Best Christmas Markets in London (2026)
Riverside chalets, Tower Bridge views, King's Cross gift markets and one-weekend makers' fairs: where to go for Christmas in London in 2026.
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Southbank is the easiest first stop for a classic London Christmas market evening. Winter by the River has the Tower Bridge backdrop, King's Cross is where to start with an actual gift list, and Kingston is the pick for a proper town-square market. For handmade ceramics, prints and presents that feel personal, some of the best shopping happens at fairs that last only a weekend.
London doesn't have one big Christmas market. It has chalet markets, ticketed attractions, makers' fairs and year-round markets that dress up for December, and they aren't interchangeable. Borough is about food, Covent Garden is about the decorations, and Winter Wonderland is as much a funfair as a market.
Pick one market for the atmosphere and one for the shopping. You'll have a better day than you would trying to squeeze every famous name in.
Every London Christmas market on one map
Use the map to compare markets by neighborhood and find a second stop nearby. Several of the smaller fairs last only a day or a weekend, so pick your date before you plan a route.
London's best Christmas markets at a glance
| Market | Area | 2026 dates | Admission | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southbank Centre Winter Market | South Bank | Nov 2–Jan 3 | Free | Food, drinks and an evening by the Thames |
| Winter by the River | London Bridge | Nov 10–Jan 3 | Free | Tower Bridge views and a heated rooftop bar |
| King's Cross Christmas markets | King's Cross | Seven events, Nov 20–Jan 3 | Free | Independent gifts and the most variety in one area |
| Kingston Christmas Market | Kingston upon Thames | Nov 12–Jan 3 | Free | A traditional town-square market |
| Hyde Park Winter Wonderland | Hyde Park | Nov 19–Jan 3 | From £1, timed entry | Rides, shows and a big group day out |
| Trafalgar Square Christmas Market | West End | Nov 6–Jan 3 | Free | A quick central stop by the National Gallery |
| Skate Leicester Square | West End | Oct 31–Jan 3 | Skating ticketed | An ice rink with stalls around it |
| Greenwich Peninsula Winter Market | Greenwich Peninsula | Nov 7–Jan 3 | Free | A vintage carousel and street food near The O2 |
| Greenwich Market | Greenwich | Year-round; lights Nov 18 | Free | Crafts, food and a full neighborhood day |
| Borough Market | London Bridge | Year-round; open daily from Nov 30 | Free | Edible gifts and Christmas food shopping |
| Old Spitalfields Market | Spitalfields | Year-round; lights Nov 11 | Free | Covered shopping, makers and vinyl |
| Covent Garden | West End | Lights from Nov 12 | Free | A 50-foot tree, 300,000 lights and free snowfall |
| Camden Market | Camden | Festive from Nov 26 | Free | Thursday night markets until 9pm |
| Curated Makers at Battersea Power Station | Battersea | Dec 5–22 | Free | Rainy-day shopping with a changing lineup |
| City of London Christmas Market | City of London | Nov 23–Dec 6 | Free | A lunch-break market under the Walkie Talkie |
| Leadenhall Market | City of London | SoLo fairs Nov 14 and Dec 12 | Free | Historic arcades with 100+ makers on fair days |
| Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair | Chelsea | Nov 26–29 | £8 advance; £10 at the door | 100+ independent stalls in London's oldest botanic garden |
| Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre | Hampton Court | Dec 4–6 and Dec 11–13 | Included with palace admission | A palace day out with food and gifts |
| Urban Makers at the Ecology Pavilion | Mile End | Nov 28–29 and Dec 12–13 | Free; tickets on Eventbrite | About 50 makers indoors, different each day |
| SoLo at Between the Bridges | South Bank | Sundays, Nov 15–Dec 20 | Free | 60 makers a short walk from Southbank |
| SoLo at St Martin-in-the-Fields | Trafalgar Square | Nov 21–22 and Nov 28–29 | TBC | Handmade gifts under cover off the square |
| Swedish Church Christmas Fair | Marylebone | Nov 20–22 | £3; under-12s free | Swedish food and traditions |
| Finnish Church Christmas Fair | Rotherhithe | Nov 27–29 and Dec 4–6 | TBC | Finnish food, gifts and seasonal treats |
| DIY Art Market and Independent Ceramics Market | Peckham | Dec 12 and Dec 13 | £2 for ceramics; DIY TBC | Art on Saturday, pottery on Sunday |
| Wembley Park Festive Market | Wembley | Weekends, Dec 5–20 | Free | Weekend stalls and a brass band by the station |
| Columbia Road | Shoreditch | Wednesday evenings in December | Free | Independent shops open late midweek |
Christmas markets you can visit any day
The first eight are seasonal Christmas markets, from riverside chalets to the big ticketed day out in Hyde Park. The last five are year-round markets that dress up for December.
