We have scoured the streets of the capital to find the 9 best Christmas Markets in London where you can shop, eat and get into the festive spirit.

Well, as hard to believe as it may be, it is now officially the Festive Season once more! Yes, time really does fly but once you spot the John Lewis Christmas advert on the telly, you know that the season is finally here.

For most of us, the Holidays are amongst the happiest times of the year and with Christmas cheer (and the amazing food that goes with it) now can it not be? People are happy and full of good cheer, everybody is excited to celebrate and everywhere you go looks amazing thanks to Christmas trees and lights. If you’re a lover of Christmas, like us, the entire month of December will be particularly exciting.

To really find your holiday spirit and get into Christmas mode, there’s no better way of doing so than to visit a Christmas market.

London is renowned for its Christmas markets and if you’re in the nation’s capital this December, you simply must visit at least one Christmas market before the season is up. So to help you choose where to spend some quality time, here’s a look at some of the best Christmas markets in London this 2019.

The 9 Best Christmas Markets In London

1. Leicester Square Christmas Market

Address: Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7DE

The first Christmas market that we have on our list is the Leicester Square Christmas market. Situated in the heart of London’s busiest tourist district we have this amazing Christmas market. This isn’t just your ordinary run-of-the-mill festive market. Oh no. Here, this sparkling winter wonderland is like a market combined with a live variety show.

Head over to the Spiegeltent where you can enjoy a variety of award-winning performances from cabaret sensations to fire breathers, and everything in between.

There’s live music, all manner of festive wares, and some of the best festive treats you could ever wish for. The market will be running from November the 9th until the 7th of Jan, be sure not to miss out!

2. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Address: Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH

Next up on our list of the best Christmas Markets in London, we have the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. This is one of the capital’s most popular Christmas markets and it also happens to be one of the largest. This market is packed full of wooden log cabins, Christmas lights, and fake snow and there is even an outdoor ice rink so you can get your skate on.

This isn’t just any old ice rink, though, this is the biggest ice rink in all of the United Kingdom. There are rides, live shows and all kinds of homemade gifts and treats to be enjoyed at Christmas, or at any time of the year if truth be told. Enjoy the fun from 18 November 2022 – 02 January 2023.

3. Winter Market At The Southbank Centre

Address: The Queen’s Walk, Lambeth, London, SE1 8XX

From the 3rd of November through to the 26th of December, you can experience the winter market which is part of the Winter Festival, at Queen’s Walk. Stroll along the Thames under twinkling lights and sample indulgent drinks and scrumptious street food from our traditional alpine-style chalets.

If you’re a foodie, then THIS is the market for you.

With winter pop-up bars and street food stalls, the Winter Market is a haven for festive indulgence.

Keep your belly merry with savoury plates of truffle burgers, duck wraps, lobster rolls or gourmet cheese toasties; winter classics like fondue and raclette; and toasted marshmallows, dutch pancakes and other sweet treats.

And ward off the cold by cradling a mulled wine, hot toddy or hot chocolate.

4. Christmas At Camden Market

Address: Camden Lock Place, London, NW1 8AF

No visit to London is complete without a visit to the iconic Camden market, so why not kill two birds with one stone and head here during the festive season and experience Christmas at Camden Market in its glory?

Every Thursday from 17 November, the Camden Christmas Market will offer you an alter-nativity shopping experience (sorry, we couldn’t resist), with music, street food, Christmas trees to take home and mulled wine to sip as you shop. Themed each week, they’re kicking off with Camden Curates – a best-of-the-best selection from the Market. Clear your Thursdays now – there’ll be no better way to stuff your stockings.

5. Oxford Street Christmas Lights

Address: Oxford Street, City of Westminster, London, W1D 1BS

Okay, technically this is marketed as a Christmas light spectacular, rather than a festive market, but even so, as it is such a festive favourite. Plus, with Oxford Street having over 300 shops, we’ve included it in our list of the best Christmas Markets in London.

The Oxford Street Christmas Lights are a sight to behold and this year they’ve really pulled out all of the stops. They’ve gone ahead and removed the Christmas baubles which have commonly been seen here and have replaced them with LED light curtains that look simply stunning.

Oxford Street is a shopper’s paradise and as the holidays are so important for people looking to get some festive shopping in, why not enjoy some amazing Christmas lights at the same time?

