows, a circus, a mirror tent, a large ice-skating rink and a Ferris wheel.
I would advice: if you have time left and are really crazy about fairground events, then it would be nice to visit, but take into account long waiting times before you can enter the area and great crowds (especially around the underground stations). Try to go throughout the week, then it is less crowded than on weekends.
When: Half November to first week of January
Where: Hyde Park
Metro: Your best options are: Hyde Park Corner Station (Piccadilly line, dark blue) or Lancaster Gate Station and Queensway Station (Central line, red)
Get your Visitor Oyster Card in the official Visit Britain Shop before you leave! >>
Admission: You can park for free on the terrain, but you have to pay extra for many things, such as the ice rink and shows.
Website: hydeparkwinterwonderland.com
#03 – Winterville
Head over to Clapham Common for a few days of riding circles on the ice skating rink and roller disco, hitting balls at the crazy golf course, spinning in the Ferris Wheel and watching films at the Backyard Cinema’s Winter Night Garden.
At Winterville, there is enough food and drinks (there is even a pub on site) at the many food trucks. Of course, at the Christmas Market, you can buy many handmade gifts. The famous Spiegeltent hosts many party’s with live music and during the day you can watch comedy, cabaret and Christmas shows for the entire family here. Entrance to the festival is free, but you have to buy a ticket for certain shows.
TIP: there is a heated indoor area for the kids to play, with of course a meet-and-greet with Santa!
When: Half November to End of December
Where: Clapham Common
Metro: Clapham South Station (Northern line, black)
Get your Visitor Oyster Card in the official Visit Britain Shop before you leave! >>
Admission: Free, but you have to buy a ticket for certain events.
Website: winterville.co.uk
#04 – Christmas in Leicester Square
There is always a Christmas Festival at the famous Leicester Square in the center of London! Expect a not so big, but traditional looking Christmas market with food, drinks and fun gifts to buy, and of course a Santa’s Grotto for the kids. They also put up a Spiegeltent here for lots of shows that will entertain you throughout the festival.
When: Begin November to first week of January
Where: Leicester Square
Metro: Leicester Square Station (Northern line, black or Piccadilly line, dark blue)
Get your Visitor Oyster Card in the official Visit Britain Shop before you leave! >>
Admission: The market is free, you have to buy tickets for the shows.
Website: www.christmasinleicestersquare.com
#05 – Christmas London at KEW Gardens
Follow a beautiful path through KEW Gardens along more than a million lights illuminating the old trees and buildings in the gardens.
The iconic palm house is coming to life with a show of lasers, light guns and kaleidoscopic projections. For the kids there is also a Santa Claus with elves at the North Pole Village and you can also enjoy the Vintage Fair. Of course while enjoying a warm chocolate or mulled wine!
When: Half November to first week of January
Where: Kew Gardens
Get your KEW Gardens Tickets from the official Visit Britain Shop >>
Metro: Kew Gardens Overground Station (orange line)
Get your Visitor Oyster Card in the official Visit Britain Shop before you leave! >>
Admission: £ 16.50 to £ 23.50 per ticket
Website: kew.org/…/christmas-at-kew
Photo Credit: Ungry Young Man, CC BY 2.0
#06 – Christmas at Borough Market
While Borough Market is always a good idea to visit, it really gets cosy around Christmas Time! The market is open daily until Christmas, so you can stock up on the best seasonal produce and unique gifts for your loved ones. There will be a visit from Santa and usually there are also Christmas Carol Singers around, love it!
TIP: A real foodie? Delve into London’s thriving culinary scene with a three-hour guided gastronomy tour of the London Bridge and Borough Market area, and try plenty of delicious local food. Find out more about this food tour on the official Visit Britain Shop >>
Another great food tour is this Borough Market & Gin Distillery Walking Tour. Cheers!
When: All of December
Where: Borough Market, next to London Bridge Station
Metro: London Bridge Station (Jubilee (grey) and Northern line (black))
Get your Visitor Oyster Card in the official Visit Britain Shop before you leave! >>
Admission: Free
Website: boroughmarket.org.uk
#07 – Greenwich Christmas Market
It’s always worth making the journey to Greenwich (it really isn’t that far!) and shop at Greenwich Market, especially during the holidays! There are over 150 stalls that sell a range of crafts, food, fashion items and the best (often handmade) stocking fillers! During the month of December, also expect festive music and seasonal food served up at the many street food stalls.
When: From November onwards
Where: Greenwich Market
TIP: One of the best ways to get to Greenwich is taking a river sightseeing tour from Westminster over the river Thames!
Check out this tour on the official Visit Britain Shop >>
Metro: Take the DLR-trains to stop “Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich DLR Station” (you can use your Oyster Card
Get your Visitor Oyster Card in the official Visit Britain Shop before you leave! >>
Admission: Free
Website: greenwichmarket.london
#08 – Christmas by the River
I love walking along the Thames on the promenade between London Bridge and Tower Bridge, especially when the Christmas by the River wooden cabins (over 70 of them) pop up around the end of November. It’s a traditional Christmas market (often with a bit of a theme going on) that stretches along the Queen’s Walk and gives you spectacular views of London’s skyline, including views of Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and the City of London. There is plenty of seasonal food and drinks, as wel as craft workshops, live music, performances and other activities supporting a charity each year.
