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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 nevertheless Scrooge-like you’re feeling within the run-up to Christmas Day, there’s nothing to place me right into a festive temper quicker than a Christmas market. UPDATED FOR 2024

Gluhwein and scorching 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 looking the stalls once you’ve received 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 all my favorite Christmas markets within the UK – I’ve made an inventory of one of the best Christmas markets in London with youngsters. I’ve even checked it twice…

For extra of one of the 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 largest 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 undoubtedly not a thrill seeker, there’s a lot to do at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.

This yr’s sights embrace The Magical Ice Kingdom, Zippos Christmas Circus, Cirque Beserk, the 70m excessive Big Commentary Wheel and an ice skating rink.

And Santaland returns as nicely, with Christmas-themed rides and video games, and parades on varied dates. Additionally take a look at Santa’s Grotto (open each day from 10am to 6pm besides Christmas Day, first come first served) the place you’ll be able to meet Father Christmas without spending a dime.

There are gentler rides for all ages, together with a helter skelter and the Santaland Categorical Prepare, plus the prospect 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 fireplace pit.

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

Illuminated big wheel and attraction at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park - the best Christmas markets in London with kids

Winter Wonderland ticket costs

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

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

If you happen to prebook rides, sights and video games value £25 upfront, your entry ticket is free, so long as you e book every 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 chances are you’ll solely want so as to add one or two extras to get free entry. In any other case, you’ll be able to simply pay for any actions and exhibits as you go.

There’s additionally a bundle obtainable in Santaland the place you will get limitless rides for £25: this solely applies to the rides with the Santaland Limitless Brand and there could also be different age and peak restrictions – a fast method to hit the £25 price without spending a dime admission!

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

Click on right here for extra particulars and to e book 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 pageant on the South Financial institution is one in all my favourites and for the previous few years, my husband and I’ve been joined on our conventional night time out by Minnie. I can by no means get sufficient of the lights alongside the riverside, and will fortunately simply wander between the stalls ingesting all of it in.

This being London, there’s way more to drink in than the views – and way more to eat than bratwurst. I nonetheless have fond reminiscences of the confit duck burger we purchased one yr. It was so good, we went again for a second – you’ll be able to see my video right here.

However there’s an enormous selection on the stalls among the many Christmas bushes, with a lot for much less adventurous small eaters together with crepes and a few superb scorching 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 happening in December, together with storytelling, music and crafts, in addition to winter season exhibits.

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

Look out for the Winter Gentle show illuminating the bushes on Queen’s Stroll, plus a string of wood huts promoting the proper tempting odds and ends for presents and the normal carousel to experience on.

And for those who really need an remark wheel, there’s all the time the London Eye…

Southbank Winter Market ticket costs

Free to get in, price 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 residence to one of many newer Christmas markets in central London.

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

For now, there aren’t 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, kids’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 few 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 nicely, run by the identical firm.

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

Take a look at my tips about one of the 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 implausible 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 few 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 same old theme. Earlier years included a classic ski theme aiming to move everybody to the snowy slopes of the Alps, full with scorching 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 help of charity.

Together with the humanities and crafts, you’ll be able to attempt foods and drinks tastings with greater than 70 pop-up stalls – plus conventional items galore to purchase. And you would all the time 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 all the time 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 one of the best shows

In addition to the enormous baubles adorning the market itself, plus some pretty Christmas lights, you’ll be able to anticipate a forest of Christmas bushes and a few nice festive foods 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 pageant will get you within the festive temper throughout November, with a complete string of mulled wines and festive drinks.

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

Take a look at the following pointers for one of the best scorching chocolate in London with youngsters, for those who’re trying to heat up after looking

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 Youngsters’s Lantern Procession to kick every 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 happening or not, it’s value climbing on board the Cutty Sark between Christmas market looking, with a lot for teenagers of all ages.

Excellent for those who’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 final market takes each day 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 all London’s iconic landmarks – December normally sees Battersea Energy Station being reworked right into a magical Winter Village with foods and drinks pop-ups, Christmas bushes and family-friendly arts and crafts periods.

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. In actual fact, 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 yr 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 top-of-the-line Christmas markets in west London (nicely, southwest London) as Kingston’s Historic Market Place will get its personal conventional Christmas Market with a string of particular actions for teenagers, 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 teenagers, in addition to avenue meals and a few stay leisure – particulars nonetheless to return for 2024’s occasion.

In earlier years, there have additionally been trails to get kids 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 happening round Wembley Park and the festive season isn’t any completely different, usually with its personal little Christmas market working in December and an paintings 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 stay 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 reworked with foods and drinks stalls, stay 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.

Take a look at 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 few of the fantastic meals, whereas bells ring and Christmas carols sound, plus some particular occasions throughout December.

Artful Fox Christmas markets

Excellent for those who’re searching for an uncommon inventive reward, the Artful Fox markets are filled with items from impartial designers, with a special combine every time, together with paintings, jewelry, and kids’s gadgets.

Takes place in November and December, with areas together with the British Library and Granary Sq. in Kings Cross. Earlier venues have additionally included Mercato Metropolitano in Elephant and Fortress 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 same old market will get a festive makeover for Christmas. Dates for the Canary Backyard Christmas Market are tbc for 2024, however you’ll be able to usually anticipate stay performances and workshops in addition to loads of meals and a few nice stocking fillers to purchase.

For extra recommendations of one of the best Christmas markets in Europe for youngsters, 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.

Photos: South Financial institution and Hampton courtroom, copyright MummyTravels. All others courtesy Depositphotos

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