Looking for the best Christmas markets in London? From alpine-themed riverside strolls to artisan treasures and top-quality produce, here are the must-visit markets for 2025.
By: Paul Healy | Last Updated: | Jump to Comments
We can’t resist the colourful trinkets, the sweet aroma of mulled wine, and the sizzling German sausages—classic staples found at every London Christmas market.
But it’s not just about tradition: you’ll also discover exceptional local produce, designer gifts, and beautifully handcrafted creations from independent makers.
With so many markets to choose from, it can be overwhelming—especially since some become extremely busy and may not suit those who prefer to avoid crowds.
That’s why we’ve rounded up our favourite Christmas markets in London, along with our tips to help you make the most of the festive frenzy.
We’ve included world-famous markets that every international visitor should experience, as well as lesser-known local gems offering unique gifts or an unforgettable backdrop.
1. TRAFALGAR SQUARE CHRISTMAS MARKET
The number one Christmas market we find ourselves navigating toward on our Christmas itinerary is Trafalgar Square.
The market features around 40 alpine-style wooden stalls, set in front of the National Gallery, selling ornaments, Norwegian knitwear, and classic Christmas gifts.
Expect plenty of festive food offerings, including raclette, bratwurst, churros, burgers, waffles, and mulled wine.
A daily choir is on hand to belt out Christmas classics between December 9 and December 23, 2025. On weekends, you can also catch a live brass band, and there’s even a photo booth for the perfect”Elfie Selfie.”
At the heart of Trafalgar Square stands the iconic Christmas tree, donated every year by the people of Norway.
As a word of warning, the Christmas Market at Trafalgar Square can get very busy – but for us, that’s all part of the fun. It has a hectic, party-like atmosphere that’s worth enjoying, if only for a little while, as you soak up the impressive London location.
Dates: November 9, 2025 – January 2, 2026.
- Tips for Visiting: To avoid the worst of the crowds, early afternoon is usually the best time to visit.
- Getting there: Trafalgar Square is just a few minutes’ walk from Charing Cross, Leicester Square, and Embankment tube stations.
- What else to do: Our Christmas Lights walking route finishes near Trafalgar Square.
2. LEICESTER SQUARE CHRISTMAS MARKET
The Christmas Market at Leicester Square is ideal for a night out with friends in London’s West End.
A tight collection of wooden stalls sells festive food, Christmas ornaments and unique gifts.
The centrepiece of the Leicester Square Christmas Market is the Spiegeltent, a traditional 1920s-style entertainment venue. Each year, the internationally acclaimed La Clique entertains crowds with live performances, cabaret, comedy and circus acts.
La Clique is something we go to most years, and it’s a lot of fun for adults-only festive entertainment. You can buy tickets on the Spiegeltent website.
For the first time in 2025, Leicester Square will have an ice skating rink, and we can’t wait to check it out.
Surrounded by London’s theatre district, Leicester Square has a magical feel at Christmas. Like Trafalgar Square, it can get extremely busy, but its central location in the heart of the West End means it’s easy to combine with a night out in London during the holidays.
Dates: November 5, 2025 – January 5, 2026.
- Tips for Visiting: If possible, visit in the early afternoon when the crowds are typically lighter than later in the evening.
- Getting there: Charing Cross, Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus are the nearest tube stations.
- What else to do: From Leicester Square, you could head to Sleeping Beauty at the Palladium, the big-ticket pantomime for 2025.
3. COVENT GARDEN CHRISTMAS MARKET
Covent Garden is one of London’s most magical Christmas destinations, although it’s not a traditional market.
Instead, the iconic piazza comes alive with pop-up stalls, festive experiences, eye-catching decorations, and special shopping events.
During the Christmas period, the Apple Market and Jubilee Market take on a festive theme, with mulled wine, hot chocolate, sweet treats, and holiday gifts.
What we love about Covent Garden is the quality of gifts you’ll find here: jewellery, collectables, and handmade crafts among the usual Christmas trinkets.
The square itself is stunning. Over 300,000 lights are strung up, along with the iconic giant baubles. The centrepiece is the 60-foot British-grown Christmas tree on the West Piazza, adorned with over 30,000 lights.
Covent Garden is the best place to go for Christmas photo opportunities.
