10 Best London Christmas Markets To Visit In 2022
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Soak up the festive spirit in these dazzling Christmas Markets in London. From alpine-themed river-side strolls, to top-quality produce and quirky gift options, here are the best Christmas Markets in London serving up lashings of festive cheer.
London Christmas Markets are a celebration of the diversity of the city.
While brightly coloured trinkets, sickly sweet mulled wine, fat German sausage and free-flowing pints are what we know and love about the winter stalls, the Christmas Markets in London also deliver specialist produce, designer goods, and a host of events to keep you entertained throughout the festive period.
Find a thoughtful Christmas gift from an up-and-coming designer or fill your stockings with gaudy decorations and shameless Santa hats. Feast on handheld street food as you stroll scenic promenades or sample award-winning cuisine in an alpine-themed igloo experience.
The London Christmas Markets bring together some of the country’s best producers under the gaze of the city’s prominent landmarks.
Here are the best Christmas markets in London that each provide something a little different. For more festive activities around the capital read our guide to the best of the London Christmas Lights and our round-up of the best Christmas Events in London.
Booking your trip via the links on this page (or on our book page) will earn us a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support – Paul & Mark.
IN THIS GUIDE
BEST CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN LONDON (2022)
LONDON CHRISTMAS MARKETS MAP
All the Christmas Markets listed in this guide are on the below map so you can plot your festive course across central London.
How to use this map / Click on the top left of the map to display the list of locations, then click on the locations to display further information. Click on the top right corner of the map to open a larger version in a new tab or the star to save to your Google Maps.
1 – SOUTHBANK CENTRE WINTER MARKET
3 November 2022 – 8 January 2023
The Southbank Centre Winter Market is one of the best Christmas markets in London for soaking up the alpine-inspired atmosphere in a vibrant riverside location. The focus is firmly on socialising with pop-up bars, cosy igloos, festive treats from local producers, and a host of great places to have a drink overlooking London landmarks.
There’s a wide selection of global and local cuisine covering everything from grilled meats to pancakes; churros to spiced whiskey. Fire and Fromage has an alpine theme with raclette and s’mores which you can toast yourself by the fire pit. Wash it all down with a Beltane & Pop mulled wine or hot whiskey.
The Southbank Centre has regular cultural events and exhibitions scheduled over the Christmas period including Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carols as well as several free DJ events.
2 – CHRISTMAS BY THE RIVER AT LONDON BRIDGE
15 November 2022 – 2 January 2023
With a panoramic setting under the gaze of Tower Bridge, Christmas by the River is one of the best Christmas Markets in London for festive experiences in iconic surroundings.
Located on the Queen’s Walk between London Bridge and Tower Bridge beside the HMS Belfast, Christmas by the River has craft stalls and artisanal makers set up in cabins lit by fairy lights in front of the London skyline. There’s a wide selection of street food including Thai, Mexican and Italian. Several local bars are also set up in the market to keep the festivities flowing.
Hay Galleria is looking beautiful decked out in its usual Christmas flare and there are a host of free activities including film screenings and choir performances.
3 – BOROUGH MARKET
While not a specific Christmas Market, Borough Market is one of the best places in London to stock up on quality supplies for your Christmas events. It’s also buzzing with energy and thoroughly festive.
Traders supply everything from meat and fish; cakes and pastries; charcuterie fillers; handcrafted chocolates and all sorts of beer, wine and spirits.
The standout product at Borough, however, is cheese – celebrated in style at the market’s big Christmas event, An Evening of Cheese. For one night only, enjoy a wide selection of tastings from British, French, Italian and Spanish cheesemakers along with expert advice to help you build your own delicious cheeseboard.
An Evening of Cheese takes place on 15 December from 6pm to 9pm and the drink traders will also be on hand to make sure the evening runs smoothly.
4 – SPITALFIELDS CHRISTMAS MARKET
16 November 2022 – 24 December 2022
Spitalfields is the best London Christmas Market for that unique gift idea. All the regular traders will be on hand, and there’s a bumper programme of curated festive events for an unrivalled Christmas shopping experience in London.
The Old Spitalfields Market will be open 7 days a week with well-known retailers and independent brands supplying a host of Christmas gift ideas. Munch on some of the best street food in London or join one of their festive workshops to learn a new skill.
The main Spitalfields Market has all the usual cutting-edge fashion and original art, as well as film screenings, carol singing and late-night shopping.
A cool thing to do at the Spitalfields Christmas Market is to take a craft workshop. The bath bomb class will have you building your own luxurious gift idea, while the beard oil workshop will get you looking dapper for the festive season.
5 – TRAFALGAR SQUARE CHRISTMAS MARKET
Set in another iconic London location, the Trafalgar Square Christmas market – under the façade of the National Gallery – is a tourist favourite and a popular spot in the capital to get in the festive spirit.
