Christmas Markets 2025: A Family-Friendly Guide with opening times + nearby gems
Planning a festive day out with kids? Here’s your handy, family-first round-up of London’s Christmas markets for 2025—with opening dates, typical hours, and nearby kid-pleasers you can add to your itinerary.
Covent Garden - decorations, Apple Market & “snow”
Decorations season: from 12 November with daily festivities;
Market Building hours typically Mon–Sat 11:00–19:00; Sun 12:00–18:00.
Snowfalls often hourly 12:00–21:00 in December (programme varies—check weekly schedule).
Family tips: Flat, pram-friendly piazza; loos in the Market Building; easy Tube links.
Nearby gems: London Transport Museum (brilliant for kids), Royal Opera House family sessions, Neal’s Yard for a cosy hot chocolate stop.
Where to eat: Shake Shack in the middle of Apple Market for kids or Clos Maggoire for adults (the ultimate Christmas restaurant!)
St Katharine Docks – Victorian Christmas Village
Dates: 13 Nov 2025 – 6 Jan 2026
Typical hours: Daily 11:00–20:00 (closed Christmas Day).
Why families love it: Waterside lights by Tower Bridge and Tower of London, flat pram-friendly paths, smaller crowd feel.
Nearby gems: Tower of London (Raven spotting + ice-cream bribes), St. Katharine Docks Marina boats, Tower Bridge Glass Floor walkway (kids will love this!)
Where to eat: Coppa Club Igloos Tower Bridge
Winter by the River - Between London Bridge + Tower Bridge
Dates: 13 Nov 2025 – 4 Jan 2026
Hours: Daily 11:00–22:00 (Christmas Eve 11:00–17:00; closed Christmas Day; NYE 11:00–21:00).
Family tips: Wide promenade for buggies, skyline views for free, good toilets at Hay’s Galleria/More London.
Nearby gems: HMS Belfast, London Bridge Station step-free routes, Hay’s Galleria for a warm-up.
Where to eat: Ivy Tower of London is decorated lovely at Christmastime
Southbank Centre Winter Market
Dates: 3 Nov 2025 – 4 Jan 2026
Hours: Craft traders 11:00–21:00; food 11:00–22:00; bars 11:00–23:00; closed 25 & 31 Dec and 1 Jan.
Family tips: Riverside stalls with loads of seating; easy buggy driving; loos in the Royal Festival Hall.
Nearby gems: Jubilee Gardens playground, SEA LIFE London Aquarium, London Eye.
Where to eat: Locale or Gourmet Pizza Company
Kingston Christmas Market
Dates: 13 Nov – 28 Dec 2025 (closed 25 Dec)
Hours: Sun–Wed 10:00–18:00; Thu–Sat 10:00–20:00.
Family tips: Alpine-style chalets around the Market Place; quieter on weekday mornings.
Nearby gems: Riverside walk, Canbury Gardens, Bentall Centre for baby-change and warmth.
Mayfair Place Christmas Market
Dates: 27–29 Nov 2025
Hours: 11:00–21:00 (each day).
Family tips: Short-and-sweet three-day market—great for pram-friendly browsing.
Nearby gems: Grosvenor Square “Ever After Garden” memorial roses (beautiful at dusk), Mount Street Gardens, Selfridges windows.
Where to eat: Dolly’s at Selfridges (2025 has a Disney collab!) or Mayfair Chippy
Christmas in Leicester Square market + ice rink
Dates: 1 Nov 2025 – 4 Jan 2026 (market)
Market hours: 10:00–22:00
Skate Leicester Square: sessions between 10:15–21:15 (open 10:00–22:00 site).
Family tips: Go early; bring reins/sling for toddlers (it gets busy).
Nearby gems: LEGO Store, Chinatown, M&M’s World, National Gallery (free!).
Where to eat: Hard Rock Café, Rainforest Café or Pizza Pilgrams.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Dates: 14 Nov 2025 – 1 Jan 2026
Hours: Evenings to 22:00; mornings vary by date (check tickets); off-peak entry can be free, otherwise £5–£7.50.
Family tips: Book rides/attractions in advance; aim for morning/early afternoon with little ones.
Nearby gems: Diana Memorial Playground (Kensington Gardens), Serpentine lakeside stroll, Science Museum bus ride away.
Where to eat: Even though it’s expensive, I’d eat in WW as it’s hard to get out once you’re in! Alternatively, eat a big breakfast/lunch before you go! Save money and bring lots of snacks.
Trafalgar Square Christmas Market
Dates: 9 Nov 2025 – 2 Jan 2026
Hours: 10:00–22:00 (most days).
Family tips: Carol singing most evenings in December; buggy-friendly around the fountains.
Nearby gems: National Portrait Gallery, St Martin-in-the-Fields Café in the Crypt, quick hop to Leicester Square.
Where to eat: Wagamamas, Pizza Express or Dishoom if you have brave little ones!
Battersea Power Station festive village & pop-ups
Dates: 7 Nov 2025 – 4 Jan 2026 (site-wide festive season)
Typical hours (shops): Mon–Sat 10:00–20:00; Sun 12:00–18:00 (restaurants often later).
Family tips: Step-free Tube; loads of indoor space for rainy days.
Nearby gems: Lift 109 chimney-view experience, Battersea Park (zoo & playground), riverside walk with scooters.
Where to eat: Gordon Ramsey (kids eat free) Bread St Kitchen, Bao or Megan’s
Leadenhall Market – Festive Weekend Markets
Dates & hours (markets): Sat 16 Nov (12:00–17:00), Sun 24 Nov (12:00–17:00), Sat 7 Dec (12:00–17:00). (Note: some earlier lists show 30 Nov, but Leadenhall’s official page lists 24 Nov this year.)
Family tips: Covered Victorian arcade—perfect if it’s drizzly.
Nearby gems: Sky Garden (free but book), St Dunstan in the East ruins, Bank of England Museum (free).
Where to eat: Aux Merveilleux de Fred famous for Meringue coated in chocolate whipped cream, covered with shavings of dark chocolate!
Old Spitalfields Market Christmas Late Nights
Programme: Regular market plus Christmas Shopping Lates (browse to 20:00 on select dates); usual days to 18:00. Check the market’s December calendar for exact late-night dates.
Family tips: Big indoor central hall; loads of food options for picky eaters.
Nearby gems: Spitalfields City Farm, Dennis Severs’ House (older kids/teens), Columbia Road (Wed “Christmas Wednesdays” & Sun flower market)
Where to eat: Rosa’s Thai, the famous Poppies Fish & Chips or Spitalfields Food Market
And that’s our 2025 round-up! Whether you’re toddling through twinkly arcades with a buggy or chasing hot-chocolate stops with bigger kids, I hope this helps you plan a cosy, stress-free festive wander.
I’ll keep this page updated if times change—have the most magical Christmas in London, and tag me in your photos so I can cheer you on! @tashalearussell follow me here!
