12 Best Christmas Markets in London

Looking to check off your holiday gift list? Head to one of London’s many charming winter markets, which pop up all over the city in November and December. Whether you want to sip mulled wine overlooking the River Thames, browse crafts by local artisans, or immerse yourself in all things festive at a huge winter-themed carnival, here are our picks of the best Christmas markets in the UK's capital.

If you miss any of these dates, there are plenty more ways to get into the Christmas spirit around London. Don't miss Fortnum & Mason's Christmas windows and Christmas hampers (continue up New Bond Street for high-end stores doing their best to impress each other with fresh takes on Christmasy designs). Then hit London's historic arcades like Burlington Arcade, which are always gorgeously decorated. Liberty is the place for beauty advent calendars and Christmas ornaments. And don't forget to book a session of ice skating at Somerset House.

Looking forward to Christmas? So are we.

1. Covent Garden

Best for entertainment
Find out more: coventgarden.london
Where: Covent Garden in the West End

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Covent Garden embraces the festive season with one eye firmly on its historic role as a center of street performance. Market stalls, bathed in over 300,000 sparkling lights, set the stage for the Theatre of Performance, a 7-week celebration of the Christmas period where buskers, carol singers and more entertain shoppers. Browse for crafts, antiques, clothes, and jewelry underneath elaborate decorations of giant golden bells and red ribbons. This is one of the more photogenic spots, with a huge Christmas tree and a cobbled piazza.

2. The Swedish Church’s Christmas Fair

Best for traditional crafts
Find out more: svenskakyrkan.se
Where: Church of Sweden, 6 Harcourt St, Marylebone

For a taste of classic continental European markets in London, head to the Swedish Church in Marylebone, where the church hall is transformed for a long weekend in November into the annual Christmas fair. Traders dressed in national costumes sell glassware, textiles, candles and decorations alongside sweets, gingerbread and other baked goods. There is a £3 entry fee, and you may have to queue at busy times, but once inside, visitors can warm up with some glögg, the Swedish rendition of mulled wine, or drop by the cafe for an open sandwich.

3. Winter Wonderland

Best for a carnival atmosphere
Find out more: hydeparkwinterwonderland.com
Where: Hyde Park, central London

London’s biggest winter attraction takes place in the capital’s famous Hyde Park, running for six weeks starting in mid-November until early January. Open every day from 10am to 10pm, Winter Wonderland offers more than 150 things to do, from roller coasters and ice-skating to circus performances and sing-alongs. For a more low-key experience, make your way to the Scandinavian-themed Market Square. It’s filled with a range of stalls where you can stock up on gifts, snack on waffles or listen to live music under the starlit canopy.

Planning tip: Winter Wonderland is among the more expensive London markets; come prepared to pay additional charges for activities on top of the entrance fee. Book your entry in advance.

4. Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair

Best for a curated experience
Find out more: chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk
Where: Church of Sweden, 6 Harcourt St, Marylebone

Set in the oldest botanic garden in London, established in 1673, with historic glasshouses and manicured gardens full of medicinal plants, this ticketed fair is the perfect antidote to wildly busy Christmas markets in the center of town. You'll find something for that friend who has everything here, with 100 independent stalls selling everything from merino socks to handcrafted cider vinegar. It's on early enough (November) to also pick up an elegant Christmas wreath.

5. Christmas Art Market and Independent Ceramics Market

Best for unique works of art
Find out more: diyartmarket.com
Where: 133 Copeland Rd, Peckham

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With two separate December events in the warehouses of Peckham’s Copeland Park cultural quarter, DIY Art Market provides a platform for a diverse group of artists and designers to share their work. The Christmas Art Market showcases works by creators and independent publishers. The popular ceramics market takes place the following day, featuring 150 national and international exhibitors selling unique pieces. Browse a vast selection of affordable ceramics, from mugs and tableware to sculptures and jewelry.

6. Greenwich Market

Best for family-friendly fun
Find out more: greenwichmarket.london
Where: Greenwich Church Street, Greenwich

In the UNESCO-World Heritage listed Maritime Greenwich, you'll find this historic market that, despite being a popular spot for tourists, retains a community vibe with friendly traders plus cozy pubs nearby. At Christmas, the market thrums with entertainers singing carols and charming children with lanterns made by local children, lights and, of course, Santa. If you miss him at the market, you can always book a visit to the Santa Grotto at nearby Queen's House.

