Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? Itโs the sound of Christmas approaching โ and nevertheless Scrooge-like youโre feeling within the run-up to Christmas Day, thereโs 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 itโs not all about shopping the stalls whenever youโve bought youngsters.
After taking my daughter to a number of Christmas markets in London โ in addition to some others close by, together with Winchester, considered one of my favorite Christmas markets within the UK โ Iโve made an inventory of the most effective Christmas markets in London with youngsters. Iโve even checked it twiceโฆ
For extra of the most effective issues to do for Christmas in London with youngsters, try my prime picks
Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park
I first went alongside to Londonโs 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 whoโs undoubtedly not a thrill seeker, thereโs a lot to do at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.
This yrโs points of interest embody The Magical Ice Kingdom, Zippos Christmas Circus, Cirque Beserk, the 70m excessive Big Remark Wheel and an ice skating rink.
And Santaland returns as properly, with Christmas-themed rides and video games, and parades on varied dates. Additionally try Santaโs 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 totally free.
There are gentler rides for all ages, together with a helter skelter and the Santaland Specific Practice, 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 (itโll be -10C, brr) then look down on the lights of London from the Remark Wheel earlier than toasting marshmallows across the fireplace pit.
For extra locations to see Santa in London with youngsters, try my prime picks
Winter Wonderland ticket costs
As soon as once more for 2024, you will want a ticket to enter Winter Wonderland, with choices for off-peak, normal and peak entry relying whenever you go to. Costs begin from ยฃ5 for normal entry, though there are some off-peak morning periods the place itโs nonetheless free.
Everybody wants a ticket, together with infants and toddlers (though itโs free for kids aged two and underneath). Household tickets are additionally obtainable (for 2 adults + two youngsters, or one grownup + three youngsters).
In case you prebook rides, points of interest and video games price ยฃ25 prematurely, your entry ticket is free, so long as you ebook every part collectively.
With costs for ice skating, the Magical Ice Kingdom and exhibits costing round ยฃ8-12 for adults, it doesnโt take lengthy to hit that quantity so you might 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.
Thereโs additionally a bundle obtainable in Santaland the place you will get limitless rides for ยฃ25: this solely applies to the rides with the Santaland Limitless Emblem and there could also be different age and peak restrictions โ a fast method to hit the ยฃ25 price totally free admission!
There are timed slots to enter and for the assorted rides and points of interest (some are a number of hours lengthy so that you donโt should be too exact). Skating must also be booked prematurely.
Click on right here for extra particulars and to ebook tickets.
Winter Wonderland dates
For six weeks from November 21 to January 5 2025.
Southbank Centre winter market
The Christmas market and winter competition on the South Financial institution is considered one of my favouritesย 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, thereโs much more to drink in than the views โ and much more to eat than bratwurst. I nonetheless have fond recollections of the confit duck burger we purchased one yr. It was so good, we went again for a second โ you’ll be able to see my video right here.
However thereโs an enormous selection on the stalls among the many Christmas timber, 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.
Thereโs often one thing completely different occurring 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 most effective Christmas theatre in London with youngsters, try my prime picks
Look out for the Winter Mild show illuminating the timber on Queenโs Stroll, plus a string of wood huts promoting the right tempting odds and ends for presents and the normal carousel to journey on.
And if you happen to really need an commentary wheel, thereโs all the time the London Eyeโฆ
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.
Itโs again for 2024 once more with a variety of out of doors bars, scrumptious meals and conventional market stalls deliberate as regular 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 Santaโs grotto.
In earlier years, the family-friendly headliners have included a brand new tackle Sleeping Magnificence, magic, prime notch puppetry, youngstersโs theatre firm Les Petits and performances from theatrelandโs greatest younger performers, in addition to interactive leisure and improvised exhibits.
As youโre within the coronary heart of Theatreland, itโs 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 thereโs 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, try my prime picks
Trafalgar Sq. Christmas Market
TBC A stoneโs throw from Leicester Sq., thereโs often a small Christmas market in Trafalgar Sq. as properly, run by the identical firm.
Whereas there arenโt big numbers of stalls to browse, itโs a stunning location to take pleasure in Christmas within the metropolis with Londonโs big Christmas tree lit up, plus common carol performances.
