This is the 2014 guide – for the new 2015 guide to London’s Christmas markets, click here.

Get ready for Christmas and head to a festive market

There’s no denying it, these days the run up to Christmas kicks off a lot earlier than 1 December. With more of us looking for more unique and special gifts for our loved ones and friends, there’s no surprise that many of us are turning to fairs and markets to find something different. Here’s a guide of both long-term and one-off Christmas shopping events in London, kicking off this November onwards.

Long-term markets

• 11 November – 4 January 2015 : Southbank Centre Christmas Market

Wooden chalets selling festive food, drink, gifts and treats alongside the riverbank on the Southbank. There’s also a Christmas Tree Maze for £4 or the Rekorderlig Cider Lodge pop-up bar in the car park. Free. Open Mon-Thu and Sun 10am-9pm, Fri-Sat 10am-10pm. Closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Queen’s Walk and Hungerford Car Park, SE1. Nearest station: Waterloo, Westminster or Embankment. For more information, visit the Southbank Centre website.

• 14 November to 28 December : Christmas Market @ Wembley Park

Get in the festive spirit with the market and accompanying ice rink. Free entry. 10am-8pm. Outside the London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park Boulevard, Wembley, HA9 0QL. Nearest station: Wembley Stadium (National Rail) or Wembley Park (tube). For more information, visit the Wembley website.

• 21 November – 4 January 2015 : Traditional German Christmas Market at Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland features a fun fair, food, drink, circus and an ice rink in Hyde Park over the festive period and includes a German market selling gifts too. Free entry. Nearest tube: Hyde Park Corner. For more information, visit the Winter Wonderland website. For a blog post on Metro Girl’s visit to Winter Wonderland, click here.

• 25 November – 28 December : Christmas at the N1 Centre

Wooden chalet style Christmas market will be in Islington in the weeks running up to Christmas. Free entry. Opening hours vary. N1 Centre, 21 Parkfield Street, Islington, N1 0PS. Nearest tube: Angel. For more information, visit the N1 Centre website.

• 8 – 21 December : More London Festive Market

The Scoop – located next to City Hall on the Southbank with views of Tower Bridge – hosts a two week market featuring food, drink, craft stalls and live entertainment. Santa is also expected to make a cameo appearance. Free entry. Open 11am-7pm. Queen’s Walk, SE1 2DB. Nearest tube: London Bridge or Tower Hill. For more information, visit the More London website.

• 12 – 21 December : Barbican Christmas Market

The Barbican’s foyers will be transformed into a (indoor!) Christmas shopping extravaganza with 35 independent stalls selling quality vintage and designer clothes, arts and crafts, jewellery, books and toys . Free entry. Mon–Fri 4pm–8.30pm, Sat & Sun 12-8.30pm. Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS. Nearest tube: Barbican or Moorgate. For more information, visit the Barbican website.

One-off or short-term Christmas fairs

• 12 – 16 November : Country Living Christmas Fair

Handmade gifts from hundreds of artisan designers and makers. There will also be a lifestyle theatre with experts giving talks and demonstrations. Tickets: Adults £13 in advance, £16.50 on the door, Children £8 in advance. Opening times vary. Business Design Centre, Islington, N1 0QH. Nearest tube: Angel. For more information and tickets, visit the Country Living Fair website.

The Christmas markets have plenty of seasonal drinks, including mulled wine and cider

• 22 November : Christmas Market @ St John at Hampstead

Christmas market in Hampstead, featuring gift, treats and presents. St John-at-Hampstead Church, Church Row, Hampstead, NW3 6UU. Nearest tube: Hampstead. For more information, visit the church website.

• 23 November : Hampstead Christmas Festival

As well as stalls serving gifts, food and drink, there will also be a fairground, Santa’s Grotto, reindeer, face-painting, circus acts and performances from Babs Savage, Charlie Manning, Mad Dog Bites, The Runner Brothers and Rock Choir. A mystery celebrity will be turning on the Christmas lights. Free. 12-5pm. High Street, Hampstead, NW3. Nearest tube: Hampstead. For more information, visit the Hampstead village website.

• 26 November : Red Cross London Christmas Fair at Kensington Town Hall

Includes over 90 stalls and the chance to enter competitions to win great prizes. Ticket: £10, includes a glass of wine and entry to the eventing drinks and canapé reception from 6pm. Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, W8 7NX. Nearest tube: High Street Kensington. For more information, visit the Red Cross website.

