The best Christmas markets in London for 2025

The rides, rink and performances might make Winter Wonderland, but that’s not all there is to Hyde Park’s big festive takeover. In the Scandinavian-themed market square, you’ll find a more peaceful escape, with quaint huts housing stalls selling gifts and trinkets to give your loved ones (or yourself). Live music from the bandstand will soundtrack your shopping, and after, you can take a rest at the fire pit to much on some meatballs and waffles and other market staples.

Opening dates: November 14-January 1

What you’ll find: Scandi-themed goodies for heightening your hygge

Every winter the Southbank Centre turns the banks of the Thames into a frosty wonderland, full of little wooden Alpine-style cabins selling gifts, warming drinks, and snacks. You’ll find huts serving up truffle burgers, duck wraps, mulled wine, Dutch pancakes, churros and many more tasty morsels to nibble on while you look through gifts, jewellery and decorations made by independent craft traders. Once you’re done browsing, snuggle up at pop-up king Jimmy Garcia’s riverside venue Fire And Fromage, where you can snaffle all you can eat raclette, sip on seriously decadent hot chocolates, and even toast your own marshmallows round a cosy fire pit. 

Opening dates: November 3-December 26

What you’ll find: Alpine treats to snack on while you browse

If you’re struggling to find the perfect, unique present for a loved one, the Christmas Independent Ceramics Market is bound to have the answer. The annual fair brings together over 150 ceramics makers, from students to established artists, all selling their distinctive wares in one space. Browse stall after stall of cups, sculptures and more and keep your eyes peeled for that special treasure. The market will make things more festive with a sound system to soundtrack your shopping, plus mulled wine and seasonal food to keep you refreshed on your search.

Opening dates: Sunday December 14

What you’ll find: Stunning ceramics and sculptures

Need to buy something for that friend who always has the most on-point decor and an eye for unique and chic trinkets? Head to the North London Makers’ Market, a veritable treasure trove for all things arty and aesthetically pleasing. Over 60 artists, designers and makers will be showcasing their wares at this special festive edition of the monthly Stoke Newington market, so there’ll be plenty of opportunity to pick up the perfect goodies.

Opening dates: December 14-15

What you’ll find: Aesthetic homeware for those with an eye for design

The Hawk’s Nest is a twinkling woodland hideaway under the railway arches near Goldhawk Road tube that serves up pretty good cocktails and pizza. In the run-up to Christmas, it’ll be filled with independent traders selling everything from unique stocking fillers and stylish accessories to art, ceramics and jewellery. Look out for local artists selling prints and Christmas cards as well as baked goods and hot beverages to keep you cosy. After the market closes at 6pm, there’ll be a carol-singing session with live band – plus, lots of mulled wine. 

Opening dates: December 14

What you’ll find: Crafty gifts from independent makers

The DIY Christmas Art Market is a veritable jamboree of potential gifts – either to give to friends and family, or to treat yourself with. As well as art prints and risograph and screen prints, the market will have t-shirts, patches, comics, tote bags, ceramics, zines and independent publications on its stalls, ready to be wrapped up and put under the tree. Sample the eclectic creativity with a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie to really ramp up the festivities. 

Opening dates: December 7

What you’ll find: Finding true one-off gifts

Given that their nation is home to Lapland, is covered in snow for half the year and boasts a healthy population of wild reindeer, it’s no surprise than the Finns love Christmas. You can expect plenty of festive feels at this always-popular annual Christmas Market at Rotherhithe’s Finnish Church. Browse traditional Finnish toys, design pieces, Christmas cards and plenty of Moomin memorabilia before tucking into barbequed food, cinnamon buns and salmon sandwiches, all washed down with a glass of steaming glögg. 

Opening dates: November 28-30, December 5-7

What you’ll find: Edible gifts more memorable than a tin of Celebrations.

Given this market is held at the Chelsea Physic Garden, it makes sense that’s a top stop on the seasonal fair circuit for picking up some lush new plants and botanical gifts. But with over 100 stalls, there’s so much more on offer here, too, including jewellery, decorations, textiles, fancy toiletries and quirky gifts from indie designers. There’ll also be plenty of treats on offer to keep you sated while you browse, including mulled wine, hot choccies and other festive goodies.

