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The best Christmas markets in London with kids
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? It’s the sound of Christmas approaching – and however Scrooge-like you’re feeling in the run-up to Christmas Day, there’s nothing to put me into a festive mood faster than a Christmas market. UPDATED FOR 2025
Gluhwein and hot chocolate to keep out the chill, decorations and snuggly scarves among the potential presents, plus anything from ice skating and carousels to bigger rides and child-friendly events. Because it’s not all about browsing the stalls when you’ve got kids.
After taking my daughter to several Christmas markets in London – as well as some others nearby, including Winchester, one of my favourite Christmas markets in the UK – I’ve made a list of the best Christmas markets in London with kids. I’ve even checked it twice…
For more of the best things to do for Christmas in London with kids, check out my top picks
Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park
I first went along to London’s biggest and best-known Christmas market before my daughter was born, squealing with glee on the rides whisking me high above Hyde Park and sipping a drink or two in Bar Ice. But even with a daughter who’s definitely not a thrill seeker, there’s plenty to do at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.
This year’s attractions include The Magical Ice Kingdom, Zippos Christmas Circus, Cirque Beserk, the 70m high Giant Observation Wheel and an ice skating rink. And Santaland returns as well, with Christmas-themed rides and games, and parades on various dates. Also check out Santa’s Grotto (open daily, first come first served) where you can meet Father Christmas for free.
There are gentler rides for all ages, including a helter skelter and the Santaland Express Train, plus the chance to take on the ice slide, as well as more adrenaline-fuelled festive thrills.
Wrap up warm for the ice and snow sculptures of the Magical Ice Kingdom (it’ll be -10C, brr) then look down on the lights of London from the Observation Wheel before toasting marshmallows around the fire pit.
For more places to see Santa in London with kids, check out my top picks
Winter Wonderland ticket prices
Once again for 2025, you will need a ticket to enter Winter Wonderland, with options for off-peak, standard and peak entry depending when you visit, plus there are also special packages for some of the most popular options including Santa Land.
Prices start from £5 for standard entry, although there are some off-peak morning sessions where it’s still free as well as peak dates. Everyone needs a ticket, including babies and toddlers (although it’s free for children aged two and under).
If you prebook rides, attractions and games worth £25 in advance, your entry ticket is free, as long as you book everything together.
With prices for ice skating, the Magical Ice Kingdom and shows costing around £8-12 for adults, it doesn’t take long to hit that amount so you may only need to add one or two extras to get free entry. Otherwise, you can just pay for any activities and shows as you go.
There are timed slots to enter and for the various rides and attractions (some are several hours long so you don’t have to be too precise). Skating should also be booked in advance. Click here for more details and to book tickets.
Winter Wonderland dates
For six weeks from November 14 to January 1, 2026
Southbank Centre winter market
The South Bank Winter market is one of my favourites and for the past few years, my husband and I have been joined on our traditional night out by Minnie. I can never get enough of the lights along the riverside, and could happily just wander between the stalls drinking it all in.
This being London, there’s far more to drink in than the views – and far more to eat than bratwurst. I still have fond memories of the confit duck burger we bought one year. It was so good, we went back for a second – you can see my video here.
But there’s a huge variety at the stalls among the Christmas trees, with plenty for less adventurous small eaters including crepes and some amazing hot chocolate, as well as foodie pop-ups which have included cheese-themed food, cocktails and the Circus bar housed in a circus tent.
There’s usually something different happening beyond the food too, with family activities often taking place in December, including storytelling, music and crafts, as well as winter season shows.
For more of the best Christmas theatre in London with kids, check out my top picks
Look out for the Winter Light display illuminating the trees on Queen’s Walk, plus a string of wooden huts selling the perfect tempting odds and ends for presents and the traditional carousel to ride on. And if you really want an observation wheel, there’s always the London Eye…
Southbank Winter Market ticket prices
Free to get in, cost for shows varies.
Southbank Winter Market dates
November 3 to January 4, 2026
Leicester Square Christmas market
Right in the heart of London, Leicester Square is home to one of the newer Christmas markets in central London.
