The 6 Best London Christmas Markets

London has been the backdrop for many iconic holiday movies, films, and holiday festivals. So, it should come as no surprise that London is known the world over as a festive hub for Christmas markets.

If you’re thinking about planning a London food tour during the holiday season, the following are some of the best Christmas markets and activities to add to your itinerary.

Top Christmas Markets in London

Some of the best Christmas markets in London are Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park and Southbank Centre Winter Market, but with so many options, you can’t go wrong experiencing one of the following.

Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park

Photo credit: Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park

The Winter Wonderland Christmas Market at Hyde Park is the premier festive holiday destination. It includes an ice rink, the Magical Ice Kingdom, Bavarian Village, tons of amusement park rides, and live entertainment.

Much of the food scene at London’s Winter Wonderland is amusement park fare. However, there are a lot of vendors offering an alpine Bavarian experience as well as food stalls with international flavors.

Just bear in mind there’s an entry fee just to get in and the costs here are a little higher than at other London Christmas markets. Crowds can also be an issue during peak times and the weekend. If you want a casual experience I recommend planning a weekday trip.

The Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park tends to run from the last week in November until just after the New Year.     

Southbank Centre Winter Market

You’ll find the Southbank Centre Winter Market along the River Thames, just a short walk from the London Eye and Waterloo Bridge. It’s a great place to stop during a walking tour, offering stunning riverside views, artisan gifts, and a diverse street food scene.

The ambiance and decor of the Southbank Center Market combine the charm of traditional Christmas markets with a modern and creative twist. They have cozy wooden chalets adorned with sparkling lights and holiday decor, as well as a cheerful atmosphere perfect for the holiday season.

There are a lot of international flavors represented in the various food stalls. You might even find Greek and Middle Eastern food stalls scattered amongst traditional food in London. It’s also a great place to enjoy festive drinks like mulled wine and spiced cider with macarons or even adult cocktails.

The Southbank Centre Winter Market in London runs from early November until just after the New Year.

Covent Garden Christmas Market

Photo credit: Covent Garden Christmas Market

With its giant Christmas tree, sparkling lights, and boutique shops, Covent Garden Christmas Market in London is a quintessential holiday destination. I also appreciate how it’s less commercialized than some of the other Christmas Markets with a touch of sophistication.

There are a lot of opportunities to sample gourmet treats that are festively decorated for the holiday season. It’s my go-to London Christmas market when I’m hungry for something a little more sophisticated. ​I recommend the macarons at Ladurée, as well as the seasonal cocktails at Frenchie’s.

The Covent Garden Christmas Market in London runs from the middle of November to the first weekend of the New Year.

Leicester Square Christmas Market

Photo credit: Leicester Square Christmas Market

Leicester Square Christmas Market is a charming, smaller market known for its unique handmade gifts and open fires where guests often toast marshmallows. It’s conveniently located near major attractions like the National Gallery and Regent Street Christmas lights, which makes it easy to include in your itinerary when touring that part of the city.

It’s a great Christmas market to enjoy seasonal items like mulled wine, German bratwurst, Belgian waffles, and artisanal cheeses. There’s also a selection of sweet treats like churros and fudge, as well as festive drinks such as spiced cider and hot chocolate.

The Leicester Square Christmas Market in London runs from early November through the first weekend of the New Year.

Greenwich Christmas Market

London’s Greenwich Christmas Market is a UNESCO-listed market known for handcrafted gifts and sustainable items. You could easily include it in an itinerary when visiting Greenwich Park and the nearby O2 arena.

It’s smaller and less crowded than some of the other major Christmas Markets in London. I like the cozy, authentic experience, and relaxed pace that lets you truly take things in without feeling like you have to rush to keep from missing out.

The food scene at Greenwich Christmas Market is eclectic with international cuisine. You can find anything ranging from wood-fired pizzas to Asian fusion dishes and gourmet burgers. There are also food vendors offering vegetarian and vegan options as well.

I also appreciate that many stalls are offering locally produced items like jams, honey, and cheese. I like to buy humble ingredients to make simple breakfasts and lunches back at my vacation rental, which leaves me with more budget to splurge on other parts of my food tour.  ​

King’s Cross Christmas Market

Photo credit: King’s Cross Christmas Market

King’s Cross Christmas Market is a London icon offering a festive blend of seasonal charm with contemporary flair. This part of the city is also a cultural hub for things like Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design, Kings Place, and the British Library. Making it easy to bundle the King’s Cross market into other London itineraries.

The 50-foot Christmas tree adorned with lights and holiday decorations dominates the décor at the King’s Cross market. There are also special themed events including a Mexican market with live music and the Shotenghai market. King’s Cross often hosts Club Curling events and features the neon artistry of local artists like God’s Own Junkyard.

The food and drink scene at King’s Cross Market showcases artisanal street food, festive drinks, and handmade goods. This includes holiday classics like hot mulled wine, gourmet hot chocolates, and creative cocktails. Each pairs nicely with treats like artisan pastries, international street foods, and other Christmas-themed dishes.

London’s King’s Cross Christmas Market typically runs from late November, until just before Christmas Eve. 

Travel Tips for Visiting London Christmas Markets

When planning a London Christmas Market itinerary, try pairing it with a tour of other nearby attractions. If possible, try to show up to a smaller market early to avoid the crowds. You can see the best attractions and have a light meal before moving on to tour other attractions. This is the type of itinerary that works best for something like the Greenwich Christmas Market.

If you’re planning an itinerary for a larger London Christmas market like the Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park, the wiser move is to plan on spending a full day exploring. Showing up early or at off-peak times gives you more time to enjoy rides and savor the experience, rather than waiting in line. Just be sure to double-check if the Christmas market requires reservations or an entry fee.

Plan to dress warmly, in layers when touring London Christmas Markets. While the weather is rarely bitterly cold, it can be chilly. Especially if you’re visiting a popular market at a peak time, where you might have to stand in line, and warming areas are limited.

You can also save money using public transport, which is by far the easiest and most affordable way to get around London. An Oyster Card lets you take the bus, tube (Subway), tram, DLR, and National Rail services in London.

When exploring London’s Christmas Markets, it’s best to bring physical currency and debit cards for payment. Vendors prefer to use the British Pound for purchases under £15. If you want to buy something higher priced, a card is more acceptable.

Sources:

Eating Europe. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/london/

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/

Southbank Centre. (n.d.). Winter Market. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/activity/winter-market/

Eating Europe. (n.d.). London foods: Traditional dishes to try. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/blog/london-foods-traditional/

Covent Garden London. (n.d.). Christmas in Covent Garden. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.coventgarden.london/experience/christmas-in-covent-garden/

Christmas in Leicester Square. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.christmasinleicestersquare.com/

Visit Greenwich. (n.d.). Festive Markets. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.visitgreenwich.org.uk/whats-on/christmas/festive-markets

King’s Cross. (n.d.). Christmas in King’s Cross. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.kingscross.co.uk/christmas