Christmas markets & fairs · 2026
Christmas markets and fairs near London
We’ve checked 10 Christmas markets and fairs within 25 miles of London. 10 have confirmed 2026 dates. The first opens on Saturday 31 October (Leicester Square Christmas Market and Skate Leicester Square).
Paid entry starts at £1. The closest is Leicester Square Christmas Market and Skate Leicester Square, in central London.
On this weekend
Based on each listing’s first and last dates. Some run on selected days only, so check times before you set off.
- ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Hyde Park, London (Hyde Park) · run by P W R Events Limited
- When
- Thu 19 Nov – Sun 3 Jan
- Price
- From £1
- Entry
- Paid
- Type
- Festival
Dates: 19 November 2026 – 3 January 2027, daily except Christmas Day
Times: Varies by date; see the tickets guide on the site
Prices: Paid entry. Off-peak Monday–Thursday slots in November £1; packages £27.45–£49; children's packages from £36.50; save up to 25% booking in advance; spend £25 and entry is free
Over 150 attractions including the Euro Coaster, Munich Looping and Ice Mountain, the UK's largest open-air ice rink, 70+ games stalls, street food and a Bavarian beer hall. The cheapest £1 slots are Monday–Thursday in November; weekends and December cost more.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: hydeparkwinterwonderland.com Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Southbank Centre Winter Market
Southbank Centre, Queen's Walk, South Bank, London · run by Southbank Centre
- When
- Mon 2 Nov – Mon 4 Jan
- Times
- Daily 11am–10pm, craft traders until 9pm
- Price
- Not published
- Type
- City Christmas market
Dates: 2 November 2026 – 4 January 2027, closed 25 and 31 December
Alpine-style chalets between the Royal Festival Hall and Jubilee Gardens, under Hungerford Bridge. Winter street food including Dutch pancakes and churros, pop-up bars with mulled wine and hot chocolate, and stalls selling gifts, jewellery and decorations.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: southbank.london Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Leicester Square Christmas Market and Skate Leicester Square
Leicester Square, London (West End) · in central London
- When
- Sat 31 Oct – Sun 3 Jan
- Price
- Not published
- Booking
- Book or turn up
- Type
- City Christmas market
Dates: 31 October 2026 – 3 January 2027, closed Christmas Day
Times: 10am–10pm; skating sessions run 10:15am to 9:15pm
Christmas market stalls around a circular ice rink, with hot chocolate, mulled drinks and a bar. Rink tickets are sold online or at the on-site box office (card only). Children under 12 need adult supervision on the ice and under-3s cannot skate. Leicester Square tube (Northern and Piccadilly lines) is a one-minute walk.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: skateleicestersquare.co.uk Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Kingston Christmas Market
Kingston Ancient Market Place, Kingston upon Thames · 10 miles from London
- When
- Thu 12 Nov – Sun 3 Jan
- Price
- Not published
- Type
- City Christmas market
Dates: 12 November 2026 – 3 January 2027, closed 25 December
Times: Market stalls: Sun–Wed 10am–6pm, Thu–Sat 10am–8pm, Christmas Eve and Boxing Day 10am–6pm. Bar, food and entertainment: Mon–Wed 10am–9pm, Thu–Sat 10am–10pm, Sun/Christmas Eve/Boxing Day 10am–8pm
Independent retailers and food stalls in the Ancient Market Place, with Christmas choirs, local bands and an open-mic night. Stall hours are shorter than bar hours, so arrive before 6pm on Sunday to Wednesday for the shops.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: kingstonchristmasmarket.co.uk Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Greenwich Market Christmas Lights Switch-On and Lantern Parade
Greenwich Market, Greenwich, London
- When
- Wednesday 18 November
- Price
- Not published
- Type
- City Christmas market
Dates: Wednesday 18 November 2026
Times: Market open daily 10am–5:30pm; event time not published
The lantern parade and lights switch-on is the one Christmas event with a 2026 date on the market's events page. The market itself is open daily 10am–5:30pm.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: greenwichmarket.london Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Christmas in Covent Garden
Covent Garden Market Building, Covent Garden, London
- When
- Thursday 12 November
- Price
- Not published
- Type
- Event
Dates: Lights switch-on Thursday 12 November 2026
Annual lights switch-on with live festive performances and a countdown on 12 November. The Market Building is decorated with gold bells, mirror balls and baubles. Skate at Somerset House runs 11 November – 10 January 2027.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: coventgarden.london Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre
Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey · run by Historic Royal Palaces and Immediate Live
- When
- Fri 4 Dec – Sun 13 Dec
- Price
- Not published
- Type
- Estate or castle market
Dates: 4–6 and 11–13 December 2026
Runs over two Friday–Sunday weekends at Hampton Court Palace. Tickets are sold through the Festive Fayre site; hours and prices are not listed on that page.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: hrpfestivals.com Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Ascot Christmas Fair
The Pavilion Building, Ascot Racecourse, Ascot · 25 miles from London · run by UK Grand Sales
- When
- Thu 12 Nov – Sun 15 Nov
- Times
- Thu–Sat 9:30am–5pm; Sun 9:30am–4pm
- Price
- From £7
- Booking
- Book or turn up
- Stalls
- 160
- Entry
- Paid
- Type
- Christmas fair
Dates: Thursday 12 – Sunday 15 November 2026
Prices: £9 on the door; £7 online standard (£5 online early bird, advertised from June); accompanied children under 16 do not need a ticket; ticket valid on any day
160+ gift, food and fashion stalls. Pushchairs are not allowed in, so bring a carrier or use the free buggy park. Guide and assistance dogs only. Light lunches are served in a heated marquee.
