The Best Christmas Markets in London for the Ultimate Holiday Feels
The UK is great in all seasons, but nothing compares to spending time in Christmas markets in London in my opinion. Christmas lights, hot chocolate, and some of the best Christmas markets in London are located right here in the capital! Whether you live in London or are just visiting, there are some really fun and exciting options for things to do this Christmas.
Start with a cozy Christmas brunch in London or visit the beautiful Christmas lights that appear on Oxford Street every November, and in the evening make your way to one (or many!) of London’s famous Christmas markets. Here are my top seven Christmas markets in London for 2021.
The 7 Best Christmas Markets in London
Okay, so we’re about to embark on the quest for the best Christmas Markets in London. I’ve tried to include mostly Central London Christmas markets where you can find, well, quite anything. I love doing my Christmas shopping and buying cute soaps, sculptures, and other kinds of artistic items there. From the Selfridges Christmas Market to the famous Winter Wonderland, brace yourself for the best icy markets in London!
London Christmas Markets: Market on the Mews, Selfridges
The Selfridges Christmas market is relatively new to London but is already drawing crowds, you might even spot a celebrity or two! Located in a small street behind the famous department store, this is the perfect place to visit after seeing the Oxford Street Christmas lights if you are tired from all your Christmas shopping in London.
There are many different artisan stalls selling festive Christmas gifts, lots of food trucks serving the best street food in London from all around the world, and three different bars where you can warm up with some hot chocolate or mulled wine.
Selfridges Market on the Mews Christmas Market London: Edward’s Mews (behind Selfridges), until 24th December
Best Christmas Markets in London: Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park
This is everyone’s favorite Christmas market in London, and it returns year after year. Winter Wonderland takes up a huge space in Hyde Park over the Christmas season and includes everything such as festive stalls for shopping, a huge ice-skating rink, lots amazing of places to eat, and plenty of exciting themed park rides.
You can easily spend a few hours here trying different Christmas foods, buying Christmas presents for your loved ones, or entertaining children at the funfair. I love Winter Wonderland, and I’ve had my fill of hot chocolate there the past few years!
Winter Wonderland London is also close to the beautiful Harrods department store, which has a special Christmas shopping experience. Make sure to dress in warm clothes and book tickets in advance because it can get very busy! Winter Wonderland is the perfect place for a family evening out or a special Christmas date night.
Winter Wonderland London Location: Hyde Park
Christmas Markets in London: Southbank Winter Festival & Christmas Market
If you’re looking for wonderful views at a London Christmas market, you can’t beat the Southbank Christmas Market. The riverside will be lined with cute and Christmassy wooden chalets where you can buy an array of handmade Christmas gifts.
This London Christmas Market is particularly great as it has close access to other Southbank attractions such as the London Eye and Tate Modern, which you can visit during the day. I’ve told you about the coolest London landmarks a few days ago and well, this one is very close to most.
Not only does the Southbank Christmas market have some wonderful areas to enjoy a hot drink, but you can also hire a private igloo to have dinner, with an amazing view of the city skyline.
Southbank Christmas Market London Location: Southbank, until 24th December
Best London Christmas Markets: Christmas at Leicester Square
If you prefer somewhere more central, then the Leicester Square Christmas Market is the perfect place for you. This market not only has a huge selection of stalls to buy presents, food, and drinks; but this year there will also be a giant tent with performances from singers, comedians and circus performers!
There are lots of restaurants scattered around Leicester Square, with some being my favorite Asian restaurants in Chinatown, and I’ve also written about the best halal restaurants in Leicester Square some time back. Just because you’re Muslim doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the cool Christmas shopping in London and all the beautiful lights and decorations that go with the festivities!
This Christmas market is right in the heart of London, close to the West End where you can visit the cinema, admire the Christmas lights, and do plenty of Christmas shopping before coming here for a warm glass of glühwein and some hot food. If you are just visiting London for a few nights then you cannot miss this glittering Christmas market in the heart of the city.
Leicester Square Christmas Market Location: Leicester Square, until 3rd January
Best Christmas Markets in London: Greenwich Christmas Market
If you live further afield or don’t mind traveling a little, Greenwich Christmas Market is a beautiful place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. This South London market is always open but at Christmas, there are 150 different stalls that sell cute locally made products and London-themed Christmas presents to take home with you, as well as a fantastic range of food and drinks.
I love Greenwich ever since I’ve first discovered it while going to shop for candles in London at the outlet Yankee Candle store. To be fair, that candle shop is another reason to go to the Greenwich Christmas Market as you can do both in one day.
The twinkling Greenwich Christmas lights will be switched on on 24th November, and If you have children then be sure to take them to visit Santa’s Grotto which will be here until Christmas Eve! The best part of this Christmas market is that you can also visit the nearby Greenwich Observatory, where you can take your Christmas drinks, and admire a spectacular view across the entire city of London with your loved ones.
Greenwich Christmas Market London Location: Greenwich High Road, until 24th December
Best London Christmas Markets: Christmas By the River, London Bridge
If you want to combine Christmas activities, then you must visit the Christmas by the River market in London. Located on the Southbank, stretching between London Bridge and Tower Bridge, and dotted inside Hay’s Galleria, the riverside will be lined with old-fashioned stalls selling handcrafted gifts. There are also lots of sparkling lights and a big area under the stars to sit down and enjoy some Christmas food such as Bratwurst or a sweet crȇpe, as well as pop-up bars in this London Christmas Market.
You can also visit some fun Christmas workshops or food tastings! On some evenings during November and December, there will also be Christmas films showing here, so that you can get in the festive spirit overlooking the lights of the city. If that’s not one of the coolest Christmas Markets in London, I don’t know what is.
Christmas by the River Christmas Market London Location: between London Bridge and Tower Bridge, until 3rd January
London Christmas Market at Flat Iron Square
If you would rather be on holiday this Christmas season, then perhaps you are looking for a Christmas market in London that reminds you of the Alps? In this case, you should visit the Christmas event at Flat Iron Square. Every year there is an Apres Ski Lodge so you can pretend you have just returned from the ski slopes, and this year it will have the theme of CÃŽROC vodka!
So you can enjoy a special themed cocktail, a hot glass of mulled wine or chocolate, try many different foods and warm yourself by the fire. So put on your best Christmas jumper and some warm clothes, and get all your friends together because this is the perfect place for a Christmas party in London!
7 Best Christmas Markets in London
There you have it – the seven best Christmas markets in London for 2021. Whether you are alone, with friends or family, you will find something to enjoy at one of these London Christmas markets at this special time of year. Indulge yourself in some hearty food, hot drinks, and fun activities surrounded by sparkling lights in London at Christmas time.
If you are feeling very festive, maybe you can visit all of them! Make sure to take some Instagram snaps to remember your time here – I know I will! I’d even suggest passing by the amazing Bread Ahead bakery to get decadent donuts while you’re around Southbank and Borough Market!
Having previously lived in both Paris and Rome as a fashion makeup artist, she enjoys the freedom that freelancing offers and loves to spend her time seeking out new and exciting spots in London.