Shop for unique gifts and soak up some festive cheer at one of London’s many Christmas and markets and fairs this November and December 2018.

If you’re looking for something a bit different for your loved ones this Christmas, why not to head to one of London’s Christmas markets and fairs. There’s a host of long-term, charitable and weekend fairs on in the capital throughout November and December. Most are free entry, however some do charge a small entry fee with the money usually going to charity. Here’s a guide to the best Christmas markets in London for 2018.

Long-term markets

Some festive markets are popping up for the whole Christmas period, with some even running into the new year. Be aware, most of these markets will close earlier than usual on Christmas Eve and be closed all day on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

• 9 November – 5 January 2019 : Christmas in Leicester Square

The West End’s famous square will feature a Christmas market in Bavarian-style huts and Santa’s Grotto. A Spiegeltent will play host shows. Free entry to Leicester Square, but tickets required for Santa’s Grotto and the Spiegeltent. Leicester Square, WC2H. Nearest station: Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square. For more information, visit the Christmas In Leicester Square website.

• 9 November – 6 January 2019 : South Bank Winter Market

Wooden chalets selling festive food, drink, gifts and treats alongside the river on the South Bank. Open Sun-Thu 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm. Free. Queen’s Walk, South Bank, SE1. Nearest station: Waterloo, Westminster or Embankment. For more information, visit the Southbank Centre website.

• 15 November – 31 December : Kingston Christmas Market

Christmas market pops up in wooden huts pops up in Kingston town centre. Free. Kingston Market Place, Market Place, Kingston, KT1 1JH. Nearest station: Kingston. For more information, check out the Visit Kingston website.

• 17 November – 23 December : Solo Craft Fair @ Winterville

Craft fair featuring independent designers selling art, jewellery, ceramics, kids’ clothing and more. Fair taking place on Saturday and Sundays only. 12pm-5pm. Entry: Sat £2 after 12pm & £5 after 6pm. Sun £2 all day. Winterville, Clapham Common, SW4 9DE. Nearest station: Clapham Common. For more information, visit the Winterville website.

• 22 November – 6 January 2019 : Winter Wonderland Market

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. 10am-10pm. Free entry. Nearest station: Hyde Park Corner, Marble Arch or Knightsbridge. For more information, visit the Winter Wonderland website.

• 24 November – 23 December : Christmas Market on the Piazza

Festive market at Wimbledon every weekend and occasional Fridays (7 and 21 December). Featuring over 40 stalls, street food and more. 11am-6pm. Free entry. The Piazza, Wimbledon, SW19 1QB. Nearest station: Wimbledon. For more information, visit the Love Wimbledon website.

• 29 November – 2 January 2019 : Christmas by the River

Annual festive market featuring food, drink, craft and gift stalls across The Scoop More London, Hay’s Galleria and London Bridge City Pier. 11am-10pm. Free entry. Queen’s Walk and Hay’s Galleria, SE1 2DB. Nearest station: London Bridge or Tower Hill. For more information, visit the London Bridge City website.

One-off or short-term Christmas fairs

• 7 – 11 November : Country Living Christmas

Handmade gifts from hundreds of artisan designers and makers. There will also be a lifestyle theatre with experts giving talks and demonstrations, crafting studio, Hampstead tea room and Champagne bar. Opening times vary. Tickets start from £15 (Adults), £8 (Children). Business Design Centre, Islington, N1 0QH. Nearest station: Angel. For more information and tickets, visit the Country Living Fair website.

• 8 November : Carnaby Christmas Shopping Party

Shopping party at over 90 shops and boutiques of the Carnaby district. Including on-street entertainment and various store activities. Enjoy a 20% discount by signing up for your free ticket on the Carnaby website. 5pm-9pm. Carnaby London, Soho, W1F. Nearest station: Oxford Circus or Piccadilly Circus. For more information, visit the Carnaby London website

• 14 November : A Merry Marylebone Christmas launch

Marylebone’s annual Christmas Lights charity switch-on, food and drink, gift stalls, tombola and live music performances. From 3-7pm (lights switch on at 6pm). Free. North end of Marylebone High Street, Paddington Street and Devonshire Street, Marylebone, W1G. Nearest station: Regent’s Park or Baker Street. For more information, visit the Marylebone Village website.

Shop till you drop with a thoroughly festive atmosphere

• 15 November : Christmas Shopping Event @ Seven Dials

Get into the festive spirit with an evening of fashion, food and more as Seven Dials is closed off to traffic. Featuring music from a live orchestra and switching on the Christmas lights. The boutiques and eateries will be offering 20% discount. 5pm-9pm. Register for a free ticket on the website for discounts and freebies. Seven Dials, Covent Garden, WC2H 9HD. Nearest station: Covent Garden or Leicester Square. For more information, visit the Seven Dials website.

