London Christmas Markets

This post is also available in: Portuguese (Portugal)

London is a city rich in all types of markets in all periods of the year, of course during Christmas there are plenty of classic Christmas markets, among the most popular are the  traditional German Christmas Market in Southbank and Hyde Park.

LONDON CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Dates of the Christmas Market:
Usually end of November – December

Southbank Winter Festival. In the Southbank the events that enliven the Christmas are included in the Southbank Winter Festival. There is the famous Christmas market in Southbank and a number of other attractions such as the Festive Flyer, the Christmas Tree Maze, the Southbank Centre Express, the Scandinavian Rekorderlig Cider Lodge, the Viewing Deck Bar and the Christmas Tree Cafe.

Southbank Centre Wintertime Market. Christmas market with the German typical products like gingerbread and “Glühwein”. Along the Southbank of London – between the Southbank Centre and the London Eye – there are 50 stalls, which displays the typical products of German cuisine and arts and crafts. There is also the Secret Village of Santa Claus (Santa’s Secret Village) where children can meet Santa Claus.

Underground: Waterloo.

Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday from 11.00 to 22.00; Fridays and Saturdays at 11.00 to 23.00; Sundays from 11.00 to 22.00. Closed on December 25th.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. Christmas Market with  wooden chalets selling and exhibiting typical German objects and traditional Christmas delicacies as “Glühwein” (German Mulled Wine) and the traditional German sausages “Bratwurst”. Hyde Park, along with the market, will host the event Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, which offers a large outdoor ice skating rink, the Angel’s Christmas Market, the Magical Ice Kingdom: icebergs, a shipwreck, igloo, the Palace of the Polar Bears. The circus, a spectacular Ferris wheel, new attractions, rides and special events.

Underground: Hyde Park Corner.

Opening Hours: open 10am – 10pm every day, with exception of Christmas Day when it will be closed.

Greenwich Market at Christmas. Famous market which consists of over 150 wooden stalls offering handmade items, handmade jewelry, clothing, food and drinks.

Underground: Cutty Sark, Greenwich.

Opening Hours: every day from 10.00 to 17.30.

Christmas at Kew. During Christmas the beautiful Kew gardens are richly illuminated with a path that includes a garden of night-fire, the tunnel of light and giants sparkling snowflakes. Along the trail you will be tempted by the smell of roasted chestnuts, toasted marshmallows and the other traditional Christmas dishes. You can visit Santa in his grotto (Snowflake Grotto), or take a ride in the vintage carousels.

Underground: Kew Gardens.

Opening Hours: from 17.00 to 22.00.

Christmas at Borough Market. Located south of the River Thames, not far from London Bridge, this market is known as one of the best food markets in London, here you can taste the real specialty of the English Christmas.

Underground: London Bridge.

Opening Hours: from 10.00 to 17.00. On 24 December and 31 December, the market closes at 16.00. Closed on 25 and 26 December.

Kingston Christmas Market (Royal Kingston Christmas Craft Fair). Located in the Grounds All Saints Parish Church, Clarence Street in Kingston-upon-Thames, a suburb in the south-west London, the market has stalls filled with Christmas specialties such as roasted almonds, bratwurst sausages and mulled wine. Inside the “Christmas Village”, there is also a farm shop, a bakery and wooden stalls selling handmade gifts and Christmas decorations.

Underground:  Kingston.

Opening Hours: 10.00am – 6.00pm, Sunday – Wednesday, 10.00am – 8.00pm, Thursday – Saturday. 

Organization: Eden Crafts, 39 Ross Court, Putney Hill, Putney SW15 3NZ. T: 020 8788 4434. Fax: 020 8780 0993. E-mail: 

London Bridge City Christmas Market (London Bridge City’s Christmas by the River). Christmas Market, with stunning views of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, where you can find unique and unusual gifts, and enjoy food from all over the world.

Opening Hours: from 11.00 to 22.00.

Underground: London Bridge.

Winterville at Victoria Park. The party town of Winterville is located in Victoria Park in East London here visitors can expect a unique alternative Christmas. In Winterville are an outdoor ice skating rink, a huge ferris wheel, horse-drawn carriages, local restaurants and indoor stalls with food and drink. Kids will enjoy interactive events with workshops for arts and crafts, home of fairy tales and Santa’s Grotto.

Opening times: Monday – Thursday 11.30 – 22.00; Friday 11.30 – 22.30; Saturday 10.30 – 22.30; Sunday 10.30 – 22.00. The town of Winterville is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Underground: Bethnal Green, Bow Church, Bow Road.

A) Other places to visit during Christmas are the places of the classic markets of London, that on the occasion of the Christmas festivities are at their best form.

– Old Spitalfields Market. The market for young designers, for those interested in the latest fashion from the street, but also market of antiques, art and vintage items.

Underground: Liverpool Street.

 Opening: Annual market. Opening Hours: Monday to Friday from 10.00 to 16.00. On Sundays from 9.00 to 17.00. Closed on Saturday.

– Portobello Market. Famous flea market of antiques, collectibles, and art objects, but the market also offers clothing, fruits and vegetables.

Underground: Notting Hill Gate.

Opening: Annual market. Opening Hours: every day from 10.00 to 16.00.

– Camden Lock Market. Market featuring books, crafts, antiques, new and used clothes, records.

Christmas at Camden Market is being given an alternative spin this year with the launch of a new weekly pop-up festive market in the North Yard. With a different theme each week, the market will bring together the best gifts from across London, plus live music, festive food and – a Christmas shopping essential – mulled wine.

Underground: Camden Town.

 Opening: Annual market. Opening Hours: every day from 10.00 to 18.00.

– Stables Market at Camden. Market with unconventional objects suitable to find unusual gifts, strange objects but also antique and old books.

Underground: Chalk Farm.

Opening: Annual market. Opening Hours: Monday to Friday from 10.30 to 18.00; Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 to 18.00.

HOTELS, ACCOMMODATION, APARTMENTS AND B&B

Booking.com

This post is also available in: Portuguese (Portugal)