It’s that time of the year again when the best Christmas markets in London open up for another festive season. Locals and tourists absolutely adore London during the winter where they brave the cold to partake in all of the heart warming activities that make us feel fuzzy inside: drinking mulled wine, eating mince pies, present shopping and laughter with loved ones fills us with excitement before Christmas arrives. Wrap up warm, slip some gloves on and head out into the city to experience the magical atmosphere in lit up London throughout December. We’ve picked out the best Christmas markets to visit in London for 2019...
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SOUTHBANK CENTRE WINTER MARKET
8th November until 5th January
One of our favourite places to visit during the festive season is the Southbank Centre’s Winter Market, not only for the magical Christmas atmosphere but also because of the delicious food on offer. The Southbank Centre that runs alongside the River Thames transforms into a rustic Christmas market decorated with twinkling fairy lights, wooden chalet shops and it even plays host to brilliant Christmas shows. Best of all, the hot street food is drool worthy with plenty of London’s best foodie pop-ups in attendance offering everything from seasonal sweet treats to big juicy burgers, cheese fondue and cuisines from all over the world. There will also be craft beer and wine flowing. Eat, drink and be merry in London’s Southbank with beautiful views across the river.
Nearest station: Embankment
Free admission
CHRISTMAS BY THE RIVER AT LONDON BRIDGE CITY
26th November until 5th January
With the Tower Bridge, one of London’s most iconic sights as its backdrop, Christmas by the River in London Bridge boasts a pretty stellar setting. With beautifully decorated wooden cabins and twinkling lights everywhere you look, this market is a strong contender when it comes to Instagram-worthy surroundings whilst wandering around under the stars. Shop at this traditional riverside Christmas market in the city, buy some lovey trinkets and decorations for your tree and then indulge in some tasty mince pies and spiced mulled wine. The silver Christmas tree and choirs that sing to lift the festive atmosphere make for a lovely night in London that won’t let you down in the run up to Christmas. The bars here stay open until 10pm and there are plenty of food options if you fancy stopping for a quick dinner.
Nearest station: London Bridge
Free admission
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LEICESTER SQUARE CHRISTMAS MARKET
8th November until 5th January
Right in the heart of London’s West End you’ll find a fantastic Christmas Market in the middle of the bustling Leicester Square. Get all of your festive feels here with magical music, exciting entertainment, cabaret, burlesque and some other festive surprises. Sample some delicious Christmas food, sip on hot chocolate and wander the stalls selling all kinds of goods which are housed in authentic Bavarian-style wooden huts. Here, you can find sweet and savoury delicacies (it will be hard to resist the aroma of hot cheesy raclette), Christmas gifts, hand-crafted toys, accessories, homeware, baubles and more.
Nearest station: Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus
Free admission
GREENWICH CHRISTMAS MARKET
In London’s beautiful and historic borough of Greenwich, you’ll find the famous Greenwich Market which runs every single day throughout the year. For the festive season, the market makes a few changes to its normal offering adding up to 150 Christmas-themed stalls where you can buy hand crafted stocking-fillers, handmade jewellery, fashion and beauty treats as well as delicious festive food and drink treats. Mulled wine will be flowing and the market will be buzzing. Greenwich Market will be holding late night Christmas opening times every Wednesday in December in the run up to Christmas staying open until 8pm (Wednesday 5th, 12th and 19th). Expect a lovely festive atmosphere, delicious street food, a bustling vibe and lots of stalls.
Nearest station: Cutty Sark (or you can get there by river boat)
Free admission
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WINTER WONDERLAND
21st November until 5th January
The biggest Christmas extravaganza in the city, Hyde Park transforms into a massive winter wonderland for the festive season. And it’s more than just a market. Winter Wonderland is more of a magical experience offering something to suit everyone’s tastes. Theme park rides and crazy coasters for the adrenaline junkies, tasty street food, currywurst and German sausages for the foodies, a Bavarian beer tent for the drinkers and incredible light installations for the Instagrammers. Winter Wonderland gets bigger and better each and every year. There’s even an ice rink, an observation wheel where you can see London from a whole new perspective and an ice bar! Tourists pour into winter wonderland every year so try and get there as early as you can to avoid the huge queues. Locals tend to favour the more smaller Christmas markets, but this place which is essentially a giant theme park is still hit with Londoners who are looking for a real good atmosphere.
Nearest station: Hyde Park Corner
Free admission
Kingston Christmas Market
14th November until 31st December
Make your way out of the city centre to experience perhaps the most underrated Christmas market in London. Taking over the Ancient Market Place in Kingston-Upon-Thames will be a cosy Alpine Village packed with wooden chalets and the sweet smell of spiced mulled wine and sizzling Christmas food. It's the perfect place to pick up stocking fillers and festive gifts, while roaming around with some of the tasty Christmas street food or a steaming cup of hot wine to warm you through. There's a stage ready for live music in the evenings as well as a massive fire pit for a few toasted marshmallows and way more going on! Being right by the Thames, why not finish off your day with a riverside walk? From the market you'll reach the water within just a couple of minutes.
Nearest station: Kingston train station
Free admission
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