• 16 – 17 November : Hyper Japan Christmas

A Christmas edition of the popular summer celebration of Japanese culture and products. Includes cuisine, shopping, mix of pop and traditional culture. Open Fri 12pm-8pm, Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 9am-5pm. Tickets: £18.33-£31.59. Olympia National, Hammersmith Road, Kensington, W14 8UX. Nearest station: Kensington Olympia. For more information and advance tickets, visit the Hyper Japan website. 

• 17 November : Christmas Market @ St John at Hampstead

Christmas market in church crypt, featuring gifts, treats and presents, cake, coffee and more. 10.30am-2.30pm. Free entry. St John-at-Hampstead Church, Church Row, Hampstead, NW3 6UU. Nearest station: Hampstead. For more information, visit the church website.

• 18 November : Bethnal Green’s Festive Vintage Fair

A festive edition of a vintage fair, featuring over 45 stalls. 10.30am-4.30pm. Tickets: £3 before 11.30am, £2 after. York Hall, Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green, E2 9PJ. Nearest station: Bethnal Green. For more information, visit the Facebook page.

• 19 November : Blackheath Christmas Fair

Christmas fair selling festive gifts, gourmet food and drink, tombola, face painting, raffles and more. 10.30am- 4.45pm. Entry: £2.50. Great Hall, 3 Lee Road, Blackheath, SE3 9RQ. Nearest station: Blackheath. For more information, visit the Blackheath Halls website.

• 21 – 25 November : Ideal Home Show @ Christmas

A Christmas edition of the popular homewares and interiors show. Featuring appearances from experts Kunle Barker, Rosemary Shrager, Olly Smith, Hayley Sparkes, Arona Khan, David Domoney, Lynne Lambourne, Max McMurdo, Lee Baldry, The Skinny Jean Gardener and more. Tickets: Adults start from £13-£15, Children free (inc entry to Eat & Drink Festival). Olympia, Hammersmith Road, Kensington, W14 8UX. Nearest station: Kensington Olympia. For more information and tickets, visit the Ideal Home Show website.

• 21 – 25 November : Finnish Church Christmas Fair

Christmas market featuring live music, Finnish treats and gifts, food and drink from the cafeteria. Opening hours vary. Free entry. Finnish Church, 33 Albion Street, Rotherhithe, SE16 7JG. Nearest station: Rotherhithe. For more information, visit the Finnish Church website.

• 23 November : Christmas Night Market

Craft market from the E17 designers, Christmas tree switch-on, late night opening of the gallery, food and drink. 6.30pm-10pm. Entry: £1 donation. William Morris Gallery, Lloyd Park House, 531 Forest Road, Walthamstow, E17 4PP. Nearest station: Walthamstow Central. For more information, visit the William Morris Gallery website.

• 24 November : Love West Dulwich Christmas Fair

Local stalls pop-up outside 93-115 Rosendale Road and along Park Hall Road and Croxted Road selling crafts, food and gifts. 10am-5pm. Free. Rosendale Road, Croxted Road and Park Hall Road, West Dulwich, SE21. Nearest station: West Dulwich. For more information, visit the Love West Dulwich Facebook page.

• 24 – 25 November : Christmas Fair at Chelsea Physic Garden

Two day festival at London’s oldest Botanical garden, featuring over 100 stalls in heated marquees. Including present-wrapping masterclass, seasonal drinks, carol singing and Father Christmas. Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm. Entry £6, Under 16s free. Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4HS. Nearest station: Sloane Square. For more information, visit the Chelsea Psychic Garden website.

• 30 November – 2 December : Forty Hall Christmas Fayre

Christmas market and other festive events inside a Grade I-listed Jacobean manor house. Adorned Community Gospel Choir will perform on Fri 7.30pm and Sun 2.30pm. Open Fri (late) 5pm-9pm, Sat and Sun 11am-4pm. Free entry. Forty Hall Museum and Gardens, Enfield, EN2 9HA. Nearest station: Turkey Street. For more information, visit the Forty Hall Estate website.

• 30 November – 2 December : Mayfair Christmas Market

Mayfair Place is closed to traffic for a fair organised by Novikov restaurant. Featuring stalls, street food from Novikov and mulled wine. 11am-9pm. Free entry. Mayfair Place, Mayfair, W1J. Nearest station: Green Park. For more information, visit the Novikov website.

• 30 November – 2 December : Horniman Christmas Fair

Christmas fair in the conservatory and pavilion of the Horniman Museum. Open Fri 5.30pm-9.30pm, Sat-Sun 10.30am-6pm. Free entry. Horniman Museum, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ. Nearest station: Forest Hill. For more information, visit the Horniman Museum website.

