Best 7+ London Christmas Markets and Winter Festivals

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Are you ready for the Holiday Season? Here in London, we always are… so time to update this London Christmas Markets post! For a city break to London, I can recommend visiting in November or December, because there are a couple of really atmospheric Christmas markets and jolly Winter festivals around.

Let’s get into the holiday mood with some mulled cider and roasted chestnuts! Here are some of my suggestions:

BEST LONDON CHRISTMAS MARKETS

#01 – 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 only been there once in the last 5 years and 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 say: 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)

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

Photo Credit: Garry Knight, CC BY 2.0

#02 – 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… free) Winter activities in London, I think! 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. Yummieeeee!

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)

Admission: Free, with paid shows.

Website: www.southbankcentre.co.uk

#03 – Winterville

In previous years, this small festival was held in Victoria Park, but this year, they move 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. 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)

Admission: Free, but you have to buy a ticket for certain events.

Website: winterville.co.uk

Photo Credit: Gavriil Papadiotis, CC BY-ND 2.0

#04 – Christmas at Leicester Square

There is 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: Half November to first week of January

Where: Leicester Square

Metro: Leicester Square Station (Northern line, black or Piccadilly line, dark blue)

Admission: The market is free, you have to buy tickets for the shows.

Website: www.christmasinleicestersquare.com

Photo Credit: sam.romilli, CC BY 2.0

#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

Metro: Kew Gardens Overground Station (orange line)

Admission: £ 16.50 to £ 23.50 per ticket

Website: kew.org/…/christmas-at-kew

Photo Credit: Ungry Young Man, CC BY 2.0

#06 – Other Christmas Markets

There are many more local markets and bigger fairs in London during Christmas, here are a few popular ones:

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

Hyper Japan Winter Fair

When: Mid November

Website: hyperjapan.co.uk

Horniman Christmas Market

When: End November

Website: www.horniman.ac.uk/…/horniman-christmas-market

Urban Markers EAST Christmas Makers’ Market

When: Various days throughout December

Website: urbanmakerseast.co.uk/…/christmas-at-old-spitalfields-market

Renegade Craft Fair

When: Second week of December

Website: www.renegadecraft.com/fairs/london

Crafty Fox Market

When: Various days in first two weeks of December

Website: www.craftyfoxmarket.co.uk/markets-events

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 

• Innkeeper’s Lodge London
• ibis London Greenwich
• Novotel London 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.

Disclaimer:All above hotel links are affiliates, which means we get a small commission when you book through any of those links. This is to no extra cost to you.

Nederlands (Dutch)