‘Tis the season to enjoy London’s magical Christmas markets.
When it comes to Christmas shopping, explore beyond the department stores and high street, and embrace the magic of markets. Christmas markets in London sparkle with artists, bakers and candlestick makers. Discover foodie delights at Borough Market, handmade crafts at Old Spitalfields Market, and riverside stalls at the Southbank Centre. When you are shopped out, refuel with mulled wine and mince pies. Here are the best Christmas markets in London for 2026.
Borough Market
Borough Market is famous for its food – you’ll smell it before you see it. Located in Southwark, the stalls come merry and bright, showcasing superb seasonal food. Build your Christmas feast at this foodie favourite, where the shopping list runs from farmhouse cheeses and charcuterie to festive bakes and bottles for the table. Look out for McLaren’s Christmas Pudding, made with butter, citrus, winter spices, brandy and stout. Between purchases, explore the market’s street-food counters or pick up something warm from a bakery. Arrive hungry and bring a sturdy shopping bag.
Where: Borough Market, Southwark, London, SE1 9AH
Contact: https://boroughmarket.org.uk
Camden Market: December Dates TBC
For presents with personality, Camden brings its alternative spirit to Christmas shopping. . Explore the Stables and surrounding market lanes for vintage clothing, distinctive accessories and independent designs, then refuel at the international food stalls. Camden’s 2026 cultural calendar also promises a Mother and Father Christmas grotto, pop-up performances and festive lighting.
Where: Camden Market, 54-56 Camden Lock Place, London, NW1 8AF
Contact: https://camdenmarket.com
Chelsea Physic Garden: 26 to 29 November 2026
Christmas shopping takes a botanical turn at Chelsea Physic Garden, where more than 100 independent businesses gather within London’s oldest botanic garden. Founded in 1673, the setting gives this four-day fair a character all its own. Browse carefully selected homewares, clothing, accessories, artisan food and speciality drinks, with plenty of possibilities for thoughtful presents. Much of the fair takes place beneath marquees, and the café provides somewhere to pause between purchases. Tickets cost £8 in advance or £10 on the door, with pre-booking recommended for this compact seasonal event.
Where: Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 4HS
Contact: www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk
Columbia Road: Dates TBC
Columbia Road traditionally goes into full bloom with its famous flower market. On Wednesdays, it gets into the Christmas spirit. The market includes more than 60 independent businesses, including cupcake shops, small art galleries, and vintage clothes. Once you’re done shopping, raise a glass to yourself at one of the old-school pubs nearby.
Where: Columbia Road, Bethnal Green, London E2, 7RG
Contact: https://columbiaroad.info
Covent Garden: 2 November to 31 December 2026
Theatreland provides the inspiration for Covent Garden’s Christmas celebrations, with the historic Market Building and Piazza becoming the setting for The Theatre of Christmas. New for 2026, the Forest of Theatre brings Christmas trees inspired by West End productions, including SIX, Hadestown and My Neighbour Totoro. Browse the permanent markets and surrounding boutiques beneath giant bells and glittering decorations, then admire the towering tree on the West Piazza. December adds another reason to linger, with free hourly snowfall from midday to 9pm, making this an especially photogenic shopping stop.
Where: Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8RF
Contact: www.coventgarden.london
Greenwich Market
All aboard. Greenwich Market draws inspiration from its nautical history with its Christmas market. Under the roof of its Georgian market, browse art, crafts, jewellery and antiques before exploring the streets around Cutty Sark. The seasonal highlight is the lantern parade, when local schoolchildren carry handmade creations through the Old Royal Naval College and Cutty Sark Gardens to the market. The lights switch on at 5pm on 18 November 2026, with music and performances continuing until 6pm. Arrive early to browse the stalls before joining the neighbourhood celebrations.
Where: Greenwich Market, Greenwich, London, SE10 9HZ
Contact: www.rmg.co.uk
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland: 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
For Christmas shopping with a side of spectacle, Winter Wonderland brings market browsing into a much bigger day out. More than 60 traders join the 2026 Christmas Market, where a Scandinavian-themed square showcases artisan makers alongside food and live performances. Look out for selected craft demonstrations, then combine your shopping with the ice rink, fairground rides or the Giant Wheel. The market sits beside the rink, with the Blue Gate recommended for direct access. Book a timed entry slot in advance and choose any additional attractions when planning your visit. Get there early to avoid the crowds.
