CHRISTMAS MARKETS
Nothing makes you feel Christmassy quite like a spin around a Christmas market, a mulled wine in one hand, a bratwurst in the other, the smell of roasting nuts and sweet waffles in the air, and everything from handmade decorations to big chunks of cheese laid out on the stalls. So wrap up warm and shop, eat and drink your way around the best Christmas markets in London.
It’s not Christmas in London without Winter Wonderland and it’s back in Hyde Park once again. You can slip n’ slide your way around the UK’s largest outdoor ice rink, immerse yourself in the Magical Ice Kingdom, hang onto the edge of your seat at Zippos Christmas Circus and Cirque Beserk, take a spin on the big wheel or simply booze the day away on hot ciders and raceltte burgers. And if you can brave the tourist crowds, Leicester Square Christmas Market is a great place for a festive fix in central London.
Southbank is one of the most magical places to visit at Christmas, and they are spreading the cheer this year with a winter market featuring festive pop-ups and alpine-style chalets. Christmas by the River does what it say’s on the tin – brings Christmas to London Bridge. And what a market it is with Christmassy stalls selling boutique accessories and artisan gifts.
Winter by the River does exactly what it says on the tin: brings riverside Christmas fun to London Bridge. Not only are there a bunch of festive stalls all glowing with Christmas lights and selling boutique accessories and artisan gifts, but also themed karaoke rooms, street food and pop-up bars. Eat, drink and be merry with the likes of Korean corn dogs, burgers and Empanadas – plus buckets of glühwein.
MALTBY STREET MARKET FESTIVE FRIDAYS
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: Closed
- Friday: 5:30 – 9:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
It’s Friday, you’ve just left work in SE1 and you realise you’ve completely forgotten to get into the Christmas spirit. There’s only one thing to do – head to Maltby Street’s seasonal night market. The cobblestone streets are decked (think trees, wreaths and LOTS of fairy lights), the street food stalls have rolled out the festive specials, gifts abound and there’s live music, so it’s sure to have you feeling merry. Warm yourself by a barrel of mulled wine and treat yourself to dinner at one of the restaurants in the arches that are staying open late just for the occasion.
It’s not Christmas in London without Winter Wonderland and it’s back in Hyde Park once again. You can slip n’ slide your way around the UK’s largest outdoor ice rink; immerse yourself in the Magical Ice Kingdom; hang onto the edge of your seat at Zippos Christmas Circus, the Edelweiss Funhouse and Cirque Beserk; take a spin on the big wheel; or spend the day strolling through the Bavarian Village with hot ciders in hand.
DREAMERS POP-UP MARKET
- Monday: 7:00 AM – 9:30 PM
- Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 9:30 PM
- Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 9:30 PM
- Thursday: 7:00 AM – 9:30 PM
- Friday: 7:00 AM – 9:30 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Yoga, movement and strength studio Waking Dreams is putting on a pop-up market this Christmas, filled with products from a curated selection of East London brands. As well as being plenty to browse, you’ll have the chance to print your own merch at the Print Club London stall, get some tooth gems, rent Christmas party dresses, join in on micro workshops and sip on hot drinks from DIRTEA. Plus, there’ll be live vinyl DJs and live performances from Drag King and HÄUS OF DONS founder Daisy Doris May. And, while you’re shopping for gifts, why not buy something for someone experiencing homelessness or displaced by war at the market’s own Choose Love shop?
WINTER MARKET AT SOUTHBANK CENTRE
Southbank is one of the most magical places to visit at Christmas, and they are spreading the cheer this year with a winter market featuring festive pop-ups and alpine-style chalets. As well as shopping, there’ll be street food on offer, including raclette, truffle burgers, duck wraps, and dutch pancakes, and hot bevvies to sip on.
LOWER STABLE STREET CHRISTMAS MARKET
The Lower Stable Street Market is back in Coal Drops Yard this Christmas with a rotating selection of traders across food, art, fashion, books, craft and more.
CHRISTMAS IN LEICESTER SQUARE
Christmas is coming back to Leicester Square for another year. Expect a whole host of food, drink and Christmas gift stalls, so you can feast on bratwurst and gluhwein and shop til you drop. Plus, a vintage Spiegeltent will be taking over the square with performances from the award-winning cabaret La Clique.
Flea London getting festive with a spesh Christmas market running for one weekend at Vinegar Yard. The outdoor (but covered) market will feature over 40 stalls from local and indie traders, selling a range of handcrafted gifts, plus there’ll be mulled wine and street food to keep you toasty while you shop.