There are several reasons why hundreds of out-of-towners flock to the capital each festive season, and one of those is the glittering array of Christmas markets in London to explore. But dispel notions of tourist tat and overpriced baubles. Serving some of the finest street food in the country and selling unique gifts designed to delight young and old, here are London’s best Christmas markets, where you can shop ‘til you drop with a mulled wine in hand. 

Fleet Street Quarter, The City

When: 5-7 December 2023

Nearest station: Farringdon and Chancery Lane

Fleet Street Quarter is hosting a Makers’ Market at New Street Square from 5-7 December to help all visitors get in the festive spirit. Tick off your gift list with the help of independent traders offering a variety of gifts including homeware, jewellery, fashion, beauty, and arts and crafts, all of which have been handpicked by Crafty Fox Market. There will also be an on-site present wrapping service and workshops giving participants the chance to practise the art of wrapping or allow the team to take the hassle out of creating stunning gifts for them. 

In addition to the bustling marketplace, Fleet Street Quarter will also host a series of free festive workshops, such as wreath-making sessions with Jar and Fern on 21 and 28 November, and 5 December, so shoppers can create their own festive wreaths to take home. Elsewhere, take your Christmas card-making skills to the next level with workshops by artist Bella Gomez, who specialises in vibrant florals and abstract graphics. 

154-160 Fleet Street, EC4A 2DQ, visit fleetstreetquarter.co.uk

Drool Alternative Art Market, Shoreditch

When: 2 December 2023

Nearest station: Shoreditch High Street and Old Street

One of London’s most popular online destinations for unique art, prints and posters will be coming to life on 2 December to host an Alternative Art Market at Protein Studios. Featuring a carefully curated selection of pieces catering to a variety of styles and tastes, and spanning graphic design, illustration, painting and photography, discover Drool’s roster of creatives, including Alexander Khabbazi, John Schulisch, Matteus Faria, Othman Zougam, and Hayley Wall. 

Special prices can be found at the market’s archive sale on the same day, with discounts of up to 60 per cent off, alongside complimentary mulled wine and exciting giveaways, including free tote bags filled with unique art prints. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned collector, Drool has something for you.

Protein Studios, 31 New Inn Yard, EC2A 3EY, visit drool-art.com

Drummond Street, Euston

When: 30 November 2023

Nearest station: Euston

Drummond Street, nestled next to Euston Station, is celebrating its rich cultural heritage and diverse cuisines at its winter market on 30 November. Kicking off at 5.30pm with free samosas, the evening will feature performances from live singers and fire entertainers, as well as workshops from local creatives who will host face painting, Islamic calligraphy and henna tutorials. There will also be drumming workshops by Dum Line Entertainment and a finale courtesy of Absolutely Bollywood, before visitors are invited to satiate their appetites at Drummond Street’s famous restaurants, each of which will be offering a set menu for just £10 to showcase popular recipes from South Asia. 

Drummond Street, NW1, visit eventbrite.co.uk

Another Pantry x Toklas Bakery, Temple

Image: Ola O Smit

When: 9 December 2023

Nearest station: Temple

Toklas Bakery will play host to cult pop-up Another Pantry for a one-day Christmas event on 9 December from 10am-4pm. Bringing together independent makers, chefs and suppliers from across London and beyond, the market will be a chance for keen foodies and shoppers to find unique artisanal gifts curated by Another Pantry’s Safia Shakarchi, and enjoy festive bakes from Toklas’ head baker Janine Edwards and team – think warming festive toasties with Toklas sourdough, Montgomery cheddar, and spiced squash chutney, the bakery’s own mince pies packed with rare Todolí citrus, and, of course, mulled wine in abundance.  

Foodie highlights from the market include Pump Street Chocolate’s winter flavours including maple pecan, panettone and gingerbread; East London-based Happy Endings’ festive ice cream sandwich Ello’ Treacle (with brown butter shortbread, treacle tart and lemon dulce de leche); Mainly Breakfast’s illustrated seasonal eating calendar; wines from Shoreditch’s Passione Vino and handcrafted knives by Allday Goods. Don’t miss the child-friendly gingerbread house workshops led by Toklas baker Saffron, as well as authors Tara Wigley, Phil Khoury and Bre Graham who will be on hand to sign copies of their books.

9 Surrey Street, WC2R 2ND, visit anotherpantry.co.uk

Christmas at Covent Garden

When: Until 7 January 2024

Nearest station: Covent Garden 

Alongside the new Christmas decorations and huge tree lighting up the piazza, Covent Garden has also welcomed the return of its much-loved Winter Warmer Festival, where shoppers can enjoy endless mulled wine while perusing a number of festive pop-ups from some of the globe’s most exciting brands, including Marc Jacobs and Sézane. Throughout November and December, the festival will also see the return of hourly snowfall on the piazza, alongside Festive Thursdays where dining offers, shopping events and surprise performances will be live every Thursday across the neighbourhood.

For shoppers seeking to tick off their present list swiftly, Covent Garden has a wide selection of world-renowned brands offering unique and personalised gifting options, from luxurious pieces at Tiffany & Co, Bucherer and Tag Heuer, to fashion-forward items at Ganni, Reformation, Uniqlo, Theory and Free People. Don’t forget beauty favourites from Glossier, Charlotte Tilbury, Chanel, Benefit, Aesop, and Jo Malone, too. 

Covent Garden, WC2, visit coventgarden.london

Southbank, Waterloo

When: Until 26 December 2023

Nearest station: Waterloo

Another stalwart on the Christmas market scene is Southbank, which lights up the Thames every year with its twinkling lights, sparkling stalls and plethora of foodie joints. From Yorkshire pudding wraps dripping with gravy to gourmet cheese toasties, there’s plenty of festive fare to choose from, served directly from alpine-style chalets. The independent sellers, offering an array of gifts for young and old, are open until Boxing Day, catering for those last-minute shoppers. 

The Queen's Walk, SE1 8XX, visit southbankcentre.co.uk

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