London is truly magical at Christmas. Along with the festive lights, grand Christmas trees, and charming ice rinks, the city’s Christmas markets add to the holiday magic. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, you’ll be enchanted by the variety of markets, with new ones popping up each year. From Trafalgar Square to Tower Bridge, there’s a market at every iconic spot in the city center.
Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON invites you to discover the top Christmas markets in London.
Trafalgar Square Christmas Market
This is maybe the most iconic place in town, but this year marks a new era as for the first time in its history a Christmas market has officially opened there!
More than 20 stalls have been set up on the north terrace in front of the National Gallery, offering a variety of items to explore.
From food stalls (the scent of mulled wine and pancakes fills the air around the wooden chalets) to unique Christmas gifts, you’ll find plenty of ideas to treat your loved ones.
Trafalgar Square Christmas Market will be open everyday except Christmas Day – Free to enter.
Leicester Square Christmas Market
Just a short walk from Trafalgar Square, you’ll find another popular Christmas market in Leicester Square, with stalls offering seasonal treats, festive food, and drinks.
This market is perfect for its central location, making it easy to combine with visits to nearby museums, theaters, or shopping streets.
Leicester Square Christmas Market is open from 12pm-10pm (Mon-Fri) and 10am-10pm (Sat-Sun), closed on Christmas Day. Entry is free, though tickets are required for the Leicester Square Spiegeltent shows and Santa’s Grotto.
Christmas Market by the River
This is a new discovery for me this year, and I truly appreciated the stunning view of London’s skyline.
You can easily walk from Monument tube station and reach the Christmas market on the other side of the Thames.
On the riverfront, you’ll first pass through Hay’s Galleria, a stunning building home to restaurants and shops. During the festive season, charming chalets sell handmade gifts. The atmosphere here is always great, and Christmas only adds to its charm.
Walking towards Tower Bridge (actually, just follow the free festive art sculpture trail released last November and inspired by Raymond Briggs’ classic character The Snowman), you will find the Christmas by The River set up in what is called London Bridge City.
A selection of 60 independent traders selling seasonal goods, from homemade gifts/food to Christmas cocktails, mulled wine, hot cider and craft beers. Everything to cheer you up in these cold days!
Christmas Market Opening Times: Monday to Sunday: 10.00-21.00; Christmas Eve: 10.0 -17.00; Christmas Day: Closed; New Year’s Eve: 10.00-20.00. Free to enter.
London Christmas Market at Winter Wonderland
This is maybe the most popular Christmas Market among young people.
Located in Hyde Park, this Christmas Market is the biggest in London and includes an ice skating rink, amusement park rides and many attractions in addition to the numerous Christmas chalets.
This Christmas Market features a wide variety of seasonal gifts, food stalls to suit every taste, and, of course, mulled wine and other festive drinks.
Winter Wonderland is open 10am – 10pm every day until early January 2020, except Christmas Day.
Christmas Market at Westfield
A “Winter Village” appeared lately in front of Westfield shopping center, in West London. This is another of the new Christmas markets opening in London this year.
Following the german Christmas markets tradition you will be able to buy mulled wine and sausages, but also jewellery, homewares, chocolate treats and much more.
At Santa’s Grotto, there are fun activities for kids, including making personalised Christmas decorations, helping the elves, and meeting Santa himself!
Wherever you go in London, you will find a Christmas market to immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of the end of year.
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I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and found inspiration here. If you are planning to explore London’s Christmas markets, please share your experience and opinion on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON’s blog!
To go further:
Trafalgar Square: London WC2N 5DN.
Leicester Square: London WC2H 7DE.
Christmas by the river: SE1 2DB.
Winter Wonderland: Hyde Park, London W2 2UH.
Westfield: Shepherd’s Bush, London W12 7GF.
Website
Merry Christmas to all Londoners ans visitors and Happy New Year with the pleasant company of DYSL.
@myriam Happy New Year to you too, Myriam!