• 29 November : Christmas Bazaar @ Dulwich Picture Gallery

Over 40 local artisans will be selling crafts, pottery, jewellery, toiletries and more. 10am-5pm. Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Road, Dulwich, SE21 7AD. Nearest train station: West Dulwich or North Dulwich. For more information, visit the Dulwich Picture Gallery.

• 29 November : Christmas Market @ Forty Hall

Christmas market inside a Grade I-listed Jacobean manor house. 12-4pm. Free entry. Forty Hall Museum and Gardens, Enfield, EN2 9HA. Nearest train station: Turkey Street. For more information, visit the Forty Hall Estate website.

• 29 – 30 November : Christmas Fair at Chelsea Psychic Garden

Two day festival at London’s oldest Botanical garden. Stallholders will be selling garden paraphernalia, unique jewellery, cashmere clothing, Ceramics, food, and leather goods, amongst others, in heated marquees. Guides will be available to show guests the gardens. Breakfast, lunch and mulled wine will also be on sale. Entry £5, friends of CPG free, Under 16s free. 10am-4pm. Chelsea Psychic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4HS. Nearest tube: Sloane Square. For more information, visit the Chelsea Psychic Garden website.

• 29 -30 November : Crafty Fox Christmas Market at Dalston

Over 40 unique traders, there will also be DJs, Mr Wingate’s screen-printing workshop, pop-up tea room from The Tea’s Knees and life-size art by Jimbobart. 11am-5pm. Free entry. Farr’s School of Dancing, 17 – 19 Dalston Lane, Dalston, E8 3DF. Nearest overground: Dalston Junction. For more information, visit the Crafty Fox website

• 30 November : Belgravia Christmas Sunday

Craft stalls, boutique markets, brass bands, choirs, Santa and his reindeer and more festive fun will be spread across Elizabeth Street and Pimlico Road, SW1. 12-5pm. Entry free. Nearest tube: Victoria, Knightsbridge or Sloane Square. For more information, visit the Belgravia residents website.

• 30 November : Friends of Dulwich College Christmas Fair

Christmas fair in the grounds of historic Dulwich College in South London featuring food, gifts, raffle, games, cafe and Santa Claus. 11am-4pm. Free entry. Dulwich College, Dulwich Common, SE21 7LD. Nearest train: West Dulwich. For more information, check out the Friends of Dulwich College website.

• 1 December : The City Christmas Fair at Drapers Hall

Annual fair in aid of Wellbeing of Women, including stalls, champagne bar and a silent auction. 11am-8pm. Tickets £5. Drapers’ Hall, Throgmorton Street, EC2N 2DQ. Nearest tube: Bank or Liverpool Street. For more information, visit the Wellbeing of Women website.

• 1 – 6 December : Devonshire Square Christmas Market

Eclectic mix of stalls, including hand-crafted gifts, unusual Christmas presents and food and drink. There will also be live performances by Trinity Carol Singers, soul and blues singer Phoebe Ella and Jazz Melody. Free. Devonshire Square, EC2M. Nearest station: Liverpool Street, Aldgate or Aldgate East. For more information, visit the Devonshire Square website.

• 3 – 5 December : Islington Christmas Gift Fair

Indoor fair with stalls featuring everything from fashion to homewares to toys. Opening times vary. Admission: £3 (going to the Make-A-Wish foundation). Islington Assembly Hall (beside Town Hall), Upper Street, N1 2UD. Nearest tube: Angel or Highbury & Islington. For more information, visit the fair’s website.

• 4 December : Seven Dials and St Martin’s Courtyard Christmas Shopping Event

Over 120 shops in the Seven Dials and St Martin’s Courtyard area will be taking place in a special shopping event, featuring makeovers, treatments, live music, in-store activities and performances, festive food and drinks and 20% off in store. Register on the website for your free discount ticket. Takes place between 5-9pm. Nearest tube: Covent Garden or Leicester Square. For more information, visit the Seven Dials website.

The Leadenhall Market will host one of the last Christmas markets of the season

• 5 – 7 December : Winter Village in Hackney

Stalls selling run by artisans, ceramicists, artists, fashion designers and jewellery designers. There will also be a street food quarter and live music on the outdoor stage. Free entry. Open Fri 5-9pm, Sat and Sun 11am-7pm. St John at Hackney, Lower Clapton Road, Hackney, E5 0PD. Nearest train/Overground: Hackney Central. For more information, visit the City Showcase Markets website.