You can also expect daily events, including artificial snow showers, immersive experiences, cocktail-making demonstrations, and live street performances.
We have all the details in our guide to Christmas in Covent Garden, which covers the best things to do.
Dates: November 12, 2025 – January 3, 2026.
- Tips for Visiting: Try a festive Christmas sandwich throughout the month of December.
- Getting there: Covent Garden tube station is just a few minutes walk from the plaza.
- What else to do: Covent Garden is at the end of our London Christmas Lights walking route.
4. SOUTHBANK CENTRE WINTER MARKET
The Southbank Centre Winter Market is our favourite in London. It’s located along the Queen’s Walk on the Thames, between Royal Festival Hall and Jubilee Gardens near the London Eye.
This charming market features a line of Alpine-style wooden chalets serving festive street food, warming drinks, sweet treats, and artisan Christmas gifts.
You’ll also find light installations, riverside entertainment, free outdoor art exhibitions, and a cozy winter lodge for fireside drinks.
The Southbank Centre hosts the Winter Festival, featuring free Christmas shows, pop-up bars, art exhibitions, and plenty of free events. Check what’s on at the Southbank Centre Winter events page.
Dates: November 3, 2025 – early January 2026.
- Tips for Visiting: Pop into Between the Bridges, a unique riverside location with street food, bars, live music, and karaoke.
- Getting there: Waterloo and Embankment tube stations are an easy walk away from the market.
- What else to do: The South Bank Centre is a short walk from Westminster Abbey, which is great to visit over Christmas.
5. WINTER BY THE RIVER (LONDON BRIDGE)
Winter by the River is the annual Christmas market held at London Bridge.
Located on Queen’s Walk between London Bridge and Tower Bridge, near HMS Belfast, it’s one of the most iconically set Christmas markets in London.
The market is an excellent photo spot, with Tower Bridge lit up in the background for the festive season.
Rows of wooden chalets are filled with artisan gifts, handmade crafts, pop-up bars, and street food. You’ll find mulled wine, hot chocolate, cocktails, bratwurst, and other seasonal delicacies.
The entire riverside strip is adorned with fairy lights, and there’s even a karaoke room to lose your festive inhibitions.
If you want to explore the area further, read our self-guided Queen’s Walk guide, which has plenty more ideas for things to do nearby.
Date: November 11, 2025 – January 4, 2026.
- Tips for Visiting: Don’t miss the Hays Galleria, a Grade II listed warehouse with magical decorations.
- Getting there: London Bridge is the closest tube station.
- What else to do: Borough Market is close to the London Bridge and an unmissable thing to do in London at Christmas.
6. SPITALFIELDS CHRISTMAS MARKET
Spitalfields is the Christmas market we’d recommend if you’re really looking for a great gift.
All the regular traders are open throughout the Christmas period, and there’s a bumper programme of festive events.
It’s one of the best places in London for Christmas shopping, with independent boutiques, handmade crafts, designer fashion, and seasonal pop-up stalls.
Old Spitalfields Market will be open seven days a week, with special events including Christmas Shopping Lates, live music, festive workshops, and money-saving offers throughout December.
You’ll also find some of the best street food in London, live street performers, quirky photo booths, and immersive festive installations, including oversized wreaths and beautifully decorated trees.
Dates: November 29, 2025 – early January.
- Tips for Visiting: The best times to visit are weekdays or late mornings.
- Getting there: Liverpool Street Station is the closest tube.
- What else to do: Try our Shoreditch street art walk, which finishes at Spitalfields.
7. BATTERSEA POWER STATION CHRISTMAS MARKET
Battersea Power Station transforms into a festive spectacle with high-tech installations, stunning Christmas decorations, London’s only riverside ice skating, and plenty of shopping opportunities.
The Christmas Market at Battersea features over 150 shops, bars, and restaurants.
You’ll find craft stalls with handmade gifts, festive pop-ups, personalised baubles, ceramics, jewellery, and delicious Christmas treats.
It’s a great destination for the whole family. Enjoy vintage fairground rides, classic carousels, a Christmas cinema, and the incredible Lift 109 chimney—offering sweeping views across London.
Dates: November 7, 2025 – January 5, 2026.
