As the festive season approaches, London transforms into a winter wonderland of twinkling lights, bustling markets, and beautifully decorated department stores windows.
Well, kind of. Although the Christmas windows are indeed a joy.
And of course, it’s never too early to start shopping for the perfect gifts for your loved ones. So whether you’re looking for luxury or whimsy, here’s a selection of holiday shopping destinations, some well-known, some more off-the-beaten track, all worth visiting.
All addresses will open in Google Maps.
At a glance...
- 1 The Charterhouse Christmas Fair (Nov 26)
- 2 Eel Pie Island Christmas Open Studios (Dec 07–08)
- 3 The Finnish Church Christmas market (Nov 29-Dec 01 and Dec 06-08)
- 4 Chiswick House & Garden Christmas markets (Nov 30-Dec 01 & Dec 07-08)
- 5 Urban Maker East makers market (Nov 30–Dec 01 & Dec 14-15)
- 6 Crafty Fox makers market (the first one is on Nov 30)
- 7 The Museum of the Home Yard Sale (Dec 01)
- 8 YOKIMONO JAPANESE MARKET – Xmas ’24 (Dec 06 to Dec 08)
- 9 St Marys Primrose Hill designer fair (Dec 07)
- 10 Kings Cross Christmas under the Canopy Market (most of December)
- 11 And a few more…
The Charterhouse Christmas Fair (Nov 26)
The Charterhouse has had many lives, from Carthusian monastery to its current incarnation as almshouses. The museum is worth a visit, and on Nov 26, there’s a Christmas fair with more than 50 stalls offering homewares, jewellery, seasonal food, apparel and more, plus a Christmas Café.
Where: Charterhouse Square, Barbican, London EC1M 6AN
When: Nov 26 2024
Time: 10am to 8pm
How much: £8/£7 if prebooked
Eel Pie Island Christmas Open Studios (Dec 07–08)
Eel Pie Island is home to dozens of artists studios, and is one of London’s true hidden gems. The studios have open days twice a year (I wrote about the summer one here), and the winter one in 2024 is on Dec 7 and Dec 8. One of the best places to pick up unique art, be it ceramic, fine art, jewellery, glassware and even cartoons, and support local artisans.
Where: Eel Pie Island, Twickenham Embankment, TW1 3DY
When: Dec 07 – 08 2024
Time: 11am to 5pm
How much: free but must have ticket
The Finnish Church Christmas market (Nov 29-Dec 01 and Dec 06-08)
The Finnish Church Christmas Market is one of the most utterly delightful Christmas Markets in London, and I wrote about it here (I’ve updated the post with this year’s dates, too).
Where: The Finnish Church, 33 Albion St, SE16 7HZ.
When: Nov 29 – Dec 01 and Dec 06 to 08 2024
Time: Fri 12-20- | Sat 12-18 | Sun 12-18
How much: it was £1 when I visited.
Chiswick House & Garden Christmas markets (Nov 30-Dec 01 & Dec 07-08)
Chiswick House & Gardens has not one, but two Christmas markets: the Chiswick Christmas Collective Market and the Duck Pond Christmas Market. They also have wreath making workshops, Christmas calligraphy workshops, and more. You can see it all here.
Where: Chiswick House & Gardens , Burlington Ln, Chiswick, W4 2RP
When: the Duck Pond Christmas Market is on Nov 30 and Dec 01 2024; the Christmas Collective Market is on Dec 7 and 8 2024
Time: 10am to 4pm for both
How much: free
Urban Maker East makers market (Nov 30–Dec 01 & Dec 14-15)
More independent makers at Urban Maker East Christmas market. They have workshops, too: choose from Christmas candle making, Christmas ceramic painting or Christmas Tree decoration. And what’s more special than a gift handmade by you?
Where: The Ecology Pavilion, Mile End Park, 125 Grove Rd., Bow, E3 5RP
When: Nov 30 – Dec 01 and Dec 14 and 15 2024
Time: 11am to 5pm
How much: the market is free, but you must book tickets. Check the website for workshop prices.
Crafty Fox makers market (the first one is on Nov 30)
Well, you know the drill… more goodness from local makers at the Crafty Fox, veteran of the London maker scene.
Where: Various, check the website. The first one is at the British Library on Nov 30.
When: ditto
Time: not specified
How much: free
The Museum of the Home Yard Sale (Dec 01)
On Dec 1, the Museum of the Home has their version of a Christmas market: a Yard Sale, part of their Winter festival. You can see a full list of makers on the museum site. And while you’re there, don’t miss their Rooms Through Time. Over the Christmas period and until early January, the rooms are made into seasonal sets that explore winter celebrations across historical ages and across communities. I visited that in a previous year, too, and it’s absolutely wonderful!
The museum shop is bound to have great potential gifts, too.
Where: Museum of the Home, 136 Kingsland Rd, E2 8EA
When: Dec 1 2024
Time: 10am to 4pm
How much: £7.5 (£5 concs)
YOKIMONO JAPANESE MARKET – Xmas ’24 (Dec 06 to Dec 08)
An all encompassing event this one: Japanese arts & crafts, culture and food, with workshops, music and food (amongst other things). You can see the full programme here. The list of goods offered for sale is long, and include ceramics, jewellery, illustrations, Bonsai plants, apparel, food, vintage kimonos, stationery, Furoshiki cloths, Japanese woodblock prints, and more.
Where: The Factory 21 — 31 Shacklewell Ln Dalston E8 2DA
When: Dec 6-8 2024
Time: Fri 12am – 7pm | Sat & Sun 11am – 6pm
How much: free, tickets available here. It’s not specified whether you can just turn up, but I’d think you can.
St Marys Primrose Hill designer fair (Dec 07)
More indie makers at the Primrose Hill Designer Sale in St Mary’s Church in one of London’s nicest neighbourhood – for unique jewellery, homewares, leather goods, cashmere scarves, silk pyjamas and more.
Where: St Mary’s Church, Primrose Hill, 2 Elsworthy Rd, NW3 3DU
When: Dec 7 2024
Time: 10am to 5pm
How much: £2
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Kings Cross Christmas under the Canopy Market (most of December)
More artisan fare, including food, at the Christmas edition of the canopy Market in Coal’s Yard in Kings Cross (behind Kings Cross station). And while you’re in the area, do check out STORE store, for really unique designs.
Where: Canopy Market, West Handyside Canopy, 2 Granary Square, N1C 4BH
When: from Nov 29 to Dec 22 2024
Time: Tue-Thur 12-19 | Fri 12-20- | Sat-Sun 11-18 | Mon closed except Dec 16 12-19
How much: free
And a few more…
If the above isn’t enough… here are a few more suggestions.
Fortnum &Mason is always amazing, and around Christmas even more so. An absolute must-visit, especially for food themed gifts. And don’t forget to check out their window displays!
Greenwich Market is also worth a visit, and all through December, they have Christmas carols.
The Charles Dickens Museum gift shop is Christmas gifts paradise. And the museum is worth visiting, especially around Christmas time – you can see pictures here.
The Design Museum shop has some wonderfully quirky stocking fillers. So does the Conran shop.
And for gifts that are even more unique and one of a kind, check out Alfie’s antique market and Eclectica.