TIP: Some great tours in this area are the Tower Bridge Exhibition
When: End of November to first week of January
Where: Along the waterfront from London Bridge Station to Tower Bridge
Metro: London Bridge Station (Jubilee (grey) and Northern line (black))
Get your Visitor Oyster Card in the official Visit Britain Shop before you leave! >>
Admission: Free
Website: londonbridgecity.co.uk
#09 – Christmas at Covent Garden
When the decorations for the holidays have gone up, Covent Garden is a magical place that you must visit on your London Christmas trip! There are plenty of restaurants and shops in the area, but on the main square you can also find a crafts market (Apple Market) where you can score some unique Christmas gifts. There are usually some dates when you can go late-night shopping as well as carol singers and other unique events.
TIP: Explore the best of Covent Garden with this private walking tour with City Unscripted. See the best deals on the official Visit Britain Shop >>
When: From the first week of November
Where: Covent Garden
Metro: Covent Garden (Picadilly line – dark blue)
Get your Visitor Oyster Card in the official Visit Britain Shop before you leave! >>
Admission: Free
Website: coventgarden.london
#10 – Winter Ice Rinks in London
Besides all the Christmas Markets and Winter Events in London, there is one activity that you should definitely should check out this Winter, and that is ice skating at one of the pop-up ice rinks throughout London!
Your ticket usually includes skate rental and the rinks are located right next to some of the most historic places of the city. MAGICAL!
- Tower of London Ice Rink – website
- Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink – website
- Winter Wonderland Ice Rink – website
- Winterville Ice Rink – website
- Natural History Museum Ice Rink – website
- Somerset House Ice Rink – website
#11 – Christmas Lights Tour
One of the best things about London during Christmas, is that on all the main streets (Oxford Street, Regent Street, Bond Street, Carnaby Street, etc.), the Christmas lights go on from November! It’s always a huge deal with ceremonies and everything, so make sure not to miss it.
Something fun we did was The Original Tour Christmas Lights Bus Tour, where you drive in an open-top bus to see all the lights. Loved it!
Website: www.theoriginaltour.com/en/tours/london-christmas-lights-bus-tour
BONUS – Other Christmas Markets
There are many more local markets and bigger fairs in London during Christmas, here are a few popular ones:
Conscious Christmas Market
When: First Sunday of December
Website: www.theboilerhouse.org/events/conscious-christmas-market
House & Garden Spirit of Christmas Fair
When: In the first two weeks of November
Website: www.spiritofchristmasfair.co.uk
Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair
When: In the first two weeks of November
Website: www.countrylivingfair.com
Horniman Christmas Market
When: End November
Website: www.horniman.ac.uk/…/horniman-christmas-market
December Renegade Craft Fair
When: Second week of December
Website: www.renegadecraft.com/fairs/london
December Crafty Fox Markets
When: Various days in December
Website: www.craftyfoxmarket.co.uk/markets-events
Kingston Upon Thames Christmas Market
When: From half November to end of December
Website: inkingston.co.uk
LONDON MUST-HAVES
Get your Visitor Oyster Card in the official Visit Britain Shop before you leave! >>
GREAT LONDON HOTELS FOR CHRISTMAS
London Hotels around Hyde Park
- Amba Hotel Marble Arch
- Stüdyo Paddington by Bridgestreet
- J Hotel London
- Stylotel London
- The Zetter Townhouse Marylebone
- Arbor Hyde Park
London Hotels around Leicester Square
- W London Leicester Square
- The Piccadilly London West End
- The Z Hotel Picadilly
- Thistle Trafalgar Square
London Hotels around the Southbank
- London Bridge Hotel
- citizenM London Bankside
- Novotel London City South
- ibis London Blackfriars
- The Mad Hatter Hotel
- The Wellington Hotel
London Hotels around Greenwich
These hotels are all centrally located, close to the shopping areas and Christmas markets in London. A great base for a weekend Christmas Shopping in London! Many hotels have Christmas deals, so keep a close eye.
Make sure to also read:
Christmas Shopping in Londen: 10x Shops For That Ultimate Christmas Feeling
Afternoon Tea on a London Bus You Need to Know About: B Bakery Bus Tour
More fun things to see and do in London around Christmas:
- One Day In London, England? Complete Bloomsbury Neighbourhood Guide
- One Day in Greenwich London? Complete Guide To A Perfect City Break!
- This is Where to Find the Best London Souvenirs That You’ll Love!
- Tower Of London Tour Review – Meeting The Ravenmaster & Ceremony Of The Keys
- Amazing Camden Street Art London Urban Adventures Tour Review
Best activities in the rest of Great Britain:
- Discover Royal London And Experience Changing The Guard At Windsor Castle
- Great Britain Bucket List: 40 Places Not To Miss In England, Scotland And Wales
PIN IT!
Lijkt me echt geweldig om naar een kerstmarkt in Londen te gaan! Ga altijd naar Duitsland, maar dit lijkt me misschien nog wel veel leuker :D
Sabine recently posted…Ziek
Als je ooit de kans hebt, zeker doen! De hele stad is super sfeervol rond deze tijd!
This comes just in time! I’ll be visiting London in two weeks and was thinking of any good places to visit. :)
Michelle recently posted…Tokyo Escape: A day trip to Takao-san!
I hope you had a great time in London Michelle!
Nienke Krook recently posted…The Power of Silent Spaces [Space Nation Orbit Blog]
I’ve been to London two times but never in the winter. After this post I definitely want to go there, like right now! Everything looks so beautiful!
I hope you get the chance! London looks amazing this time of year!! All the best!
Hello,I love Camden market I never thought to go at Christmas. I never realized half these places did Christmas markets so I will be dragging the partner along
Hey Sara, There are so many markets around Christmas time in London, hope you got the chance to check some out!
Hi Nienke,
Thank you for your help in this blog. And yes I want to go to Winterville