Detour: If you've not found the perfect gift yet, walk on to the Greenwich Peninsula, a more modern development, where you'll find more craft and street food stalls, plus a ride on a carousel will delight your little ones.

7. Southbank Centre’s Winter Market

Best for accessibility
Find out more: southbankcentre.co.uk
Where: Queen’s Walk, under Hungerford Bridge

A stretch of the Thames outside the Southbank Centre is lined with traditional alpine-style chalets from early November through December for a free annual winter market. Visitors can shop handmade jewelry, homewares and other gifts from independent craft traders and dine on a variety of tasty street food like Cajun fries, lobster buns and churros smothered in chocolate. There are often free festive events in the evening here, plus mulled wine, cocktails and Christmas sing-alongs at Between the Bridges.

8. Borough Market

Best for food-based gifts
Find out more: boroughmarket.org.uk
Where: 8 Southwark St, Borough

The culinary institution that is Borough Market is a must-visit all year round, but it’s especially lovely at Christmastime, when its historic green arches are adorned with festive garlands, fairy lights and leafy trees. The market extends its hours in December, too, and is open every day up to Christmas Eve. Go hungry so you can feast on all of the seasonal fare, such as smoked turkey sandwiches, decadent mince pies and warm spiced apple juice. You’ll also be spoiled for gift ideas guaranteed to impress the foodie in your life.

9. Christmas at Kew

Best for a sense of magic and drama
Find out more: kew.org
Where: Kew, Richmond

This is probably the most Christmas-themed experience in London, where the sprawling Kew Gardens is lit up from late afternoon with stunning light and sound installations. It's popular with families, but there are a couple of adults-only nights if slow-moving prams and runaway toddlers bring out the Grinch in you. Food stalls are dotted around the site selling hot mulled wine, toasted marshmallows and piping-hot churros. And about halfway through is a traditional Christmas fair with a helter-skelter, swings and an old-fashioned carousel. Leave enough time after you've been through the entire 2-mile-long trail to pick up some goodies, including Christmas decorations at the gardens' gift store.

Planning tip: Pay attention to which gate you're entering. If traveling by public transport, Kew Gardens train station is 500m from Victoria Gate.

10. Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre

Best for a festive shopping and sightseeing combo
Find out more: hrp.org.uk
Where: Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey

Less than a 40-minute train ride from Waterloo in central London stands the riverside Tudor royal palace of Hampton Court Palace, former home to King Henry VIII. For two weekends in December, the Great Fountain Garden hosts the Festive Fayre, where over 100 artisans and creators sell crafts and gifts to a live musical backdrop. Combine your festive-season shopping with sightseeing around the historic royal palace and 300-year-old maze. You can only visit the Festive Fayre with a palace ticket, so book ahead.

Planning tip: The nearest station is Hampton Court, a 10-minute walk from the entrance.

11. Granary Square and Coal Drops Yard

Best for central location
Find out more: @canopy_market
Where: Granary Square and Coal Drops Yard, behind King's Cross St. Pancras Station

A short walk from King's Cross St. Pancras Station across Regent's Canal, the former industrial spaces of Coal Drops Yard and Granary Square have been modernized and reopened as a commercial and community hub with shops, outdoor cinema, exhibitions, and students from University of the Arts London often practicing choreography in groups. Come winter, the year-round Canopy Market, where traders sell street food and handmade gifts, switches up the festive vibes with spiced cider and Christmas decorations to complement its fairy-light-adorned canopy. From late November, seasonal events and installations will be added to the Christmas calendar.

Planning tip: On the first Sunday of December, the Crafty Fox Makers Market takes over the UAL forecourt with 110 independent artists, designers and makers. It's perfect for Christmas shopping.

12. Leadenhall Market

Best for ornate architecture and history
Find out more: leadenhallmarket.co.uk
Where: Leadenhall Market, City of London

Dating back to the 14th century, Leadenhall is one of the oldest markets in London. It's also one of the most stunning, with a Victorian wrought-iron and glass structure that has been carefully preserved. It's said to be the place where Scrooge sends a boy to buy a turkey for the Cratchit family in Charles Dickens’ novel A Christmas Carol. Weekend markets are held through the year here, but during the festive season, Leadenhall is at its most beautiful, when the shopping arcade sparkles under glimmering lights and an 18ft-tall tree stands proud in the center. The cobbled walkways are packed with stalls selling handcrafted jewelry, homewares, art and more.