Opening dates: November 27-29

What you’ll find: Presents for the green-fingered person in your life

Hit up Urban Makers’ festive special for plenty of stocking-filler buying opportunities. Celebrating its tenth anniversary this Christmas, the market features 50 carefully curated, handpicked local and independent makers who will be manning stalls packed with homeware, textiles, accessories, jewellery, ceramics and original prints, all made with sustainability in mind. Once you’ve filled your bags tuck into festive street food, warming drinks and coffee. And for more information about the sellers at each event, have a look at the market’s website here. 

Opening dates: November 29-30 and December 13-14

What you’ll find: Gifts for your eco-warrior friend

There’s a Bavarian flavour to Kingston Christmas Market, so much so you might be fooled into thinking you’ve stumbled through a portal into Germany. As you shop its many stalls, you can keep you energy up with bratwurst and mulled wine or take a pit stop at the Bavarian curling lanes. Live music and Christmas carol singers will also soundtrack the activities to really get you in the mood for Yuletide.

Opening dates: November 13 - December 28 (excluding Christmas Day)

What you’ll find: Bavarian treats and cute decorations

Chiswick’s Duck Pond Market returns for a festive special at the end of November, just in time for Christmas shopping without the danger of last-minute panic colouring your buys. The M.O. of this market is small businesses making artisan goods, so you’ll be sure to find some special gifts among the stalls here.

Opening dates: November 30

What you’ll find: Unique pressies from ethical and sustainable businesses

Step into the historical world of Fulham Palace for its fifth annual Christmas fair for a taste of Crimbos past. There’ll be a grotto tombola, tuck shop full of festive treats, carols in the courtyard and a host of activities to take part in. The main attraction, though, is still the market itself, which celebrates small businesses and local traders. Shop til you drop as you peruse the handicrafts and fine foods up for grabs, then retire to the drawing room café for a well-earned glass of mulled wine.

Opening dates: November 22-23

What you’ll find: Handcrafted stocking fillers

There’s always something faintly Christmassy about Leadenhall Market, thanks to its Victorian architecture, and it really comes into its own when the festive season arrives, when twinkling lights and pretty Christmas trees return to the shopping arcade. In 2025, three pop-up markets offer an added incentive to visit. SoLo Craft Fair Christmas Market will happen on two Saturdays (Nov 16; Dec 7), offering handmade delights aplenty, and there's also The Vintage Furniture and Flea Christmas Market (Nov 24) for retro treasure hunters to pick up gifts with stories attached. 

Opening dates: November 16 and 24, December 7

What you’ll find: Handmade goodies and majorly festive vibes

This traditional fair will help you have a very Scandi Christmas with its stalls selling all sorts of festive Swedish treats, gifts, and decorations. A pop-up café in the church hall will serve open sandwiches with meatballs and cheese and the Swedes' take on mulled wine: glögg. On Sunday, join a special short service at the church ahead of the market opening. 

Opening dates: November 22-24

What you’ll find: Scandi-themed treats and plenty of glögg

Had more festive goodwill and cheer than you can stomach? The Satanic Flea Market’s (anti) Christmas special is the perfect antidote. As always, there’ll be a whole range of traders selling stuff from the darker side of life, like taxidermy, occult trinkets and even human skulls, plus other slightly more unusual goods than you might find at your typical Christmas market. It might not be the kind of place where you can get all your gifts sorted under one roof, but at least you won’t hear ‘Last Christmas’ or any other saccharine festive hits as you’re making your way around.

Opening dates: December 14

What you’ll find: Pressies for the witchy people in your life

South London’s SoLo Craft Fair will be taking up residency at one of central London’s most famous churches across two weekends in November for this festive market, where more than 90 independent makers will be offering unique, handmade Christmas gifts. And it’s not just shopping on offer; visitors can also get stuck into a free programme of creative workshops on everything from tea-blending to twis-tie floral design. The church’s crypt cafe will also be open, serving up cakes, sandwiches, salads and freskly baked pizzas to keep you fuelled up for a busy day of browsing. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully received. 

