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It’s officially Christmas market season. While ongoing Covid regulations mean that the majority of venues have not confirmed exact opening dates in advance as usual, we’ve rounded up our edit of the best markets across the capital including both those officially open now, and those that we loved last year and are looking forward to seeing open as soon as Lockdown 2 ends. As with all open markets, social distancing will be in place, with pre-booking required for closed-space events. We’ll be updating our guide regularly as the restrictions change and more timings become available – but we recommend you look at individual market websites direct before you visit, should any have since closed at short notice.
Borough Market
The year-round food market has had a festive makeover for December. Extending its opening hours into the evening, the space will be decorated with wreaths, tinsel and twinkly lights as its stalls sell their usual delicious offering as well as festive additions – mulled wine, Christmas cakes and gifts. Make sure to check out the Borough Cheese Company for the perfect Christmas Day cheese board, or Olivier’s Bakery for artisan bread.
Dates and times: 7 days a week, opening late until 9pm every Thursday and Friday
Address: Borough Market, 9 Stoney Street, London SE1 9AA
Website: boroughmarket.org.uk
Price: Free entry
Festive Flea
This year, Flea London is launching a Christmas market in Vinegar Yard. The vintage and makers’ fair is inspired by European flea markets, with an emphasis on sustainable living and independent traders. All items sold will support local and small businesses, and there are more than 40 stalls of handcrafted gifts, as well as a place to buy your Christmas tree. Sip on mulled wine and feast on warming treats (the chocolate-dipped churros are delicious) as you hunt for wonderfully unique presents.
Dates and times: Saturday and Sundays 5–20 December, 11am–6pm
Address: Vinegar Yard, 72-82 St Thomas Street, Bermondsey, London SE1 3QX
Website: flealondon.com
Price: Free entry
Selfridges Christmas market
Already a bastion of festive spirit, Selfridges has just announced the launch of a 2020 Christmas market. Hidden on a mews behind the department store, the market will bring street food, sparkling Christmas lights, fair-ground rides, gift stalls and even a place to pick out this year’s Christmas tree. Food stalls include burgers and barbecued meat from Tramshed, fresh egg pasta prepared inside a chunk of Parmesan at Cheese Wheel, traditional currywurst and bratwurst from Pop Dogs, and several options for a festive tipple. Pictured is a rendering of the market – it launches on Wednesday 2 December.
Dates and times: 4–9pm on weekdays and 12–9pm at weekends, 2 December 2020 – 3 January 2021
Address: Edwards Mews, London W1U 1AE
Website: selfridges.com
Price: Free entryPEXMAS
Spread over two weekends in Peckham’s creative Copeland Park, Pexmas (an amalgamation of ‘Peckham’ and ‘Xmas’) is set to open its doors mid December, with social distancing in place to keep crowds safe. During the week, the space will become Pexmas Emporium, hosting a handful of boutique shops selling stocking fillers – and a glass of mulled wine, to boot. Tickets are required, as visitors will be given timed slots to control the flow of traffic and ensure you’re given enough time to browse and buy.
Dates and times: 12-20 December 2020
Address: Copeland Gallery, Copeland Park, 133 Copeland Road, Peckham SE15 3SN
Website: pexmas.com
Price: Free entry
DIY Art Market
Returning for 2020, the DIY Christmas Art Market will be held at Rich Mix in Shoreditch this year, showing the artistic talents of more than 100 stall holders across four floors. There will be lots to snap up (including smaller stocking fillers), and all pieces are crafted by Covid-hit independent retailers – so you’ll know you’re supporting a good cause this Christmas.
Dates and times: From 7 December 2020
Address: Rich Mix Shoreditch, 35-47 Bethnal Green Rd, London E1 6LA
Website: diyartmarket.com
Price: £1 entryGREENWICH LATE CHRISTMAS MARKETS
Every Wednesday in December during the lead-up to the big day, Greenwich’s buzzy indoor market will be opening late, allowing you to browse and buy after work without rushing. Stalls will be selling arts and crafts-focused gifts including handmade jewellery, eco-friendly homewares, accessories and a healthy selection of prints and photographs. Street food and mulled wine will be on offer to fuel your shopping, and brass ensemble Tunnel Chops will be giving traditional festive tunes a lively twist underneath some of the best Christmas lights in London.
Dates and times: Every Wednesday until 25 December 2020
Address: Greenwich Market, London SE10 9HZ
Website: greenwichmarket.london
Price: Free
CHRISTMAS BY THE RIVER AT LONDON BRIDGE CITY
Even if you don’t buy anything at this annual market, the prime views of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London alone make it a must-visit. As ever, there will also be lots of food and drink pop-ups in cosy cabins – to warm you up if it’s a cold day – plus free workshops should social distancing rules enable them to continue post-lockdown. While dates have yet to be confirmed, it’s one of the longer-running markets in the capital and one that’s worthy of an impromptu visit if you’re around the corner.
Dates and times: To be confirmed
Address: London Bridge City, Riverside, London SE1 2DB
Website: tudormarkets.com
Price: Free
CHELSEA’S ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS
Set in the wonderfully opulent Chelsea Old Town Hall, this market is a great choice for families, thanks to festive face painting and other seasonal entertainment. All kinds of Christmas gifts and decorations will be on sale alongside traditional food and drink, and each ticket includes a free mince pie and hot chocolate to get you into the holiday spirit.
Dates and times: To be confirmed
Address: Chelsea Old Town Hall, King’s Road, Chelsea, London SW3 5EE
Website: None
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