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Who doesn’t enjoy visiting Christmas markets? Whether you are with a group of friends or with your family, there is something for everyone out there in London this holiday season. Do you want a traditional market with German log cabins, bratwurst and mulled wine? Or do you want an outdoor cinema with carnival rides and Mexican food? We’ve put together a list of some of the traditional and not so traditional Christmas markets out there to enjoy this season.
Skate at Somerset House
15th November – 14th January 2018 An ice rink positioned next to the classic Somerset House with day or evening skating sessions. Once you’ve finished skating there’s a selection of food and drink options available. For the kids, there’s a Skate School during weekends to teach them the basics. Opening Times: 10:00am – 10:15pm Ticket Prices: £7.50 Closest Tube Station: Temple (District and Circle Lines)
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
17th November – 1st January 2018 A classic Christmas carnival in the middle of London’s famous Hyde Park. It’s become one of the most well-known of London’s Christmas Markets. It features a variety of things to do including a number of rides and games, tasty food outlets and a bunch of different live shows to appeal to the whole family. There’s even the UK’s largest outdoor ice rink! Opening Times: 10:00am – 10:00pm Ticket Prices: Free Entry, but rides, skating and shows require you to purchase a ticket. Closest Tube Station: Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly Line)
Christmas in Kew Gardens
22nd November – 1st January 2018 An amazing trail of over a million lights, laser beams and projections illuminating heritage trees and buildings throughout the Gardens. There are also vintage fairground rides, the North Pole village and food & drink stalls. Opening Times: 5:00pm – 10:00pm Ticket Prices: Adults £18.50, Children £12.00 Closest Tube Station: Kew Gardens (District and Overground Lines)
Winterville
23rd November – 1st January 2018 An alternative take on the Christmas market festive experience. Winterville showcases a variety of different activities to appeal to everyone such as fairground rides, roller discos, markets, mini golf and an outdoor cinema. There is also something for kids with shows and Santa’s workshop. Winterville offers an amazing variety of food outlets from ribs to wood-fired pizza to tasty desserts. Opening Times: 10:30am – 10:30pm Ticket Prices: Free Entry, but rides, shows, activities require a ticket purchase. Closest Tube Station: Clapham Common (Northern Line)
Christmas in Leicester Square
10th November – 6th January 2018 This Christmas market features a classic European style Christmas market and Santa’s Grotto. Its main attraction is a Belgian Spiegeltent featuring comedy and cabaret shows for the adults, as well as discos and Dahl inspired shows for the children. Opening Times: 10:00am – 10:00pm Ticket Prices: Free Entry, but tickets required for rides and shows. Closest Tube Station: Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly Lines)
Southbank Wintertime Market
10th November – 30th December A traditional Christmas market featuring tasty street food such as gourmet burgers, buttermilk fried chicken and vegan street food specials. Enjoy traditional festive drinks, festive shows, Christmas choirs and handmade crafts while taking in the sights and sounds of London’s Southbank during winter. Opening Times: 11:00am – 11:00pm Ticket Prices: Free Entry Closest Tube Stop: Waterloo (Bakerloo, Northern and Jubilee Lines)
Christmas Markets by the River
30th November – 3rd January 2018 Featuring an amazing backdrop of the Tower Bridge and the Thames, this market provides German-style wooden cabins featuring a variety of festive food and drink. It also has shops providing gifts from toys to beauty products to homewares. Opening Times: 11:00am – 9:00pm Ticket Prices: Free Entry Closest Tube Station: London Bridge (Northern, Jubilee Lines)
Greenwich Wintertime Festival
1st December – 31st December Situated on the banks of the Thames among the amazing 17th century architecture of the Old Royal Navy College, this market is a mix of old Christmas market traditions and contemporary ideas. The Christmas market features classic festive food and drinks, ice skating and street performers. This market is split up into three 3 hour sessions per day to avoid overcrowding and create a relaxed atmosphere. Opening Times: Morning: 10:30am – 1:30pm, Afternoon: 2:30pm – 5:30pm, Evening: 6:30pm – 10:00pm Ticket Prices: Adults £18.00, Child £8.00 Closest DLR Station: Cutty Sark
Natural History Museum Ice Rink
26th October – 7th January 2018 Enjoy skating in front of one of London’s most striking buildings. As well as skating, there is a cafe bar that offers tasty food, snacks and a number of hot and cold drinks. Opening Times: 11:00am – 9:00pm Ticket Prices: Adults £12.65, Children £8.80, Family £39.80 Closest Tube Station: South Kensington (District, Circle and Piccadilly Lines)
Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink
24th November – 7th January 2018 Situated in front of the Tudor Palace, this ice rink provides amazing views of Henry VIII’s historic home. It also has a cafe & bar that offers seasonal food and drink as well as a kid’s menu to appeal to the whole family. Opening Times: 9:00am – 10:00pm Ticket Prices: Adults £14.00, Teenagers (13-15) £12.00, Child £10.00, Concession £12.00, Family £40.00 Closest Train Station: Hampton Court (a 35 minute direct trip from Waterloo)
Ice Rink Canary Wharf
4th November – 24th February 2018 Located in the middle of the Canada Square Park in Canary Wharf, this rink has a large main rink illuminated by amazing LED lighting. It also offers a skate path that leads you through the park’s enchanting trees. There are also a number of restaurants, bars and shops surrounding the ice rink once you’ve finished your skating. Opening Times: 9:00am – 10:30pm Ticket Prices: Adults £16.95, Child £10.95, Concession £13.95, Family £46.50 Closest Tube Station: Canary Wharf (Jubilee, DLR Lines)
Tower of London Ice Rink
17th November – 2nd January 2018 A classic of the festive season, the ice rink at the Tower of London is situated inside the dry moat surrounding the tower! In the afternoon it transitions into a stunning backdrop, followed by the awesome sights of the tower lit up during the evening skating sessions. Suitable for children and families, it’s a great place to go on a family day-out. Opening Times: 9:00am – 10:00pm Ticket Prices: Adults £14.50, Teenager (13-15) £12.50, Child £10.50, Concession £12.50, Family £42.00 Closest Tube Station: Tower Hill (District and Circle Lines)
Kingston Christmas Markets
19th November – 31st December The entire Kingston town centre is transformed into a Christmas market spreading throughout the old marketplace. The stalls will be featuring unique gifts that can’t be found anywhere else, as well as two outdoor bar areas with classic German food and drinks. Opening Times: 10:00am – 9:00pm Ticket Prices: Free Entry Closest Train Station: Kingston (a 25-minute train ride from Waterloo)
If you think we’ve missed any of the amazing markets in London, let us know on Twitter or Facebook. Or tweet using the tag #JourneytoChristmas
If you need any help getting to any of these Christmas Markets make sure you download our Tube Map app to find the quickest and easiest way to get there.
Photo Credits:
Skate at Somerset House by Ben Cope
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland by MrT HK
Christmas at Kew Gardens by M.Shattock
Winterville by Gavriil Papadiotis
Christmas in Leicester Square by Paul Hudson
Wintertime Market by Garry Knight
Christmas by the River by Davide D’Amico
Greenwich Wintertime Festival by Andrea Vail
Natural History Museum Ice Rink by John Bointin
Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink by Ungry Young Man
Ice Rink Canary Wharf by Gordon Joly
Tower of London Ice Rink by Ungry Young Man
Kingston Christmas Markets by Mike_fleming
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