Yep, there’re still two months to go ‘till Christmas, but come the end of the month you can expect the arrival of some traditional English Christmas markets.
To help you get yourself organised, here is a full list of opening dates of some of London’s most popular Christmas markets.
31 October: Spirit of Christmas Fair
A big exposition centre in Olympia, West Kensington, it’s a great chance to get your Christmas shopping done early, as well as getting Christmas food and wrapping inspiration at one of the workshops.
10 November: Carnaby Christmas Party
The annual Christmas Lights Switch On takes place from 5-9pm, and marks the beginning of the sales period, when shoppers can expect discounts of up to 20% in over 120 shops, restaurants, bars and cafés.
11 November: Leicester Square Christmas Market
Leicester Square is the traditional stage for a fantastic Christmas fair, all wrapped up with Christmas music and circus shows from the La Soirée Circus. Free entry, but you may need to book to guarantee your place.
11 November: Southbank Centre Winter Market
A modern circus show and a classic rock group playing Elvis, Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis hits are just a couple of the attractions on the banks of the Thames, where visitors can also look forward to an ice rink and a disco.
17 November: Seven Dials Christmas
This traditional London meeting point will be putting on its own light show, as well as a shopping extravaganza, with discounts of up to 20% in over 100 shops, restaurants, pubs, bars and cafés, all afternoon long.
18 November: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Family fun is a certainty here, with a giant ice rink, two circuses, a Ferris wheel and countless themed stalls.
19 November: Tate Modern Christmas Market
Wooden chalets on the banks of the Thames, in front of the Tate Modern, selling craftwork, decorations and scrummy Christmas food and winter beverages, all to the sound of Christmas carols and a traditional carousel.
1 December: London Bridge City Christmas Market
German style chalets serving delicious food, cocktails and Christmas drinks, in a gorgeously lit environment, looking out to the iconic Tower Bridge and Tower of London.
