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The best Christmas markets in London with kids

The best Christmas markets in London with kids

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? It’s the sound of Christmas approaching – and nonetheless Scrooge-like you’re feeling within the run-up to Christmas Day, there’s nothing to place me right into a festive temper sooner than a Christmas market. UPDATED FOR 2024

Gluhwein and sizzling chocolate to maintain out the chilliness, decorations and snuggly scarves among the many potential presents, plus something from ice skating and carousels to greater rides and child-friendly occasions. As a result of it’s not all about searching the stalls while you’ve bought youngsters.

After taking my daughter to a number of Christmas markets in London – in addition to some others close by, together with Winchester, one in every of my favorite Christmas markets within the UK – I’ve made an inventory of the very best Christmas markets in London with youngsters. I’ve even checked it twice…

For extra of the very best issues to do for Christmas in London with youngsters, take a look at my high picks

Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park

I first went alongside to London’s greatest and best-known Christmas market earlier than my daughter was born, squealing with glee on the rides whisking me excessive above Hyde Park and sipping a drink or two in Bar Ice. However even with a daughter who’s positively not a thrill seeker, there’s lots to do at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.

This 12 months’s points of interest embrace The Magical Ice Kingdom, Zippos Christmas Circus, Cirque Beserk, the 70m excessive Large Commentary Wheel and an ice skating rink.

And Santaland returns as effectively, with Christmas-themed rides and video games, and parades on varied dates. Additionally take a look at Santa’s Grotto (open day by day from 10am to 6pm besides Christmas Day, first come first served) the place you possibly can meet Father Christmas totally free.

There are gentler rides for all ages, together with a helter skelter and the Santaland Specific Prepare, plus the possibility to tackle the ice slide, in addition to extra adrenaline-fuelled festive thrills.

Wrap up heat for the ice and snow sculptures of the Magical Ice Kingdom (it’ll be -10C, brr) then look down on the lights of London from the Commentary Wheel earlier than toasting marshmallows across the hearth pit.

For extra locations to see Santa in London with youngsters, take a look at my high picks

The best Christmas markets in London with kids

Winter Wonderland ticket costs

As soon as once more for 2024, you will have a ticket to enter Winter Wonderland, with choices for off-peak, customary and peak entry relying while you go to. Costs begin from £5 for normal entry, though there are some off-peak morning classes the place it’s nonetheless free.

Everybody wants a ticket, together with infants and toddlers (though it’s free for kids aged two and underneath). Household tickets are additionally out there (for 2 adults + two youngsters, or one grownup + three youngsters).

When you prebook rides, points of interest and video games value £25 upfront, your entry ticket is free, so long as you ebook every little thing collectively.

With costs for ice skating, the Magical Ice Kingdom and exhibits costing round £8-12 for adults, it doesn’t take lengthy to hit that quantity so it’s possible you’ll solely want so as to add one or two extras to get free entry. In any other case, you possibly can simply pay for any actions and exhibits as you go.

There’s additionally a bundle out there in Santaland the place you may get limitless rides for £25: this solely applies to the rides with the Santaland Limitless Brand and there could also be different age and top restrictions – a fast technique to hit the £25 value totally free admission!

There are timed slots to enter and for the varied rides and points of interest (some are a number of hours lengthy so that you don’t should be too exact). Skating also needs to be booked upfront.

Click on right here for extra particulars and to ebook tickets.

Winter Wonderland dates

For six weeks from November 21 to January 5 2025.

Image showing a graphic of the London Eye on the Essential Guide to London with kids ebook cover, and the words 'click to buy my 33-page guide to London. Itineraries, tips and all you need to know before a visit to London with kids' linking to my the London with kids shop page

Southbank Centre winter market

The Christmas market and winter competition on the South Financial institution is one in every of my favourites and for the previous few years, my husband and I’ve been joined on our conventional evening out by Minnie. I can by no means get sufficient of the lights alongside the riverside, and will fortunately simply wander between the stalls consuming all of it in.

This being London, there’s much more to drink in than the views – and much more to eat than bratwurst. I nonetheless have fond recollections of the confit duck burger we purchased one 12 months. It was so good, we went again for a second – you possibly can see my video right here.

However there’s an enormous selection on the stalls among the many Christmas timber, with lots for much less adventurous small eaters together with crepes and a few superb sizzling chocolate, in addition to foodie pop-ups which have included cheese-themed meals, cocktails and the Circus bar housed in a circus tent.

Part of the carousel at the Christmas market on the South Bank in London with a Union Jack flag and giant candy cane against the blue sky - what makes a good Christmas market?

There’s normally one thing completely different taking place past the meals too, with household actions usually going down in December, together with storytelling, music and crafts, in addition to winter season exhibits.

For extra of the very best Christmas theatre in London with youngsters, take a look at my high picks

Look out for the Winter Mild show illuminating the timber on Queen’s Stroll, plus a string of wood huts promoting the proper tempting odds and ends for presents and the standard carousel to journey on.