It’s back for 2025 again with a range of outdoor bars, delicious food and traditional market stalls planned as usual for Leicester Square Christmas market, plus a brand new ice skating rink called Skate Leicester Square.
Although previous years have had family-friendly shows and a Santa’s grotto, neither of those are due to return this year.
As you’re in the heart of Theatreland, it’s a perfect Christmas market to combine with some of the best Christmas theatre in London with kids
Leicester Square Christmas market ticket prices
Free to enter, although there’s a charge for skating (from £9.50 for children aged 3-12, £14.50 for adults).
Leicester Square Christmas market dates
Runs from November 1 to January 4, 2026.
For more things to do around Leicester Square with kids, check out my top picks
Trafalgar Square Christmas Market
TBC A stone’s throw from Leicester Square, there’s usually a small Christmas market in Trafalgar Square as well, run by the same company.
While there aren’t huge numbers of stalls to browse, it’s a lovely location to enjoy Christmas in the city with London’s huge Christmas tree lit up, plus regular carol performances.
Check out my tips on the best things to do at Christmas in London with kids for more details
Trafalgar Square Christmas market ticket prices
Free
Trafalgar Square Christmas market dates
TBC Usually mid November to early January
Winter By The River at London Bridge City
TBC Another fantastic London location, this time with Tower Bridge in the background and the skyscrapers of the city along the Thames. Winter by the River is a quieter event than some of the others, but you’ll often find free workshops as well as stalls.
You’re promised a unique experience here, with yearly twists on the usual theme. Previous years included a vintage ski theme aiming to transport everyone to the snowy slopes of the Alps, complete with hot toddy at the apres-ski themed bar.
There’s also normally a series of workshops to watch out for, as well as tastings, and storytelling events, with previous festive crafts including Christmas wreath and Christmas jumper decorating, many in support of charity.
Along with the arts and crafts, you can try food and drink tastings with more than 70 pop-up stalls – plus traditional gifts galore to buy. And you could always hop on a riverboat from London Bridge City Pier nearby to make more of a day out (wrap up warm for the river in winter though!)
Christmas by The River ticket prices
Free
Christmas by The River dates
TBC. Usually mid November to early January
Covent Garden Christmas Market
The last couple of years, you’ve been guaranteed a white Christmas at Covent Garden, with fake snow swirling over the piazza every hour – but whether the flurries return for 2025 or not, Covent Garden is always a great option for a Christmas market in London with kids.
The first stop in my London Christmas lights walking route, check out my tips on where else to see the best displays
As well as the giant baubles decorating the market itself, plus some lovely Christmas lights, you can expect a forest of Christmas trees and some great festive food and drink in the Covent Garden Christmas village, with this year’s seven weeks of events themed around ‘the theatre of Christmas’.
Within the main Christmas in Covent Garden celebrations, there are also extra pop-up events to watch out for – details are still tbc at the moment, although the Christmas lights switch-on will be November 12, so everything gets going after that.
Keep an eye out to see if the the traditional sleigh returns too (although usually no Santa or reindeer), perfect for a few festive selfies, as well as a 60ft Christmas tree.
Check out these tips for the best hot chocolate in London with kids, if you’re looking to warm up after browsing
Covent Garden Christmas market ticket prices
Free
Covent Garden Christmas market dates
Festive celebrations will run during November and December. Lights switch on November 12.
Greenwich Christmas market
Venture further down the river to Greenwich to discover how the regular Greenwich market transforms in time for Christmas – its 150 stalls, with some fabulous things to buy year-round, get illuminated by the lights as well as the Greenwich Children’s Lantern Procession to kick everything off on November 19.
Greenwich usually has various festive events at the museums and the Cutty Sark during December too – whether there’s something taking place or not, it’s worth climbing on board the Cutty Sark between Christmas market browsing, with plenty for kids of all ages.
Perfect if you’re looking for a day out with added Christmas markets in south-east London.
Greenwich Christmas market ticket prices
Free
Greenwich Christmas market dates
Precise timings TBC. Previously, there have been Christmas late markets every Wednesday in December so it’s worth checking for extra festive events. Otherwise, the general market takes every day from 10am to 5.30pm.
