It’s time to shop ’til you drop!. Although it’s the most expensive time of the year, and with the cost of living crisis continuing to bite, no doubt many of us will be tightening our Santa belts this year. Why not buy something unique and support small businesses across the country by buying your gifts this year from one of the capitals many Christmas markets.
Many of the listings with entrance fees are raising money for charity, while a host of fairs and markets will be offering more than just shopping experiences, with many featuring live music, food and drink, and other festive activities, including meeting reindeers, snow machines and Santa experiences.
Long-term Christmas markets
Most markets are open from mid November, and continue to trade into the new year, so there is plenty of time to pick up some bargains.
2 November – 26 December 2023 : Winter Market @ Southbank Centre
Shop at riverside chalets selling a wide range of festive food nibbles, drink, gifts and treats on the South Bank. Open Sun-Thu 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm (Xmas Eve 10am-4pm, Xmas Day closed, Boxing Day 11am-3pm). Free access. Queen’s Walk, South Bank, SE1. Nearest station: Waterloo, Westminster or Embankment. For more information, visit the Southbank Centre website.
- 16 November – 31 December 2023 : Kingston Christmas Market
Dozens of stalls selling gifts, as well as festive food and drink, carol singers, children’s carousel and live music. Open Sun-Wed -10am-6pm, Tues-Sat 10am-8pm (TBC). Free entry. Market is located across two sites: Clarence Street and High Street, Kingston-upon-Thames, KT1. Nearest station: Kingston. For more information, visit the Kingston Christmas Market website.
- 17 November – 24 December 2023 : Ealing Broadway Christmas Market
A wide range of stalls selling hand crafted gifts, artisan made decorations, street food, as well as live music. They even have a daily ‘snow’ fall at 4pm, which is not to be missed. Open Mon-Fri 10.30am-6pm, Sat 10am-6.30pm, Sun 10am-5pm. Free access. Town Square, Ealing, W5. Nearest station: Ealing Broadway. For more information, visit Ealing Broadway Shopping website.
- 17 November 2023 – 1 January 2024 : Winter Wonderland
Festive markets are just one of a host of attractions at this huge extravaganza. Open daily from 10am-10pm. Tickets (must be pre-booked): Off-peak free, standard £5, peak £7.50. Entrance fee waived if you spend over £25pp on attractions in advance. Nearest station: Hyde Park Corner, Victoria, Knightsbridge or Marble Arch. For more information, visit the Winter Wonderland website.
- 23 November – 23 December 2023 : Christmas under the Canopy (King’s Cross)
Festive edition of the always popular Canopy Market, with stalls, food and drink, and live music. Open Tues–Wed 12pm-7pm, Thu 12pm-9pm, Fri 12pm-8pm and Sat-Sun 11am-6pm (TBC). Free entry. West Handyside Canopy, King’s Cross, N1C 4BH. Nearest station: King’s Cross St Pancras. For more information, visit the King’s Cross website.
- 25 November – 17 December 2023 : Wick Wonderland (Hackney)
Riverside Christmas market hosted by Barge East, open every weekend throughout the month of December. Open 11am-6pm. Free entry. Barge East Gardens, White Post Lane, Hackney Wick, E9 5EN. Nearest station: Hackney Wick. For more information, visit the Barge East website.
One-off or short-term Christmas fairs and markets
- 2 – 5 November 2023 : Salad Days Market @ Selfridges
A pop-up Christmas market in the capitals iconic department store. Featuring homemade gifts including jewellery, art, beauty, clothing, accessories, homeware. Workshops include portrait painting, candle personalisation and pick ‘n’ mix your own charm jewellery. Open Thu-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 11.30am-6pm . Free entry. Selfridges (Accessories Hall, Duke Street entrance (off Oxford Street), Marylebone, W1A 1AB. Nearest stations: Bond Street or Marble Arch. For more information, visit the Salad Days website.
- 16, 18 – 19 November 2023 : Christmas Fair @ Church of Sweden
London’s Swedish church opens their doors, offering a wide array of Scandinavian based goodies, crafts and gifts. There will also be a café serving traditional based Swedish food and mulled wine. Open Thu 11.30am-8pm, Sat 11.30am-6pm, Sun 11.30am-5pm. Entry: £3, Children under 12 free. Swedish Church, 6 Harcourt Street, Marylebone, W1H 4AG. Nearest station: Edgware Road or Marylebone. For more information, visit the church website.
- 19 November 2023 : Blackheath Christmas Fair
The Blackheath Christmas charity fair sells festive gifts, gourmet food and drink, raffles and more. Open 10.30am- 4.45pm. Entry: £3. Blackheath Halls, 3 Lee Road, Blackheath, SE3 9RQ. Nearest station: Blackheath. For more information, visit the Blackheath Halls website.
- 21 November 2023 : Charterhouse Christmas Fair
Over forty stalls will be selling an array of gifts and crafts in the historic Charterhouse. From 11am-8pm. Entry: £7, Concessions £5. The Charterhouse, EC1M 6AN. Nearest station: Farringdon. For more information, visit the Charterhouse website.
- 23 – 25 November 2023 : Mayfair Christmas Market
Mayfair restaurant Novikov hosts its annual festive market, featuring stalls, DJs, Champagne Bar, carol singers, food market, as well as real life reindeers. Open 11am-9pm. Free entry. Mayfair Place, Mayfair, W1J. Nearest station: Green Park. For more information, visit the Novikov website.
