Southbank Centre Winter Market

Things to do, Markets and fairs Free
4 out of 5 stars
(55user reviews)
1/11
2/11
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3/11
© Belinda LawleyDozens of festive stalls line the south bank.
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4/11
© Belinda LawleyTraditional drinks and foods are being served to keep you warm while you wander.
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5/11
© Belinda LawleyStallholders are on hand to help you choose a treat.
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6/11
© Belinda LawleyThe Winter Festival also features concerts, performances and workshops.
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© Belinda LawleyThe Real Food Christmas Market brings even more for foodies from Dec 19-22.
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© Belinda LawleyThe riverside terrace becomes even more enticing.
(© Belinda Lawley)
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© Belinda LawleyPretty traditional rides keep kids feeling festive, too.
(© Belinda Lawley)
10/11
© Belinda LawleyHeaps of edible goodies are on sale.
(© Belinda Lawley)
11/11
© Belinda LawleyChristmas is the best time of year to treat yourself.

Time Out says

The German-inspired wooden chalets of the Southbank Centre Winter Market are set to return to the banks of Thames between November and January as part of the Winter at Southbank Centre festival. Although dates are yet to be confirmed, the market will be the perfect spot to stock up on baubles and gifts for loved ones while treating yourself to some festive food and tipples as you go. Mulled wine and mice pies, anyone?

Find more Christmas markets and fairs in London

Posted:

Details
Event website: https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/festivals-series/winter-festival
Event phone: 020 8310 2542

Users say (55)

4 out of 5 stars

Average User Rating

3.9 / 5

Rating Breakdown

  • 5 star:30
  • 4 star:5
  • 3 star:10
  • 2 star:2
  • 1 star:7
LiveReviews|55
13 people listening
1 of 1 found helpful

We went to this Christmas Market last year, it was very good.  This year, major decline in quality of food, vendors, atmosphere.  This one ranks way behind Bath and other UK Christmas markets.  

Southbank management people--whatever you did this year for this event--DON"T EVER DO IT AGAIN!  You really lost the plot.

1 of 1 found helpful

Absolutely terrible - worst winter market I've been to ever.  It's been great in the past however, this year seems underfunded and under supported.  Closed early and hardly anyone there.  No Bratwurst - wtf?!  Don't honestly bother and go to Winter Wonderland....


You people saying very mean stuff about this place and the organizers, you forget the meaning of Christmas! And you also kind of forget that we' re in the middle . . . . or let it be, the end of the Brexit turmoil. Take whatever you want into consideration before posting such comments.

Tastemaker

Having a wander along the Thames is one of the great joys of London, and adding twinkly lights, food and mulled wine is a good move as far as I’m concerned! It’s not huge but has a range of food from including hot dogs, pies, and dosa waffles. Some nice Christmas presents available from the stalls too. I did get a little caught out by overpriced fudge, but overall it proved a nice stop on an evening out. And mulled wine. Lots of mulled wine.

Tastemaker

Does this even need an introduction? A stroll along the Southbank, stopping by the winter market, is one of many quintessential Christmas experience in London.


For foodie’s, it’s a dream as food vendors dominate the market with their enticing aromas as well as the essential nail mulled wine/cider. You’ll find stir-fried Thai dishes, fried chicken, fried halloumi fries. You name, the Southbank has it.


There are a few vendors selling Christmassy merchandise such as fairy lights and quirky rusty signs. You’ll have a better chance of finding a unique gift to fill those Xmas stockings than at a department store.


It will be busy during the weekend so I’d recommend heading down in the evening after work on a weekday if you can.


It's not around for that long really, so I'd definitely recommend checking the Winter Market at least once before it disappears for another year. Go at night when the market is lit up to it's magical best.


Absolutely terrible.  There really isn't much here and what is here is pretty average, lacks atmosphere and there isn't really much seasonal cheer - hardly any decorations.  A few standard food stalls but no sausages - Phad Thai just isn't christmassy.  There is one stall selling the worst mulled wine in history which tasted dusty and acidic and was a fiver a pop. Could barely stomach it to be honest.
It could be so much better - in fact it used to be better.

Go elsewhere.

tastemaker

It is not the biggest, nor the best however the Southbank Centre Wintertime Market makes for a lovely winter walk. Make sure to stop by the Rekordling Cider Lodge for a drink, and a chance to warm up.

tastemaker

Lovely buzzing Christmas Market by the river. More food than gifts, try a street food dish before heading towards the Rekorderlig Cider Lodge, which does Christmassy ciders on the sofa, and is my favourite bit! Just try to avoid peak time...

tastemaker

A nice Christmas market in a beautiful setting in London. The stalls might not blow you away, but if you're in the area and fancy getting into the Christmas spirit, it's worth popping by for some mulled wine and a wander. 