All the regular international stars make an appearance including Spanish churros, German sausages, Belgium chocolates and French pancakes. But the star of the show is the huge Norwegian spruce tree that is donated from Norway each year in gratitude to the British people for the support received during World War II.
It’s a busy, vibrant London Christmas market that combines the best of European traditions. This year, Trafalgar Square is decorated with giant baubles spread across the historic landmark.
6 – WINTER WONDERLAND CHRISTMAS MARKET
18 November 2022 – 2 January 2023
Winter Wonderland is a huge theme park-style Christmas village in Hyde Park. Get a charge of adrenalin on rides, see spectacular shows like the high-energy Cirque Berserk or choose from a whole array of street food.
In addition to the full-on festive experiences, Winter Wonderland also has a traditional Christmas Market. With food and booze catered for in other areas of Wonderland, this is one of the best Christmas Markets in London for unique gifts, handcrafted decorations and various other artisanal products.
The Winter Wonderland Christmas Market is located next to the ice rink. Entrance is free during off-peak times which are generally until 2pm Monday through Thursday, except for the very busy days leading up to Christmas. Online bookings in advance are required.
7 – KING’S CROSS CHRISTMAS MARKET
9 November 2022 – 2 January 2023
With its whopping 47-foot Nordmann fir tree, King’s Cross is one of our favourite spots for festive Christmas lights, but it’s also a go-to destination for some inspirational Christmas shopping.
The King’s Cross Christmas Market has quality handmade gifts, cool designer pieces and food and drink by some of London’s best bars and restaurants.
There is a programme of events to cater for all types of festive activities. The Christmas market in Coal Drops Yard (2 Dec 2022 – 4 Dec 2022) will feature up-and-coming British designers selling fashion and homewares. The Crafty Fox Christmas Market (11 Dec 2022) will showcase over 100 independent designers, and the Mexican Christmas Market (10 Dec 2022 – 12 Dec 2022) will have Mexican clothing, accessories and artwork.
There’s also a Vegan Christmas Market (2 Dec 2022 – 4 Dec 2022) and the Canopy Market (1 Dec 2022 – 22 Dec 2022), where you can enjoy a natural wine and tasty concoctions from the gin bar under sparkling lights.
8 – COVENT GARDEN CHRISTMAS MARKET
8 November 2022 – 3 January 2023
For Christmas in Covent Garden, the Apple Market roof is decked out with giant baubles and huge mistletoe decorations – a taste of things to come at one of the most festive Christmas Markets in London.
The highlight for 2022 is the Dolce & Gabbana pop-up Christmas market featuring their trademark fashion and accessories as well as some Italian bites. The bold D&G style has transformed the Covent Garden swing bench into a dazzling photo opportunity.
L’OR – the premium coffee brand – will be serving up coffee-inspired drinks including espresso martinis and a coffee sour tonic to go with their decadent selection from the Coffee and Dessert Bar. There’s also the Christmas Sandwich Festival (3 Dec 2023 – 10 Dec 2023) where restaurants across the piazza will be crafted their own specialised toasted treats.
Don’t miss the Jubilee Market with an eclectic selection of arts, crafts and jewellery for that quirky gift idea.
9 – LEICESTER SQUARE CHRISTMAS MARKET
9 November 2022 – 8 January 2023
The Leicester Square Christmas Market is great for a night out with friends in London’s West End. The market has all the usual festive treats you’d expect including German sausages, freshly poured pancakes and plenty of boozy treats.
The Prahava Beer Tent has a raucous atmosphere where you can grab a pint, elbow to elbow, under Leicester Squares’ sparkling lights. Pick up a spiced festive drink from Amarula or just buy yourself a cool Santa hat.
In a separate section in the square, the Christmas Market feels cosy, sometimes packed, but always cheery. Catch a performance of La Clique, one of our favourite London Christmas Events to get your evening off to a cracking start.
10 – COLUMBIA ROAD WEDNESDAY CHRISTMAS MARKET
30 Nov | 7 Dec | 14 Dec | 21 Dec – 5pm to 9pm
The traders on Columbia Road open late on Wednesday evenings in the lead-up to Christmas to help spread the festive cheer in one of the friendliest Christmas markets in London.
Christmas Trees are on sale from the flower vendors and carol singing takes place on the street accompanied by the brass quintet from the Guildhall.
The excellent independent shops on Columbia Road and Ezra streets will be open as well as pop-up Christmas stalls and food vans. Expect great produce, tasty snacks and plenty of mulled wine. It’s one of our favourite things to do at Christmas in London.
Columba Road Christmas Wednesday kicks off on 30 November 2022 at 5pm.
WHERE NEXT?
As London-based travel bloggers, we’re often exploring exotic destinations far from home, but there’s a wealth of great experiences to be had within the UK. Here are some of our favourite guides to our home country.
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