Take a look at my tips about the most effective 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
Christmas By The River at London Bridge Metropolis
TBC One other unbelievable London location, this time with Tower Bridge within the background and the skyscrapers of the town alongside the Thames. Christmas by the River is a quieter occasion than a few of the others, however youโll usually discover free workshops in addition to stalls.
Youโre promised a novel 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 scorching toddy on the apres-ski themed bar.
Thereโs additionally usually a sequence of workshops to be careful for, in addition to tastings, and storytelling occasions, with earlier festive crafts together withย Christmas wreath and Christmas jumper adorning, many in assist of charity.
Together with the humanities and crafts, you’ll be able to attempt food and drinks tastings with greater than 70 pop-up stalls โ plus conventional items galore to purchase. And you might all the time hop on a riverboat from London Bridge Metropolis Pier close by to make extra of a day trip (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, youโve been assured a white Christmas at Covent Backyard, with faux snow swirling over the piazza each hour โ however whether or not the flurries return for 2024 or not, Covent Backyard is all the time an ideal possibility for a Christmas market in London with youngsters.
The primary cease in my London Christmas lights strolling route, try my tips about the place else to see the most effective shows
In addition to the large baubles adorning the market itself, plus some beautiful Christmas lights, you’ll be able to 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 further pop-up occasions to be careful for โ the Winter Hotter competition will get you within the festive temper throughout November, with a complete string of mulled wines and festive drinks.
Maintain 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 number of festive selfies among the many superbly adorned timber, in addition to a 60ft Christmas tree.
Take a look at the following tips for the most effective scorching chocolate in London with youngsters, if you happen toโre trying to heat up after shopping
Covent Backyard Christmas market ticket costs
Free
Covent Backyard Christmas market dates
Festive celebrations will run throughout November and December (exact 2024 timings tbc).
Greenwich Christmas market
Enterprise additional down the river to Greenwich to find how the common Greenwich marketย transforms in time for Christmas โ its 150 stalls, with some fabulous issues to purchase year-round, get illuminated by the lights in addition to the Greenwich Youngstersโs Lantern Procession to kick every part off on November 20.
Greenwich often has varied festive occasions on the museums and the Cutty Sark throughout December too โ whether or not thereโs one thing going down or not, itโs price climbing on board the Cutty Sark between Christmas market shopping, with a lot for youths of all ages.
Excellent if you happen toโre searching for a day trip 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 itโs price checking for further festive occasions. In any other case, the overall market takes every single day from 10am to five.30pm.
For extra concepts of festive gentle trails in London with youngsters, try this put up
Battersea Energy Station Winter Village
TBC A comparatively new festive addition in considered one of Londonโs iconic landmarks โ December often sees Battersea Energy Station being reworked right into a magical Winter Village with food and drinks pop-ups, Christmas timber and family-friendly arts and crafts periods.
Glide at Battersea Energy Station, the townโs 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.
Thereโll even be classic funfair rides, meals stalls and mulled wine to take pleasure in afterwards, whereas final yr featured a Christmas path that includes big baubles and former years have seen riverside curling lanes on the previous 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.
Kingston Christmas Market
Head out of the centre for among the finest Christmas markets in west London (properly, southwest London) as Kingstonโs 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 dwell leisure โ particulars nonetheless to come back for 2024โs 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 Kingstonโs Rose theatre.
For extra issues to do in Kingston with youngsters, try 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 operating in December and an paintings doubling as a tree.
With merchants promoting mince piles, mulled wine and handmade items, itโs an ideal excuse to go over to Market Sq. and discover โ earlier years have included particular selfie spots, together with a starry present field.
Thereโs additionally often dwell 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, try this put up
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 food and drinks stalls, dwell 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 often will get a festive facelift in addition to longer opening hours, so itโs simpler than ever to wander round choosing up a few of the great meals, whereas bells ring and Christmas carols sound, plus some particular occasions throughout December.
Artful Fox Christmas markets
Excellent if you happen toโre searching for an uncommon artistic present, the Artful Fox markets are filled with items from unbiased designers, with a distinct combine every time, together with paintings, jewelry, and kidsโs 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 further 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’ll be able to usually count on dwell performances and workshops in addition to loads of meals and a few nice stocking fillers to purchase.
For extra solutions of the most effective Christmas markets in Europe for kids,ย try this choice from Suitcases & Sandcastles
PIN FOR LATER: CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN LONDON WITH KIDS
Photographs: South Financial institution and Hampton court docket, copyright MummyTravels. All others courtesy Depositphotos
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