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AnswerChecked 4 Sep 2026

Are London’s Christmas markets free to get into?

Yes, all of the street markets are free to walk into, including Southbank Centre, Leicester Square and Greenwich. Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is also free to enter but asks for a free timed ticket at peak times, and everything inside it is paid separately.

What free means at Winter Wonderland

Getting through the gate costs nothing, but the rides, the ice rink, the circus and the shows are all ticketed inside, and the food and drink are priced for a fairground. It is a free entrance to an expensive afternoon, and the free timed ticket for peak slots should be booked before you set off in December.

The ones that are simply free

Southbank Centre’s market along the river is free, open and needs nothing booked. Leicester Square, Greenwich and Kingston are the same. So is walking the Christmas lights on Oxford Street, Regent Street and Carnaby, which costs nothing at all and is the best free thing in London in December.

When they run

Most open in the middle of November and close between Christmas and the first days of January. Southbank tends to start earliest and Winter Wonderland closes first, in the first week of January.

What is on

7 listings

  1. Food and drink Free to walk through

    Southbank Centre Winter Market

    11:00 Southbank Centre, South Bank

    Until 4 Jan 2027

    Wooden chalets along the river by the Festival Hall, mostly hot food and mulled wine, and free to walk through. The Southbank Centre has not published its 2026 dates, so ours are expected rather than confirmed.

  2. Markets Free

    Leicester Square Christmas Market

    11:00 Leicester Square, Covent Garden

    Until 4 Jan 2027

    Stalls around the square with a spiegeltent in the middle, free to wander, and it runs later into January than most. 2026 dates not yet announced.

  3. Food and drink Free

    Christmas by the River, London Bridge City

    12:00 London Bridge City Pier, Borough

    Until 24 Dec

    Chalets along the Thames path between Hay's Galleria and Tower Bridge. Free, and the walk is the point: the bridge lit on one side, the City on the other. 2026 dates not yet announced.

  4. Seasonal Free

    Covent Garden at Christmas

    11:00 Covent Garden Piazza, Covent Garden

    Until 6 Jan 2027

    The tree, the mistletoe and more than 300,000 lights, lit from 12 November. Free, busy from four, best on a weekday morning.

  5. Markets No extra charge, park entry booked separately

    Winter Wonderland: Luminarie Market

    Times vary Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Mayfair

    Until 3 Jan 2027

    Hand crafted gifts under the Luminarie light arches, with festive food and drink along the way. No charge beyond park entry.

  6. Markets No extra charge, park entry booked separately

    Winter Wonderland: The Christmas Market at Winter Wonderland

    Times vary Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Mayfair

    Until 3 Jan 2027

    Traditional wooden chalets selling gifts, decorations and food. Free to walk through once you have a park entry ticket.

  7. Markets Free

    Greenwich Market in December

    10:00 Greenwich Market, Greenwich

    Until 31 Dec

    The covered one, open every day 10am to 5.30pm and shut only on Christmas Day. Craft and antiques from actual traders, and the naval college two minutes away.

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