• 6 December : Carshalton Frost Fair

Winter event in the grounds of the historic buildings at Carshalton Ponds, SM5. Featuring farmers’ market, craft stalls, choirs, a brass band, clog and Morris dancing, festive entertainment, hot food, hog roast, Father Christmas’ Grotto and Punch and Judy shows. Free entry. 1-6pm. Nearest train station: Carshalton. For more information, visit the EcoLocal website.

• 6 – 7 December : Christmas Craft Fair & Santa’s Grotto at Sutton House

This National Trust, Grade II-listed Tudor property will open its doors for two days to host pop-up shops, the chance to eat mince pies and sip mulled wine and visit Santa. Open 11am-6pm. Entry: £1. Sutton House, 2-4 Homerton High Street, Hackney, E9 6JQ. Nearest Overground: Homerton. For more information, visit the Sutton House website.

• 6 – 7 December : Horniman Christmas Fair

Christmas fair in the gardens of the Horniman Museum with festive food, mulled wine and Yuletide activities in the museum and gardens. There will also be performances from community choirs on Sunday 7 December from noon. Free. 10.30am-5pm. Horniman Museum, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ. Nearest Overground/train station: Forest Hill. For more information, visit the Horniman website.

• 6 – 7 December : Crafty Fox Christmas Market at Brixton

Over 50 unique traders, there will also be DJs, Lucie Ellen’s bunting necklace workshops and Mr Wingate’s screen-printing workshop, pop-up tea room from The Tea’s Knees. Free entry. 11am-5pm. 389 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8LQ. Nearest tube/rail: Brixton. For more information, visit the Crafty Fox Website

• 6 – 7 December : White Christmas Fair @ Battersea

Over 40 stalls, while the Doodle Bar is open serving mulled wine and hot toddies. The London Distillery Company will be offering whiskey tastings and tours. Free. 10am-5pm. Testbed1, 33 Parkgate Road, Battersea, SW11 4NP. Nearest train station: Battersea Park. For more information visit the White Christmas Fair website.

• 7 December : Morley Winter Fair

Morley College hosts a festive fair, featuring arts and craft stalls, street food, live music and dance, family activities, and demonstrations. Free entry. 11am-3pm. Morley College, 61 Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7HT. Nearest station: Lambeth North. For more information, visit the Morley College website.

• 6 -7 and 13 – 14 December : Festive Christmas Market at Morden Hall Park

Over two consecutive weekends, the Natural Trust run Morden Hall Park will host a Christmas market, featuring local food and craft tables, live music and carols, mulled wine and roasting chestnuts and the chance to visit Father Christmas. 10am-5pm. Morden Hall Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5JD. Nearest tube: Morden or Phipps Bridge tramlink. For more information, visit the Morden Hall Park website.

• 12 – 14 December : Chelsea Christmas Gift Fair

Indoor Christmas fair featuring food, fashion, homewares and lots of our gifts. Entry: £3. Opening times: Sat – 10am-7pm, Sun 11am-5pm. Chelsea Old Town Hall, Kings Road, SW3 5EE. Nearest tube: South Kensington or Sloane Square. For more information, visit the fair’s website.

• 13 December : Dusty Fingers German Winter Wonderland

Vintage fashion fair along with stalls selling arts and crafts, gifts and hampers with the chance to buy German themed food and drink. The Round Chapel, Powerscroft Road, Clapton, E5 0PU. Nearest Overground: Hackney Central. For more information, visit the Dusty Fingers Facebook page.

• 13 – 14 December : Crafty Fox Christmas Market at Peckham

Over 50 stalls, there will also be DJs, live art, a café and lots of workshops. Free entry. Open daily 11am-5pm. Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4ST. Nearest rail: Peckham Rye. For more information, visit the Crafty Fox Website

• 16 – 20 December : Leadenhall Festive Market

Finish off your Christmas shopping while enjoying festive food and drink. Free entry. Open daily 11am-4pm. Leadenhall Market, Gracechurch Street, EC3V 1LR. Nearest tube/train: Bank, Monument or Fenchurch Street. For more information, visit the City of London website.

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