• 1 – 2 December : Crafty Fox Mercato Metropolitano

Craft Fox will bringing their gift stalls to the Italian foodie market. There will also be a screen-printing and Christmas decoration making workshops. 11am-5pm. Free entry. Mercato Metropolitano, 42 Newington Causeway, Elephant & Castle, SE1 6DR. Nearest station: Elephant & Castle. For more information, visit the Crafty Fox website.

• 1 – 2 and 8 – 9 December : Pear Tree Christmas Market

Christmas market in Battersea Park over two subsequent weekends. Featuring stalls, fairy lights, Christmas trees, carol singers, mulled wine and raclette. Sat 11am-5pm, Sun 10am-5pm. Free entry. Pear Tree Café terrace, Battersea Park, Battersea, SW11 4NJ. Nearest station: Battersea Park or Queenstown Road Battersea. For more information, visit the Pear Tree Café website.

The Pear Tree Café in Battersea will host Christmas markets in December

• 2 December : Winter Fayre

Friend of the Brockwell Park Winter fair in the Georgian Brockwell Hall, featuring Father Christmas and stalls selling cards, plants, art and clothes. Times TBC. Free entry. Brockwell Hall, Brockwell Park, Herne Hill, SE24 9BJ. Nearest station: Herne Hill. For more information, visit the Friends of Brockwell Park website.

• 2 December : Belgravia Christmas Sunday

Over 60 boutique stalls, Christmas carols, festive food, mulled wine and Father Christmas. 11am-5pm. Free entry. Elizabeth Street, Belgravia, SW1. Nearest station: Victoria, Knightsbridge or Sloane Square. For more information, visit the Grosvenor London website.

• 2 December : Hampstead Village Christmas Fair

Christmas fair featuring stalls, a festive trial, performances from musicians and street artists, meet Santa Claus and his reindeers. 12pm-5pm. Free entry. Hampstead High Street, Hampstead, NW3. Nearest station: Hampstead. For more information, visit the Hampstead Village website.

• 2 December : Morley College London Winter Fair

Morley College host their annual winter fair, featuring handmade gifts, live performances, demonstrations, taster sessions and more. 11am-3pm. 61 Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, SE1 7HT. Nearest station: Lambeth North, Waterloo or Elephant & Castle. For more information, visit the Morley College website.

• 3 December : The City Christmas Fair at Drapers Hall

Annual fair in aid of Wellbeing of Women, including over 50 stalls, champagne bar, silent auction and raffle. 11am-8pm. Tickets: £10. Drapers’ Hall, Throgmorton Street, City of London, EC2N 2DQ. Nearest station: Bank or Liverpool Street. For more information, visit the Wellbeing of Women website.

• 7 – 9 December : Crafty Fox @ Canopy Market

Crafty Fox and Canopy Market team up for a special three-day festive market. Featuring Crafty Fox traders and the regular Canopy market. 12pm-6pm. Free entry. Canopy Market, West Handyside Canopy, Kings Cross, N1C 4BZ. Nearest station: King’s Cross St Pancras. For more information, visit the Crafty Fox website.

• 9 December : Curtain Up Christmas Market

Charity Christmas fair featuring 50 stalls to be opened by actor Simon Russell Beale CBE. 11am-3.30pm. Entry £2. St Mary Abbots Centre, Vicarage Gate, Kensington, W8 4HN. Nearest station: High Street Kensington. For more information, visit the Curtain Up website.

• 9 December : Christmas Fair @ Streatham Common

Fundraising fair for Streatham Common Co-Operative, featuring craft and food stalls, Christmas carols and Santa’s Grotto. 11am-3pm. £2 entry fee for adults, free for children. The Rookery, Streatham Common, SW16 3BX. Nearest station: Streatham Common. For more information, visit the Streatham Common Co-Operative website.

• 15 – 16 December : Crafty Fox Brixton

Designers selling unique gifts, homewares, prints, jewellery and more. There will also be live DJs, tea & cake, a bar and drop-in workshops. 11am-5pm. Free entry. The Department Store, 248 Ferndale Road, Brixton, SW9 8FR. Nearest station: Brixton. For more information, visit the Crafty Fox website.

• 15 – 16 December : Renegade Craft Fair

Old Truman Brewery hosts festive fair, featuring handmade crafts, local DJs, workshops, food trucks and cocktails. 11am-5pm. Free entry. Old Truman Brewery, 85 Brick Lane, Shoreditch, E1 6QL. Nearest station: Shoreditch High Street. For more information, visit the Renegade website.

To find out what’s on in London in December, click here.

For a guide to London’s outdoor ice rinks this festive and winter season, click here.

For a guide to London’s Christmas pop-ups and festive cocktails, click here.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin