16 best Christmas markets in London for 2025
Few things mark the start of the festive season than the arrival of Christmas markets in London. Squares, parks and warehouses fill up with creatives selling their wares and street food vendors cook up a storm in Alpine-style huts throughout November and December. Big-hitters such as Kingston’s Christmas Market and Hyde Park Winter Wonderland guarantee fun for all the family as hundreds of market stalls sit alongside pop-up bars, ice rinks and funfairs. Others are best for a slow Sunday afternoon, such as Crafty Fox Markets and the Christmas Independent Ceramics Market, where stalls are packed with goodies ideal for gifting. From independent pop-ups in suburban corners to eight-week takeovers in some of the busiest areas, this is the editors’ pick of the best Christmas markets in London. For more inspiration, see our guide to the best things to do in London at Christmas.
Here are some more of our UK Christmas round-ups to enjoy:
- Christmas markets in the UK
- Christmas markets in Edinburgh
- Christmas markets in Manchester
- Christmas markets in York
- UK's most accessible Christmas markets
What dates do Christmas markets start in London?
Christmas markets start to open in London in early November, offering festive spots for outdoor entertainment and feasting. Semi-permanent markets stay open between November and January, while several weekend markets and pop-ups run throughout November and December.
What is the most famous Christmas market in London?
Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is the largest Christmas market in London – especially when one considers the countless rides and attractions within the site. Local markets tend to offer more from artisans and local producers – look for pop ups across smaller neighbourhoods such as Peckham, Wimbledon and Hampstead.
Are Christmas markets in London free?
A majority of London’s Christmas markets are free for those who wish to roam around. There are some exceptions; for instance, access to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is ticketed and costs a small fee for peak-time access.
1. Christmas in Covent Garden
Best for: a Christmas market in one of London's iconic landmarks
Covent Garden, the West End's most iconic and historic piazza, comes alive around mid-November as it transforms into one of the capital's most festive spots. It's a popular shopping destination for Londoners and visitors year-round, but it becomes even more magical as towering Christmas trees arrive and glittering decorations hang from the rafters. Stalls are packed with stocking fillers and charming trinkets in the lead-up to the big day. 2025 sees a delightful pop-up from Lego arrive in the piazza alongside a Champagne garden from Piper-Heidsieck, while Ladurée’s festive pop-up is sticking around until New Year’s Day.
When: Until January
Address: Covent Garden, The Market Building, London WC2E 8RF
Website: coventgarden.london
Price: Free entry
2. Southbank Winter Market
Best for: foodies and riverside scenes
The Southbank becomes a sparkling haven for fans of all things festive as a riverside winter market consumes the walkway beside the Southbank Centre. Seasonal food stands and winter pop-up bars have become a staple for city dwellers searching for tasty treats, warming drinks, and an atmosphere of general merriment. Take an amble along Queen’s Walk and scan stalls for delightful trinkets and hand-crafted stocking fillers before sinking your teeth into juicy hot dogs and Yorkshire pudding wraps.
When: Until Sunday 4 January
Address: Southbank Market, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 8XX; Between the Bridges, The Queen's Walk, London SE1
Website: southbankcentre.co.uk
Price: Free entry
3. Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre
Best for: shopping in the shadow of a Tudor icon
Shop for stocking fillers and yuletide treats in the shadow of a Tudor palace as Hampton Court Palace’s Festive Fayre returns over two weekends in the lead-up to Christmas. Set in the Great Fountain Garden, the annual family-friendly event sees more than 100 independent stallholders and exhibitors offering delicious fare and hand-crafted wares. Nurse a cup of mulled wine or hot chocolate as live music plays out from the East Front bandstand and admire the palace on a horse and cart ride through the grounds.
When: Friday-Sunday 5-7 and Friday-Sunday 12-14 December
Address: Hampton Court Way, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU
Website: hrp.org.uk
Price: Included in palace entry
4. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Best for: an over-the-top extravaganza
The vast amount of things to see and do at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland warrants multiple visits within the same season. There’s nowhere in London quite like this to get in the festive spirit, as a towering Ferris wheel, thrilling rides, pop-up bars and a host of activities – including the UK’s largest open-air ice rink – take over the normally peaceful green corner of the capital. Christmas markets pop up across the area, with much of the hustle and bustle around Market Square. New for 2025 is the Jingle Bell Bistro – the world's first street food market just for kids.
When: Until Thursday 1 January
Address: Hyde Park, London
Website: hydeparkwinterwonderland.com
Price: Free off-peak; bookings required
5. Hawk’s Nest Christmas Markets
Best for: a lesser-known Christmas market for west Londoners
Long one of West London’s hidden gems for punchy cocktails and delicious wood-fired pizzas, Hawk’s Nest is decked in festive greenery and twinkling lights to celebrate the season. Pick up stocking fillers, arty gifts and sweet treats at the Christmas market and carol session on Sunday 14 December. Alternatively, put your knowledge to the test at the NYE quiz before the party gets started.
When: Sunday 14 December
Address: The Hawk’s Nest, Goldhawk Road, Shepherd's Bush Market, London W12 8DF
Website: the-hawks-nest.co.uk
6. Borough Market
Best for: a magical jaunt through the festivities at London's oldest market
London’s favourite and most historic food market receives a subtle makeover ahead of Christmas. Extending its opening hours into the evening, the space is decorated with wreaths, tinsel, and fairy lights, as its stalls sell their usual delicious offerings, as well as festive additions – mulled wine, Christmas cakes, and gifts. Make sure to check out the Borough Cheese Company for the perfect Christmas Day cheese board or Olivier’s Bakery for artisan bread.
When: Daily; Christmas opening hours may vary
Address: Borough Market, 9 Stoney Street, London SE1 9AA
Website: boroughmarket.org.uk
7. Spitalfields Christmas Market
Best for: a varied market in East London
Bishops Square has undergone a wintery transformation. Admire the twinkling lights as they illuminate cosy chalets and seasonal pop-ups serving a range of fabulous food and drink options, and get involved in a series of family-friendly events and activities over November and December. Swing by to get in the spirit as live choirs soundtrack craft sessions and warm up over a Malibu hot chocolate from the new-for-2025 stall.
When: November - January
Address: Spitalfields Market, Gracechurch Street, London EC3V 1LT
Website: spitalfields.co.uk
8. Battersea Power Station Christmas Markets
Best for: Last-minute stocking fillers
The glitzy Battersea Power Station development is a popular shopping destination, featuring stores that sell designer wares, technology, and beauty products. In the lead-up to Christmas, the power station undergoes quite the dazzling makeover. A gargantuan ice rink opens for winter by the winding River Thames, while dozens of makers, bakers and independent creators set up shop for a series of unique Christmas markets throughout November and December. The King’s Trust Market arrives on Sunday 23 November, followed by the Salad Days Market over the subsequent two weekends, which brings more than 60 independent creatives to Battersea for the largest Christmas market to date. The Curated Makers Christmas Market will run from Sunday 7 December until Monday 22 December.
When: Various markets between Sunday 23 November and Sunday 22 December
Address: Ground Floor, Turbine Hall B, The Power Station, London SW11 8DD
Website: batterseapowerstation.co.uk
9. North London Makers' Markets
Best for: charming and affordable gifts made by local artisans
Support London's small-scale artisans at North London Makers' Market. Peruse stalls stocked with affordable gifts and charming trinkets designed and made by independent artists; expect art prints, slow fashion labels, handmade jewellery, unique homewares and more.
When: Various dates between Saturday 15 November and Sunday 14 December
Address: Abney Public Hall, 73A Stoke Newington Church Street, London N16 0AS
Website: n4makersmarket.co.uk
10. Kingston Christmas Market
Best for: an intergenerational outing
Kingston's annual Christmas market is a one-stop shop for unique gifts and treasures. The German-style market sees stallholders pop up across the town's Ancient Market Place, known as a meeting point since the 12th century. Pick up personalised decorations, sweet-scented accessories and hand-painted ceramic tableware, among other treats and trinkets. Between shopping stints, warm up over mugs of hot chocolate and mulled wine at the Pyramid Stage Bar, or fill up at one of the several food stalls – juicy bratwurst and indulgent waffles await.
