Trafalgar Square Christmas Market
Trafalgar Square hosts live Christmas carol performances throughout the holiday season, organised by the Greater London Authority. Carols are held between 16:00 - 20:00 on weekdays and 14:00 - 18:00 on weekends. Trafalgar Square is also home to London’s iconic Christmas tree, a yearly gift from Norway since 1947 to thank Britain for its support during World War II. The Norway spruce, typically 50-60 years old and over 20 feet tall, is decorated with 500 white lights in a traditional Norwegian style. The tree is lit on the first Thursday in December during a public ceremony, accompanied by a unique poem written for the occasion.
6 November 2024 – 5 January 2025
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Hyde Park is the biggest park in Central London and is popular at any time of the year. From November to early January, a part of the park is transformed into a festive destination named Winter Wonderland. It features the UK’s largest Christmas market, with wooden chalets offering seasonal treats and handmade gifts. There are various attractions, including a giant Ferris wheel with views of London, rides for children and live entertainment. The highlights include Bar Ice with an après-ski theme and festive cocktails, Justin’s Christmas Singalong for young families, and the UK’s largest open-air ice rink.
21 November 2024 – 5 January 2025
Leicester Square Christmas Market
Leicester Square, one of the busiest places in Central London and the West End, has a Christmas Market from early November to early January. It features traditional wooden stalls offering holiday gifts, seasonal food, and drinks, including mulled wine and festive treats. In addition to the market, the Belgian-style Spiegeltent hosts live entertainment, such as circus, cabaret, and comedy performances by the award-winning La Clique troupe. The surrounding area, with Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Regent Street, etc., offers many other things to do.
6 November 2024 – 5 January 2025
Covent Garden Christmas Market
Covent Garden is an area in the middle of the West End popular with locals and tourists. Covent Garden’s festive season brings holiday charm with its well-known decorations. There is a great big Christmas tree on the square, and the inside of the Market Building has been decorated with 40 large bells with bows, 12 oversized baubles, and eight spinning mirror balls. There are also decorated Christmas trees on the James Street side, mulled wine stations on Central Avenue and a restored 1884 sleigh, artistically hand-painted by James Gemmill, which makes a great photo location.
12 November – early January
Winter by the River
Winter By The River offers a festive experience with Christmas markets, food stalls, entertainment, and seasonal activities. The event takes place along the riverside near Tower Bridge, stretching from City Hall and the Scoop, past HMS Belfast, and continuing through to Hays Galleria. It’s a great place to walk around and see the Tower Bridge and HMS Belfast with City of London skyscrapers in the background.
Along the riverside | 12 November 2024 – 05 January 2025
Southbank Centre Winter Market
Southbank Centre offers many cultural events throughout the year, and the area has many restaurants and bars that often attract a crowd. During the Christmas season, there’s also a Winter Market full of charming wooden Alpine-style cabins selling gifts, warm drinks, and snacks, where you can indulge in duck wraps, lobster buns, truffle burgers, and spicy chicken, followed by sweet treats like churros and Dutch pancakes. Fire and Fromage offers a warm space, with heated riverside igloos providing a place to enjoy cheese fondue.
1 November - 26 December
Borough Market’s Christmas Market
Borough Market is London’s most popular food market. During the Christmas season, its Art Deco alleys are transformed into a festive scene with twinkling lights and decorations. With a history dating back to 1014, the market has become a celebrated destination for quality food and seasonal specialities. Among the seasonal highlights is the popular Cheese-themed Evening, where cheesemongers from across Europe and the UK gather to offer samples, showcasing a diverse selection of fine cheeses from local and international sources, creating a uniquely festive tasting experience.
2 December - 7 January 2025
Old Spitalfields Christmas Market
The market attracts many people throughout the year with its popular antiques and vinyl markets, with the weekends being especially popular. During the Christmas period, the Spitalfields Christmas Market will feature a Light Switch On Party with lights, music, and street food. You can enjoy Christmas activities at the East Pole, including Santa story time, workshops, and treasure hunts. The Greenhouse Theatre offers live music, film screenings, and art exhibits. Savour festive food at local eateries and explore unique products at the Christmas Makers Market under the Victorian market roof.
29 November - 24 December
Battersea Power Station
Battersea Power Station is an iconic location transformed in recent years to offer many services and shops. From November to January, it features sparkling lights, over 150 Christmas trees, and supersized decorations. Highlights include the riverside ice rink, “Santa’s School for Elves” for children, and festive arts and crafts sessions for adults. You can explore over 150 shops, enjoy dining at over 50 restaurants and bars, and enjoy festive activities like a chimney lift experience and Christmas films. Lift 109 takes you to the top of one of the chimneys and offers spectacular views over London.
7 November 2024 – 5 January 2025
King’s Cross Christmas markets
King’s Cross has undergone a huge transformation over the last few years and now offers plenty of things to see and do. They have gone all out for this festive season, featuring a 50-foot Christmas tree, eco-friendly Club Curling, and art installations. King’s Cross Christmas markets combine eight unique markets with gifts, homeware, food, fashion, and crafts from independent brands. Discover Canopy Market Lates with live music and street food, and explore Lower Stable Street Market Lates for unique small-business finds. The TOAST Festive Market offers handcrafted items from the popular lifestyle brand, while Christmas Under the Canopy features artisan food and gift stalls. The Mexican Christmas Market includes artisanal crafts and live music, while the Illustrators Festive Fair showcases local prints and art. The Crafty Cub Market presents gifts for children and teens, and the Crafty Fox Market highlights handmade goods from emerging designers.
Various markets between 21 November - 22 December
Greenwich Christmas Market
Greenwich Christmas Market 2024, set within a World Heritage site, features over 120 stalls with handmade crafts, art, homeware, and seasonal gifts from independent designers and offers extended hours every Wednesday in December for evening shopping. Festivities begin on 20 November with the annual Lantern Parade and Christmas lights switch-on, as children carrying handmade lanterns add a warm, inviting atmosphere to the historic grounds. Enjoy traditional treats like mulled wine and mince pies in the maritime setting of Greenwich’s heritage-rich area.
20 November -
