Where To Find the Best Christmas Markets in London (and How To Visit)

The most visited of all of London’s Royal Parks, Hyde Park gets a snow-themed makeover each year from late November through early January. A long-standing favorite on the family Christmas circuit, the huge Hyde Park Winter Wonderland comes with all the trimmings, including a funfair, observation wheel, and live shows. Browse the festive market and food stalls, take a spin on the UK’s largest outdoor ice rink, or grab a drink at the ice bar or Bavarian beer hall. You can also visit as part of a traditional black cab tour of London’s Christmas lights.

Insider tip: Come during off-peak hours to enjoy free entry to the wonderland.

There are few panoramas as emblematic of London sightseeing tours as the view along the Thames River from the Southbank with its glittering skyline of the London Eye, Big Ben, and Westminster Bridge. Southbank’s popular street food market focuses on festive food in the run-up to the big day, and it’s as cozy and cosmopolitan as you can imagine. Enjoy a walking tour of the atmospheric waterfront chalets, where you can feast on everything from German bratwurst to Dutch pancakes, warm your hands up on steaming mugs of mulled wine or eggnog, or cuddle up in a heated riverside igloo to share a cheese fondue with friends.

No London holiday markets guide would be complete without mentioning Trafalgar Square. Famous for its towering Christmas tree, which has been gifted to the city by Norway every year since World War II and serves as a sparkling centerpiece to the small but atmospheric market held in front of the National Gallery. Swing by on a festive walking tour of London or a Christmas hop-on, hop-off bus tour to get your fill of good old-fashioned holiday traditions, like candlelit carol concerts beneath the tree, colorfully decorated gingerbread hearts, and creamy hot chocolate bobbing with marshmallows.

Head down to the London Bridge district over the holidays to attend the Winter by the River Christmas market, which features traditional wooden huts along the riverside and a rotating cast of pop-up bars and food stalls. Nearby, Borough Market transforms itself into a foodie fairyland over the festive months, serving up Christmas-inspired specialties that will take your holiday dining to new levels—join a holiday food-tasting tour for the full experience.

Did you know? The grand drawbridge that you’ve seen on London postcards is actually Tower Bridge—a short walk east—while the only lasting remnant of the original London Bridge is its Underground Vaults.

You can count on London’s East End to bring you the coolest of Crimbo (take note: that’s British slang for “Christmas”) events. After taking a Christmas Carol–themed walking tour through Dickens’ London or joining a food-tasting tour, head to Spitalfields for its annual Christmas Market at Old Spitalfields Market. Known for showcasing local designers, it features clothes, jewelry, art, and plenty of creative gift ideas alongside a host of tasty treats and fun festive events (think scavenger hunts, film screenings, and live theater).

Visiting London’s Christmas markets is the highlight of the winter season for both locals and tourists, and one of Londoners’ favorite haunts lies south of the river in Greenwich. The daily Greenwich Market draws crowds all year round, but it’s extra special over the holiday season, with 120 stalls filled with handicrafts, independent designers, and seasonal foods. Arrive in Greenwich as part of a London sightseeing cruise, then stick around to see the Cutty Sark with its nautical-themed Christmas lights or attend a carol concert at the Old Royal Navy College.

Insider tip: Mark your calendar for the switch-on event, which features a colorful lantern parade.

Adorned with thousands of twinkling lights, gigantic golden baubles, and mirror balls, Covent Garden hosts arguably London’s most stylish Christmas market. Whether you visit independently or as part of a Christmas bike tour or walking tour, there’s always something happening in Covent Garden over the holidays. Marvel at the 60-foot (18-meter) high Christmas tree, pose for photos with Santa’s sleigh, and shop for artisan creations at the indoor Christmas market, then go ice skating at the open-air rink at Somerset House. For an even more unforgettable experience, book tickets to a ballet at the Royal Opera House or a table at the Christmas-themed Miracle bar at the Henrietta Hotel.

As the epicenter of the West End Theater District and the glamorous location of London’s celebrity-studded film premieres, it’s little surprise that Leicester Square also rolls out the red carpet for its annual Christmas celebrations. The famous square puts on one of the most family-friendly Christmas markets in London, with highlights including a Santa’s Grotto and the La Clique circus tent, which hosts spectacular live shows. For the full festive experience, combine seasonal shopping with a West End Show (book tickets well in advance for holiday shows) or a Christmas lights walking tour of London Soho, Oxford Street, and Regent Street.

If your mission is to source some unique gifts at London markets to take home for friends and family, be sure to include King’s Cross in your London shopping tour. The regenerated North London district hosts a series of themed markets with a strong focus on local artisans and handicrafts. The Canopy Market on Granary Square and the Crafty Fox Markets at the British Library are perennially popular, but there’s also a vegan market, a Mexican Market, and an illustrator’s fair.

Insider tip: The King’s Cross markets only pop up on select dates or weekends, so look up the schedule in advance and plan ahead.