London Christmas Markets 2026: Covent Garden and Kingston Open Today, Winter Wonderland Follows on 19 November
Two of London's best-known festive markets start trading on Thursday. A dated guide to which are already open, what Covent Garden is adding and what Hyde Park entry costs.
Thursday, November 12, 2026/2 min read
London's Christmas season gets another push on Thursday 12 November, when the Covent Garden Christmas market and the Kingston Christmas market both begin trading. Several others are already open, and the biggest, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, is a week away.
This is a planning guide as it stood on the morning of Thursday 12 November, drawn from Time Out's dated listings and the organisers' own ticket page. Dates and hours can change, so check each market before you travel.
Which London Christmas markets are open now?
According to Time Out's confirmed-dates list of 6 November, Christmas in Leicester Square has been running since 31 October, with stalls around the ice rink open 10am to 10pm until 3 January. The Southbank Centre Winter Market under Hungerford Bridge opened on 2 November, and the Trafalgar Square market, with wooden stalls around the Norway tree, opened on 6 November. Winter By The River at London Bridge City was listed to open on 10 November.
Kingston's market on the Ancient Market Place is listed from 12 November to 3 January, trading 10am to 6pm Sunday to Wednesday and 10am to 8pm Thursday to Saturday.
What is new at Covent Garden this year?
Covent Garden's markets open on the same day as its lights switch-on, and run to 2 January, Time Out reported on 9 November. The exact switch-on time has not been confirmed, though it is usually around 6pm. Time Out lists more than 300,000 LED lights across the Piazza, Seven Dials and Neal's Yard, plus 40 giant golden bells, eight mirror balls and 12 giant baubles on the Market Building.
A new installation called The Forest of Theatre will feature Christmas trees inspired by Mamma Mia, Six, My Neighbour Totoro and Moulin Rouge! The Musical, and a 50ft Norwegian Spruce will stand on the West Piazza. Choirs and West End casts are billed to perform every Thursday.
How much does Winter Wonderland cost?
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland opens on Thursday 19 November and runs to 3 January, closed on Christmas Day. The official ticket guide lists entry at 1 pound off-peak, 5.50 pounds standard and 8.25 pounds peak, with booking fees included. Entry is in one-hour slots from 10am to 8pm, and rides and attractions cost extra. The page also says off-peak slots are always free to enter, which sits oddly beside the 1 pound figure, so check the price at checkout.
Time Out's 4 November report names two new attractions: a Neverland ice sculpture section made from 500 tonnes of ice, and a K-pop circus show making its London debut.
What should you plan around?
The Camden Market festive night markets start on 26 November and Greenwich Market's Christmas season on 18 November, according to Time Out, while Borough Market's December focus begins on 30 November. Some closing dates are not listed, and Time Out notes that its own details may shift.
The next dates to watch are Greenwich on 18 November and Hyde Park the day after, when the capital's festive calendar is fully in motion.
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