And in the event you actually need an commentary wheel, there’s at all times the London Eye…

Southbank Winter Market ticket costs

Free to get in, value for exhibits varies.

Southbank Winter Market dates

November 1 to December 26, 2024

Leicester Sq. Christmas market

Proper within the coronary heart of London, Leicester Sq. is dwelling to one of many newer Christmas markets in central London.

It’s again for 2024 once more with a spread of outside bars, scrumptious meals and conventional market stalls deliberate as common for Leicester Sq. Christmas market.

For now, there are not any exhibits introduced for households (though grownup cabaret La Clique is celebrating 20 years) or a Santa’s grotto.

In earlier years, the family-friendly headliners have included a brand new tackle Sleeping Magnificence, magic, high notch puppetry, youngsters’s theatre firm Les Petits and performances from theatreland’s greatest younger performers, in addition to interactive leisure and improvised exhibits.

As you’re within the coronary heart of Theatreland, it’s an ideal Christmas market to mix with a number of the greatest Christmas theatre in London with youngsters

Leicester Sq. Christmas market ticket costs

Free to enter, though there’s a cost for any performances (costs range).

Leicester Sq. Christmas market dates

Runs from November 6 to January 5 2025.

For extra issues to do round Leicester Sq. with youngsters, take a look at my high picks

Trafalgar Sq. Christmas Market

TBC A stone’s throw from Leicester Sq., there’s normally a small Christmas market in Trafalgar Sq. as effectively, run by the identical firm.

Whereas there aren’t big numbers of stalls to browse, it’s a beautiful location to get pleasure from Christmas within the metropolis with London’s big Christmas tree lit up, plus common carol performances.

Try my tips about the very best issues to do at Christmas in London with youngsters for extra particulars

Trafalgar Sq. Christmas market ticket costs

Free

Trafalgar Sq. Christmas market dates

TBC Often mid November to early January

Illuminated Christmas tree with Tower Bridge lit up in the background - the best Christmas markets in London with kids

Christmas By The River at London Bridge Metropolis

TBC One other incredible London location, this time with Tower Bridge within the background and the skyscrapers of town alongside the Thames. Christmas by the River is a quieter occasion than a number of the others, however you’ll usually discover free workshops in addition to stalls.

You’re promised a singular expertise right here, with yearly twists on the standard theme. Earlier years included a classic ski theme aiming to move everybody to the snowy slopes of the Alps, full with sizzling toddy on the apres-ski themed bar.

There’s additionally usually a collection of workshops to be careful for, in addition to tastings, and storytelling occasions, with earlier festive crafts together with Christmas wreath and Christmas jumper adorning, many in assist of charity.

Together with the humanities and crafts, you possibly can attempt food and drinks tastings with greater than 70 pop-up stalls – plus conventional items galore to purchase. And you might at all times hop on a riverboat from London Bridge Metropolis Pier close by to make extra of a time out (wrap up heat for the river in winter although!)

Christmas by The River ticket costs

Free

Christmas by The River dates

TBC. Often from mid November to early January

Covent Backyard Christmas Market

The final couple of years, you’ve been assured a white Christmas at Covent Backyard, with faux snow swirling over the piazza each hour – however whether or not the flurries return for 2024 or not, Covent Backyard is at all times an incredible possibility for a Christmas market in London with youngsters.

The primary cease in my London Christmas lights strolling route, take a look at my tips about the place else to see the very best shows

In addition to the large baubles adorning the market itself, plus some beautiful Christmas lights, you possibly can count on a forest of Christmas timber and a few nice festive food and drinks within the Covent Backyard Christmas village.

Inside the primary Christmas in Covent Backyard celebrations, there are additionally additional pop-up occasions to be careful for – the Winter Hotter competition will get you within the festive temper throughout November, with an entire string of mulled wines and festive drinks.

Hold an eye fixed out for the standard sleigh (though no Santa or reindeer), in addition to the enchanting Marvel Wooden pop-up on James Avenue, excellent for a couple of festive selfies among the many superbly adorned timber, in addition to a 60ft Christmas tree.

Try the following tips for the very best sizzling chocolate in London with youngsters, in the event you’re seeking to heat up after searching

Covent Backyard Christmas market ticket costs

Free

Covent Backyard Christmas market dates

Festive celebrations will run throughout November and December (exact 2024 timings tbc).

Giant bauble and mistletoe decoration suspended in the roof of Covent Garden market in London - one of the best Christmas markets in London with kids

Greenwich Christmas market

Enterprise additional down the river to Greenwich to find how the common Greenwich market transforms in time for Christmas – its 150 stalls, with some fabulous issues to purchase year-round, get illuminated by the lights in addition to the Greenwich Kids’s Lantern Procession to kick every little thing off on November 20.

Greenwich normally has varied festive occasions on the museums and the Cutty Sark throughout December too – whether or not there’s one thing going down or not, it’s value climbing on board the Cutty Sark between Christmas market searching, with lots for youths of all ages.

Excellent in the event you’re searching for a time out with added Christmas markets in south-east London.

