Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is the 800-pound gorilla of London markets, and it usually opens its gates around mid-November. Last year, it kicked off on November 17th, and the year before that, November 19th. You’ll want to check their “Opening Date Announcement” page around October, because they love keeping you on your toes like a bad tinder date.
Then there’s Southbank Centre Winter Market, which is my personal favorite for its low-key charm and proper German bratwurst. It tends to start a bit earlier, often the first week of November. Think November 3rd to 5th range. It’s one of those “soft launches” where you can actually walk without getting elbowed by a giant stuffed reindeer.
Leicester Square Christmas market is another big one, but it’s a late bloomer. Usually it ramps up around the second week of November, right around the time they switch on the area’s famous lights. Honestly, it’s more of a photo-op than a market, but hey—you’ve got to get that Instagram shot before your friends in the suburbs do.
The Hidden Gems & Borough Market Shenanigans
Borough Market’s Christmas offerings are a special case. They don’t do a full “market” but instead increase their festive stalls from the end of November. Think artisan cheeses, fancy mince pies, and a kind of smugness that only comes from eating truffle oil in public. If you want the full “Christmas magic” vibe, go around the third week of November.
10 Best Christmas Markets in London (2026) | Anywhere We Roam
Covent Garden itself transforms into a glittery wonderland, but their Christmas market stalls pop up a little later—usually late November, around the 20th. (Pro tip: The mistletoe installation goes up earlier, so you can fake it for a few weeks.) And don’t sleep on Kingston upon Thames or Greenwich Market—they often start a week before the tourist-heavy spots, like they’re the cool, understated cousins at the family reunion.
