It’s that time of year again. Michael Bublé is back, the lights are up, and we’re all pretending we like mulled wine. Luckily, London is one of the best cities in the world for Christmas markets – from the big riverside chalets to small queer makers’ markets where your money goes straight to LGBTQ+ artists.
Here are our picks for 2026. Updated November 2026 – dates come from the organisers and the latest listings, so check before you head out.
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- Queer Christmas markets in London
- The big London Christmas markets
- Markets for independent makers and vintage
- Turn it into a date
Queer Christmas markets in London
If you’re going to spend money on presents, spend it where it supports queer artists and spaces.
LGBTQ+ Winter Market, London LGBTQ+ Community Centre
When: Sunday 20 December 2026, 1pm-7pm
Where: London LGBTQ+ Community Centre, 60-62 Hopton Street, SE1 9JH
A winter market full of LGBTQ+ sellers at the community centre near Tate Modern. Perfect for last-minute presents you can feel good about, and a lovely excuse to visit the centre if you haven’t been yet. Check the centre’s What’s On page for updates.
Queermas, Deptford Lounge
When: usually early December – the 2026 date hadn’t been announced at the time of writing
Where: Deptford Lounge, 9 Giffin Street, SE8 4RJ
London’s queer Christmas art market, run by London Queer Mart: prints, ceramics, zines, clothing, jewellery and tarot readings from LGBTQIA+ artists. Read what happened at Queermas 2025, and we’ll update this when this year’s date drops.
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You may also like: The Date Edit: a cosy Christmas date in central London that isn’t Winter Wonderland
The big London Christmas markets
Southbank Centre Winter Market
When: 2 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
Where: Queen’s Walk, beneath Hungerford Bridge
Our favourite of the big ones. Picture it: the sun’s going down, the chalets are lit up along the river and you can smell churros. Street food, pop-up bars and gifts, with the best views of any market in town.
Covent Garden Christmas Market
When: 12 November 2026 to 2 January 2027
Where: The Piazza, Covent Garden
The giant tree, the lights and the ridiculous decorations make it one of the prettiest spots in London. Go early in the day or midweek if you want to actually move.
Trafalgar Square Christmas Market
When: 6 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
Where: Around the Norwegian Christmas tree, in front of the National Gallery
Small but very festive, with carols under the tree Norway gifts London every year. Easy to combine with the National Gallery if you need to warm up.
Winter by the River, London Bridge City
When: 10 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
Where: London Bridge City, near Tower Bridge
Riverside huts with food, drinks and gifts, and Tower Bridge lit up across the water. Good for a post-work mulled wine you’ll pretend to enjoy.
Christmas in Leicester Square
When: 31 October 2026 to 3 January 2027
Where: Leicester Square
A compact market with a central ice rink. Handy if you’re heading to the theatre or Soho afterwards.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
When: 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
Where: Hyde Park
The really massive one, with rides, ice skating and over 100 chalets. Fun, busy and pricey. If that’s not your vibe, frankly, you can do better – see the Southbank above, or our Winter Wonderland-free Christmas date.
Markets for independent makers and vintage
King’s Cross Christmas Market
When: 26 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
Where: Granary Square, King’s Cross
Handmade ceramics, jewellery and street food from independent makers. Easy to get to from almost anywhere, and much calmer than the West End.
Old Spitalfields Market
When: Christmas trading from 11 November 2026, with a Vinyl Market on 4 and 18 December and the Urban Makers Market every Wednesday before Christmas
Where: Old Spitalfields Market, E1
Independent designers and vintage traders under a beautiful old market roof. Great for gifts that don’t look like they came from a shopping centre.
Leadenhall Market
Where: Gracechurch Street, City of London
Less a market than a mood. The cobbles and Victorian arches look beautiful all year, but the wreaths, garlands and Christmas tree take it to another level. Just be ready for city workers making the most of their Christmas parties.
Camden Market
When: Christmas trading from 26 November 2026
Where: Camden Lock and the Stables
Vintage clothes, handmade jewellery, retro bits and loads of street food. Chaotic in the best way.
Borough Market at Christmas
When: festive food through December
Where: 8 Southwark Street, SE1
For the foodies. Cheese, chocolate, hampers and very good mince pies – basically your Christmas food shop with better vibes.
Kingston Christmas Market
When: 12 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
Where: Ancient Market Place, Kingston upon Thames
A proper traditional Christmas market, worth the trip if you’re south-west.
Turn it into a date
Making a day of it? Pair a market with our Christmas date ideas in London or the cosy central London Christmas Date Edit. And if it’s too cold to go out, curl up with our lesbian Christmas movies and a spiced rosemary Old Fashioned.
Know a queer market we’ve missed? Tell us and we’ll add it.
Ho ho ho, and beware of mulled wine,
Nonchalant x
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By day Maz lives in London and works in marketing, by night she’s writing for Nonchalant Magazine, and by early morning she’s in a bar making questionable life choices
