Christmas is the best time of the year, and no other country celebrates it better than the United Kingdom. Besides the snow, the festive lights, and the array of fine festive foods, London is also best known for their Christmas markets.

From Scandinavian-style set-ups to festivals filled with irresistible finger food, and even workshops for you to release your inner crafter, the Londoners sure know how to plan a great Christmas market.

If you are planning on visiting the great city during this period, here are 8 Best Christmas Markets In London To Get You In The Festive Spirit.

Photo Credit: London Town

#1 CHRISTMAS MARKET AT LEICESTER SQUARE

Leicester Square’s Christmas Market is one of the city’s hallmark events. La Soirée, the theatrical phenomenon, will be calling the square its home from November to December 2016.xpect to witness parades filled with mind-bending, body-twisting acts and circle artists.

Expect to witness parades filled with mind-bending, body-twisting acts and circle artists. And of course, its Christmas tree is always one of the bests.

When: 11 November 2016 – 08 January 2016

Photo Credit: Loving Apartments

#2 CAMDEN CHRISTMAS MARKET

The Camden Christmas Market runs every Thursday from 17 November 2016 until Christmas.

There will be lots of stalls, live music, and of course, food! Each week boasts a different theme, so you will never be bored at the market. And there is always reason for you to go back!

When: 17 November 2016 – 15 December 2016

#3 THE SWEDISH CHURCH CHRISTMAS FAIR

Hop on by the Scandi Christmas Market in the Swedish Church in Marylebone, and treat yourselves to treats, crafts and gifts.

There is even a pop-up café in the church hall serving sandwiches and the Swedes’ rendition of mulled wine: glögg.

When: 18 November 2016 – 20 November 2016

Photo Credit: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

#4 HYDE PARK WINTER WONDERLAND

This year’s Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park would mark its tenth, and it is the ultimate place to soak up the festive atmosphere. Admission into Winter Wonderland is free, but you do need to pay for the fairground rides within the park.

There will also be two circuses within the Winter Wonderland, an ice rink, and even a 60-metre tall observation wheel! Besides being an excellent location for your Christmas shopping, Winter Wonderland also brings fun for both the kids and the adults.

When: 18 November 2016 – 02 January 2017

Photo Credit: Real Food Festival

#5 REAL FOOD MARKET AT KING’S CROSS

We love Christmas so much because of the food too (duh). Cue mince pies, candy canes, stews, ham and turkey.

The Real Food Market at King’s Cross is the ultimate place to go for foodies and you can possibly get everything you need for your Christmas feast. Christmas puddings, cured meats, hampers, snacks, cheeses—you name it, the Real Food Market has it.

When: 14 December 2016 – 23 December 2016

Photo Credit: Culture Whisper

#6 SOUTHBANK CENTRE WINTER FESTIVAL

The Southbank Centre Winter Festival will come alive with performances of all kinds to welcome to festive season. The annual Christmas Market within the festival will be back again for another year with everything from Christmas tree baubles to gingerbread, and even a Bump Roller Disco that the kids will probably go nuts for!

When: 11 November 2016 – 08 January 2017

Photo Credit: Travellous World

#7 CHRISTMAS MARKET AT TATE MODERN

This Christmas Market is housed in little wooden huts occupying the spaces between Tate Modern and the Thames, and will be filled with everything you will ever need to purchase for Christmas—from wooden toys, to tree decorations, and even a number of snacks to nibble on as you shop.

When: 19 November 2016 – 24 December 2016

Photo Credit: Selvedge

#8 SELVEDGE ADVENT FESTIVAL

The Selvedge Advent Festival is the perfect opportunity for crafters to get their hands dirty. The textile-inspired events and workshops open to public will allow you to design your own wrapping paper, and even create your own Hungarian hand-cut felt appliqué for your home.

Admission fee is £5 per person.

When: 26 November 2016 – 03 December 2016

London – the capital of England – has plentiful of markets that sell all sort of items thinkable. From vintage dresses, antiques, classic fish and chips, flowers to fresh produce; you name it, you got it.