- Tips for Visiting: The Makers Market in Turbine B will host 60 independent artists.
- Getting there: Battersea Power Station is the closest tube stop. Sloane Square is a 12-minute walk away, and Victoria Station is 20 minutes’ walk away.
- What else to do: Cross the river to catch the spectacular light show displayed on the façade of the power station.
8. WINTER WONDERLAND CHRISTMAS MARKET
Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is London’s biggest festive event, combining a traditional Christmas market with a sprawling theme park-style Christmas village.
The main market is centered around Market Square and Luminarie Lane, featuring Danish and Scandinavian-style wooden chalets selling crafts, ornaments, winter accessories, and festive sweets.
The entire site is transformed into a winter village with an open-air ice rink, roller coasters, fairground rides, Santa’s grotto, and the spectacular Ice Kingdom.
There are plenty of themed food and drink spots—our favourite is the Bavarian Village, serving German classics like bratwurst, beer, and pretzels.
You’ll also find live entertainment, including circus acts, comedy, cabaret, and street performers.
Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 1, 2026. (closed Christmas Day)
- Tips for Visiting: Entrance is free from 10 am to 12 pm, Monday to Thursday, but online bookings are required.
- Getting there: Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge and Marble Arch are the closest tube stations.
- What else to do: On our London winter itinerary, we recommend visiting Winter Wonderland mid-afternoon, then doing our walking tour of the London Christmas lights.
9. KINGSTON CHRISTMAS MARKET
The Kingston Christmas Market is a classic, European-style festive market set in the historic Ancient Market Place in Kingston upon Thames.
The market is located in a pedestrianised area between Clarence Street and High Street, featuring around 40 traditional wooden stalls.
You’ll find handcrafted gifts, festive food, mulled wine, and Bavarian specialties, including bratwurst and roast hog.
There are family activities such as a vintage carousel and Bavarian curling lanes, as well as sparkling decorations and a huge Christmas tree.
The atmosphere is lively, with live music performances, carollers, open mic nights, and local bands adding to the festive cheer.
Dates: November 13, 2025 – December 28, 2025 (closed Christmas Day, with reduced hours on Christmas Eve).
- Tips for Visiting: The Eden Crafts tent is a great place to find a thoughtful Christmas gift.
- Getting there: The market is a 10-minute walk from Kingston Train Station.
- What else to do: Explore Kingston’s riverside walks along the Thames for picturesque winter scenery.
10. FESTIVE MARKETS AT KING’S CROSS
King’s Cross features several Christmas markets centred around Coal Drops Yard, Granary Square, and the West Handyside Canopy.
There are plenty of stalls selling gifts, local produce, handmade decorations, original art, and designer homewares—all located within the heated West Handyside Canopy.
You’ll find festive street food, Christmas drinks, live music, free workshops, and regular appearances by Santa, creating a lively holiday atmosphere.
The 47-foot Nordmann fir tree is one of our favourite photo spots for festive Christmas lights.
The area hosts themed weekends such as vegan markets and drawing fairs, alongside activities like curling, late-night shopping, and themed cinema nights. For up-to-date details, see what’s on at the King’s Cross website.
Dates: Various dates depending on each market—check the King’s Cross website for specifics.
- Tips for Visiting: Don’t miss the curated market by lifestyle brand, TOAST.
- Getting there: From King’s Cross Station, follow the signs to Regent’s Canal.
- What else to do: Walk along King’s Boulevard towards St Pancras station, which is lit up for the festive season.
MORE GUIDES TO PLAN YOUR LONDON CHRISTMAS
- To plan your trip, start with our 4-day London Christmas Itinerary, a day-by-day walking plan.
- To book your accommodation, read our guide to the best neighbourhoods in London which includes our hotel recommendations.
- Hit the festive spirit with our guide to the best London Christmas Markets.
- Here are all the best places to see the London Christmas lights.
- Our bumper guide to Christmas in London has the best events and things to do.
- Read our guide to Christmas Day in London to see what’s open.
- Soak up the atmosphere with Christmas in Covent Garden.
- Find the best bars, restaurants, igloos and more in our London Christmas guide.
- Take our self-guided walking tour of the London Christmas lights.
- See what’s on in Leicester Square for Christmas.
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