Tastemaker

I think as Christmas markets go this one is pretty nice, especially as the location is so lovely this time of year. It's a lot less busy than the likes of Winter Wonderland (my personal Hell) and while it's still a bit pricey for a mulled wine, the food is pretty standard street food pricing. The Raclette Brothers are worth hitting up for some melted cheesy goodness and I like to duck into the Rekorderlig Lodge for a mulled plum cider to wash it down.

Tastemaker

A very picturesque little market on the South Bank. Although fairly small, it looks very charming and full of character. However, unfortunately the goods on offer do not really live up to its appearance. A lot of stalls selling strange decorations and clothing, a few drinks stalls and not much else really. The prices are steep too, especially for some mulled cider which tasted like some awful medicine!


There are much better Christmas markets across London.. wouldn’t bother with this one again.


Good variety of food available, from Swedish meatballs, to burgers, and Indian. We finally decided on the paella, which looked and smelt better than it tasted unfortunately. The prices are fair for the quality, generally between £5 to £10.


This does not seem very family friendly, other than food and drinks, there's very little to keep you entertained. The absence of any Christmas music seemed odd, but may be genius. Surprised it wasn't over crowded on a Friday night.


Fun but not fancy. Same stalls as every year but just too busy during peak times...


Went with my son a couple of weeks ago and I have to say it was a bit of a shocker. Unsurprisingly the best and brightest stall was a German one selling Christmas lantern decorations. Otherwise it boils down to rather sad looking vendors (it was raining) selling pricy punch etc  The difference between this and a normal market? Not much apart from the price. Somebody really needs to pop over to Germany and Austria to see how it's done. Vet the stallholders and the produce/products on sale and charge the sort of rent and prices that will encourage everybody to come. A wooden hut does not make everything in and around it automatically Christmassy.


We went last night. Very disappointing. Thankfully there was a great street performer. There seemed to be far less stalls than last year. 


Really disappointed with the market this year - previously this used to stretch along most of the South Bank, it took a good couple of hours to do the whole thing and there was lots of shopping. At one point a few years ago this market went all the way to Bankside... This year it's squashed down the end beyond the Festival Hall and centered around a couple of sponsored bars and things they can sell tickets for (a Christmas tree maze? Really?). And it's mostly street food stalls in the chalets with a few non-food stalls dotted around. It's nice food, certainly, but there's already a food market on the other side of the Festival Hall and Borough Market isn't that far away... there's hardly a lack of eating options around there already.  Don't bother if you're looking for non-food presents. Was business that bad last year?! Hardly any of the stalls that have been there the last few years are around this time.


Also beware half of it is now set on decking with lots of stairs, and it gets pretty slippery in wet weather.  We wandered around on Sunday for half an hour, had some godawful mulled wine and wandered off again to find something more interesting.

The markets were fantastic. Often these markets are filled with food and drinks stalls and although they look pretty there is very little to do other than drink mulled wine. However this market had plenty of little market stalls selling unique and quaint items, perfect for Christmas shopping.


Great selection of stalls and good variety of food on sale. Sorry about the report from Aden, but we had Bratwurst, and it was great. Bought some unusual presents too! Will go again next year!!


Easy to use layout, with all the info of the magazine and more. I often check the website to see what's going on, and it's the best way to find free events!


Large variety of stalls but avoid the german bratvurst stall. Had one last night which wasn't cooked properly (threw half-away) and suffering today! You have been warned!!


I know its the time of happiness and caring, but I also understand that there is 150 Great British Pounds worth of Theater tokens to be won by rating an event.. Surely this does not mean that people should be able to enter by purely reading about the event and writing ''I wud love go this.. look 'mazing'', or posting a dubious link that no doubt leads along a tainted path to a gentleman's garden growth hormone; as I have seen witnessed an escalated number of times on this site as a result.. I would much rather spend my Friday afternoon pretending to work, by reading people views and opinions of their actual experiences wandering through densely populated forests of tourists that emerge at such overly publicised events, and how they nonchalantly meander along carrying oversized rucksacks with no apparent awareness of the rest of humanity or reason than to stop every 24 seconds to point at another wooden laser-cut baby Jesus effirgy and collectively say 'ah!'. So yes, I would much rather be informed at just the extent of fun they had paying over 5 Great British Pounds for some tepid cheap supermarket wine that tastes like an incontinent nomadic teetotal elf has been bathing in it since last snow hit the streets of London. How merriment was falsified throughout the entire family at the risk of getting no presents this year, so that Grandma, who was probably experiencing her last on this planet in her current form, would be able to remember the last 23 seconds with some comprehension that its Christmas again. For that I rate this event ***** Ps, If I win I would like to donate the theater tokens to the Make a Wish Foundation.. not because I'm altruistic, I would like those kids off the street for a few hours at least.. Its hard enough commuting around London this time of year, without trying to dodge past their overweight carers blocking the pavements. Merry Christmas!


