And we cannot forget the Winterville fair on Clapham Common, its new location south of London. Like the Hyde Park fair, Winterville has several attractions, including a skating rink and an amusement park. The national opera and ballet companies stage their great shows during the winter. In fact, The Nutcracker is a classic at this time of year.
If you are reading this article looking for some reason to travel to London in winter, the whole city becomes an attraction in itself. In addition to the thousands of things to do in London, many of them related to the holidays, a foggy London becomes even more charming. Whether for Christmas lights or the smell of mulled wine that invades the streets, is well worth visiting London in winter. Another seasonal drink is Winter Pimms.
It doesn't matter if you are interested in traditional decorations, festive foods, amazing art and crafts or just looking for a last-minute Christmas present, Christmas markets in London are the best place you can go. Christmas classics "The Holiday" and "Love Actually" reflects the unique British Christmas atmosphere more than anything.
Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park last until January 5, so start the Christmas shopping with long brunches, musicals and winter mood.
1. Winter Wonderland Angels Market at Hyde Park
Winter Wonderland in one of the biggest Christmas markets in London, and it has all the festive attractions that one Christmas lover can wish for. This Christmas will celebrate its 13th year. It is free for everybody to walk and look around trough 100 plus wooden chalets. There you can find things like jewellery, clothing, handmade crafts, and gifts for your family and friends.
It works during the day and night, but it is more magical during the night. Winter Wonderland also has some interesting attractions you can watch like blacksmiths and sculptors. In Hyde Park, you can buy tickets to go ice skating around the pavilion.
2. Christmas by the River at London Bridge City
This is an iconic Christmas market, it has a vintage ski theme and it is a bit smaller than the Winter Wonderland it has just over 70 chalets. You can find all kinds of gifts, hot whiskeys, amazing food and drinks. It has been voted the best and most picturesque Christmas market.
Amongst all the great food and drinks, fairy lights, amazing crafts this market has boutique vendors, live music and free craft workshops like wreath making or Christmas jumper decoration. If you are looking for a last-minute gift here, and it happens that you can't find the perfect one, you can simply buy them some chocolate Christmas gifts and you're good to go.
3. Southbank Centre Winter Market
Another popular winter market is the Southbank Centre's Christmas market. This one is great if you are a cheese lover because they are known for serving a wide range of festive-themed cheese snacks and some amazing cocktails. And then if you are also a meat enthusiast some stalls offer some amazing meaty dishes and let's not forget that this market is the best place to drink mulled wine or cider.
This is the place where you will be able to enjoy some of the best market food.
4. Christmas in Leicester Square
Leicester Square Christmas market has been there since 1670 and it has some of the best entertainment programs and events. They transform the central gardens into a festive pop-up market where you can enjoy amazing Christmas food and drinks, handmade gifts, and a storytelling Santa. You can go watch some of the great shows that they offer.
5. Southbank Centre Winter Market
Southbank Centre’s Winter Festival is the most festive Christmas market you can find in London. This is where all traders from around the world will showcase their array of amazing handmade gifts and the best street food you can eat from a wooden chalet. You can feast on Indian, Greed and Asian cuisine, and some amazing sweet treats.
There are chalets where you can play board games, ping pong while drinking mulled wine and enjoy the warmth of a fire pit. There's even a secret cinema. You can enjoy some fish and chips, oysters, fondue, champagne or hotdogs.
6. Greenwich Market at Christmas
Greenwich Market is there all year round but when they add the magical Christmas lights, mulled wine and pictures with Santa, it gets even better. On some days you can find some amazing arts and crafts. This market also has over 100 stars that have Christmas music, great street food and mulled wine. It starts in the middle of November with the annual lantern parade.
7. Belgravia Christmas Sunday
This market takes place only on December first, the market has around 60 boutique stalls, where you can stock up on stocking fillers, enjoy some mulled wine while listening to Christmas carols. It is truly a special event, so make sure that you don't miss out on it.
8. Christmas Market Under the Canopy
This is the place for you if you like going to craft workshops. This magical market is a covered one that is located in King's Cross. Amongst the crafts you can do, there are carol singers and of course mulled wine. There is a different theme every weekend if you aren't a wine fan you can enjoy things like craft beer. You can find some amazing ceramic gifts from students from the University of the Arts London.
9. Christmas at Flat Iron Square in Southwark
This is a more untraditional market. Here you can have fun but also relax in an armchair while you snack on some pecans and drink warm drinks from around the world. You can also choose some amazing food from many vendors, participate in some fun Christmas workshops or watch some of their free Christmas film screenings.
If you are traveling just to see London's winter markets this is the place where you can relax, because nobody wants to lose their edge.
Christmas is truly the most wonderful time of the year, and Christmas markets make it even more magical. London is a specialist when it comes to having a wide range of Christmas markets, and plenty of festive things to do. So if you have some last-minute Christmas gifts to buy or you simply want to walk around and enjoy the magic. These are some of the best ones you can check out.
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