The first Christmas market opens on 31 October. Here is when each of the big London markets starts, and what you will pay to get in (mostly nothing).
Christmas markets in London 2026: dates, opening times and which are free
London’s Christmas market season starts earlier every year. Leicester Square opens on 31 October and the Southbank Centre two days later. Almost all of them are free to walk into. These are the dates confirmed so far, starting with the earliest.
Leicester Square Christmas Market
31 October 2026 to 3 January 2027. Free entry, with an ice rink and shows that you pay for separately. Leicester Square station is right there.
Southbank Centre Winter Market
2 November 2026 to 4 January 2027, along Queen’s Walk under Hungerford Bridge, close to the London Eye. Open every day from 11am to 10pm, with the craft stalls closing at 9pm. Closed on 25 and 31 December. Free. Nearest station: Waterloo.
Old Spitalfields Christmas Market
11 November to 24 December, in Horner Square by Liverpool Street. Free entry.
Covent Garden
Christmas starts on Thursday 12 November, when the lights go on and the tree in the West Piazza is lit. Free.
Winter by the River, London Bridge City
12 November 2026 to 4 January 2027 on the river near London Bridge. Free.
Kingston Christmas Market
12 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 in Kingston’s Ancient Market Place. Free.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, closed on Christmas Day. Its market is the biggest in London, but everyone needs a timed ticket. Off-peak slots are free if you book them. More in our guide on how to get into Winter Wonderland for free.
King’s Cross Canopy Market
Christmas markets at Granary Square and Coal Drops Yard from 27 November. Free.
Borough Market
The Christmas season starts on 30 November. Free to wander, and the busiest days are the weekends before Christmas.
Wembley Park Festive Market
Weekends only: 5 and 6, 12 and 13, 19 and 20 December in Market Square, Wembley Park.
Still to be confirmed
Trafalgar Square and Greenwich Market usually run Christmas markets too, but the 2026 dates differ between listings, so we will add them once they are fixed. Battersea Power Station, Canary Wharf and Hampstead have not announced theirs yet.
Planning the whole season? Our Christmas in London 2026 calendar has every confirmed start date.
Frequently asked questions
When do the Christmas markets in London open in 2026?
Leicester Square opens first on 31 October, then the Southbank Centre Winter Market on 2 November. Covent Garden, London Bridge City and Kingston follow on 12 November, and Winter Wonderland on 19 November.
What are the best Christmas markets in London?
The Southbank Winter Market by the river, Leicester Square, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and Borough Market are the big ones. Spitalfields and King’s Cross are good smaller options.
Are London Christmas markets free?
Almost all of them are free to walk into. Winter Wonderland needs a timed ticket, but off-peak slots are free if you book.
Sources
- South Bank: Winter Market
- Visit London: best Christmas markets
- Londonist: Christmas 2026 dates calendar
- Ultimate Christmas Markets: London 2026
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland: tickets guide
- Wembley Park: Festive Market
Last checked: 16 October 2026. Dates and prices can change, so check with each venue before you go. Photo: Paul Hudson / Flickr, CC BY 2.0.