For more ideas of festive light trails in London with kids, check out this post
Battersea Power Station Winter Village
TBC December sees Battersea Power Station being transformed for Christmas with food and drink pop-ups, Christmas trees and family-friendly arts and crafts sessions.
Glide at Battersea Power Station, the city’s only riverside ice rink, is back for 2025 too, with a new skate trail joining the three interconnecting rinks, surrounded by twinkling lights and a 30ft Christmas tree.
There’ll are usually also vintage funfair rides, along with food stalls and mulled wine to enjoy afterwards. Last year featured a Christmas trail featuring giant baubles and previous years have seen riverside curling lanes on the old Coaling Jetty alongside the Thames, festive films at the cinema and family favourites at The Turbine Theatre.
Battersea Power Station Winter Village ticket prices
Free to visit, ice rink and activity costs vary.
Battersea Power Station Winter Village dates
Christmas activities TBC. Glide is open from November 7 – January 4, 2026
Kingston Christmas Market
Head out of the centre for one of the best Christmas markets in west London (well, southwest London) as Kingston’s Ancient Market Place gets its own traditional Christmas Market with a string of special activities for kids, as well as around 40 decorated wood cabins selling gifts, stocking fillers and mulled wine.
Along with the stalls in the Alpine Village, there are also fairground rides, including a carousel, for kids, as well as street food and some live entertainment – details still to come for 2025.
In previous years, there have also been trails to get children exploring further including a Fairy Tale Trail, as well as a Letter to Santa competition, plus prizes of tickets to Kingston’s Rose theatre.
For more things to do in Kingston with kids, check out this post
Kingston Christmas Market ticket prices
Free
Kingston Christmas Market dates
November 13 to December 28
Wembley Park Festive market
TBC There are always some great family-friendly events taking place around Wembley Park and the festive season is usually no different. Previous years have seen the area’s own little Christmas market running in December plus light installations on the permanent art trail to brighten up December.
With traders selling mince pies, mulled wine and handmade gifts, there’s always a great excuse to head over to Market Square and explore – last year’s picks included clothing made from alpaca wool, traditionally sourced from South America to African textiles, plus wine and truffle products from Tuscany.
Add in plenty of food in Market Square, including Caribbean street food, traditional Hungarian pastries, German and Polish sausages, Turkish flatbreads, Italian delicacies and Chinese flavours under a 50ft tree. You can usually expect live music and other events on weekends too.
Wembley Park Festive market ticket prices
Free
Wembley Park Festive market dates
TBC but previously on weekends in December
For more things to do in Wembley Park with kids, check out this post
London Christmas markets with kids: best of the rest
Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre
Hampton Court Palace gets dressed up for Christmas with its Festive Fayre from December 5-7 and 12-14, where the palace courtyards are transformed with food and drink stalls, live cooking demos and carol singing.
There are also more carol events in December, while the palace ice rink opens between November 21 and January 4, 2026.
Check out my video for a taste of the ice skating
Borough Market
TBC The market usually gets a festive facelift as well as longer opening hours, so it’s easier than ever to wander around picking up some of the wonderful food, while bells ring and Christmas carols sound, plus some special events during December.
Crafty Fox Christmas markets
TBC Perfect if you’re looking for an unusual creative gift, the Crafty Fox markets are full of pieces from independent designers, with a different mix each time, including artwork, jewellery, and children’s items.
Usually taking place in November and December, locations have included the British Library and Granary Square in Kings Cross, plus Mercato Metropolitano in Elephant and Castle and The Department Store, Brixton.
Canary Whard Christmas Market
TBC As well as the ice skating and winter lights at Canary Wharf, the market usually gets a festive makeover for Christmas, with expect live performances and workshops as well as plenty of food and some great stocking fillers to buy.
For more suggestions of the best Christmas markets in Europe for children, check out this selection from Suitcases & Sandcastles
PIN FOR LATER: CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN LONDON WITH KIDS
Images: South Bank and Hampton court, copyright MummyTravels. All others courtesy Depositphotos
