Whether you want to get your Christmas shopping done, or you're looking to buy festive treats and Christmas decorations, London's many festive markets and fairs are the place to be. Below is our pick of London's best Christmas markets for 2022 — note that some require advanced booking.
SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS: If you're the sort of weirdo who's already started counting down to Christmas by September, the Spirit of Christmas Fair at Olympia is very much for you. It's a great excuse to officially begin the festivities in late October (!), and goes on for a whole week — ample time to browse the 700+ independent brands. 31 October-6 November 2022
SOUTHBANK CENTRE WINTER MARKET: Once again, wooden chalets and twinkling lights pop up alongside the Thames for Southbank Centre's Winter Market. Looks like it's mainly bars and street food stalls this year, but we've always got time for fondue or mulled wine at this time of year. Be aware that the area tends to get VERY busy, particularly over the weekends. FREE entry, 3 November-26 December 2022
CHARTERHOUSE CHRISTMAS FAIR: The Charterhouse in Clerkenwell hosts its Christmas fair once again. Seasonal refreshments, accessories, crafts and homewares are available — and there's a Santa's grotto too. It takes place on a Tuesday, so is likely to be less busy than London's other Christmas markets. 8 November 2022 (with a preview evening on 7 November)
COUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE CHRISTMAS FAIR: Expect high-end goods aplenty at the Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair in Islington, which caters for all aspects of the festivities — from jewellery to gin to cheese to textiles to artworks. There's also a full programme bristling with talks and workshops, where you can make your own felted baubles or table decorations. 9-13 November 2022
KINGSTON CHRISTMAS MARKET: A European-style Christmas market takes over the centre of Kingston, including the Ancient Market Place. Think wooden chalets, twinkling lights, a carousel for kiddies... all very photogenic. 10 November-24 December 2022
HYDE PARK WINTER WONDERLAND: If you like your Christmas shopping with a side of rides, theatre shows, and even an ice rink, then Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is where it's at. Traditional wooden chalets hawk jewellery, food and drink, toys, clothes, craft items and more. Be warned though — it gets HECTIC, particularly on evenings and weekends closer to Christmas. If you're just there for the Christmas market, enter via the Blue Gate and head towards the ice rink. Note the entry procedures introduced last year still apply in 2022, including an entry fee of £5-£7.50 if you're visiting in peak times (it's still free entry off-peak). 18 November 2022-2 January 2023
BLACKHEATH CHRISTMAS FAIR: The Friends of Age Exchange hold their 9th annual Blackheath Christmas Fair at Blackheath Halls, selling books, jewellery, gifts, food and drink. Money raised goes back to the charity. 20 November 2022
IDEAL HOME SHOW AT CHRISTMAS: Head to Olympia for the Ideal Home Show At Christmas. The focus is on getting your home ready for the festive period, with a plethora of decorations to browse — but there are also gift ideas, foodie items, festive theatre and live music performances — plus plenty of talks giving interior design inspo. 23-27 November 2022
FORTY HALL CHRISTMAS FAYRE: Forty Hall in Enfield hosts a three-day Christmas fayre —both inside the period rooms and out in the courtyard — showcasing local businesses. Mulled wine and mince pies are available to guzzle while you browse. 25-27 November 2022
SOLO CRAFT FAIR: Taking over St Barnabas Parish Hall, Solo Craft Fair brings more than 50 independent businesses and makers to Dulwich Village. Browse and buy art, homeware, fashion and beauty items. FREE entry, 26 November 2022
HAMPTON COURT PALACE: Food is the theme at the Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre, a three-day event in the courtyards of Henry VIII's former pad. Stock up on Christmas gifts for the foodies in your life, and keep yourself well-refreshed with street food and warming bevvies. Festive singalongs take place in front of the bandstand throughout the weekend, as well as carol services in the Chapel Royal. 2-4 December 2022. Psst... the Hampton Court Palace ice rink is also open this weekend, in case you want to make a completely festive day of it.
FULHAM PALACE: Over 65 stalls are set up inside and outside Fulham Palace over the Christmas fair weekend. As well as purchasing jewellery, homewares, fragrances, spirits and the like, it's a chance to see the palace interior decorated for Christmas and enjoy Christmas carols and live music in the Tudor courtyard. The Fulham Palace gardeners themselves are selling handcrafted Christmas wreathes, and the Palace gift shop is open too. 3-4 December 2022
THE GARDEN MUSEUM: The Beautiful & Useful Craft Fair at the Garden Museum in Lambeth has an emphasis on supporting British designer-makers, with a carefully curated selection of small businesses selling their products. Ceramic pots, botanical paintings, and jewellery are the specialities of some of the producers already signed up. 4 December 2022
CRAFTY FOX CHRISTMAS MARKET: We're fans of Crafty Fox markets, which give local artists and craftspeople a place to sell their wares. It has its usual markets going on throughout the rest of the year (5-6 November, 3-4 and 17-18 December), so there are plenty of chances to shop local and support independent. But the special Christmas Market takes place at The Crossing in King's Cross in mid-December. Stalls tend to chop and change every year, with a mixture of jewellery, ceramics, homewares, beauty products, textiles and cards. We've never left empty-handed. FREE entry, 11 December 2022
ANTIXMAS: And now for something completely different. Satanic Flea Market is holding its AntiChristmas Fayre (in Angel of all places), peddling taxidermy, spooky toys, occult books and the unusual like. We went along to one of these events earlier in the year, and found everyone to be quite lovely. Good place to find original gifts too. 11 December
