Christmas is coming, praise be, and that means many things. Mulled wine and mince pies, reindeer and snow (well, one hopes), but also shopping, which can be tedious.
Then again, London is full of wonderful festive markets, each one offering something a little different. Many of them historic, from Borough to Leadenhall, the city is a tapestry of song and cheer, fairy lights and artisan gifts.
Here, we round up the best Christmas markets to visit in 2025. Not only are you likely to find the perfect homemade gift, there are activities to enjoy too and plenty to eat and drink.
Southbank/India Roper Evans
Free to attend and on the sparkly banks of the Thames, the Southbank Centre hosts a charming winter market each year, replete with cosy Alpine-style cabins, warming drinks and festive snacks. Cheese fondue is forthcoming, as is mulled wine, while decorations come courtesy of local, independent designers.
Leadenhall Market
The Lord Mayor has now turned on the Christmas lights to bring a festive flavour to one of the capital’s most iconic venues. “The glittering Christmas tree will be decked with a colour-changing LED light display, complementing the large baubles and beautiful fir tree garlands throughout the market,” organisers have said.
Winter by the River
London Bridge and its riverside streets become full with market stalls, themed karaoke rooms — on the pier most prominently — and pop-up bars throughout the festive season, as well as more traditional music from Christmas choirs at Hay’s Galleria. Dubbed Winter by the River, an expanse of space is transformed with decorations, Christmas lights and more. Naturally, head over to Borough Market while you’re there for cheese and wine.
PA
Borough Market feels special at Christmas as it transforms into a festive food and drink hub. Fairy lights illuminate all manner of produce and food to take-away, whether turkey and stuffing sandwiches, smoked salmon blinis or sausage spruced up with sweet chutney. Few places feel more festive — to wander the alleyways, mulled wine in hand, and you might as well be called Colin Firth or Renee Zellweger. Just be sure to take precaution before shooting an Instagram reel…
Greenwich Market
Greenwich Market is abundant with stalls, shops and pop-ups throughout the year, but things ramp up in winter. It features more than 200 artisan stalls, food vendors, live performances, carol singing, mince pies and numerous visits from Santa. The official start to the season was marked by a lantern parade and Christmas lights switch-on on November 19.
Visit Portobello
Portobello Market, famous the world over thanks to its world-leading merriment of antiques, is provided with a generous sprinkling of festive cheer each year. For Sundays, December 8 and 15 , usual bargains and oddities are joined by festive decorations, artisan gifts and seasonal fairs. Ever artsy, there are musical performances and artists on show, too, all under a canopy of lights come evening.
King’s Cross Coal Drops Yard
John Sturrock
Coal Drops Yard will host numerous Christmas events up until December 25, from craft workshops to live music nights, dog photoshoots to artisan food stalls. Look out for the festive charity market, the illustrators’ fair, and the return of Wine Car Boot, a cult favourite set up by the sommelier Ruth Spivey a decade ago. It’s a chance to pick up bottles from independent makers — at good prices — and each would make a thoughtful gift.
Monty Fresco/Getty Images
East London is less Dickensian these days, though there might be the odd Oliver Twist milling about outside the Golden Heart. All the better for it. Stopping by Spitalfields Market would be an opportunity to do all your Christmas shopping under one roof thanks to innumerable traders, while food and drink is not in short supply. The Christmas tree is lovingly decorated and displayed each year and there are often live bands playing Christmas tunes. Pop over to one of the many superb local pubs for a festive pint too.
DIY Christmas Market
In Peckham, the DIY Christmas Art Market makes for a rejuvenating and inspiring time. Original art pieces, risographs, screen prints, and zines are all sold, as well as a host of veritable creations from sculptors, ceramicists, designers, illustrators and more. Everything can be wrapped up under the tree, and perusing might be done with a glass or two of mulled wine and however many mince pies are desired.