Our picks
Christmas markets in London
Wooden chalets, mulled wine and late opening, with this season's dates.
1
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
London's biggest Christmas fair fills Hyde Park with funfair rides, an ice rink and circus shows. A Bavarian-style square adds gift huts and beer…
Christmas & winter19 Nov – 3 Janabout 1 h 30Hyde Park Corner
Plan your visitSee on map
2Southbank Centre Winter Market
A riverside row of wooden chalets on the Thames, with street food, mulled wine bars and craft stalls. Look upriver for views of the London Eye.
Christmas & winter2 Nov – 4 Janabout 1 h 30Embankment
Free entrySee on map →
3Christmas in Leicester Square
Festive stalls and food huts ring an open-air ice rink circling the Shakespeare statue. A compact Christmas stop right in the middle of the West End.
Christmas & winter31 Oct – 3 Janabout 1 h 30Leicester Square
Free entrySee on map →
4Christmas at Covent Garden
A 55ft British-grown tree, giant baubles and bells on the Market Building make this the West End's most photogenic Christmas square. Pop-up stalls…
Christmas & winter12 Nov – 1 Janabout 1 h 30Covent Garden
Free entrySee on map →
5Winter by the River
Thames-side chalets with food, bars and gifts, with Tower Bridge and HMS Belfast right in view. Come for a mulled drink by the water.
Christmas & winter10 Nov – 3 Janabout 1 h 30London Bridge
Free entrySee on map →
6Christmas at Leadenhall Market
An ornate Victorian glass-roofed arcade with a 26ft Christmas tree under the atrium. More a festive setting than a full market, and lovely for photos.
Christmas & winter19 Nov – 5 Janabout 1 h 30Monument
Free entrySee on map →
7Greenwich Market at Christmas
A covered historic market in Maritime Greenwich with makers' and food stalls. Good for unusual gifts and a hot lunch between sightseeing.
Christmas & winterfrom 18 Novabout 1 h 30Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich
Free entrySee on map →
8Christmas at Old Spitalfields Market
A Victorian covered market in the East End with independent makers, vintage stalls and street food. Festive late-night shopping evenings add extra…
Christmas & winterfrom 11 Novabout 1 h 30Shoreditch High Street
Free entrySee on map →
9Borough Market at Christmas
London's famous food market at its busiest, with Christmas produce, cheese, game, hot food and mulled wine. Come hungry: this is for food rather…
Christmas & winter30 Nov – 31 Decabout 1 h 30London Bridge
Free entrySee on map →
10Kingston Christmas Market
Wooden huts, a bar and a stage fill Kingston's medieval market square. A traditional suburban market about 30 minutes by train from Waterloo.
Christmas & winter12 Nov – 3 Janabout 1 h 30Kingston
Free entrySee on map →
Book ahead
Ice rinks and light trails
Timed tickets sell out on December weekends.
Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre
Artisan food and gift stalls fill the courtyards of Henry VIII's palace over two weekends. Your ticket covers the palace too, from the Tudor…
Christmas & winter4 Dec – 13 Decabout 1 h 30Hampton Court
Tickets from £30See on map →
Christmas at Kew
About 3km of illuminated trees, tunnels and installations wind through the gardens after dark. The trail ends at the Palm House.
Christmas & winter13 Nov – 3 Janabout 1 h 30Kew Gardens
Tickets on the official siteSee on map →
Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink
An open-air ice rink in front of the Tudor palace. It is lit up in the evenings for skating against a royal backdrop.
Christmas & winter20 Nov – 3 Janabout 1 hHampton Court
Tickets on the official siteSee on map →
Skate at Somerset House
London's most elegant ice rink sits in an 18th-century courtyard under a 40ft Christmas tree. Skate by day or come back for the evening sessions.
Christmas & winter11 Nov – 10 Janabout 1 hTemple
Tickets on the official siteSee on map →
Glide at Battersea Power Station
Three linked ice rinks and a skate trail run between the power station and the Thames. Winter food huts in Malaysia Square keep you going afterwards.
Christmas & winter6 Nov – 3 Janabout 1 hBattersea Power Station
Tickets on the official siteSee on map →
Free to see
Christmas lights and free trails
Switch-on dates where announced; the West End lights walk on the map links them.
Christmas at Wembley Park
A free outdoor light and art trail around Wembley Stadium, including a light tunnel on Bobby Moore Bridge. Wander it at your own pace after dark,…
Christmas & winter23 Nov – 31 Decabout 1 h 30Wembley Park
Free entrySee on map →
Regent Street & St James's Christmas lights
The 'Spirits of Christmas' angels arch over the sweeping curve of Regent Street. In 1954 it became the first London street to hang Christmas lights.
Christmas & winterfrom 5 Novabout 20 minOxford Circus
Free entrySee on map →
Oxford Street Christmas lights
Strings of lights run the length of London's main shopping street, from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road. Ideal for an evening of Christmas…
Christmas & winterDates TBCabout 20 minBond Street
Free entrySee on map →
Carnaby Street Christmas lights
A themed overhead installation hangs along the pedestrian street above shoppers' heads, with a new theme every year.
Christmas & winterfrom 4 Novabout 20 minOxford Circus
Free entrySee on map →
Seven Dials Christmas lights
Lights are strung over the seven streets that meet at the sundial pillar. A compact spot for a festive wander between Covent Garden and Soho.
Christmas & winterDates TBCabout 20 minTottenham Court Road
Free entrySee on map →
Bond Street Christmas lights
Designer flagships line this luxury street under a brand-sponsored overhead display. The design changes every year.
Christmas & winterDates TBCabout 20 minBond Street
Free entrySee on map →
South Molton Street Christmas lights
A short pedestrian street off Oxford Street by Bond Street station, with its own overhead lights. A quick, pretty stop on the West End lights walk.
Christmas & winterDates TBCabout 20 minBond Street
Free entrySee on map →
Marylebone Village Christmas lights
A village-style high street with understated lights and independent shops. The season starts with a festive street-party switch-on.
Christmas & winterfrom 11 Novabout 20 minBaker Street
Free entrySee on map →
Trafalgar Square Christmas tree
A Norwegian spruce, gifted by Oslo every year since 1947, stands in the square. Carol singers gather at its base through December.
Christmas & winterDates TBCabout 20 minCharing Cross
Free entrySee on map →
Burlington Arcade Christmas decorations
A Regency shopping arcade dressed with garlands and festive installations. A covered, elegant detour just off Piccadilly.
Christmas & winterDates TBCabout 20 minGreen Park
Free entrySee on map →
Knightsbridge Christmas lights
Lights run along Brompton Road outside Harrods, whose own facade display changes from year to year.
Christmas & winterfrom 10 Novabout 20 minKnightsbridge
Free entrySee on map →
Piccadilly & Leicester Square Christmas lights
Festive displays light up Piccadilly, Leicester Square and St Martin's Lane. An easy stop between Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden.
Christmas & winterDates TBCabout 20 minLeicester Square
Free entrySee on map →
Where to stay for Christmas in London
See hotels on a map near the markets and lights, with live prices.
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