Parking: Free on-site parkingAccess: Wheelchairs and mobility scooters welcome; no pushchairs inside, with a free buggy park and baby backpacks availableDogs: Not allowedChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: ukgrandsales.co.uk Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Windsor Christmas Fair
Windsor Racecourse, Windsor · run by Charlie Owen Events
- When
- Sat 28 Nov – Sun 29 Nov
- Times
- 10am–4pm, last entry 3:30pm
- Price
- From £5
- Booking
- Book or turn up
- Entry
- Paid
- Type
- Christmas fair
Dates: Saturday 28 – Sunday 29 November 2026
Prices: Adult (18–64) £5; concessions £4 (65+, students, disabled, unemployed, carers); under 18s free, no ticket needed; ticket valid either day but can be used once
Two-day Christmas fair at the racecourse. Dogs are not allowed. Under-18s get in free.
Parking: Free car parkingAccess: Concession prices for disabled visitors; proof may be asked at the gateDogs: Not allowedChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: charlieowenevents.ticketsrv.co.uk Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Guildford Cathedral Christmas Fair
Guildford Cathedral, Guildford
- When
- Fri 20 Nov – Sat 21 Nov
- Times
- 10am–4pm
- Price
- From £3
- Booking
- Book or turn up
- Stalls
- 50
- Entry
- Paid
- Type
- Christmas fair
Dates: Friday 20 and Saturday 21 November 2026
Prices: £3 per person, plus 35p booking fee online; walk-in entry welcome; VIP pre-booking with fast-track entry available
Over 50 independent stalls covering art, crafts, home decor, fashion, jewellery and treats. Seasons Café is on site for breaks.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: guildford-cathedral.org Market details
Compare at a glance
| Name | Where | When | From | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyde Park Winter Wonderland | London (Hyde Park) | Thu 19 Nov – Sun 3 Jan | £1 | — |
| Southbank Centre Winter Market | South Bank, London | Mon 2 Nov – Mon 4 Jan | — | — |
| Leicester Square Christmas Market and Skate Leicester Square | London (West End) (0 mi) | Sat 31 Oct – Sun 3 Jan | — | Either |
| Kingston Christmas Market | Kingston upon Thames (10 mi) | Thu 12 Nov – Sun 3 Jan | — | — |
| Greenwich Market Christmas Lights Switch-On and Lantern Parade | Greenwich, London | Wednesday 18 November | — | — |
| Christmas in Covent Garden | Covent Garden, London | Thursday 12 November | — | — |
| Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre | East Molesey | Fri 4 Dec – Sun 13 Dec | — | — |
| Ascot Christmas Fair | Ascot (25 mi) | Thu 12 Nov – Sun 15 Nov | £7 | Either |
| Windsor Christmas Fair | Windsor | Sat 28 Nov – Sun 29 Nov | £5 | Either |
| Guildford Cathedral Christmas Fair | Guildford | Fri 20 Nov – Sat 21 Nov | £3 | Either |
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Common questions
When do Christmas markets near London open in 2026?
Confirmed so far: Leicester Square Christmas Market and Skate Leicester Square (Sat 31 Oct); Southbank Centre Winter Market (Mon 2 Nov); Kingston Christmas Market (Thu 12 Nov); Christmas in Covent Garden (Thu 12 Nov); Ascot Christmas Fair (Thu 12 Nov); plus 5 more on the list. Every listing shows the date we last checked it.
Are any Christmas markets and fairs near London free?
None of the ones we checked is free. The cheapest is Hyde Park Winter Wonderland at £1, and the dearest Ascot Christmas Fair at £7.
Which Christmas markets near London allow dogs?
None of the ones that state a policy allows dogs. Ascot Christmas Fair and Windsor Christmas Fair do not allow them. The rest don’t say, so check before you go.
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