Where to Find London’s Best Christmas Markets for 2026

Where the Festive Action Is This Winter

If you live in the capital, you already know that December here is about more than the Christmas lights on Oxford Street. This winter, several of the city’s most loved spaces are getting festive makeovers, and they’re well worth a wander. In Leicester Square, the ice rink returns for a second year, wrapped around the William Shakespeare statue, with market stalls lining the edges from 31 October 2026 to 3 January 2027. Along the Thames, the Southbank Centre Winter Market brings wooden chalets and twinkling lights to the riverside from 2 November. It leans towards food and drink, so expect mulled wine and hot chocolate, but be prepared for crowds, especially at weekends.

If you want a route that doubles as sightseeing, try this one. Start at the Crypt of St Martin-in-the-Fields on Trafalgar Square, where independent makers set up for two November weekends. Then stroll down Whitehall, past the government buildings, and keep walking until Big Ben comes into view at the end of the street. It’s one of the easiest ways to combine shopping with some of the best london attractions, and it’s free. Between the Bridges, between the London Eye and Hungerford Bridge, adds another stop on selected Sundays, so you can finish the afternoon by the river.

The key advice from locals is simple: pick two or three venues rather than trying to see everything, and go midweek if your diary allows. You’ll get more time at the stalls and a far better chance to chat with the people who made what you’re buying.

The Makers, Traders and Venues Behind the Stalls

Behind every chalet and stall is a community of people for whom the festive season is a make-or-break period. Solo Craft Fair and Solo Craft Market, a South London-based creative hub, is running several events this year. At Between the Bridges, up to 60 makers will be selling on selected Sundays, and at St Martin-in-the-Fields, around 90 independent makers will be taking over the crypt over two weekends. For small makers, these fairs are often the difference between a quiet winter and a busy one, and they offer something a website rarely can: a face-to-face conversation about how a piece was made.

The free creative workshops at St Martin-in-the-Fields are a particularly good option for families and anyone who has been meaning to try something new. They also give visitors a reason to linger rather than rush through.

Further afield, the Church of Sweden in Marylebone is opening its doors for a Christmas fair from 20 to 22 November, with food, mulled wine, festive gifts and a café. It is a welcoming, low-key option if you prefer a calmer atmosphere than the big outdoor markets.

On the South Bank, the OXO Tower Wharf is home to independent designer-makers working across jewellery, ceramics, fashion and homeware. This listing is sponsored, so it’s worth knowing that upfront. The building also houses the riverside café Coffee Academy and the OXO Tower restaurant. Coin Street, the local social enterprise that supports the area, is also part of the story, as spending at the wharf contributes to community projects. Meanwhile, in Mayfair, Novikov is closing Mayfair Place near Green Park to traffic for a three-day Christmas market, a useful reminder that local restaurants are often part of the festive lineup too.

What Residents Should Know Before You Go

For those of us who live here, the practical question is how to enjoy the season without losing an entire weekend to queues. The busiest spots are Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, which runs from 19 November to 3 January and gets especially hectic on evenings and weekends as Christmas approaches, and the Southbank, where weekend crowds can make the riverside feel like a crush. If you’re heading to Hyde Park, go early in the day, plan your transport in advance and expect to queue for the rides and food. Travelling by Tube or on foot is usually quicker than driving, and it saves you the stress of finding parking near the markets.

The dates also matter. Between the Bridges runs on selected Sundays only, on 15, 22 and 29 November and 6, 13 and 20 December, so check before you set off. The Swedish Church fair is limited to three days, and the St Martin-in-the-Fields weekends are in late November. Listings can change, so it’s sensible to check each venue’s website or the Christmas in London page closer to the date.

The easiest way to help local makers is to buy directly from them, ideally with cash or card at the stall, and to ask about their work. If you are shopping for gifts, consider picking up something handmade for someone on your list. And if you are visiting from elsewhere in the UK or abroad, the markets are a good way to explore the city beyond the usual tourist routes.

Watch for updates on opening hours and any changes to road closures, particularly around Trafalgar Square, Whitehall and Mayfair, as festive events can shift the traffic pattern. Enjoy the season, and bring a warm coat.

Source: Where To Find London’s Best Christmas Markets And Festive Fairs: Christmas 2026

Many travelers plan to visit London Christmas markets as part of a festive trip, so booking accommodation early is a smart move.

After browsing the stalls, visitors can take a short stroll to the british museum and warm up with some culture before heading back out into the festive crowds.

Just a short stroll from buckingham palace, the festive Winter Wonderland-style markets along the nearby streets make an easy addition to a royal London sightseeing day.