How to get to the London Christmas Markets
When travelling to the Christmas markets in London, public transport is your best friend. Avoid the stress of driving and parking in the busy capital city by choosing the train.
Avanti West Coast trains stop at Euston Station, and from here you can quickly hop on the Underground and go to any station in the city. Here's a quick travel guide for getting to the main markets from Euston Station.
- Leicester Square: direct to Leicester Square (Northern).
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland: direct to Green Park (Victoria), with optional change to the Piccadilly Line for Knightsbridge or Hyde Park Corner.
- Southbank Centre Winter Market: direct to Waterloo (Northern).
- King's Cross: direct to King's Cross (Northern).
- Borough Market: direct to London Bridge (Northern).
- Trafalgar Square: direct to Charing Cross (Northern).
What to do at the London Christmas Markets 2024
Discover the ultimate festive cheer at the best Christmas markets in London. Although all the markets have a lot in common, each has unique features that make it a favourite for some visitors.
King's Cross Christmas under the Canopy is held in the covered West Handyside Canopy just outside the station. This makes it a great place to go when the weather isn't quite up to scratch. Here you’ll find independent food producers, craft stalls and street food. There’s even a special vegan edition of the market from the 6th to the 8th of December.
If you're a foodie, you probably already know about Borough Market. It's a hub of delightful cuisine and ingredients all year round. In November, up go the Christmas lights and the place takes on a festive feel that keeps visitors coming back for more winter warmth.
Leicester Square is, as you'd expect, big and bright, and as a central hub of London, it can also get very busy. This makes it perfect for groups but is best avoided if you like a quiet browse (although during the day it's usually less busy).
The Southbank Centre has all the food and gifts you could ever want. It also has the added bonus of snaking its way down the Thames, so you can stroll along here and be sure you've seen every stall.
London Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is probably the most family-friendly of all the events. It has everything in one place for people who just want to make a single journey. While you've got the stalls, there are also spectacular shows and fairground rides. Don't forget the magical Santaland where kids can divulge their own Christmas wishes to the big guy.
The Trafalgar Square Christmas Market is a smaller, centrally located event. Find unique treasures to eat, drink and buy whilst you admire the official Christmas tree of London at this beautiful market.
About the London Christmas Markets
Most cities and large towns in the UK now have a Christmas market that follows a familiar theme. Think wooden chalets, a continental feel and international stallholders. Treats like hot food, mulled wine and hundreds of gift and decoration ideas. But London being the city that it is, there can't be just one such market. Each Christmas, at least ten large ones are set up, as well as many smaller ones dotted around the outer districts. So, if you're asking, "Where is London's Christmas market", the answer is everywhere.
This new festive trading started around the turn of the millennium, although Lincoln Christmas Market claims to be the oldest. Their market dates back to 1982. The concept has since continued to grow, with the only dent appearing during the height of the coronavirus pandemic in the winter of 2020.
Christmas markets usually start around mid-November and pack up a few days before Christmas. They're always popular for after-work food and drinks, as well as for getting the kids even more excited about Christmas.
Christmas Markets London 2024 dates
- Leicester Square: November 6th 2024 - January 5th 2025
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland: November 21st 2024 - January 5th 2025
- Southbank Centre Winter Market: November 1st 2024 - December 26th 2024
- King's Cross: November 29th 2024 - December 22nd 2024
- Borough Market: Every Monday in December. During Christmas week, the market closes from 25th - 27th and reopens on Saturday 28th December.
- Trafalgar Square: November 9th 2024 - January 2nd 2025
Ways to save on your train ticket to the London Christmas Markets
If you're planning to travel by rail to London this year for some festivities, how, when and where you buy your tickets can make a big difference to the price. There are lots of things you can do to make sure you get the cheapest possible train travel.
- Buy your tickets as far in advance as possible – the sooner the better for the best prices.
- Avoid peak times - travelling at quieter off-peak times will ensure cheaper tickets.
- Use a Railcard – it will also help you save on other train journeys throughout the year.
- Family or group tickets - save money if you're with a group or family on the same train.
Get the app
The Avanti West Coast app is essential for your phone when travelling by train to the Christmas markets in London. With the app, you can buy and store tickets electronically, check train times, plan your journey and avoid third-party booking fees. And if you have a Railcard, you can add it to the app so that your ticket discounts are made automatically. It's the perfect rail companion whether for the Christmas markets or a summer trip to the seaside.
