Festive Days Out Across the City
London in winter just hits differently. The lights switch on, the air smells like cinnamon and cold and suddenly half the city acts like mulled wine is a personality trait. Streets feel softer, evenings feel brighter and people who normally speed-walk home are suddenly happy to linger outside if fairy lights are involved.
With the first hot chocolate of the season only a queue away, this is when London truly transforms. If you are planning festive outings for 2025, here is your guide to the Christmas markets worth stepping out into the cold for.
Leicester Square Christmas Market
Dates: 1 November 2025 to 4 January 2026
Leicester Square is not playing around this year. For the first time ever, the square has its own open-air ice rink wrapped around the Shakespeare statue, surrounded by twinkling lights and wooden chalets. It feels like Christmas moved into the West End and decided to stay.
Skate, warm up with something chocolatey (or something stronger), wander the stalls, then roll straight into dinner or a show.
It is festive, central and the perfect way to launch your Christmas season.
Southbank Centre Winter Market
Dates: 3 November 2025 to 4 January 2026
The Southbank Winter Market is all about atmosphere. Wooden chalets line the Queen’s Walk beside the Thames, serving street food, mulled wine and handmade gifts, with views across to the City and the London Eye.
It is relaxed, scenic and perfect for the golden-hour visit, when the sky fades, the lights turn on and London suddenly feels cinematic. Come for the views, stay for the mulled wine and street food.
Trafalgar Square Christmas Market
Dates: 9 November 2025 to 2 January 2026
If you want something that feels very “London at Christmas”, Trafalgar Square delivers. Under the famous Norwegian Christmas tree, you will find alpine style stalls selling crafts, knitwear ornaments and plenty of festive food.
Expect carol singers by the tree in December, the fountains lit up in colour and a constant mix of Londoners and visitors passing through. It is a brilliant stop if you are already in the West End and it works well combined with a walk up to Regent Street and Oxford Street to see the lights.
Christmas in Covent Garden
Dates: 12 November 2025 to 5 January 2026
Covent Garden is the dramatic one. The giant bells, the huge baubles, the 55-foot tree and the glowing Market Building… it is basically London’s Christmas postcard in real life.
Main Highlight: LEGO “Chalet of Play”
- Fairground-style challenges
- LEGO Minecraft zone
- Build to Give charity activities
- Large LEGO models including Santa and Rudolph
Pop Ups and Festive Extras
- Piper Heidsieck Champagne Winter Garden
- Ladurée Festive Kiosk serving hot chocolate, viennoiserie and macarons
- Christmas Snowfall Moments scheduled throughout the day
- Live Performances including choirs and acoustic sets
- Seasonal Photo Installations remaining into early January
A perfect stop for festive shopping, Christmas experiences and winter treats.
Old Spitalfields Christmas Market
Dates: 12 November 2025 – early January 2026
This one is for the creatives. Spitalfields is all about independent makers, designers and genuinely good food, all under a beautifully lit covered market.
Festive Highlights
- Giant wreaths and the festive phone box for photos
- Urban Makers Market every Wednesday
- Antiques & Vintage Market every Thursday
- Seasonal craft workshops
- Limited-edition festive food and hot chocolate specials
Ideal for gift-hunters, small-business lovers and anyone who prefers London’s cool, East-end vibe over crowds.
Winter by the River – London Bridge City
Dates: 13 November 2025 to 4 January 2026
Possibly the most beautiful backdrop of them all. This riverside market runs between Tower Bridge and London Bridge, with cosy cabins, festive bars and sweeping river views.
What’s On?
- Two-storey Glasshouse Terrace Bar with heated rooftop
- Swift Stone Curling with Aperol Spritz, six glass-enclosed curling lanes
- Social enterprise cabins with ethical, independent brands
- Riverside stalls selling gifts, food and seasonal drinks
Arrive just before dark, this market glows at golden hour!
Kingston Christmas Market
Dates: 16 November 2025 to 28 December 2025
If you want something calmer than the city centre, Kingston is perfect. The historic market place transforms into a festive village with wooden cabins, twinkling lights and a cosy central bar.
You will find traditional festive food and mulled wine, handmade decorations and gifts from independent makers, live music and carol singing, giant light installations including the glowing KINGSTON sign and even the occasional reindeer visit near All Saints Church.
A great choice for families and anyone based in Southwest London who would rather avoid the busiest central markets at weekends.
Greenwich Christmas Market
Dates: From 19 November 2025 to early January 2026
Greenwich Market transforms into a glowing Christmas arcade with more than 150 independent traders. Expect artisan gifts, handmade crafts, jewellery, candles and excellent street food, all wrapped in twinkling lights.
Cosy, creative and full of neighbourhood charm, perfect for a chilled festive outing.
Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park
Dates: 14 November 2025 to 1 January 2026
The big one. The loud one. The iconic one.
Winter Wonderland is less a market and more a full Christmas theme park and 2025 is huge!
What You Can Expect
- Over 150 rides and attractions, from roller coasters to the giant wheel
- The UK’s largest open-air ice rink
- The Magical Ice Kingdom: Four elemental ice realms carved from tonnes of ice
- London’s largest free Santa’s Grotto inside Santa Land
- Jingle Bell Bistro: A children’s street-food market
- Bavarian beer halls, themed bars, live music and a massive Christmas market
It is busy, bright, loud and magical, in the best way. Book ahead for peak times.
How to Choose Which Markets to Visit
- If you do not want to attempt them all, a simple way to choose is:
- For skating and central London buzz: Leicester Square and Winter Wonderland
- For riverside views and evening walks: Southbank or Winter by the River
- For shopping and photo moments: Covent Garden or Spitalfields
- For a calmer, more traditional feel: Kingston
So… which one will you visit first? London is ready for Christmas, now it is over to you.
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