11 Christmas Markets in London to Visit Before Christmas
London comes alive during the festive season, with glittering lights, wooden chalets, seasonal food stalls, handmade gifts and plenty of opportunities to enjoy a hot chocolate or mulled drink.
If you’re looking for festive shopping, Christmas treats or simply somewhere atmospheric to soak up the holiday spirit, these 11 Christmas markets in London are well worth visiting.
| Christmas Market | Best For | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Winter by the River | Riverside views | London Bridge |
| Southbank Winter Market | Food & drinks | South Bank |
| Borough Market | Foodies | Borough |
| Covent Garden | Photos & shopping | Covent Garden |
| Leicester Square | Central London | West End |
| Winter Wonderland | Rides & entertainment | Hyde Park |
| Greenwich Market | Handmade gifts | Greenwich |
| Spitalfields | Independent shopping | East London |
| Camden Market | Alternative gifts | Camden |
| Kingston Market | Families & shopping | Kingston |
| Coal Drops Yard | Stylish shopping | King’s Cross |
1. Winter by the River
📍 Address: More London Riverside, London SE1 2DB
Set beside the Thames with views towards Tower Bridge, Winter by the River is one of London’s most scenic festive markets.
You’ll find wooden stalls selling Christmas gifts, decorations, food and drinks, while the riverside setting creates a particularly atmospheric backdrop after dark.
Best for: Riverside views, festive food and evening visits.
2. Southbank Centre Winter Market
📍 Address: Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
The Southbank Centre Winter Market is a festive favourite along the Thames.
The market combines international street food, seasonal drinks, gifts and festive treats with the South Bank’s lively atmosphere.
It’s particularly enjoyable in the evening when the riverside lights come on.
Best for: Food, drinks and riverside atmosphere.
3. Borough Market Christmas Market
📍 Address: 8 Southwark Street, London SE1 1TL
Borough Market takes on a particularly festive atmosphere during December, with seasonal decorations and an abundance of winter food.
Rather than a traditional chalet-style Christmas market, this is a fantastic destination for festive food, artisan produce, cheeses, chocolates, baked goods and seasonal drinks.
Best for: Food lovers and edible Christmas gifts.
4. Covent Garden Christmas Market
📍 Address: Covent Garden, London WC2E 8RF
Covent Garden becomes one of London’s most photogenic festive destinations during Christmas.
The famous market buildings are decorated with giant Christmas trees, lights and seasonal displays, while surrounding stalls and shops offer plenty of gift ideas.
It’s an easy place to combine Christmas shopping with restaurants, theatre and sightseeing.
Best for: Christmas decorations, shopping and photos.
5. Leicester Square Christmas Market
📍 Address: Leicester Square, London WC2H 0AP
Leicester Square hosts one of central London’s best-known festive markets.
The market features wooden chalets, Christmas gifts, food stalls, drinks and seasonal entertainment.
Its central location makes it particularly convenient if you’re already visiting Soho, Covent Garden or the West End.
Best for: Central London Christmas atmosphere and shopping.
6. Christmas at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
📍 Address: Hyde Park, London W2 2UH
Winter Wonderland is much more than a Christmas market, but its extensive collection of festive stalls makes it one of London’s biggest Christmas destinations.
Alongside food stalls and Christmas shopping, you’ll find rides, attractions, ice skating, entertainment and festive bars.
It is ideal if you’re looking for a full day or evening of Christmas entertainment rather than simply browsing stalls.
Best for: Families, rides, entertainment and festive fun.
7. Greenwich Christmas Market
📍 Address: Greenwich Market, London SE10 9HZ
Greenwich Market is particularly appealing for independent gifts and artisan products.
The covered market and surrounding streets become festive during the Christmas season, with stalls selling handmade gifts, crafts, jewellery, food and seasonal treats.
You can easily combine a visit with Greenwich Park, the Cutty Sark and the Royal Observatory.
Best for: Independent gifts, crafts and a day out.
8. Spitalfields Christmas Market
📍 Address: 56 Brushfield Street, London E1 6AA
Old Spitalfields Market is a great choice if you’re looking for Christmas shopping with an East London atmosphere.
The market brings together independent designers, fashion, homeware, gifts and food, making it particularly useful for finding presents that feel a little different from standard high-street purchases.
Best for: Independent shopping and unusual gifts.
9. Camden Market Christmas Market
📍 Address: Camden Market, London NW1 8AF
Camden Market offers a more alternative take on Christmas shopping.
The market’s eclectic stalls provide plenty of opportunities to find vintage clothing, art, jewellery, crafts, quirky gifts and international street food.
It’s a good choice if you want something less traditional than the classic Christmas chalet experience.
Best for: Alternative gifts, street food and younger crowds.
10. Kingston Christmas Market
📍 Address: Kingston upon Thames, London KT1
Kingston’s festive celebrations bring a Christmas atmosphere to the town centre, with seasonal stalls and plenty of nearby shops and restaurants.
It’s a good option if you’d prefer to escape the busiest parts of central London while still enjoying Christmas shopping, food and festive entertainment.
Best for: Shopping, families and a quieter festive day out.
11. Christmas at Coal Drops Yard
📍 Address: Coal Drops Yard, London N1C 4DQ
Coal Drops Yard near King’s Cross is a stylish option for festive shopping.
Rather than a traditional Christmas market, the area hosts seasonal events, independent shops, food and festive installations around its distinctive industrial architecture.
It’s particularly good for combining Christmas shopping with dinner or drinks.
Best for: Stylish shopping, food and festive photography.
Which London Christmas Market Should You Visit?
If you’re mainly interested in Christmas food, Borough Market and Southbank are excellent choices.
For photogenic festive scenery, Covent Garden and Winter by the River are hard to beat.
Families looking for rides and entertainment should head to Winter Wonderland, while Greenwich and Spitalfields are particularly good for finding independent and handmade presents.
If you’re after something a little more alternative, Camden is a great choice, while Coal Drops Yard offers a more contemporary Christmas-shopping experience.
Final Thoughts
London’s Christmas markets offer something for almost every type of festive outing. Whether you want street food beside the Thames, handmade presents, Christmas lights, independent shopping or a full day of festive entertainment, there are plenty of options across the capital.
For the best experience, consider visiting later in the afternoon and staying into the evening, when many markets become even more atmospheric under the Christmas lights.
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