London is quite magical at Christmas. After the Christmas lights and streets decorations, the gigantic Christmas trees installed throughout the capital and the enchanting ice rinks opening in major places in London, the Christmas Markets are part of the festive treat too. Whether you are a Londoner or a tourist, you will be seduced by the variety of these markets. The UK capital counts several great Christmas markets, and more pop up every year. From Trafalgar Square to Tower Bridge, there’s a market in every popular place of the city center. Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON invits you to explore the best Christmas Markets in London.

Trafalgar Square Christmas Market

This is maybe the most iconic place in town, but this year marks a new era as for the first time in its history a Christmas market has officially opened there!
Over 20 stalls have been installed on the north terrace in front of the National Gallery and there are lots of things to browse.
From food stalls (you won’t be able to avoid the mulled wine and pancakes flavors while exploring the wooden decorated chalets) to Christmas gifts, you may find a few ideas to treat your beloved ones.
Trafalgar Square Christmas Market will be open everyday except Christmas Day – Free to enter.

Leicester Square Christmas Market

Not far from Trafalgar Square, you will find another famous Christmas Market on Leicester Square. Many stalls are selling seasonal treats, as well as festive food and drinks.
This market is great for its convenient location and can easily be combined with a visit to nearby museums, theaters or shopping streets.
Leicester Square Christmas Market will be open 12pm-10pm Mon – Fri and 10am-10pm Sat-Sun (until 5th January 2020), but will be closed on Christmas day.
Free to enter (but you can buy tickets in advance for shows in the Leicester Square Spiegeltent and Santa’s Grotto).

Christmas Market by the River

This is the one I only discovered this year and really appreciated for the view over London’s skyline.
You can easily walk from Monument tube station and reach the Christmas market on the other side of the Thames.
On the riverfront, you will first walk through Hay’s Galleria. This amazing building hosts many restaurants and brands in the shopping arcade, and at the moment there are also a few chalets selling craft-handed gifts. I really like the atmosphere of this place and Christmas just adds more charm to it.
Walking towards Tower Bridge (actually, just follow the free festive art sculpture trail released last November and inspired by Raymond Briggs’ classic character The Snowman), you will find the Christmas by The River set up in what is called London Bridge City.
A selection of 60 independent traders selling seasonal goods, from homemade gifts/food to Christmas cocktails, mulled wine, hot cider and craft beers. Everything to cheer you up in these cold days!

Christmas Market Opening Times: Monday to Sunday: 10.00-21.00; Christmas Eve: 10.0 -17.00; Christmas Day: Closed; New Year’s Eve: 10.00-20.00. Free to enter.

London Christmas Market at Winter Wonderland

Maybe the most popular Christmas Market among young people.
Located in Hyde Park, this Christmas Market is the biggest in London and includes an ice skating rink, amusement park rides and many attractions in addition to the numerous Christmas chalets.
This Christmas Market offers a large range of seasonal gifts, lots of food stalls that will suit every one’s tastes and of course mulled wine and other festive drinks.

Winter Wonderland is open 10am – 10pm every day until 5th January 2020, except Christmas Day (until 5th January 2020).

Christmas Market at Westfield

A “Winter Village” appeared lately in front of Westfield shopping center, in West London. This is another of the new Christmas markets opening in London this year.
Following the german Christmas markets tradition you will be able to buy mulled wine and sausages, but also jewellery, homewares, chocolate treats and much more.
A few activities have been organized in Santa’s grotto, where your kids can make your own personalised Christmas decoration, or help the elves and meet Santa!

Wherever you go in London, you will find a Christmas market to immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of the end of year.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and found inspiration here. If you are planning to explore London’s Christmas markets, please share your experience and opinion on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON’s blog!

To go further:
Trafalgar Square: London WC2N 5DN
Leicester Square: London WC2H 7DE
Christmas by the river: SE1 2DB
Winter Wonderland: Hyde Park, London W2 2UH
Westfield: Shepherd’s Bush, London W12 7GF