Suggestions for London Christmas markets

[Flomingho]

Does anyone have any suggestions for Christmas markets in London which are actually worth visiting? Have a couple of days there and thought it would be nice to visit. Thank you.

No - The ones in Trafalgar Square are especially a rip off/ tacky. Avoid. Covent Garden isn't especially a Christmas market but the decorations are usually worth a look.

Coal Drops Yard in Kings Cross have some lovely markets over Christmas - not specifically Christmas markets but craft and very festive in Nov/Dec.

What’s on at King’s Cross - events and festivals

I’m happy to be corrected by someone more knowledgeable, but all the ones I’ve visited in London have been a bit underwhelming- sorry OP! I’ve tried a few- Winter Wonderland, the one on the Southbank, the one on Trafalgar Square. I find department stores such as Liberty and Harvey Nichols are better places for Christmas spirit in the city.

I’d recommend an overnight bus from Victoria bus station to Aachen 😂

I have never been impressed with London’s Christmas markets. They are always over crowded and very generic.

I'm trying the new Christmas village and illuminations at the Royal Hospital Chelsea this year. It's ticketed (you have to pay) so hopefully not over crowded

Thank you everyone for all for the suggestions, some good ideas to go from.

I’ve Never been to a decent Christmas market in uk and that includes London all tacky shite imo

Greenwich Market is lovely at Christmas. Beautiful lights, usually a mulled wine stall somewhere and the Cutty Sark is lit up as is Geeenwich town centre. There are usually carol singers about somewhere. Not a German Xmas market as such but very pretty and lots to do. You can get a boat from central London or take the train - around 10 minutes from London Bridge.

Sorry this is long! I haven't been for a while, so some details might have changed. What day/s of the week are you visiting? These aren't specific Christmas pop up markets but locals markets which are there all year round. If visiting on a Sunday, 1 idea:

-Get out at Liverpool Station. Walk through Spitalfield markets- bespoke/new items from soap, clothing, hats, food, cards, trinkets and more
(An alternative is to miss Spitalfields markets and get out at Shoreditch High St overground instead of Liverpool st).
-Walk to Bricklane markets. Parts such as the 'UP markets' are new/bespoke made items. Some parts have antiques, vintage. The further towards Bethnal Green rd you come, they have more 2nd hand items, fruit/veg stalls, flea market type in the side streets.
-Grab a salt beef beigel at 'Beigel Bake' on Bricklane. There is another beigel shop 2 doors down, but this is the better one IMO. There can be a queue out the door on busy days, but it does move quickly! Also pick up their cheesecake and carrot cake to take home 😋
-Walk further to Columbia Flower Market. The centre of the market can be very crowded. If its too busy, walk behind the stalls on the pavement. At Christmas, there will be Christmas trees, mulled wine, Christmassy pot purri etc for sale in addition to the regular bulbs, plants, flowers. There are also lots of independent shops along the road, other than the flower/plant market.

After that:

-If you have children with you, the V&A children's museum isn't too far to walk from there and its free. Yards from Bethnal Green tube. www.vam.ac.uk/young?srsltid=AfmBOopOtA_Sb8nTkGOxzWPeFera79u4s12QfBPRu1ClkokHeGDgAGCx
-If no kids with you, this place is a bit weird and quirky and something a bit different. Upstairs is a small bar/absinthe bar. Downstairs, is a quirky museum collection. https://thelasttuesdaysociety.org/ Nearest station is Cambridge heath overground.
-Another option is to walk to London Fields. There is a high St with shops and also London Fields park and Pub in the Park. Nearest overground- London Fields. Their market day is Saturday, so that is an option if not there on a Sunday.