London Christmas Markets Guide 2024
RabbiePosted on 24 Oct 2024
London is a memorable place. There’s a reason millions of people visit every year, a reason it’s the setting for so many of your favourite books, movies and shows, and a reason it is home to 9 million people.
London is energy. It’s passion. It’s exciting and cultural, historical and cosmopolitan. It’s got a bit of everything – especially in winter when London’s Christmas Markets pop up throughout the city like the ultimate scavenger hunt waiting for you to discover.
Coming up in this article:
- What Are the Dates for London’s Christmas Markets?
- What Are the Best Christmas Markets in London?
- Short Christmas Breaks with Rabbie’s
- London’s Christmas Markets FAQs
What Are the Dates for London’s Christmas Markets?
Everybody knows that London is the definition of a ‘big city’. It’s hustlin’ and bustlin’ at all hours of the day and night, with endless things to do and see no matter what time of year you visit.
So, it’s no surprise that London has more than one Christmas Market. It has several for you to enjoy, depending on which part of the city you’re in. Each Christmas Market has its own opening dates, so we’ll run through these below.
What Are the Best Christmas Markets in London?
Winter Wonderland Christmas Market
Open: 21st November 2024 – 5th January 2025
Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is often known as the ultimate festive destination for Christmas and winter lovers visiting London. It’s six magical weeks, a world within a world, a city of winter within the city of London.
Winter Wonderland will be open every day (excluding Christmas Day) from 10am to 10pm. Entrance tickets are required before you arrive (Off-Peak, Standard, or Peak), but if you spend £25 on any attraction, ride, or games online in advance of your visit, you’ll also receive a free entrance ticket.
And why wouldn’t you want to partake in the many activities and attractions of the Wonderland? It’s time to lose yourself in a cosy, sparkling, exhilarating world. Perhaps you’ll declare yourself ruler among the ice and snow sculptures at the Magical Ice Kingdom. Maybe you’ll gracefully glide (or attempt to) into the festive spirit on the UK’s largest open-air ice rink, or slippery slide your way around on the Real Ice Slide.
There’s delicious street food and vibrant bars, energetic circus acts and thrill-seeking rides, ice sculpting workshops and haunted mansions, and tempting markets in traditional wooden chalets to boot.
Covent Garden Christmas Markets
Open: Various throughtout November and December
There’s something about saying ‘I’m spending Christmas in Covent Garden’ that sounds incredibly posh, doesn’t it? During the festive season, winter magic transforms Covent Garden into a sparkling marvel – from the iconic Piazza and Market Building to Neal’s Yard, Seven Dials and even the surrounding streets.
And ding-dong, make sure you look up because the Garden’s world-famous festive decorations within the Market Building include over 40 gigantic bells with bows, 12 giant baubles, and 8 spinning mirror balls – like the Christmas disco you never knew you needed!
Bring your Christmas spirit and your Christmas stomachs too, because their festive menus drop across over 100 dining destinations. And let’s not forget the Winter Warmer Festival will be returning in 2024 – where they celebrate Mulled Wine ‘and more’!
Southbank Centre Winter Market
Open: 1st November - 26th December 2024
London’s South Bank is the heart of the city’s cultural scene, where locals and visitors can enjoy the splendour of iconic landmarks, world-class theatre, scrumptious cuisines, and big-hitter memories.
And that’s not even taking into account what happens at Christmas time, when the riverside is transformed into a wintery wonderland. Decorating the Queen’s Walk promenade between the Royal Festival Hall and Jubilee Gardens, festive goers will enjoy a wide range of pop-up bars, street food stalls, and chalet market stalls selling a range of festive goodies.
Leicester Square Christmas Market
Open: 6th November 2024 - 5th January 2025
The snow must go on. Who doesn’t love a good pun? This festive chant is the buzz of the festivities found each Christmas at Leicester Square. They say Leicester Square exists purely to entertain, so no wonder it’s become a global icon known for being a cultural hub and entertainment epicentre.
It’s where you’ll find the trailblazing cabaret show La Clique (returning to London in November 2024), and it’s where you’ll find a thrilling Christmas Market from 6th November 2024 until 5th January 2025.
Leicester Square is the kind of place that ‘lives for the applause’ - so why not go to show your support for this fantastic venue? Fairy lights droop overhead, like the sparkling branches of a willow tree, while the grand buildings of London loom overhead, creating the perfect postcard setting for your Christmas celebrations.
Kingston Christmas Market
Open: 14th November 2024 – 5th January 2025
Kingston upon Thames can be found in London’s south-west, and this ancient market town is noted for its royal history as well as its beautiful riverside location. And at Christmas time the town sparkles alive with its Christmas Markets located on Ancient Market Place.
It will be easy to immerse yourself in the festive cheer here, trust us. From Bavarian Curling (yes, we’re serious) to live music, market stalls with Christmas goodies to Open Mic Night at the Pyramid Bar Stage, Kingston Christmas Market takes the cake for that festive community feel.
Short Christmas Breaks with Rabbie’s
It’s easy to lose yourself in the energy of London. But something about London at Christmas time resonates with locals and visitors alike. There’s a magic to the air that’s hard to replicate at any other time of year. A warm cosiness, despite the chill in the air.
And there are so many reasons to love London, so many things to do and see – even beyond the plethora of Christmas Markets waiting to whisk you away.
London is also on the doorstep of another kind of beauty – the beauty of England. Sweeping vistas reminiscent of Austen novels, cobblestoned lanes in quaint villages, grand ancient architecture hinting at stories long past... and it’s all waiting for you just a short distance outside of the capital. And in winter? Well, that’s a whole new, fresh world... quiet and humble, snow dusted and icy. We’d love to take you there with our day trips from London, and right now we’re running a unique offer for autumn and winter with 10% off day trips when you travel between 1st of Oct and 17th Dec 2024.
And for those of you who are looking for something extra special, you can create your ideal itinerary by organising a private tour with us.
London’s Christmas Markets FAQs
Each of London’s Christmas Markets will be different, so we suggest you head to their websites for full FAQ details!
Do I Need Tickets for the Christmas Markets in London?
Some of the London Christmas Markets will require entry tickets (such as the Winter Wonderland), whereas others have free entry. Rides and attractions for most markets can be purchased ahead of time online – head to their websites for more details.
Are the Christmas Markets Worth It in London?
If you’re already planning a visit to London, you’ve likely already embraced the adventure ahead. London’s bustling energy is like a moreish mulled wine by the open fire – exactly what you need. And how can the festivities of Christmas Markets not be worth it?
What Can You Buy at the Markets?
The real question is: what can’t you buy? From delicious food to seasonal drinks, the point of a good Christmas market is to shop for knickknacks and gifts, both for your loved ones and for yourself too.
Feel the Festive Spirit This Year on Tour
London was made for Christmas Markets, which is why it hosts so many! With such an expansive city at your fingertips, with literally endless things to do, you’ll find Christmas in London a most magical time of year to visit.
Speaking of magical, have you seen England in the wintertime? It might rain, it might snow, and it tends to get dark early, but all of these add to the mysticism of the landscapes and the whisper of history you’ll find in every village and town. So, why not jump on a Rabbie’s small-group tour? We’re proud to say we’re a B Corp Certified Travel Company, with tours led by knowledgeable driver-guides in comfortable mini-coaches. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter for your portion of inspiration and to be one of the first to know about new destinations we’re going to explore.
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