Southbank Centre Winter Market
The Queen's Walk, London SE1 8XX, UK
Alpine-style chalets run along the Thames under Hungerford Bridge, and this is the one we'd send a first-timer to. Come hungry for Yorkshire pudding wraps, bao, churros and hot chocolate, show up late in the afternoon, and stay for the lights. Details: November 2–January 3. Stalls 11am–10pm, bars 11am–11pm. Free. Outdoors.
Winter by the River
4 More London Pl, London SE1 2AU, UK
No other London market can match this backdrop, with stalls along the waterfront and Tower Bridge in the view. There are crafts, food and The Clubhouse, a two-story bar with a heated rooftop, plus bookable curling on the pier. Go to Borough Market first, then come here for the evening. Details: November 10–January 3, 11am–10pm. Closes at 5pm December 24 and 9pm December 31, closed December 25. Free to browse. Outdoors.
King's Cross Christmas Markets
Granary Square, London, UK
Seven markets in one neighborhood make this the best place to start with a real gift list. Christmas Under the Canopy has 50+ makers, and the new Winter Market in Granary Square is the evening option, with street food, three bars and live music. December 5 or 6 is the day to go, when four of the markets overlap. Details: November 20–January 3, dates vary by market. Free, no booking. Every stall is card-only this year.
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| Market | Where | 2026 dates | What it's for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas Under the Canopy | West Handyside Canopy | Nov 20–Dec 23, closed most Mondays | 50+ independent makers under cover |
| King's Cross Winter Market | Granary Square | Nov 26–Jan 3, closed Dec 25–26 and Jan 1 | Street food, three bars and a bandstand |
| Lower Stable Street Christmas Market | Lower Stable Street | Nov 26–29 and Dec 10–13 | Eco-friendly gifts at a B Corp market |
| Mexican Christmas Market | Coal Drops Yard | Nov 27–29 | Tamales, churros and live music |
| Shōtengai Festive Market | Lower Stable Street | Dec 3–6 and Dec 17–20 | Pan-Asian crafts and street food |
| Illustrators' Festive Fair | The Crossing | Dec 5 | 130+ illustrators, prints and comics |
| Crafty Fox Christmas Market | The Crossing | Dec 6, 12 and 13 | Handmade ceramics, jewelry and art prints |
Kingston Christmas Market
Market Pl, Kingston upon Thames KT1 1JT, UK
This is the proper town-square market, set around the Ancient Market Place in southwest London. Expect bratwurst, hog roast, mulled wine and live music on the stage, and stay into the evening, since food and bars run later than the stalls. Details: November 12–January 3, closed December 25. Stalls 10am–6pm, until 8pm Thursday–Saturday. Bars and food until 8pm–10pm depending on the day. Shorter hours December 24 and 26. Free. Outdoors.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Louisa Duckworth Walk, London W1K 7AN, UK
This is a huge Christmas attraction, with rides, a giant wheel, an ice rink, shows and food, and the stalls are only part of it. Go because your group wants the rides, not for a calm hunt for independent gifts. Details: November 19–January 3, closed December 25. Open until 10pm; opening time varies by day. Timed entry is £1 off-peak, £5.50 standard or £8.25 peak, or free when you spend £25 online in advance. Rides cost extra.
Trafalgar Square Christmas Market
Trafalgar Sq, London WC2N 5DS, UK
Wooden stalls sell crafts, gifts and sweet treats in front of the National Gallery, around the tree Norway has sent London every year since 1947. It's a quick stop during a West End day, not a destination, and the market opens well before the tree goes up. Details: November 6–January 3, 10am–10pm. Free. Outdoors.