Opening dates: November 22-23 and 29-30

What you’ll find: New skills for making your own gifts

There's arguably nowhere in London more Christmassy than Covent Garden's Piazza in December. Every year, the shopping district aims to outdo itself for sheer festive pizzaz. Beneath the Market Building’s 40 gigantic glittering bells, 12 giant baubles and 8 spinning mirror balls, stalls will be selling handmade crafts and artisan gifts. There'll be pop-ups and events to enjoy as the season unfolds, including mulled wine stations and a Santa's sleigh photo op. 

Opening dates: November 12-January 5 

What you’ll find: One-of-a-kind jewellery, artwork, garbs and antiques. 

You’ll find all the usual joys of Spitalfields Market and then some over the Christmas period. The market’s festive programme includes Christmas Shopping Lates, where shoppers can browse until 8pm serendaded by a live gospel choir. There’ll also be wreath making classes, seasonal dishes and a pop-up bar serving steaming cups of mulled wine and spiced chai. Bishop’s Square will become a village of pop-up chalets serving food and drinks, with a Gingerbread House hosting a range of festive activations. 

Opening dates: November 12-December 24

What you’ll find: Endless handmade, vintage and independently sourced gifts. 

Each year, the bright lights of Leicester Square get a little bit more dazzling with its massive festive pop-up, which boasts a Christmas market, tons of scrumptious food and drink, and live entertainment. As is now tradition, Aussie alternative circus and cabaret show ‘La Clique’ will be returning as the main source of entertainment, taking up residence in a huge spiegeltent for eight weeks. And this year, for the first time, an ice skating rink will wrap around the Shakespeare statue in the centre of the square, encircled by the stalls. 

Opening dates: November 1-January 4 

What you’ll find: Classic Christkindlesmarkt snacks, beverages and crafts.

Greenwich Market will kick off its festive season with a glowing lantern parade and light switch-on on November 19. It’ll be decked out with twinking decor and the scents of Christmas dishes and drinks, alongside the usual line up of stalls for all your stocking-filler or secret Santa needs. 

Opening dates: From November 19

What you’ll find: Expect eco-friendly candles, handmade jewellery and artisan accessories, homeware and interior. 

The regenerated King’s Cross area will once again be transformed into a Christmas paradise from November, with ten different markets popping up over the course of five weeks. The Lower Stable Street Market offers up everything from food and drinks to homeware, art, books and clothing while Christmas under the Canopy will be showcasing some of London’s best artisan traders and food stalls. The Illustrators Fair will highlight local independent artists, the Crafty Fox Markets will showcase more than 100 designers and makers and the three-day Christmas Charity Supermarket will offer a curated of second-hand fashion and accessories. 

Elsewhere, the Mexican Christmas Market will provide a spicy twist on the festive season, with piñatas and a roaming cumbia band playing while you browse artisanal crafts and ornaments from the country and the Shōtengai Christmas Market will bring a taste of Japan to London. Talk about shopping til you drop!

Opening dates: November 22-December 22

What you’ll find: From vintage garbs to artsy zines to one-of-a-kind Japanese homeware, there’s something for absolutely everyone. 

You might think that Camden is too alternative to throw a classic Christmas knees up, but it's 2025 and times have changed at its sprawling, eclectic markets. The shiny new market at Hawley Wharf is the hub of this year's festivities, with tons of family-friendly activities. The Ice Palace Grotto offers a meet-and-greet opportunity with Father Christmas and Mother Christmas, alongside festive crafts, face-painting and decorations (£10 per ticket). The Wharf will also host live musical performances from the Big Sing and Camden Rock Choir.

The spirit of the season is also spreading to the rest of the markets, with a shimmering canopy of illuminations suspended over Water Lane, snowflake-themed lights, and of course Christmas trees galore. Perfect for picking up some pressies in festive style, whether you're after classy artisanal homewares or CBD beard oil. 

