Christmas markets and fairs in London

Eat, drink and be merry beside the River Thames at the German-inspired wooden chalets of the Southbank Centre Winter Market. Back for another year, the market will be the perfect spot to stock up on gifts, baubles, festive food and tipples. Mulled wine and mince pies, anyone?

Even the Grinch would have a real job stealing all the Christmas from Hyde Park's annual tribute to festive fun. Entry to Winter Wonderland is free, and a wander past the fairground rides, around child-friendly Santa Land (including a grotto, obviously) or through the markets is a real treat for Christmas megafans. For access to the other festive activities, attractions and themed bars you’ll need to book tickets.

The banks of the River Thames are home to the annual Christmas by the River. With views of Tower of London and Tower Bridge, plus a combination of gifts and hot food sold from German-style chalets, it’s a festive way to spend an hour or so. 

Kingston is getting a merry makeover with the return of its town centre’s Christmas market. Stalls will be selling handmade gifts and festive food and drink from a row of wooden cabins, bringing a Nordic feel to this south west corner of London.

Guzzle Christmas dishes from around the globe as the iconic food market’s finest traders set up their stalls after dark beneath Bermondsey’s fairy-light-festooned Victorian railway arches. There'll be carolling, hot mulled wine, mince pies, live wreath demonstration and responsibly source Christmas trees to buy. 

Head to Crouch End for the ninth edition of this Japanese Christmas market where you can get your hands on traditional homeware, accessories, arts and crafts, pottery and food.

Hit up this sale where 75 of London’s coolest potters from studio Turning Earth will be selling their wares. There’ll also be throwing demos, Vietnamese street food and glögg to wash it down. Find more Christmas markets and fairs in London

Go potty at this ceramics fair where over 70 of London’s coolest ceramists will be selling their wares straight from the open studios.

Arty types on the hunt for some unusual pieces should spend the day at House of Illustration's Winter Fair. Tons of stalls will be selling everything from books and comics to prints and ceramics. 

Allergic to all this tinsel and festive good will? Worried about hearing Cliff Richard tunes while going about your Yuletide shopping? The Satanic Flea Market has just the thing for you. Shop for prints, zines, books, toys and films for the goth in your life.

Canopy Market will be open every day in the run-up to Christmas, and each week sees a different theme take over, kicking off with a special ceramics and indy artists event. Expect carol singers, live jazz, special events, seasonal master-classes, workshops and tastings.