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The best London Christmas markets and lights for 2026, with dates, Southbank, Covent Garden, Winter Wonderland, Borough Market and more.
London's Christmas season starts earlier every year, and 2026 is no different! The first markets open in early November and the West End lights are on by the first week.
Here's every market and light display worth your evening, with dates, so you can plan your trip around them.
• Southbank Centre Winter Market — riverside wooden chalets between the London Eye and Waterloo Bridge. From 2 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
• Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park — the biggest of them all, with rides, ice rink and shows alongside the market. 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
• Covent Garden — crafts, food and one of London's biggest Christmas trees in the Piazza. From 12 November 2026 into early January.
• Leicester Square — a compact market and Santa's grotto in the heart of the West End. From 31 October 2026 to 3 January 2027.
• Trafalgar Square — gifts and food beneath the Norwegian Christmas tree. 6 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
• Borough Market — the foodie's choice, for Christmas cheese, produce and mulled wine. 30 November 2026 to 6 January 2027.
• Old Spitalfields Market — independent makers and designers near Liverpool Street. 11 November to 24 December 2026.
• Winter by the River, London Bridge City — riverside market with views of Tower Bridge. 12 November 2026 to 4 January 2027.
• King's Cross — a Christmas market at King's Cross from 26 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
• Greenwich Market — crafts and food by the Cutty Sark, from 19 November 2026.
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• Carnaby Street — 4 November
• Regent Street & St James's — 5 November (free switch-on event, 5pm–9pm)
• Oxford Street — 9 November
• Knightsbridge — 10 November
• Marylebone Village and Old Spitalfields Market — 11 November
• Covent Garden, Bond Street and Chelsea's Duke of York Square — 12 November
• Greenwich Market and Fleet Street Quarter — 18 November
• Leadenhall Market and St Katharine Docks — 19 November
Start at Oxford Circus and head down Regent Street under the angels, cut through to Carnaby Street, then wander across Soho to Covent Garden for the tree and the market. It's about an hour at an easy pace, go after 5pm on a weekday to dodge the worst of the crowds.
Our apartments in the City, Liverpool Street, Monument and St Paul's are a short walk from Spitalfields, Leadenhall Market and the river. King's Cross puts Granary Square on your doorstep, and Kensington and Notting Hill are closest to Winter Wonderland. Browse our short stay apartments in London.
FAQ
The first open in early November, the Southbank Centre Winter Market from 2 November and Trafalgar Square from 9 November, with Winter Wonderland opening on 19 November.
For atmosphere, Winter Wonderland and the Southbank Centre Winter Market; for food, Borough Market; for independent gifts, Old Spitalfields.
Most are free to walk around. Winter Wonderland needs a booked entry ticket, and rides and attractions there are paid.
Regent Street switches on on 5 November 2026 and Oxford Street in early November. Both usually stay up until early January.
See the markets at your own pace from an apartment with a kitchen, a proper living room and space to stash the shopping.
Book direct for the best rate and January stays come with 20% off your London stay (between 1 – 31 January 2027) using code WINTER20 if you book before 30 November 2026. (Terms and conditions apply)