GO: Visit https://hydeparkwinterwonderland.com for more information.
King’s Cross: 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
Seven free markets give King’s Cross an international Christmas shopping scene. Christmas Under the Canopy gathers more than 50 makers from 20 November to 23 December 2026, while Granary Square’s new Winter Market runs from 26 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Browse Mexican gifts, try tamales and sip hot chocolate at Coal Drops Yard from 27 to 29 November 2026. Then explore pan-Asian crafts at the Shōtengai Festive Market on 3 to 6 and 17 to 20 December 2026. With street food and live music, there’s plenty to turn a present hunt into an afternoon out.
Where: King’s Cross, Stable Street, London, N1C 4LW
Contact: kingscross.co.uk
Leicester Square: 31 October 2026 to 3 January 2027
Leicester Square is traditionally home to red carpet film premieres. Now it is adding a festive intermission to a day in the West End, with Christmas stalls surrounding its seasonal skating experience. Browse gifts and traditional treats, then take a turn around Skate Leicester Square’s circular ice rink. Afterwards, the seasonal bar serves hot chocolate, mulled drinks and something sparkling for anyone celebrating a successful shopping trip. Its central location is the draw: Chinatown, Piccadilly and Theatreland are all nearby, making it easy to combine the market with dinner or a show.
Where: Leicester Square, West End, London, WC2H 7LU
Contact: www.skateleicestersquare.co.uk
Old Spitalfields
Shopping beneath Old Spitalfields Market’s covered roof makes this a practical choice when London’s winter weather refuses to cooperate. The historic market brings together independent stalls, boutiques and food counters, with jewellery, art, clothing and handmade presents among the finds. Its festive launch on on 11 November 2026 features music from 4pm, a gospel choir from 5.30pm and the lights switch-on at 6pm. Families can join free face painting and Christmas craft activities, while traders remain open throughout the event. Make time for a proper browse, then explore the restaurants around the market.
Where: Old Spitalfields, 6 Horner Square, London, E1 6EW
Contact: https://oldspitalfieldsmarket.com
Southbank Centre: 2 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
Make this riverside market a food stop on a winter walk along the Thames. Beneath Hungerford Bridge, the Southbank Centre’s Alpine-style chalets mix craft traders with an international line-up of street food. The 2026 offering includes festive brie burgers, Lebanese flatbreads and miniature Dutch pancakes, alongside churros and warming drinks. Browse handmade toys and Christmas ornaments before deciding what to eat, or pick up a box of chocolate truffles for someone at home. It’s perfect for postcard views of the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and the River Thames. Plus, you can pick up winter food and drink, from mulled wine to Yorkshire puddings.
Where: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX
Contact: www.southbankcentre.co.uk
Trafalgar Square: 6 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
Few Christmas shopping stops come with a setting as recognisable as Trafalgar Square. Underbelly’s market brings handcrafted gifts, festive food and a seasonal bar to the square, making it a convenient pause between the National Gallery and the West End. Visit in December to enjoy the atmosphere around Norway’s annual gift to London, the Christmas tree that has symbolised friendship between the two countries since 1947. Carol singing adds to the occasion during the run-up to Christmas. It is a compact stop that rewards combining shopping with a little sightseeing.
Where: Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DS
Contact: underbelly.co.uk
Winter by the River: 10 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
Tower Bridge and the Tower of London provide the backdrop for Winter by the River, where boutique stalls line London Bridge City. Alongside handmade gifts and artisan finds, look for purchases supporting social enterprises through the market’s gifts-for-good initiative. Afterwards, take the shopping bags to The Clubhouse, a two-storey bar with a heated rooftop canopy and Thames views. For a more competitive finish, book Swift Stone Curling at London Bridge City Pier, where six lanes turn a festive gathering into a friendly challenge. Come after dusk to enjoy the skyline.
Where: London Bridge, River Thames, Southwark, EC4R 3TN
Contact: londonbridgecity.co.uk