When: Until Saturday 28 December
Address: Ancient Market Place, Kingston KT1 1JS
Website: kingstonchristmasmarket.co.uk
11. Crafty Fox Markets
Best for: quirky gift-buying
Looking to buy something a bit different this year? Throughout November and December, Crafty Fox Market pops up with its wonderfully quirky selection of lovingly made goods, including ceramics, geometric cushion covers, natural soaps, knitted hats, candles, chopping boards, jewellery, art prints, and so much more.
When: Sunday 7 December; Saturday 13 - Sunday 14 December
Address: The Crossing, 1 Granary Square, London, England, N1C 4AA
Website: craftyfoxmarket.co.uk
Price: Free entry
12. Greenwich Festive Markets
Best for: kid-filled fun
Christmas in Greenwich transforms the peninsula into a festive wonderland, with a towering tree at its heart. There’s a children’s carousel ride, street food stalls selling everything from Bratwurst to cups of steaming mulled wine, and an arty market stocked with plenty of goodies that’ll make great last-minute gifts.
When: Monday 24 November - Monday 23 December
Address: Greenwich Peninsula, London
Website: greenwichpeninsula.co.uk
13. So Last Century Christmas Market
Best for: larger items and unique homeware
Since launching in the spring of 2015, The Last Century Vintage and Retro Fair has gone from strength to strength, attracting vintage devotees across the capital. There are a couple of festive editions of the fair this year – some have street food stalls and pop-up bars for refuelling before diving back into boxes of arty prints, wreaths, and lots of furniture in time for New Year's DIY projects.
When: Dulwich Picture Gallery, Saturday 6-Sunday 7 December; Beckenham Place Mansion, Saturday 13-Sunday 14 December
Address: Dulwich Picture Gallery, London SE21 7AD; Beckenham Place Mansion, The Mansion, Beckenham Place Park, Beckenham BR3 1SY
Website: solastcenturyfair.co.uk
14. Christmas at Leadenhall Market
Best for: a Harry Potter-esque Christmas and an 18-foot tree
Christmas is a magical time at Leadenhall Market, beginning with the Lord Mayor's lighting switch-on in mid-November. The historic, sheltered shopping destination puts on quite the festive display, with a gargantuan tree taking centre stage among glittery decorations that seem to dangle from the heavens. It's the perfect place to get into the spirit of the season throughout December, but the SoLo Craft Fair Christmas Market is a highly anticipated highlight. Meet dozens of crafty creatives selling their wares, from jewellery to homeware, plus candle decorating workshops and other colourful pop-ups.
When: Vintage Furniture & Flea, Sunday 30 November; SoLo Craft Fair, Saturday 13 December
Address: Leadenhall Market, Gracechurch Street, London EC3V 1LT
Website: leadenhallmarket.co.uk
15. Christmas Independent Ceramics Market
Best for: supporting London's artists
Find unique works from the best potters in the city at this festive clay day in East London. Chat with ceramicists across the stalls and buy one-of-a-kind wares from students to well-established artists, all selling their wildly varied jewellery, pots, vases, sculptures, kitchenware, cups and more. With pieces big and small, there’ll be plenty of options whether you’re looking for memorable gifts, cute stocking fillers or just something nice for your own mantlepiece. Check out the stall holders ahead of time on the fair's Instagram page.
When: Saturday 13-Sunday 14 December
Address: Copeland Park & Bussey Building, 133 Copeland Road, London SE15 3SN
Website: eventbrite.co.uk
Price: £3.41
16. Wimbledon Christmas Market
Wimbledon town centre transforms into a foodie oasis over the subsequent weekends in November and December, as street food vendors cater to the hungry residents of SW19 and beyond. Think Mediterranean fare from Little Greece, juicy bratwursts doused in mustard from German Hot Dogs, fluffy cakes and doughy loaves from Olivier’s Bakery and mouth-watering goodies from Monster Cookies – the list goes on. Wash down the indulgence with drinks from Forty Acre Coffee or Against The Grain Cidery and make a start – or wrap up – the shopping in the local shopping centre and surrounding boutiques.
When: Thursday 27-Sunday 30 November; Thursday 4-Sunday 7 December; Thursday 11-Sunday 14 December
Address: Wimbledon Piazza, 37 The Broadway, London SW19 1QB
Website: lovewimbledon.org