The best Christmas markets in London, 2023
Find unique gifts and support independent businesses: these Christmas markets give us what we love from the festive season
Cosy Christmas markets to explore this winter
Christmas markets and fairs are a lovely way to support independent brands and find unusual, homemade items, from candles to cards.
From the established markets making their annual return, to a little-known gem hidden down the cobbled streets of a sleepy neighbourhood, here are the best London Christmas markets to explore this festive season.
The Oval Christmas Market
Location: LOCK Warehouse, 29-32 The Oval, London E2 9DT
Friday 15 (4pm - 9:30pm), Saturday 16 (10am - 9:30pm) & Sunday 17 December (10am - 5pm)
East London welcomes a new Christmas market this festive season that promises an offering that's as strong on gourmet food as it is stocking fillers. Popping up for one weekend only, from Friday 15 - Sunday 17 December, The Oval Christmas Market is a chance to shop the wares of over 20 British brands, while tucking into contemporary Indian fare from Kricket and premium pastries courtesy of Pophams bakery. Between the shopping, make the most of live entertainment and have a boogie to DJ sets with a steaming mug of wine in hand. Keep your eyes peeled for Father Christmas if you've got the kids in tow. Just grown ups? Don't miss London floral studio Ray Ray’s wreath-making workshop – a chance to weave some foliage to pretty up your front door.
Columbia Road Late Night Shopping Wednesdays
Location: Columbia Road, Bethnal Green, London E2 7RG
Wednesdays from 6 - 20 December, 5pm - 9pm
While you’re bound to have jostled your way along Columbia Road’s Sunday flower market at some point, you might not be aware of its Christmas offering. On Wednesdays in December, you'll find the shop windows glowing after dark as visitors are invited in for a spot of late-night shopping. Gather around a piano – rolled out into the street for the occasion – to sing Christmas carols, and pick up a mulled wine from one of the many steaming cauldrons perched along the street.
Christmas Canopy Market at King's Cross
Location: West Handyside Canopy, just off Granary Square, King's Cross, London N1C 4BZ
Tuesdays & Wednesdays 12pm - 7pm, Thursdays 12pm - 9pm, Fridays 12pm - 8pm, Saturdays & Sundays 11am - 6pm
Canopy Market, run by Real Food Festivals, is serving up festive treats aplenty in the run-up to Christmas. Its December market offers great Christmas gift ideas as well as the chance to shop locally for seasonal foods to bulk out your festive celebrations.
Crafty Fox Christmas Market
Location: The Crossing, King's Cross
Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 December, 11am - 5pm
Expect gorgeous clothes, hand-crafted toys, homeware and accessories from quirky artists and designers at Crafty Fox's annual Christmas Markets, plus plenty of stalls serving gourmet street food and seasonal drinks.
Venn Street Saturday Market
Location: Venn Street, Clapham, London SW4 0AT
Saturdays (10am-3pm)
While not exclusively a Christmas market, Venn Street Saturday market in Clapham is especially lovely to browse during the festive season. Stock up on choice cuts of meat and quality cheeses for your spread; search for stocking fillers and decorations from the market's broad range of independent and artisan producers; and enjoy a hearty pastry and steaming cup of mulled wine while you're there.
Studio Pottery's Christmas Market
Location: 3-4 Eccleston Yards, Belgravia, London SW1W 9NF
Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 November, 11am - 5pm
Eccleston Yard is hosting Studio Pottery's Christmas Market: a chance to shop for beautiful, hand-made ceramics and soak up some twinkling, festive magic while you're there. Grab something yummy from Wild By Tart or Jones Family Kitchen while you're there.
Pexmas
Location: Copeland Park and Bussey Building, 133 Copeland Road, Peckham, London SE15 3SN
Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 December, 11am - 6pm
With over 100 small businesses trading plus delicious bites and entertainment, Pexmas is the go-to place for gifts from independent artisans, makers and food producers. You can also shop the products online – you'll want it all.
Southbank Centre Winter Market
Location: The Queen's Walk, Lambeth, London SE1 8XX
2 November - 26 December (Sunday-Thursday, 11am-10pm; Fridays and Saturdays, 11am-11pm)
Amid the flashing lights and blaring music of the West End is Leicester Square’s Christmas market, where a more pared-back experience lies in store. Wander between Bavarian-style wooden huts and admire the traditional toys, festive ornaments and hand-knitted clothes on offer, while enjoying a glass of mulled wine or plate of something warming. No visit is complete without catching a show at the Spiegeltent. La Clique's dazzling circus skills is a returning favourite among this year's highlights.
Design Led: The Saturday Makers Market
Location: Ram Quarter, Wandsworth Town, SW18
Saturday 9 December, 10am - 4pm
This makers' market in Wandsworth Town is run by Design Led, an events platform with several other markets across the city. Head on down to plump up your stockings with sustainable brands, homeware, fashion, artisan condiments and more.
