London Christmas Markets 2026: Dates, Which Are Worth It and a 4-Day Plan

The London Christmas markets 2026 season starts on 31 October, when Leicester Square opens, and the big ones run into the first days of January. Most of the main dates are now confirmed. This guide lists them, says plainly what each market is like (some are more funfair or ice rink than market), and ends with a four-day plan that fits the best of them around the rest of London.

London Christmas markets 2026: the dates

Dates below come from each organiser's own site, checked in October 2026.

• Skate Leicester Square: Saturday 31 October 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, closed Christmas Day.
• Southbank Centre Winter Market: Monday 2 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027.
• Covent Garden: the Christmas lights switch on on Thursday 12 November 2026, starting seven weeks of decorations and events.
• Hyde Park Winter Wonderland: Thursday 19 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, open every day except Christmas Day.

Several smaller markets, such as those at Greenwich Market, Borough Market and around King's Cross, also run seasonal events. Their 2026 details were not all confirmed on official pages when we checked, so look them up closer to your trip.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

This is London's biggest Christmas event, but think of it as a winter fair with a market inside, not a quiet stroll between stalls. There are rides, a big ice rink, shows, bars and lots of food stalls.

What to know for 2026

• Open 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, closed 25 December.
• Open until 10 pm every evening. Most days open at 10 am, but some weekdays open at 11 am or noon, and Tuesday 1 December opens at 2 pm. Check the date you want on the official site.
• You must pre-book a timed entry slot. Once inside you can stay as long as you like.
• The organiser offers £1 off-peak entry tickets Monday to Thursday in November. Rides, the rink and shows cost extra.

Is it worth it? Yes if you like a festive buzz, rides or are with older kids. If you want a calm market with crafts, go early on a weekday or choose Southbank or Covent Garden instead. Weekend evenings in December are very crowded.

Southbank Centre Winter Market

A line of alpine-style wooden chalets along the Thames on Queen's Walk, under Hungerford Bridge, near the London Eye.

• Open 2 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
• Stalls 11 am to 10 pm, bars 11 am to 11 pm.
• Free to enter.

Is it worth it? Yes, especially combined with a riverside walk. The setting is the draw: the river, the lights on the bridges, and the view towards Westminster. It is food and drink heavy, with some craft stalls. It gets crowded after work and at weekends.

Skate Leicester Square

Leicester Square no longer has a full Christmas market. Instead there is an ice rink around the Shakespeare statue, run by Underbelly, with a small ring of food, drink and gift stalls and a bar.

• 31 October 2026 to 3 January 2027, closed Christmas Day.
• Generally 10 am to 10 pm, opening at noon on weekdays until 26 November, with shorter hours on Christmas Eve.
• Free to walk around. Skating sessions are ticketed, and 2026 prices were not yet published when we checked.

Is it worth it? As a stop before dinner or a West End show, yes. As a shopping trip, no.

Covent Garden

Covent Garden is better known for its decorations than its stalls. The lights switch on on 12 November 2026, with a large Christmas tree on the West Piazza and decorations across the Market Building. The 2026 theme is "The Theatre of Christmas", a seven-week programme tied to the area's theatre history.

Photo: The wub / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Is it worth it? Yes, for a walk in the early evening. Combine it with Leicester Square and the lights on Regent Street and Oxford Street, all within walking distance.

Which markets are worth it?

If you only have one evening, walk the Southbank Winter Market at dusk, cross the river and continue to Covent Garden and Leicester Square. That gives you the river, the best decorations and a rink without paying for entry.

If you have kids, or want rides and a big night out, book Winter Wonderland, ideally on a weekday.

If you want crafts and gifts more than mulled wine, check the smaller weekend markets and makers' fairs that pop up in December, and look at museum and gallery shops, which are often less crowded.

A 4-day London plan for December

This plan works from late November to just before Christmas. It mixes markets with the sights most people want on a first visit. For a fuller sightseeing version, see the 4 days in London itinerary.

Day 1: Westminster and the South Bank

• Morning: Westminster Abbey or the Houses of Parliament area, then St James's Park.
• Afternoon: cross Westminster Bridge and walk east along the river.
• Evening: Southbank Centre Winter Market, then a walk across Hungerford Bridge for the view.

Day 2: Museums and Winter Wonderland

• Morning: the Natural History Museum or the V&A in South Kensington (both free, with some paid exhibitions).
• Afternoon: walk through Hyde Park.
• Evening: your pre-booked Winter Wonderland slot.

Day 3: The City and the East

• Morning: St Paul's Cathedral and the Millennium Bridge.
• Afternoon: Tower of London or Tower Bridge, then a short ride to Borough Market for food, if open that day.
• Evening: a quieter night, or a Christmas concert or carol service.

Day 4: West End lights

• Morning: the British Museum.
• Afternoon: shopping around Covent Garden.
• Evening: Covent Garden decorations, Leicester Square, then Regent Street and Carnaby Street lights. End with dinner or a show.

Practical tips

• Book ahead: Winter Wonderland slots, popular shows and restaurants fill up for December weekends.
• Go early or late: markets are calmest at opening time and on weekday mornings.
• Pay by card: most stalls take contactless payment, and many are card only.
• Dress for it: December evenings by the river are cold and often damp. Our travel packing checklist helps you plan layers.
• Add Paris? The Eurostar takes about two and a half hours from St Pancras. The 3 days in Paris itinerary pairs well with this plan.
• Christmas Day: most markets, Winter Wonderland and much of public transport close on 25 December. Plan a quiet day.

When you have your dates, put the fixed parts first (Winter Wonderland slot, a show, train times) and fill the rest in. You can copy the London itinerary into RoamerPlanner and drop the market evenings into it.

FAQ

When do the London Christmas markets open in 2026? Leicester Square opens on 31 October, the Southbank Winter Market on 2 November, Covent Garden's lights switch on on 12 November and Winter Wonderland opens on 19 November.

Is Winter Wonderland free in 2026? No. Entry requires a pre-booked ticket. Off-peak tickets cost £1 Monday to Thursday in November, and rides and attractions cost extra.

Which London Christmas market is best? For atmosphere and free entry, the Southbank Winter Market and Covent Garden. For a big festive day out, Winter Wonderland.

Are the markets open on Christmas Day? Winter Wonderland and Skate Leicester Square are closed on 25 December. Check other markets individually.

Sources: hydeparkwinterwonderland.com (dates, hours, ticket rules), southbankcentre.co.uk (Winter Market dates and hours), coventgarden.london (lights switch-on), Skate Leicester Square dates as published by Underbelly and reported by local press. Checked 19 October 2026. Hours can change, so check before you go.

Cover photo: Sarah G... / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0