I have never been to and have never seen anything like this and I cant wait to spend hours in the Market and buy all the food (perhaps I should take a few days of a diet before so that I could then fit into my Cristmas dress )!! It is the best thing I 've ever heard about :) Thank you for all information and detailes!


What a glorious hit on the senses in every word! The delicious aromas of sweet baked goodies and steaming hot chocolate hit you before your eyes light up with the wonder of Christmas right here on the South Bank. Log cabins brightly decorated with Santa and reindeer, selling bright baubles, gingerbread houses, bags and scarves, and all manner of Christmas gifts and charms. Music plays out from the charming carousel as children and adults all enjoy the ride of the day surrounded by Christmas and views across the icy Thames. Quite, quite magical!


we went to this last year and it was the icing on the cake for our trip to london for christmas, there was so much christmas spirit and cheer around it was amazing, beautiful stalls,looked enchanting.and we met the REAL father christmas, who i must say was the best ive ever ever seen. a truly amazing christmasy day out


Provides great information on what I can expect to find upon my visit a long the south bank. I love to see the visual experience and scenes of what this chrusdtmas market has to offer and experience.


First time last year I have been in Southbank Christmas Market.I really loved it, it made me so excited. And it made me remind my childhood and my eyes got wet. Today i went to Southbank and i got so happy again. Absolutely i will go soon. Mery Christmas to everyone!


I went to the weekend markets held at the South Bank during summer 2013 with my girlfriend and they had amazing food from different parts of the World, good drinks (including Alcohol) and some great people. The smell of the food from the markets was just so underscribable, it was like Waterloo and the South Bank got sprayed with perfume. The Christmas markets will be an even better event, as it will be very colourful (cos of the xmas lights) and cheerful. Never mind the cold weather. This event will make you happy that you'll forget about the usual London freezing temperatures... Merry Christmas Time Out readers! ^_^


My grandson and I are at the Southbank most week-ends, it is a fabulous place for fun, laughter and entertainment. You can spend as much or as little money as you like and still have a wonderful time. Everyone appears to be happy and have smiles on their faces. A truly fun-filled jolly time is had for either an hour or a full day. Well done to all the organisers, stall holders and entertainers. WE LOVE THE SOUTHBANK!


Jingle bells. Jingle bells. Jingle all the way to the christmas capital of England. The heart and soul of the city. The most cosmopolitan capital city of the world and enjoy this spectacular array of yummy foods and bright gifts to make your xmas gift special to those who you love. Merry xmas everyone...


Love it! I can't wait to visit the Christmas market. Yummy food and drink, lovely gifts, and most of all a wonderful bunch of people - that's what Christmas is all about. :)


Visited last year and loved it!, we have decided to revisit again this year and can not wait!!! Made us feel very christmassy And free!!!!! :-) :-) :-)


A perfect place to visit in the days leading up to Christmas and in such a picturesque setting. I hope to visit in the next few days. Look forward to buying some unusual pressies and eating some yummy food.


wonderful start to our Christmas brilliant atmosphere totally magical experience wonderful food and mulled wine, fantastic stalls with some brilliant ideas for Christmas presents. Cant wait to go again with the kids


Really great place to go great Christmas spirit and would highly recommend


This is the perfect start to Christmas. The mulled wine, Christmas lights, minced pies and all the lovely little craft stalls just give me a really warm feeling. It is magical!


Just don't go on a weekend, large crowds spoil the enjoyment...can't get close to the stalls etc.


Cannot wait to take the kids again ... they were under the spell last year ;-) Great location, good food and plenty of ideas for the Christmas shopping.


While the Eye watches you, stroll among Christmas trees, taste gingerbread , gluewhein and much more in a fairy-tale atmosphere


This is absolutely a great place to be during the festive times. It feels warm and Christmasy in this cold weather. You can expect mulled wine, minced pies as well as everyday burgers while enjoying the great atmosphere.


With a wonderful location and an atmosphere that really brings home the feeling that Christmas is just around the corner ... a great place to shop, eat .'be' and enjoy!

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