From the established markets making their annual return, to a little-known gem hidden down the cobbled streets of a sleepy neighbourhood, here are the best London Christmas markets to explore this festive season.
The Oval Christmas Market
Location: LOCK Warehouse, 29-32 The Oval, London E2 9DT
Friday 15 (4pm - 9:30pm), Saturday 16 (10am - 9:30pm) & Sunday 17 December (10am - 5pm)
East London welcomes a new Christmas market this festive season that promises an offering that's as strong on gourmet food as it is stocking fillers. Popping up for one weekend only, from Friday 15 - Sunday 17 December, The Oval Christmas Market is a chance to shop the wares of over 20 British brands, while tucking into contemporary Indian fare from Kricket and premium pastries courtesy of Pophams bakery. Between the shopping, make the most of live entertainment and have a boogie to DJ sets with a steaming mug of wine in hand. Keep your eyes peeled for Father Christmas if you've got the kids in tow. Just grown ups? Don't miss London floral studio Ray Ray’s wreath-making workshop – a chance to weave some foliage to pretty up your front door.
Columbia Road Late Night Shopping Wednesdays
Location: Columbia Road, Bethnal Green, London E2 7RG
Wednesdays from 6 - 20 December, 5pm - 9pm
While you’re bound to have jostled your way along Columbia Road’s Sunday flower market at some point, you might not be aware of its Christmas offering. On Wednesdays in December, you'll find the shop windows glowing after dark as visitors are invited in for a spot of late-night shopping. Gather around a piano – rolled out into the street for the occasion – to sing Christmas carols, and pick up a mulled wine from one of the many steaming cauldrons perched along the street.
Christmas Canopy Market at King's Cross
Location: West Handyside Canopy, just off Granary Square, King's Cross, London N1C 4BZ
Tuesdays & Wednesdays 12pm - 7pm, Thursdays 12pm - 9pm, Fridays 12pm - 8pm, Saturdays & Sundays 11am - 6pm
Canopy Market, run by Real Food Festivals, is serving up festive treats aplenty in the run-up to Christmas. Its December market offers great Christmas gift ideas as well as the chance to shop locally for seasonal foods to bulk out your festive celebrations.
Crafty Fox Christmas Market
Location: The Crossing, King's Cross
Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 December, 11am - 5pm
Expect gorgeous clothes, hand-crafted toys, homeware and accessories from quirky artists and designers at Crafty Fox's annual Christmas Markets, plus plenty of stalls serving gourmet street food and seasonal drinks.
Venn Street Saturday Market
Location: Venn Street, Clapham, London SW4 0AT
Saturdays (10am-3pm)
While not exclusively a Christmas market, Venn Street Saturday market in Clapham is especially lovely to browse during the festive season. Stock up on choice cuts of meat and quality cheeses for your spread; search for stocking fillers and decorations from the market's broad range of independent and artisan producers; and enjoy a hearty pastry and steaming cup of mulled wine while you're there.
Studio Pottery's Christmas Market
Location: 3-4 Eccleston Yards, Belgravia, London SW1W 9NF
Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 November, 11am - 5pm
Eccleston Yard is hosting Studio Pottery's Christmas Market: a chance to shop for beautiful, hand-made ceramics and soak up some twinkling, festive magic while you're there. Grab something yummy from Wild By Tart or Jones Family Kitchen while you're there.
Pexmas
Location: Copeland Park and Bussey Building, 133 Copeland Road, Peckham, London SE15 3SN
Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 December, 11am - 6pm
With over 100 small businesses trading plus delicious bites and entertainment, Pexmas is the go-to place for gifts from independent artisans, makers and food producers. You can also shop the products online – you'll want it all.
Southbank Centre Winter Market
Location: The Queen's Walk, Lambeth, London SE1 8XX
2 November - 26 December (Sunday-Thursday, 11am-10pm; Fridays and Saturdays, 11am-11pm)
Amid the flashing lights and blaring music of the West End is Leicester Square’s Christmas market, where a more pared-back experience lies in store. Wander between Bavarian-style wooden huts and admire the traditional toys, festive ornaments and hand-knitted clothes on offer, while enjoying a glass of mulled wine or plate of something warming. No visit is complete without catching a show at the Spiegeltent. La Clique's dazzling circus skills is a returning favourite among this year's highlights.
Design Led: The Saturday Makers Market
Location: Ram Quarter, Wandsworth Town, SW18
Saturday 9 December, 10am - 4pm
This makers' market in Wandsworth Town is run by Design Led, an events platform with several other markets across the city. Head on down to plump up your stockings with sustainable brands, homeware, fashion, artisan condiments and more.
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