Skate Leicester Square
Leicester Square, London, UK
A circular ice rink fills the square, with Christmas stalls and a seasonal bar around it. It's best as part of a skate or a theater night, so don't cross London just for the shopping. Details: October 31–January 3, closed December 25. Open 10am–10pm, weekdays from noon until November 26. Skating is ticketed. Outdoors.
Greenwich Peninsula Winter Market
Peninsula Square, London, UK
Don't mix this one up with Greenwich Market in the historic town center. This one is on Peninsula Square by The O2, with a carousel, churros, crêpes, donuts and boozy hot chocolate, and it's an easy stop before a show. Details: November 7–January 3, noon–9pm. Free; rides cost extra. Outdoors.
Greenwich Market
Greenwich Market, London SE10 9HZ, UK
The covered market in historic Greenwich has more than 120 shops and stalls, from art and crafts to food. Browse in daylight, leave room for lunch, and let the town and park fill out the day. Details: Daily 10am–5:30pm. Lantern parade and lights November 18. Free to browse. Covered, but not enclosed.
Borough Market
London SE1 9AH, UK
Borough doesn't become a chalet market in December, and that's the appeal. Come for lunch and presents you can eat, from rare-breed turkeys to flaming Christmas puddings, before the traders pack up for the evening. Details: Closed Mondays until November 30, then daily: Monday–Friday 10am–5pm, Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday 10am–4pm. Closes at 3pm December 24 and 31, closed December 25–27 and January 1. Free to browse.
Old Spitalfields Market
16 Horner Square, London E1 6EW, UK
Spitalfields is the answer when your gift list runs past ornaments and mulled wine. Urban Makers' Christmas market takes over on Wednesdays, and the Vinyl Market returns on December 4 and 18. Details: Lights switch on November 11. Urban Makers Wednesdays 10am–6pm, Vinyl Market 10am–5pm. Free to browse. Covered, but not heated.
Covent Garden
41 The Piazza, London WC2E 8RF, UK
Go for the decorations: a 50-foot Norwegian spruce, more than 300,000 lights and free snowfall on the hour in December. There's no temporary Christmas market here, so pair it with lunch, a show or a walk to Trafalgar Square. Details: Lights switch on November 12. Snowfall noon–9pm, December 4–31. Late shopping on Festive Thursdays. Free.
Camden Market
Camden Lock Market, 215-2165 Chalk Farm Rd, London NW1 8AB, UK
Camden keeps its usual edge at Christmas, with glowing trees through the alleyways and brass bands in the Stables and North Yard. Go on a Thursday, when the festive Night Market runs late with mulled wine and Christmas food. Details: Festive from November 26. Night Markets Thursdays until 9pm. Free to browse.
Christmas fairs and markets on set dates
These are the best bets for presents you won't find anywhere else. Most run for a few days or a single weekend, so start with the date.
Curated Makers at Battersea Power Station
Circus Rd W, Nine Elms, London SW11 8DD, UK
One of the best rainy-day picks on the list, with 24 makers at a time inside the Power Station and a new lineup every few days. If you like something, buy it, since that stall may be gone next time. Details: December 5–22. Monday–Saturday 11am–8pm, Sunday 11am–6pm. Free and dog-friendly. Indoors, by the Riverside Walk entrance.
City of London Christmas Market
20 Fenchurch St, London EC3M 8AF, UK
SoLo Craft Fair sets up outside the Walkie Talkie for two weeks, with 18 makers selling fashion, art and jewelry and Larch serving mulled wine. It's small, but it's a handy lunch-break stop in the City. Details: November 23–December 6, 11am–6pm daily. Free. Outdoors at 1 Sky Garden Walk.
Leadenhall Market
Gracechurch St, London EC3V 1LT, UK
The historic arcade is worth seeing anytime, but go on a SoLo fair day if you're shopping, when more than 100 makers fill the covered streets. December 12 is the pick, since the Christmas lights are up by then. Details: SoLo fairs November 14 and December 12, noon–5pm. Free. Covered, but open to the air.
Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair
66 Royal Hospital Rd, London SW3 4HS, UK
Book this one if choosing presents is the main event. More than 100 independent businesses bring homeware, clothing, food and drinks to London's oldest botanic garden for four days. It's mostly in marquees, and you can't bring a pushchair in. Details: November 26–29. Thursday–Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 10am–4pm. £8 in advance, £10 at the door.
Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre
Hampton Ct Way, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU, UK
This works best when you want the palace as much as the shopping. Artisan food and gifts fill the Great Fountain Garden, and your ticket also covers the palace, gardens and maze. Book ahead, and pair it with Kingston if you want a second market. Details: December 4–6 and 11–13, 10am–5pm. Included with palace admission. Members get in free December 11–13 but must pre-book. Outdoors.
Urban Makers at the Ecology Pavilion
125 Grove Rd., Bow, London E3 5RP, UK
Around 50 makers fill the glass-sided Ecology Pavilion in Mile End Park, and the traders change each day, so Saturday and Sunday are two different markets. It's one of the better indoor options if the forecast looks bad. Details: November 28–29 and December 12–13, 11am–5pm. Free, with tickets on Eventbrite. Indoors at 125 Grove Road.
SoLo at Between the Bridges
The Queen's Walk, London SE1 8XX, UK
Sixty independent brands take over the pier at Between the Bridges on Sundays, next to the London Eye. It's a separate event from the Southbank chalets and the best way to add real gift shopping to a South Bank day, with bars, street food and DJs on site. Details: Sundays, November 15–December 20, noon–5pm. Free and dog-friendly. Enter by the carousel.
SoLo at St Martin-in-the-Fields
Trafalgar Sq, London WC2N 4JJ, UK
This is the handmade answer to the stalls outside in Trafalgar Square, with SoLo's fair filling the church's crypt and surrounding spaces. It only runs for two weekends. Details: November 21–22 and 28–29, 11am–5pm. Indoors. No dogs.
Swedish Church Christmas Fair
6 Harcourt St, London W1H 4AG, UK
Run with ScandiKitchen, this fair on Harcourt Street has Swedish food, festive goods and a café, and it's as much about the traditions as the shopping. Details: November 20–22. Friday 11am–8pm, Saturday 11am–6pm, Sunday 11:30am–5pm. £3 at the door, under-12s free. Indoors.
Finnish Church Christmas Fair
33 Albion St, London SE16 7HZ, UK
The Finnish Church in Rotherhithe brings Finnish food, gifts and crafts to Albion Street, with a café, a grill and live music alongside the stalls. Details: November 27–29 and December 4–6. Friday noon–8pm, Saturday and Sunday noon–6pm.
DIY Art Market and Independent Ceramics Market
133 Copeland Rd, London SE15 3SN, UK
These are the dates to circle if you'd rather give an illustration or a handmade pot than anything from a chalet. Both are at Copeland Park, but they're separate events, so pick your day by who you're shopping for. Details: DIY Art Market December 12, Independent Ceramics Market December 13, both 11am–5pm. Ceramics entry is £2.
Wembley Park Festive Market
Wembley Park, Wembley, UK
Independent makers and food stalls fill Market Square on three December weekends, steps from Wembley Park station, with a brass band from 3pm to 6pm. It's handy if you're in northwest London or heading to the stadium or arena. Details: Weekends, December 5–6, 12–13 and 19–20, 10am–7pm. Free and dog-friendly. Outdoors.
Columbia Road
Columbia Rd, London E2 7RG, UK
The independent shops on this East London street stay open late on Christmas Wednesdays, with mulled wine and mince pies, which makes it a nice midweek alternative to the big markets. Details: Wednesdays in December, 5pm–9pm. Free to browse.
Easy ways to combine the markets
A food-first day by the river. Start at Borough Market while the traders are open, then walk to Winter by the River for the evening. You get lunch, food shopping and Tower Bridge at night without a complicated route. Remember that Borough closes on Mondays until November 30.
A gift-shopping day at King's Cross. Go on December 5 or 6. Start at the Illustrators' Festive Fair on Saturday or Crafty Fox on Sunday, both at The Crossing, then add Shōtengai and Christmas Under the Canopy. Finish at the Winter Market, which stays open long after the fairs close at 5pm. Bring a card, since none of the stalls take cash.
A southwest London day. On December 4–6 or 11–13, start at the Hampton Court Festive Fayre, then go to Kingston for the evening, since its food and bars stay open after the palace fair closes at 5pm.
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