London is one of the most popular cities during Christmas time because many people are interested in the best London Christmas markets!
It’s truly incredible being in London in December because the city is absolutely magical. If you’re a Christmas market fan, London has so many of them to offer! Just come and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere in one of the prettiest cities in the world.
I’ve spent some time in London last December, and I’ve visited many Christmas markets. Keep reading if you want to find out which are the best London Christmas markets!
read more >>> BEST THINGS TO DO IN LONDON DURING CHRISTMAS TIME
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WHY VISIT LONDON CHRISTMAS MARKETS?
Visiting London Christmas markets is a magical experience full of festive cheer, great food and drinks, and amazing shopping opportunities. I really loved each and every Christmas market in London! Here are some of my favourite reasons why you should visit London during Christmas.
Firstly, the festive atmosphere in London is unmatched. London’s Christmas markets are beautifully decorated with twinkling lights, Christmas trees, and festive ornaments. Along with the Christmas markets, the rest of the city is full of stunning décor as well! The atmosphere in London is warm, welcoming, and full of holiday spirit, so you’ll be enjoying every second of it!
Secondly, London Christmas markets really offer loads of different opportunities and services. If you like food, you’ll have a good time! London Christmas markets are a haven for food lovers. You can indulge in seasonal treats like mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, mince pies, and a variety of international street food. The food stalls are usually gorgeously decorated and offer festive specialties that add to the holiday experience.
You can also find stalls offering great gifts such as handcrafted items, Christmas decorations, one-of-a-kind presents, artisanal products, and souvenirs that are often not available in regular shops.
Additionally, London Christmas markets offer live music, carol singing, ice skating rinks, fairground rides, and Santa’s grottos so you can indulge in some fun activities.
Finally, most of these London Christmas Markets are situated at iconic locations such as Hyde Park, Southbank, Leicester Square, and Covent Garden. This means that you can explore the city’s landmarks while enjoying the festive atmosphere. Along with exploring, you can take some really amazing photos. The combination of festive lights, beautifully decorated stalls, and historic London backdrops makes these markets a photographer’s dream.
IS IT WORTH VISITING LONDON CHRISTMAS MARKETS?
Yes, it’s definitely worth visiting London Christmas markets. It’s hard to match the level of festivities you’ll experience in London, and I feel like everyone should experience it at least once in your life.
What I do have to say is… if you really hate crowds, London might be too much for you. People, both locals and tourists, love the Christmas season and there are significant crowds at most popular locations. This is something you have to make your peace with, or just skip London in general.
HOW LONG SHOULD YOU STAY IN LONDON?
The ideal length of stay in London during the Christmas market season really depends on what you want to experience and what are your expectations of this trip. In general, I would recommend at least 4 days so you can visit and experience the basic and most popular markets. If you have some extra time, it might be great to stay for a full week. That way, you can fully enjoy the markets and other festive attractions without feeling rushed.
Read More >>> 4-DAY LONDON ITINERARY
TOP 5 LONDON CHRISTMAS MARKETS YOU MUST VISIT
Here are my top 5 London Christmas Markets you must visit. I really loved these and I think you would too! Each Christmas Market has a short overview and why you will love it (or not). In the end, choose the ones which are the best for you.
Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park
Winter Wonderland is one of the most famous Christmas events in London. It’s situated in Hyde Park, and it is a huge festival featuring a Christmas market, ice skating rink, rides, live shows, and plenty of food and drink options.
This Christmas Market attracts millions of people each December, so it’s important you buy your tickets as early as possible. You can already book the tickets right here! The off-peak days and hours are free, but tickets for those more popular times like evenings and weekends start at £5.
This attraction is perfect for young people and families because it’s centered around carnival-like rides and games, all of which cost a pretty penny on top of your already-paid tickets. For those who are not interested in this type of attraction, Winter Wonderland might not be for you.
The Winter Wonderland festivities are open from November 21st to January 5th.
Southbank Centre Winter Market
The Southbank Centre Winter Market is located along the Thames, which makes for a beautiful riverside setting. During Christmas season, this market also features wooden chalets selling festive food, drinks, and gifts. The wooden stalls are decorated in a festive spirit, and there are lots of people drinking mulled wine, eating great street food, and buying handmade Christmas gifts.
Along with great food and drinks, there are different shows, pop-up bars, and Christmas attractions nearby, so it’s definitely a market worth the visit. It usually starts at the beginning of November and closes on Boxing Day!
Covent Garden Christmas Village
Covent Garden Christmas Village is a place you cannot miss if you love a good Christmas Market Instagram photo! The lovely Covent Garden is beautifully decorated during the Christmas season with giant baubles, bells, fairy lights, and many more Christmas decorations. The most popular photo spot is definitely the sleigh from 1884, where the best photos are taken!
Covent Garden is also home to one of the biggest Christmas trees in London, right next to the Royal Opera House. Along with the stunning decorations, there’s excellent food, delicious mulled wine, and great performances all throughout November and December.
Covent Garden Christmas Village will be open from November 9th to January 3rd.
Leicester Square Christmas Market
Leicester Square Christmas Market is a stunningly decorated market located in the heart of London. It’s one of the most famous Christmas markets in London, and it brings millions of people each year.
You can enter the market for free, but due to the limited space, you might have to wait to enter, depending on your time of visit.
Leicester Square Christmas Market has many wooden stalls with great food, drinks, and various crafts. What’s special about this Christmas market is that it includes several live performances, some of them free and some paid.
Keep in mind that this one gets REALLY crowded, so if crowds are not your thing, maybe just skip it. If you don’t mind the crowds, you can visit it from mid-November to early January!
Christmas by the River at London Bridge
Finally, the last Christmas Market on this list is Christmas by the River at London Bridge. This picturesque market is set along the Thames, with stunning views of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. I think this Christmas Market is at the most iconic location and it’s definitely going to bring you into the festive spirit.
The market is full of Christmassy, wooden stalls which offer festive items for gift shopping, some very interesting and delicious food, and great drinks.
You can visit it from mid-November to early January, and you won’t be disappointed!
LONDON CHRISTMAS MARKETS: CONCLUSION
Overall, London has excellent Christmas Markets which are worth the visit, but they’re very similar, so if you don’t have lots of time just choose those which sound the best to you. It’s better to visit a few of them and immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit, than run around to visit them all and forget to enjoy the festivities.
Whatever you do, your Christmas season in London will be unforgettable!
