The Best Christmas Markets in London for 2023
With the 2023 holiday season fast approaching, London is gearing up for its renowned Christmas markets. From mid-November through early January, festive markets pop up across the city, offering seasonal gifts, delicious food and drinks and a wide range of entertainment for everyone to feast on. I for one, am extremely excited to don my santa’s hat, hop on my sleigh and head down to them all.
Bundle up and get into the Christmas spirit at these top London Christmas markets for 2023.
Traditional & Central London Markets
Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park
Dates: November 17 – January 1
Location: Hyde Park
Winter Wonderland has over 100 rides, ice skating, Santa’s grotto and Christmas market stands. One of the Xmas heavy-hitters, this place is huge and you’ll be busy for hours. If you are thinking of booking an attraction ahead of time, make sure it’s the ice-slide, the only place you can experience a sub-zero adventure in London.
Keep in mind that you have to book tickets and attractions. Tickets are between £0 (off-peak) and £7.50 (peak). If you spend £25 per person on attractions, rides, games and food you will receive free admission. And do book ahead for the activities, because the queueing can take a long long time and things can be booked up completely.
Apple Market / Covent Garden Christmas Market
Dates: November 7 – TBC
Location: Covent Garden Piazza
With over 50 stalls, Covent Garden offers handmade crafts, candles, jewelry, toys, clothes and more. This is the best and my personal favourite due to the nicest decorations in the market and the huge tree in front of it. Not to forget that there is usually a big brand that takes over outside the venue for a classy photo opp.
Entrance is free.
Southbank Centre Winter Market
Dates: October 28 – January 4
Location: Southbank Centre, Riverside Walk
Has over 70 stalls sell unique gifts, decorations, accessories and toys against the sparkling backdrop of the Thames. Enjoy warming drinks and food. This one is great to combine with a walk along the Southbank itself, taking in the lights and sights around.
Entrance to the market is free and you don’t need to book ahead.
Trafalgar Square Christmas Market
Dates: November 10 – January 7
Location: Trafalgar Square
Carols, choirs and festive music daily at this iconic central London location right by the Christmas tree and fountains. In addition you can shop for unique handmade crafts and gifts at over 90 traditional wooden chalets.
Entrance to the market is free and you don’t need to book ahead.
Leicester Square Christmas Market
Dates: November 8 – January 7
Location: Leicester Square
This bustling area transforms into a lively Christmas market. Enjoy live entertainment on the stage, indulge in sweet and savory crepes, bratwursts, mulled wine and shopping. A great spot to pop into if you’re out and about in central London during the holiday period.
Entrance to the market is free and you don’t need to book ahead
Festive Festival at Maltby Street Market
Dates: December 1, 8 and 15
Location: Maltby Street Market
If you’re looking for something more intimate to get into the holiday spirit, head to Maltby Street Market for their special Festive Friday evening events leading up to Christmas. The popular foodie market located under the railway arches in Bermondsey opens up three Fridays from 6pm to 9pm in the weeks before Christmas and I know I’m going to all of them.
It’s a perfect opportunity to experience Maltby Street Market in a whole new light – and get a taste of Christmas! In addition to the regular food vendors being open for the evening, the shops and restaurants along Maltby Street also stay open late on Festive Fridays. You can expect. Christmas trees, live Christmas music and carol singers filling the air with Christmas tunes.
Entrance to the market is free and you don’t need to book ahead.
Battersea Power Station Markets
Dates: December 2-3, December 9-10
Location: Battersea Power Station
This holiday season Battersea Power Station is hosting its Christmas Market across two weekends and welcoming independent makers that sell everything from festive gifts to Christmas cards and personalised baubles. The riverside location and closeby Battersea Park make this a great one to combine with nearby attractions.
Entrance to the market is free and you don’t need to book ahead.
Columbia Road Christmas Market
Dates: Sundays, November 26 – December 20
Location: Columbia Road
The weekly flower market transforms into a magical Christmas market with wreaths, trees, decorations and gifts from local artisans against a backdrop of carols. In December they are open on Wedneday (7, 14 and 21) for Columbia Road Christmas Wednesdays.
Entrance to the market is free and you don’t need to book ahead.
Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre
Dates: December 1-3 and December 8-10
Location: Hampton Court Palace
Experience a Tudor Christmas when Hampton Court Palace’s magnificent courtyards and grounds will be transformed into a Christmas lover’s fayre with food, masterclasses and artisan shopping. The Hampton Court Palace Christmas Market is a perfect day trip from London to really immerse yourself in a medieval yuletide adventure.
Tickets are £26.30 and need to be booked ahead of time.
King’s Cross Christmas Market
Dates: November 9 – December 23
Location: Granary Square, King’s Cross
Shop for unique handmade gifts and goods at the festive canal-side market with Christmas trees and music. But what makes the market different is that you combine it with a round of curling at Club Curling.
Entrance to the market is free and you don’t need to book ahead. But I do recommend to book for the curling, definitely a unique Christmas experience!
Local & Less Traditional X-mas Markets in London
Camberwell Arts Winter Market at St Giles Church
Dates: December 16
Location: Camberwell
Shop for your holiday presents in the warmth of St Giles this Christmas. Charmingly set in a large gothic church, the Camberwell Arts Winter Market offers a varied mix of local designers and artists between the aisles and pews, making it a great destination to get all your thoughtful Christmas gift shopping done in one place. Plus, enjoy mulled wine, mince pies, live music, and more – it’s the perfect cozy neighborhood market. I might be a bit biased as it’s my local xmas market, but it’s well worth it.
Yokimono Japanese Christmas Market
Dates: December 2 & 3
Location: Dalston
Explore traditional and contemporary Japanese arts, crafts, food and culture while shopping for authentic gifts at the Yokimono Japanese Christmas Market at The Factory creative hub on Shacklewell Lane. One top of the shopping and food treats, don’t miss special demonstrations like cloth eco-wrap tutorials for sustainable gift wrapping.
Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair
Dates: November 23-26
Location: Chelsea
Set within the Chelsea Physic Garden’s enchanting botanical surroundings, over 100 of the finest independent suppliers will be showcasing artisanal wares from skincare to jewelry, fashion to home decor, and gourmet treats. From my experience, this is the market where you’ll find all the gifts for any woman you’re shopping for.
Tickets are £8, book ahead.
Finnish Christmas Fair at the Finnish Church
Dates: November 24-26, December 1-3
Location: Rotherhithe
Get a taste of a Finnish Christmas at the Finnish Christmas Fair, with traditional food and drink like glogg (Scandinavian mulled wine), cinnamon buns, and salmon sandwiches. There’s also authentic Finnish chocolates, licorice, and Moomin fun. It’s a little piece of Santa’s village a bit closer to home. I know I’ve got my hopes up that they’ll have a bar of my favourite Finnish sweet snack, Fazer Crunchy!