Greenwich Christmas market ticket costs

Free

Greenwich Christmas market dates

Exact timings TBC. Beforehand, there have been Christmas late markets each Wednesday in December so it’s value checking for additional festive occasions. In any other case, the overall market takes on daily basis from 10am to five.30pm.

For extra concepts of festive gentle trails in London with youngsters, take a look at this put up

Battersea Energy Station Winter Village

TBC A comparatively new festive addition in one in every of London’s iconic landmarks – December normally sees Battersea Energy Station being remodeled right into a magical Winter Village with food and drinks pop-ups, Christmas timber and family-friendly arts and crafts classes.

Glide at Battersea Energy Station, town’s solely riverside ice rink, is again for 2024 too, created by the individuals behind the Pure Historical past Museum ice rink. Actually, there are three interconnecting rinks, surrounded by twinkling lights and a 30ft Christmas tree.

There’ll even be classic funfair rides, meals stalls and mulled wine to get pleasure from afterwards, whereas final 12 months featured a Christmas path that includes big baubles and former years have seen riverside curling lanes on the outdated Coaling Jetty alongside the Thames, festive movies on the cinema and household favourites at The Turbine Theatre.

Battersea Energy Station Winter Village ticket costs

Free to go to, ice rink and exercise prices range.

Battersea Energy Station Winter Village dates

Christmas actions TBC. Glide is open from November 8 till January 5, 2025.

View of the stalls in the Market Square in Kingston upon Thames - also the site of the Christmas market if you're visiting Kingston with kids

Kingston Christmas Market

Head out of the centre for among the finest Christmas markets in west London (effectively, southwest London) as Kingston’s Historic Market Place will get its personal conventional Christmas Market with a string of particular actions for youths, in addition to round 40 adorned wooden cabins promoting items, stocking fillers and mulled wine.

Together with the stalls within the Alpine Village, there are additionally fairground rides, together with a carousel, for youths, in addition to road meals and a few reside leisure – particulars nonetheless to come back for 2024’s occasion.

In earlier years, there have additionally been trails to get youngsters exploring additional together with a Fairy Story Path, in addition to a Letter to Santa competitors, plus prizes of tickets to Kingston’s Rose theatre.

For extra issues to do in Kingston with youngsters, take a look at this put up

Kingston Christmas Market ticket costs

Free

Kingston Christmas Market dates

November 14 to January 5, 2025

Wembley Park Festive market

TBC: There are sometimes nice family-friendly occasions going down round Wembley Park and the festive season is not any completely different, usually with its personal little Christmas market working in December and an art work doubling as a tree.

With merchants promoting mince piles, mulled wine and handmade items, it’s an incredible excuse to go over to Market Sq. and discover – earlier years have included particular selfie spots, together with a starry reward field.

There’s additionally normally reside music on weekends, whereas themed immersive artworks have been added to the free Wembley Park Artwork Path.

Wembley Park Festive market ticket costs

Free

Wembley Park Festive market dates

2024 dates TBC

For extra issues to do in Wembley Park with youngsters, take a look at this put up

Hampton Court Palace illuminated at Christmas, when its festive fayre and ice rink return - the best Christmas markets in London with kids

London Christmas markets with youngsters: better of the remainder

Hampton Court docket Palace Festive Fayre

Hampton Court docket Palace will get dressed up for Christmas with its Festive Fayre from December 6-8 and 13-15, the place the palace courtyards are remodeled with food and drinks stalls, reside cooking demos and carol singing.

There are additionally extra carol occasions in December, whereas the palace ice rink opens between November 22 and January 5, 2025.

Try my video for a style of the ice skating

Borough Market

The market normally will get a festive facelift in addition to longer opening hours, so it’s simpler than ever to wander round choosing up a number of the great meals, whereas bells ring and Christmas carols sound, plus some particular occasions throughout December.

Artful Fox Christmas markets

Excellent in the event you’re searching for an uncommon artistic reward, the Artful Fox markets are stuffed with items from impartial designers, with a distinct combine every time, together with art work, jewelry, and kids’s gadgets.

Takes place in November and December, with places together with the British Library and Granary Sq. in Kings Cross. Earlier venues have additionally included Mercato Metropolitano in Elephant and Citadel and The Division Retailer, Brixton, so look out for any extra occasions.

Canary Backyard Christmas Market

In addition to the ice skating and winter lights at Canary Wharf, the standard market will get a festive makeover for Christmas. Dates for the Canary Backyard Christmas Market are tbc for 2024, however you possibly can usually count on reside performances and workshops in addition to loads of meals and a few nice stocking fillers to purchase.

For extra solutions of the very best Christmas markets in Europe for kids, take a look at this choice from Suitcases & Sandcastles

PIN FOR LATER: CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN LONDON WITH KIDS

The best Christmas markets in London with kids - the perfect festive day out in the UK capital, whether you want the rides and attractions of Winter Wonderland, an alternative Christmas market, some of London's best street food, or a traditional Christmas market with kids' activities.

Pictures: South Financial institution and Hampton court docket, copyright MummyTravels. All others courtesy Depositphotos

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