Last updated: 5 November 2026
December is one of the best months to be in central London. The city’s winter markets fill squares and riverside walks with wooden stalls, festive lights, hot food and handmade gifts, and most of them are free to wander.
Here are seven of the best, when they’re open this year, and how to reach them from a central base.
London Winter Markets 2026 at a Glance
| Market | Where | Open | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| King’s Cross Winter Market | Granary Square | From 26 November | Free |
| Covent Garden Christmas Market | The Piazza | From 12 November | Free |
| Christmas in Leicester Square | Leicester Square | From 31 October | Free to browse |
| Trafalgar Square Christmas Market | Trafalgar Square | From 6 November | Free |
| Southbank Centre Winter Market | Queen’s Walk | From 2 November | Free |
| Winter by the River | London Bridge City | From 10 November | Free |
| Old Spitalfields Market | Spitalfields | From 11 November | Free |
Most run until early January. Nearly all of them close on Christmas Day, so check before you head out on the 25th.
1. King’s Cross Winter Market
Granary Square becomes a winter market each year, with stalls set along the canal and the fountains lit up after dark. It’s a relaxed, local feel compared with the busier West End markets, and the shops and food spots around Coal Drops Yard are right next door. Look out for Christmas Under the Canopy nearby too, running from 20 November to 23 December.
Getting there: It’s a short walk north of King’s Cross St Pancras. From the Mabledon Court Hotel, you can walk there in around 15 minutes. More at King’s Cross.
2. Covent Garden Christmas Market
Covent Garden is at its most festive in December, with a giant tree in the Piazza, decorations hanging through the market building, and stalls selling gifts and crafts. Street performers keep things lively, and there’s plenty to browse indoors if the weather turns.
Getting there: From the Bloomsbury hotels, it’s around 15 to 20 minutes on foot. See Covent Garden for what’s on.
3. Christmas in Leicester Square
Leicester Square sets up a ring of wooden chalets around the central gardens, with an ice rink in the middle. You can browse the market for free, and skating is ticketed if you fancy a go.
Getting there: Leicester Square station is on the Northern and Piccadilly lines. From Goodge Street, near our Bloomsbury hotels, it’s two stops on the Northern line, or a 20 minute walk.
4. Trafalgar Square Christmas Market
Set in front of the National Gallery, this market sits next to London’s best-known Christmas tree, a gift from Norway every year. It’s smaller than some of the others, but the setting is hard to beat, and it’s easy to combine with the Regent Street lights.
Getting there: Charing Cross station is right next to the square. If you’re seeing the lights first, it’s a short walk south from Piccadilly Circus. Our guide to the Regent Street Christmas lights has a suggested evening route.
5. Southbank Centre Winter Market
A run of wooden chalets lines the riverside under Hungerford Bridge, with street food, sweet treats and gift stalls. It’s one of the biggest markets in central London and stays open late, so it’s good for an evening walk along the Thames with views across to the north bank.
Getting there: Waterloo and Embankment are the nearest stations. From Embankment, walk across Hungerford Bridge. Check the Southbank Centre for opening times.
6. Winter by the River
Further east along the South Bank, Winter by the River sets up between London Bridge and Tower Bridge. Expect festive food, gift stalls and lights, with Tower Bridge as your backdrop.
Getting there: From the Great St Helen Hotel, you can walk across London Bridge to reach it. London Bridge station is also close by.
7. Old Spitalfields Market
Old Spitalfields Market runs all year, but it puts on a festive edge in December, with lights, decorations and extra stalls selling gifts from independent makers. It’s a good choice if you’d rather buy something different from what you’d find on the high street.
Getting there: It’s around a 10 minute walk from the Great St Helen Hotel and close to Liverpool Street station. See Old Spitalfields Market for opening hours.
Tips for Visiting London’s Winter Markets
- Go on a weekday. Weekends in December get very busy, especially at Covent Garden, Leicester Square and the Southbank.
- Visit after dark. The markets look their best once the lights come on, which is from around 4pm in December.
- Wrap up warm. Most markets are outdoors, and the riverside ones can be cold in the wind.
- Combine a few. Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square are all within walking distance of each other.
For routes across the city, use TfL’s journey planner.
Where to Stay for London’s Winter Markets
Staying central means most of these markets are a walk or a short Tube ride away.
The Bloomsbury Palace Hotel, Hotel Cavendish and Arran House Hotel are on Gower Street, within walking distance of Covent Garden, Leicester Square and the West End. Rooms are compact, but you’ll be close to everything.
The Mabledon Court Hotel puts you close to King’s Cross for the Granary Square market. In the City, the Great St Helen Hotel is handy for Spitalfields and Winter by the River. The Hatton Garden Hotel in Farringdon has the Elizabeth line on the doorstep for quick trips across town.
Planning a December break? Our sale covers stays from 17 to 26 December 2026, with up to 45% off when you book by 3 December. See our special offers for details.
Crown Group is a UK-owned group of six central London hotels. Have a look behind the scenes in housekeeping, read how we handle guest feedback, or contact our team if you have a question before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do London’s Christmas markets open in 2026? Most open between late October and late November. Leicester Square opens first on 31 October, and King’s Cross on 26 November. Most stay open until early January.
Are London’s Christmas markets free? Yes, all seven markets here are free to visit. You only pay for what you buy, plus extras like ice skating in Leicester Square.
Are the Christmas markets open on Christmas Day? Nearly all of them close on 25 December. Check the market’s own website before you go.
Which Christmas market is closest to King’s Cross? The King’s Cross Winter Market in Granary Square, a short walk from the station and around 15 minutes on foot from Mabledon Court Hotel.
Which markets can I walk between? Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square are all close together in the West End. The Southbank Centre market is a short walk across Hungerford Bridge from Embankment.
What about Hyde Park Winter Wonderland? Winter Wonderland runs from 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Unlike the markets above, you need a ticket to get in, though off-peak slots are free if you book ahead. See Hyde Park Winter Wonderland for details.