Opening dates: December 6-December 31

What you’ll find: Camden Market’s normal labyrinthine spread of shops and stalls, just with a Christmas makeover. 

Notting Hill’s longest-running Christmas market is back for its 36th year. For one day, the Rugby Portobello Trust will host more than 50 independent sellers  to raise funds for local children and families in need. This year, the market will also include a silent auction featuring designer pieces, exclusive experiences, luxurious stays and pampering packages, donated by local restaurants, salons and boutiques. 

Opening dates: November 13

What you’ll find: An array of local West London gems 

Travelling market Flea London will stop by Vinegar Yard each weekend of advent to offer shoppers a whole cornucopia of festive gifts. You can take your pick from vintage watches or jewel encrusted brooches, handcrafted candles or ceramics, vintage clothing or cool homewares, kids toys or original artworks. Street vendors will be on hand to supply mulled drinks and festive street food. 

Opening dates: December 6,7,13,14,21,22

What you’ll find: A treasure trove of trinkets 

Tucked away in Marylebone, the immaculate HQ of Monocle is opening to the public for its annual Christmas market. The offices of the international news magazine and radio station transform into a cosy hub for one weekend, and fill of festive sounds, scents, stalls and special guests. Expect treats from Monocle's favourite international brands (in the past they’ve included Sunspel, Begg x Co and Earl of East), plus musical performances, food from the Monocle Café and – best of all – a visit from Santa's very own reindeer all the way from Rovaniemi in Finland. 

Opening dates: December 13-14

What you’ll find: A lovingly curated lineup of brands spanning fashion, homeware and accessories. 

Head to Columbia Road on a Wednesday evening this Christmas and you’ll find its more than 60 indie shops open late for all your present buying needs. Starting from November 26, mulled wine and locally-made mince pies will be on hand to give you much-needed sustenance as you shop. Sadly, the weekly carol singing that went viral in recent years is no more. 

Opening dates: Every Wednesday from November 26-December 17

What to expect: A really local, community-focused shopping experience. 

Recommended: Get your carolling fix at these London carol services and singalongs instead

Novikov Bar and Restaurant spills out onto a traffic-free Mayfair Place for an open air weekend with food stalls, carnival dancers, cocktails, music and actual reindeer. Wander through all the stalls set up by the likes of Lacorine, Skinfiri, Melin Collection and Himalayan Pashmina and dine on gourmet food and drink, including caviar bumps and homemade pasta. Oh yeah, and there’s the Louis Roederer Ice Bar - a real fixture of Christmas in Mayfair. DJs will also be spinning tunes every evening from 6pm.

Opening dates: November 27-29 

What to expect: Tents of luxury goods and gourmet grub.

Independent vendors will pack into one of London’s most majestic landmarks for a two-day Christmas market raising funds for the British Red Cross. The goods up for grabs will include vintage jewellery, hand-crafted baskets and Christmas pubs as well as nightlights handmade by a Ukrainian family now living in the UK and baubles and accessories from the British Red Cross’s Designed by Refugees range. A raffle and silent auction will take place to boost donations and you can even make a full day of it with a  two-course festive lunch or champagne afternoon tea in the underground crypts, which are normally closde to the public.  

Opening date: December 9

What you’ll find: Dozens of hand-crafted, do-good gifts  

Festive huts packed with gifts for every taste will line the Thames between London Bridge and Tower Bridge for Winter by the River 2025. For a mid-shop pit-stop there’s the après ski themed Glasshouse Terrace that’ll be serving seasonal drinks, craft beers, pizza and hot waffles, and hosting a series of events from live music to paint and sip sessions. And if that’s not enough to keep you busy, there’ll also be the Swift Stone Curling pop-up where you can take on family and friends sliding the stone down the ice. 

Borough Market is one of London’s finest foodie destinations, so naturally it comes into its own during the feasting and boozing of the festive season. Its Christmas programme usually involves a series of live demonstrations, tastings and masterclasses, and the famous ‘cheese-themed extravaganza’ An Evening of Cheese. More details to come. 

Opening dates: December 1-31

What you’ll find: A bountiful spread of some of the finest food in town.