London also happens to be our favourite city in the world, and we really love London for these markets. Each market is inherently unique and that makes it all the more exciting to explore all of them!

From the popular open-air Camden Market, beautiful Convent Garden Market to the world’s largest antique bazaar Portobello Road Market, here is our guide to 8 Markets In London To Check Out.

Source: Bermondsey Square

#1 BERMONDSEY MARKET

Open only on Fridays from 6am to 2pm, Bermondsey Market is a specialty antique market catered to the early birds. Browse through an interesting collection of age-old items such as 18th-century paintings and old-school world maps.

Bermondsey Square, Southwark, SE13
Friday: 6am – 2pm
Nearest Station: Camden Town

#2 BRICK LANE

On a budget? No worries. Head to East London’s Brick Lane – a vibrant market characterised by its cultural splendour and wallet-friendly goods. This is the place where you can put your bartering skills to test and bargain for the second-hand leather bag that you have been eyeing on. There is also an impressive variety of ethnic cafes restaurants lined up along the street.

91 Brick Ln, London E1 6QR, United Kingdom
Saturday: 11am – 6pm
Sunday: 10am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Liverpool Street

Source: Brixton Blog

#3 BRIXTON MARKET

Brixton Market is a community market run by local traders and the South London market’s highlight would be its enticing selection of food from all over the world. If food is not your interest, then rummage through the vast display of books, furniture and jewellery etc.

Electric Ave, SW9 8JX
Mon to Sat: 8am – 6pm
Sun: 10am – 2pm
Nearest Station: Brixton

#4 BOROUGH MARKET

Borough Market – London’s oldest fruit and vegetable market – is the one-stop destination for all chefs, cooks, restaurateur and literally every foodie. The lively marketplace is our favourite pit stop for lots of food, and apart from the many cooked food stalls, Borough Market also boasts an incredible multitude of fresh local gourmet produce and finest international ingredients.

Read: Why You Must Visit London’s Borough Market.

8 Southwark St, London SE1 1TL, United Kingdom
Mon to Thu: 10am – 5pm
Fri: 10am – 6pm
Sat: 8am – 5pm
Nearest Station: London Bridge

#5 CAMDEN MARKET

Camden Market – also known as Camden Lock – is essentially an enclave of adjoining large retail markets. While it can be quite acquired, anticipate just about literally anything over here – from alternative punk fashion garments and the quirkiest street food.

56 Camden Lock Pl, London NW1 8AF, United Kingdom
Daily: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Camden Town

#6 COVENT GARDEN MARKET

Strategically located in the heart of downtown London, the iconic Covent Garden Market is exceptionally popular amongst locals and tourists alike for its diversity of goods. Two splendid markets, namely The Jubilee Market and The Apple Market are housed under the same roof.

The Apple Market, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8RF
Mon to Thu: 8am – 6pm
Fri: 8am – 7.30pm
Sat: 8am – 6pm
Sun: 11am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Covent Garden

Source: My London Xperience

#7 MALTBY STREET MARKET

Maltby Street Market might be small but by no means pales in comparison with its gourmet offerings. This tiny weekend market’s bizarre location of being under the railway arches might have put off the typical tourists, but has attracted the locals with its fantastic food options.

Ropewalk, London SE1 3PA, United Kingdom
Sat: 9am – 4pm
Sun: 11am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Bermondsey

#8 PORTOBELLO ROAD MARKET

The world-famous Portobello Road Market spans across two miles and is renowned for being the world’s largest antique markets. Over here, Londoners and foreigners alike can haggle for household goods, vintage clothing and other curios. It is terribly crowded on weekends, though.

Portobello Road, London, Greater London, W10 5TA
Mon to Wed: 9am – 6pm
Thu: 9am – 1pm
Fri and Sat: 9am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Ladbroke Grove

Read: 35 reasons why we are head over heels in love with London.

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.