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The clocks have gone back, which means one thing, and one thing only: the countdown to Christmas has officially begun. With less than two months until the big day, it’s time to start sorting out stocking fillers and finding trinkets to decorate the tree.
If you’re looking to get into the festive spirit and start spreading merriment across the city, we’ve got you covered. We’ve already published our guide to every major London Christmas lights display for 2026, which you can check out here.
Now, we bring you the icing on the Christmas cake, with the deets of every major winter market across the Big Smoke this year. Read on to discover the best spots for securing handmade gifts, personalised prezzies and traditional festive treats this celebratory season.
When every London Christmas market opens for 2026
King’s Cross Christmas Market
The organisers behind the annual N1 event have promised a ‘remixed’ festive celebration for 2026. Independent makers, seasonal food and drink stalls and even a huge roller rink will descend on Granary Square between November 26 and January 3 2027 for the King’s Cross Winter Market, which will also debut an Aardman-themed Christmas tree from October 14, featuring famous faves including Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and Morph.
Opening times: Sun-Thurs 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm.
Christmas in Leicester Square
London’s West End will once again be aglow from the beginning of November when the star-shaped lights are switched on, but if you’re on the hunt for festive prezzies and traditional treats, you’ll have to cop a ticket to Leicester Square Skate, which will be running stalls around its central ice rink between October 31 2026 and January 3 2027.
Opening times: 10am-10pm.
Southbank Centre Winter Market
Beneath the Hungerford Bridge, the Southbank’s Queen’s Walk will be chock-a-block with merriment and Christmas cheer from November 2 to January 3. Expect pop-up bars, sizzling street food and lots and lots of trinket traders under the twinkling lights.
Opening times: Stalls open 11am-10pm, bars open 11am-11pm.
Covent Garden Christmas Market
Giant bells, disco balls and a 55-foot tree are scheduled to transform the historic Piazza from November 12 to January 2 this winter, with stalls selling handmade crafts, artisan gifts and, of course, cups of mulled wine to warm the cockles.
Opening times: Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 12am-5pm.
Trafalgar Square Christmas Market
Every year since 1947, Norway has given London a Christmas tree, and 2026 is no exception. Surrounding the iconic pine in front of the National Gallery you’ll find wooden stalls of Christmas in Trafalgar Square selling crafts, gifts and sweet treats between November 6 and January 3.
Opening times: 10am-10pm.
Winter Wonderland
The annual festive icon is back, baby. As with every year, you’ll find traditional Christmas markets dotted among the rides, giant wheel and Magical Ice Kingdom which have made the festive funscape one of the capital’s most popular Christmas outings for 19 years running. Stalls will be running from November 19 when it opens until January 3 when the annual extravaganza goes back into hibernation.
Opening times: Vary (check here) but are typically 10am-10pm Monday to Sunday
Winter By The River
Set against the stunning backdrop of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, the London Bridge City complex will be lined with wooden chalets filled with handmade crafts, artisan gifts and tasty treats from November 10 to January 3. Plus, we can expect a two-storey pop-up bar with stunning views of the London skyline and even a six-lane curling stall, so you can practice your ice polishing skills.
Opening times: 11am-10pm.
Kingston Christmas Market
Kingston’s Ancient Market Place is gearing up to be transformed into a Bavarian-style Christmas wonderland between November 12 2026 and January 3 2027. Think personalised presents, tree decorations made from oyster shells and even a stall selling moonshine for some added winter merriment.
Opening times: Sun-Wed 10am-6pm, Thu-Sat 10am-8pm.
Greenwich Market at Christmas
As if the Greenwich Peninsula wasn’t iconic enough, this winter it’ll be decked out in glittering lights and a 10-metre Christmas tree to gawp up at. A restored vintage carousel with hand-painted horses will be bringing the nostalgia, surrounded by stalls serving cinnamon-dusted churros, bratwurst hot off the grill, crêpes, warm donuts, mulled wine and hot chocolate.
Opening times: 12pm to 9pm.
Old Spitalfields Market
East London’s iconic Christmas fair is coming back this year, kicking off with a festive light switch on party on November 11. Plus, we can expect festive-themed twists on regular pop-ups including the Vinyl Market on December 4 and December 18, as well as the Urban Makers Christmas Market every Wednesday in the run up to the festivities.
Opening times: Vinyl Market 10am-5pm. Urban Makers Market 10am-6pm.
Christmas at Borough Market
Foodie haven Borough Market turns on the Christmas charm for the month of December with exclusive festive recipes, flaming Christmas puddings and, of course, a selection of free-range rare breed turkeys for shoppers this winter.
Opening times: Mon closed, Tue-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm.
Camden Market
Each Christmas, Camden Market gets a little frostier and significantly more festive. The alleyways of stalls will be peppered with glowing trees from November 26 and brass bands will bring the tunes to the Stables and the North Yard. We can expect mulled wine festive snacks and Christmas food menus, plus festive Night Markets every Thursday.
Opening times: Festive Night Markets will run on Thursdays until 9pm.
RECOMMENDED: The best Christmas markets and festive fairs in London.
Did you see that one of London’s most legendary cafes is collaborating with Selfridges this Christmas?
Plus: tickets for London New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show 2026 are on sale.
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