The LED lights are 90% more energy efficient than regular Christmas lights and they look brighter and more sparkly than any of the previous displays. If you’re a fan of festive lights, the Oxford Street Christmas Lights are guaranteed to impress!

6. Kingston Christmas Market

Address: Ancient Market, Kingston upon Thames

The Kingston Christmas Market stalls will be running from the 10th of November until the 24th of December 2022, while the bar, food and entertainment will be open until the 2nd of January 2023. This market is sure to fill the town with good cheer, warmth, happiness and festiveness. Wander around under twinkling fairy lights, enjoy a mug of mulled wine and choose from an assortment of delicious food to get you in the Christmas spirit. 

There will be no soggy beige canvas tents here. Instead, each market stall will be housed in a wooden log cabin adorned with all of the traditional decorations you’d expect to find at Christmas.

Whether you’re looking for handmade stocking fillers, ornaments and decorations for the tree, things for the house, or just something tasty, rich and decadent this is the place to be.

7. Christmas By The River

Address: London Bridge City, London, SE1 2DB

Christmas by the River at London Bridge City is set against breathtaking views of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. This festive market is now iconic and for many, is synonymous with Christmas in the nation’s capital itself. If you’ve ever experienced it first-hand, you’ll know exactly why that is.

It incorporates a traditional Christmas market as well as a variety of free activities including outdoor film screenings, choir performances and community activations.

For those of you looking for romance this year, or if you’re looking to impress your date, this is the market for you. According to a survey by OnePoll on behalf of the Premier Inn chain, this was voted as the best Christmas market to impress a first date with.

With delicious warm and cold food, sweets, puddings, live music, free craft workshops and drink stalls where you can enjoy a cheeky sample or two, there is something for everyone at this market.

Honestly, it’s worth it for the views of the River Thames, and the Fairy Lights alone. Running from 15th November – 2 January 2023, Christmas by the River should certainly be considered and by considered we mean you need to go!

8. Greenwich Market Grotto

Address: 5B Greenwich Market, Greenwich Peninsula, London, SE10 9HZ

Greenwich Market at Christmas is another festive market you need to visit this December. Here, you will find upwards of 150 stalls, offering a wide selection of stocking fillers and artisanal treats guaranteed to make your Christmas a little bit more special. Your visit will involve a personal meeting with Santa where children can tell him their Christmas wishes and receive a special gift.

Here you can enjoy arts, and crafts, baked goods, jams, preserves, drinks, puddings, fashion items, jewellery and plenty more besides, all for very reasonable prices.

The market will be open from 16th November – 23rd of November 2022. To get the most from this market, we recommend visiting just as the sun is setting and the light is fading, as once the Christmas lights are switched on and the market and its stalls are illuminated, you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to another world altogether.

9. Christmas In Covent Garden

Address: The Apple Market, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8RF

Finally, last, but certainly not least on our list of the best Christmas Markets in London, we have Covent Garden at Christmas. Experience limited-time pop-ups on the Piazza and across the estate from your favourite brands throughout November and December this year. With BIG names and boutique favourites, you are sure to leave with shopping moments you won’t be able to experience elsewhere.

Here you can buy stunningly made items of clothing and accessories such as gloves, scarves, purses, handbags and wallets. Stores remain open until 9 pm so there is plenty of shopping to be enjoyed and on top of that, just to set the scene that little bit more, you will even find carol singers.

Running from the 8th of November, through until the 3rd of January, Covent Garden Christmas Market is one you won’t want to miss. Just make sure you’re hungry, as it is worth making the trip down here for the festive food alone.

New for 2022 is the Covent Garden Christmas Sleigh, providing the ultimate festive photo moment. The traditionally decorated Sleigh, located in the South Hall of the Market Building, will be a sustainably sourced, reconditioned 1884 carriage hand-painted by British artist James Gemmill.

Tags:
Ancient Market, Camden Town, Christmas, City of Westminster, covent garden, Greenwich Market, Greenwich Peninsula, Hyde Park, John Lewis, Kingston upon Thames, Lambeth, Leicester Square, London, London Eye, music, Oxford Street, Southbank Centre, The Spiegeltent Leicester Square, Tower Bridge, Tower of London, United Kingdom