The best Christmas markets in London 2025

From candlelit courtyards to glittering riverside promenades, London in December feels like a city cocooned inside a snow globe. Beneath glowing garlands and the scent of cinnamon, the capital’s Christmas markets unfurl across boroughs old and new, each one its own pocket of festive theatre. Whether you’re chasing hand-thrown ceramics, winter cocktails or the perfect view of twinkling lights over the Thames, these 15 markets reveal the capital at its most enchanting.

Southbank Centre Winter Market

The Southbank’s tree-lined walkway is transformed each winter into a kaleidoscope of light and laughter. Wooden chalets sell hand-knitted scarves, glass ornaments and molten raclette that bubbles over the griddle. The air smells of cloves and pine, buskers play under the fairy lights, and the London Eye turns slowly above the river’s reflection. Grab a cup of spiced mulled wine, wander the stretch between Waterloo Bridge and the Globe theatre, and enjoy the sound of carols on the Thames breeze. 3 Nov-4 Jan

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

To call Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland a market hardly does it justice. It’s a sprawling carnival of spectacle and sound with 200-plus stalls, ice slides, rollercoasters, circus shows, a vast skating rink and a Bavarian Village pulsing with oompah bands. Yes, it’s chaotic, but gloriously so: a fever dream of colourful lights and festivity that defines December in the capital. Whether you’re clutching a pretzel or watching the skyline from the Giant Wheel, it’s pure, glittering excess to delight kids and adults alike. 14 Nov-1 Jan

Covent Garden Christmas

As evening settles over Covent Garden, the market’s cobbled courtyard glows beneath its grand arches. Giant baubles swing overhead, the famous tree twinkles and the scent of roasted chestnuts mingles with spiced wine. Pop-up stalls spill over with hand-poured candles, artisan chocolates and glass ornaments that catch the light in a dazzling display. Every so often, a flurry of snow drifts from the rooftops – artificial, yes, but still magical. Brass bands strike up carols, street performers charm the crowd, and the whole scene feels straight out of a festive movie. From 12 Nov

Greenwich Christmas Market

Steeped in maritime history and framed by the Cutty Sark, Greenwich Market wears its Christmas finery with quiet charm. Beneath its wrought-iron canopy, traders sell leather-bound journals, hand-poured candles and vintage curios. The air carries a hint of spice, fairy lights dangle from beams and carol singers echo through the alleyways leading to the Old Royal Naval College. When you need to thaw out, step into a pub by the river for mulled cider and mince pies. 19 Nov-early Jan

Leicester Square Christmas Market

In the heart of the West End, Leicester Square trades its summer crowds for a swirl of fairy lights and fir trees. The garden at its centre becomes a tiny alpine village, with wooden huts selling gingerbread, woollen socks and winter cocktails in enamel mugs. There’s cabaret and comedy in the Spiegeltent, Santa’s grotto tucked between stalls, and the buzz of the West End just beyond. 1 Nov-4 Jan

King’s Cross Christmas Market at Coal Drops Yard

Coal Drops Yard feels like the future of festive shopping – sleek, design-conscious and surprisingly soulful. Beneath its swooping rooftops, local artisans sell minimalist wreaths, scented oils, small-batch spirits and slow-fashion finds. DJs play low-fi Christmas sets, restaurants spill onto terraces with firepits, and the air carries the scent of eucalyptus and wood smoke. The market isn’t huge, but its curation is impeccable – think less kitsch, more craft – the kind of place where every purchase tells a story. 22 Nov-22 Dec

Winter by the River, London Bridge City

Running along the Thames from London Bridge to Tower Bridge, this riverside market might be the city’s most cinematic. Dozens of alpine chalets glimmer beside the water, serving bratwurst, mulled wine and handmade trinkets beneath the glow of the skyline. You can see St Paul’s dome framed in fairy lights across the river, while carol choirs perform near City Hall, adding to the festive atmosphere. 13 Nov-4 Jan

Spitalfields Christmas Market

Under its glass canopy, Old Spitalfields blends heritage and modernity in the most London way imaginable. Vintage traders, local artists and street-food chefs share space with high-end boutiques, and at Christmas, the whole market hums with energy. Expect indie designers selling embroidered silk, vinyl records and sustainable jewellery. The air smells of mulled cider and cardamom buns from Nordic bakers, while fairy lights snake around cast-iron pillars. It’s the perfect east London antidote to polished West End sparkle. From 12 Nov

Borough Market Festive Edition

Few places capture the sensory intensity of Christmas quite like foodie favourite Borough Market. The market becomes a cathedral to indulgence: wheels of Stilton, trays of chocolate truffles, barrels of olives and steaming vats of mulled wine. Traders swap aprons for Santa hats, and the railway arches reverberate with chatter and laughter. It’s crowded, yes, but worth every jostle. If you only visit one food market this winter, make it this one. 1 Dec-6 Jan

Camden Market Christmas

Camden doesn’t do subtle – its Christmas season bursts with colour and sound. Lights strung over the canal, vintage stalls draped in tinsel and live bands mixing punk riffs with festive classics. Stalls sell everything from leather journals to streetwear, while food vendors tempt you with churros, bao buns or steaming cups of hot chocolate laced with rum in a celebration of the neighbourhood’s rebellious vibe. From 6 Dec

Kingston Christmas Market

In the shadow of the ancient marketplace, Kingston transforms into a fairy tale village. Wooden chalets cluster around the historic square where local artisans sell handmade crafts and warm gingerbread. The carousel spins to a soundtrack of brass bands, and the scent of roasting chestnuts fills the air. Follow the trail of lights towards the river and you’ll find stalls glowing along the Thames to complete the storybook scene. 13 Nov-28 Dec

Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair

Tucked behind high brick walls, the Chelsea Physic Garden hosts one of London’s most serene festive fairs. Beneath frost-tipped trees, stalls sell botanical gifts, herbal teas and handmade ceramics. You can warm up with hot rum chocolate by the café fire or wander through greenhouses strung with twinkling lights. It’s refined, unhurried and quietly beautiful – a welcome contrast to the always-packed King’s Road just minutes away. 27-30 Nov

Trafalgar Square Christmas Market

In the heart of London, beneath a towering Norwegian spruce, Trafalgar Square’s market is one for the books. Scandinavian-style chalets line the fountains, selling carved toys, woollen gloves and steaming glühwein. Each evening, a different choir performs beneath the tree, their voices rising into the night air. It’s one of London’s simplest joys – no gimmicks, just carols, lights and the soft glow of the city beyond. 9 Nov-2 Jan

Battersea Power Station Christmas Market

The newly revived Power Station is a hotspot for festive fun. Its riverfront square plays host to pop-up stalls, craft beer huts and outdoor bars serving hot negronis and cranberry spritz. Inside its industrial shell, you’ll find boutique gifts, design pop-ups and even an ice rink beneath the chimneys. Battersea’s transformation is one of London’s greatest comebacks, and its market is now a must-see. From 13 Nov

Fulham Palace Christmas Fair

Fulham Palace brings a charming, old-world aesthetic to the festive season. Its Tudor courtyard fills with stalls selling artisan chocolate, fine wine, cashmere and handmade wreaths, while choirs sing from the steps of the grand hall. Wander through manicured gardens under twinkling lights, join a wreath-making workshop, or simply enjoy the quiet elegance of the setting. 22-23 Nov