London doesn’t have one Christmas market. It has a season of them, plus lights, ice rinks and a giant festive funfair in Hyde Park. Two days covers the best of it. The mix suits families, groups of friends and anyone who wants a city break with a festive backdrop.
London
Don’t miss
The places that make the trip, and why each one deserves your time.
Garry Knight / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
London's biggest Christmas event, part market and part funfair, with fairground rides, shows, bars and rows of wooden chalets selling food and gifts.
Book a free weekday off-peak slot early in the run.
Opringle at English Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain Southbank Centre Winter Market
Chalets line the Thames beneath the London Eye, with mulled wine, street food and gifts from independent makers, and views across the river.
Come at dusk when the lights come on.
Covent_Garden_Interior_May_2006.jpg: Diliff derivative wo… / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5 Covent Garden
A British-grown tree on the West Piazza and giant baubles, bells and mirror balls in the Market Building make it one of London's most festive corners.
Cross Waterloo Bridge from Southbank; about 15 minutes.
Harry Mitchell / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 Somerset House
Skating in the courtyard of a Georgian palace beside the Strand, one of the most elegant ice rinks in the city.
aurélien. / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 Regent Street
The big West End lights stretch overhead as you walk from Oxford Circus down Regent Street to Piccadilly after dark, with roast chestnuts from street stalls.
Use the Tube, not taxis, on weekend evenings.
Pentagram Studio (London) / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain Christmas at Kew
An evening light trail through Kew Gardens, where trees, glasshouses and paths glow in the winter dark, an evening outing well away from the central markets.
Ticketed, so book as early as you can.
London’s Christmas season at a glance (2026)
| Event | 2026 dates |
|---|---|
| Southbank Centre Winter Market | 2 Nov – 4 Jan (closed 25 and 31 Dec) |
| Hyde Park Winter Wonderland | 19 Nov – 3 Jan (closed 25 Dec) |
| Covent Garden lights switch-on | 12 Nov |
| Christmas at Kew | from 13 Nov |
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Dates: Thursday 19 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, every day except Christmas Day.
London’s biggest Christmas event is part market, part funfair. Expect fairground rides, shows, bars and rows of wooden chalets selling food and gifts. You need an entry ticket booked for a one-hour arrival slot, between 10am and 8pm, and last entry is at 9.30pm. Off-peak slots are free to enter, but you still need to book. Popular slots on weekends and in December sell out, so book as soon as your dates are fixed.
Where: Hyde Park, a short walk from Hyde Park Corner and Marble Arch Tube stations.
Best for: Families and groups who want rides and shows as well as stalls.
Tip: Book a weekday off-peak slot early in the run. You get free entry, shorter queues and room to move between the chalets.
Southbank Centre Winter Market
Dates: 2 November 2026 to 4 January 2027. Open daily 11am–10pm (craft traders until 9pm), closed 25 and 31 December.
A line of chalets runs along the Thames by the Southbank Centre, with the London Eye overhead and views across the river. It is the most traditional market in central London, with mulled wine, street food and gifts from independent makers. Come at dusk when the lights come on, then walk east along the river.
Where: Southbank Centre, a short walk from Waterloo and Embankment stations.
Best for: Couples, and a riverside walk with a hot drink.
Covent Garden
Lights switch-on: Thursday 12 November 2026.
Covent Garden doesn’t run a classic chalet market, but it is one of the most festive corners of London. A British-grown tree stands on the West Piazza, and giant baubles, bells and mirror balls hang inside the Market Building. It works well as a stop between the Southbank and the West End lights.
Best for: Photos, shopping and an evening wander.
Ice rinks and other festive events
London’s Christmas season goes well beyond markets. These are the 2026 opening dates:
- Skate Leicester Square: from 31 October.
- Glide at Battersea Power Station: from 6 November.
- Skate at Somerset House: from 11 November, in the courtyard of the Georgian palace.
- Christmas at Kew: from 13 November, an evening light trail through Kew Gardens. It is ticketed, so book ahead.
- Queen’s House ice rink, Greenwich: from 18 November.
- Hampton Court Palace: the ice rink opens on 19 November, and the Festive Fayre from 4 December.
The big West End light displays switch on in early November: Carnaby on 4 November and Regent Street on 5 November. Walk from Oxford Circus down Regent Street to Piccadilly after dark.
What to eat and drink
- Mulled wine and mulled cider: sold at every market.
- Mince pies: the British Christmas staple, with spiced dried-fruit filling.
- Roast chestnuts: look for them at street stalls in the West End.
- Bratwurst and raclette: European market standards and a regular sight at London’s markets.
- Hot chocolate: good for a break between rinks.
For a sit-down meal, see our guides to the best restaurants in London and the best pubs in London.
Avoiding the crowds
- Go on a weekday afternoon. Saturdays in December are the busiest days everywhere.
- Visit the Southbank market at opening time, then come back for the lights after dark.
- Book Winter Wonderland and Kew as early as you can. Walk-up entry is possible at Winter Wonderland, but popular slots sell out.
- Use the Tube rather than taxis around the West End on weekend evenings, when the traffic barely moves.
Tip: Combine the Southbank Centre and Covent Garden on foot. Cross Waterloo Bridge and you are in Covent Garden in about 15 minutes.
Planning more festive trips? See the best Christmas markets in the UK, our Christmas markets 2026 calendar for Europe, and the best things to do in London for the rest of your weekend.
FAQ
When does Winter Wonderland open in 2026?
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland opens on Thursday 19 November 2026 and runs until Sunday 3 January 2027. It closes on Christmas Day.
Is Hyde Park Winter Wonderland free?
Off-peak time slots are free to enter, but you must still book an entry ticket in advance. Other slots need a paid ticket.
What is the best Christmas market in London?
The Southbank Centre Winter Market is the most traditional, with chalets by the Thames. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is the biggest, with rides and shows.
When does the Southbank Centre Winter Market open?
It opens on 2 November 2026 and runs until 4 January 2027. It closes on 25 and 31 December.