- 24 November 2023 : Christmas Fayre @ Forty Hall Estate
Shop for Christmas gifts and crafts from artisans in the Jacobean style manor house at Forty Hall. There will also be a BBQ and mulled wine stand. Open Fri 4pm-8pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm. Entry: £1 (Fri), £3 (Sat-Sun), Under 15s free (tickets must be booked in advance). Forty Hall Estate, Enfield, EN2 9HA. Nearest station: Turkey Street. For more information, visit the Forty Hall Estate website.
- 25 November 2023 : Under the Arches Christmas Fair
Christmas fair in the grounds of the Arnos Arms pub, featuring local designers and makers, along with festive food and drink. Open 11am-4pm. Free entry. The Arnos Arms, 338 Bowes Road, Arnos Grove, N11 1AN. Nearest station: Arnos Grove. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page.
- 25 – 26 November 2023 : Be Festive Christmas Market @ Richmond
Alongside a picturesque festive market by the river, there will also be a Winter Wonderland pop-up with elf workshops, Santa’s sleigh, local choirs and a Christmas post box for your letters to Santa. Open 11am-5pm. Free entry. Riverside and Whittaker Avenue, Richmond, TW9 1TP. Nearest station: Richmond. For more information, visit the Be Richmond website.
- 26 November 2023 : Winter Yard Sale @ Museum of the Home
A festive edition of the popular Yard Sale supporting Campaign for Change food equality charity. Featuring homewares, studio clear-out bargains and local makers’ stalls. There will also be an online auction from 22-26 Nov. Open 10am-5pm. Entry: £5-£15. Museum of the Home, 36 Kingsland Road, Hoxton, E2 8EA. Nearest station: Hoxton. For more information, visit the Museum of the Home website.
- 26 November 2023 : Dulwich College Christmas Fair
Christmas fair in the grounds and halls of historic Dulwich College featuring over 100 stalls selling crafts, gifts, carol singing, food & drink and Santa’s Grotto. Open 11.30am-4pm. Entry: Adults £5, Under 18s free. Dulwich College, Dulwich Common, SE21 7LD. Nearest station: West Dulwich. For more information, check out the Friends of Dulwich College website.
- 27 – 28 November 2023 : Guildhall Christmas Market
Charity festive market with stalls selling luxury and handmade gifts, while a food festival will take place outside in the yard. There will also be a silent auction and raffle. Mon 5pm-9.30pm, Tues 10.30am-7pm. Tickets: £7 (proceeds go to Red Cross). Guildhall (enter via Guildhall Art Gallery), Guildhall Yard, City of London, EC2V 7HH. Nearest stations: Bank or St Paul’s. For more information, visit the Red Cross website.
Guildhall Christmas Market at Guildhall
- 1 December 2023 : Royal Albert Wharf Winter Market
Head east for a Friday evening market, featuring stalls from local crafters, street food, and art workshops. Open 5pm-9pm. Free entry. Pump House Square, Shackleton Way, Royal Docks, E16 2XY. Nearest station: Gallions Reach. For more information, visit the Bow Arts website.
- 1 December 2023 : Kew Sparkle
Friday evening festive event at Kew, featuring local craft stalls, family entertainment, Santa’s Grotto, funfair, festive food and drink. 5pm-8pm. Free entry. Kew Village, TW9 3PZ. Nearest station: Kew. For more information, visit the Kew Sparkle website.
- 1 – 3 December 2023 : Christmas Fair @ Fulham Palace
Indoor and outdoor festive market, as well as food and drink, children’s craft activities, choirs, tombola and raffle. Open Friday (adults only preview) 6pm-9pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm. Entry: Adults £5, Child £3. Fulham Palace, Bishop’s Avenue, Fulham, SW6 6EA. Nearest station: Putney Bridge. For more information, visit the Fulham Palace website.
- 2 – 3 December 2023 : Christmas Duck Pond Market @ Chiswick House & Gardens
A selection of artisanal sellers will be setting up stalls outside the stunning Chiswick House. Also including local entertainment from the Chiswick School choir and steel pan band. 10am-4pm. Free entry. Chiswick House Gardens, Chiswick, W4 2QN. Nearest stations: Turnham Green and Gunnersbury. For more information, visit the Chiswick House & Gardens website.
- 2-3, 9-10 & 16-17 December 2023 : Wembley Park Festive Market
Wembley Park will be hosting a festive market during the first three weekends in December. Featuring artisan traders selling gifts, gourmet treats and drink. There is also festive installations and entertainment. 10am-5pm. Free entry. Market Square and Olympic Way, Wembley Park, Wembley, HA9 0FD. Nearest stations: Wembley Park or Wembley Stadium. For more information, visit the Wembley Park website.
- 4 December 2023 : City Christmas Fair
The City of London hosts a Monday fair in aid of Wellbeing for Women. Featuring over 50 stalls, raffle, champagne bar and hot drinks. 11am-8pm. Entry TBC. Drapers’ Hall, Throgmorton Street, City of London, EC2N 2DQ. Nearest stations: Bank or Liverpool Street For more information, visit the City Christmas Fair website.
- 16 – 17 December 2023 : Crafty Fox Christmas Market @ King’s Cross
Indoor market featuring over 100 local designer and artisans (different selection each day), selling art prints, homewares, jewellery, ceramics, clothing and unique gifts. Dog and child-friendly. Open 11am-5pm. Free entry. The Crossing, The Granary Building, King’s Cross, N1C. Nearest station: King’s Cross St Pancras. For more information, visit the Crafty Fox website.