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Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? It’s the sound of Christmas approaching – and nonetheless Scrooge-like you’re feeling within the run-up to Christmas Day, there’s nothing to place me right into a festive temper quicker than a Christmas market.
Gluhwein and sizzling chocolate to maintain out the nippiness, decorations and snuggly scarves among the many potential presents, plus something from ice skating and carousels to greater rides and child-friendly occasions. As a result of it’s not all about looking the stalls whenever you’ve received children.
After taking my daughter to a number of Christmas markets in London – in addition to some others close by, together with Winchester, considered one of my favorite Christmas markets within the UK – I’ve made a listing of the most effective Christmas markets in London with children. I’ve even checked it twice… (Up to date 2023)
For extra of the most effective issues to do for Christmas in London with children, try my high picks
Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park
I first went alongside to London’s greatest and best-known Christmas market earlier than my daughter was born, squealing with glee on the rides whisking me excessive above Hyde Park and sipping a drink or two in Bar Ice. However even with an 11-year-old who’s positively not a thrill seeker, there’s loads to do at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.
This 12 months’s points of interest embrace The Magical Ice Kingdom, Zippos Christmas Circus, Cirque Beserk, the 70m excessive Large Commentary Wheel and an ice skating rink.
And Santaland returns as nicely, with Christmas-themed rides and video games, and parades on varied dates. Additionally try Santa’s Grotto (open day by day from 10am to 6pm besides Christmas Day, first come first served) the place you possibly can meet Father Christmas free of charge.
There are gentler rides for all ages, together with a helter skelter and the Santaland Categorical Prepare, plus the prospect to tackle the ice slide, in addition to extra adrenaline-fuelled festive thrills.
Wrap up heat for the ice and snow sculptures of the Magical Ice Kingdom (it’ll be -10C, brr) then look down on the lights of London from the Commentary Wheel earlier than toasting marshmallows across the fireplace pit.
For extra locations to see Santa in London with children, try my high picks
Winter Wonderland ticket costs
As soon as once more for 2023, you’ll need a ticket to enter Winter Wonderland, with choices for off-peak, commonplace and peak entry relying whenever you go to. Costs begin from £5 for traditional entry, though there are some off-peak morning classes the place it’s nonetheless free.
Everybody wants a ticket, together with infants and toddlers (though it’s free for youngsters aged two and underneath). Household tickets are additionally out there (for 2 adults + two youngsters, or one grownup + three youngsters).
If you happen to prebook rides, points of interest and video games value £25 prematurely, your entry ticket is free, so long as you ebook all the things collectively.
With costs for ice skating, the Magical Ice Kingdom and exhibits costing round £12-13 for adults, it doesn’t take lengthy to hit that quantity so chances are you’ll solely want so as to add one or two extras to get free entry. In any other case, you possibly can simply pay for any actions and exhibits as you go.
There’s additionally a brand new bundle out there in Santaland the place you will get limitless rides for £25: this solely applies to the rides with the Santaland Limitless Brand and there could also be different age and peak restrictions – a fast strategy to hit the £25 value free of charge admission!
There are timed slots to enter and for the varied rides and points of interest (some are a number of hours lengthy so that you don’t should be too exact). Skating also needs to be booked prematurely.
Click on right here for extra particulars and to ebook tickets.
Winter Wonderland dates
For six weeks from November 17 2023, to January 1 2024.
Southbank Centre winter market
The Christmas market and winter competition on the South Financial institution is considered one of my favourites and for the previous few years, my husband and I’ve been joined on our conventional evening out by Minnie. I can by no means get sufficient of the lights alongside the riverside, and will fortunately simply wander between the stalls consuming all of it in.
This being London, there’s much more to drink in than the views – and much more to eat than bratwurst. I nonetheless have fond recollections of the confit duck burger we purchased one 12 months. It was so good, we went again for a second – you possibly can see my video right here.
However there’s an enormous selection on the stalls among the many Christmas timber, with loads for much less adventurous small eaters together with crepes and a few wonderful sizzling chocolate, in addition to foodie pop-ups which have included cheese-themed meals, cocktails and the Circus bar housed in a circus tent.
There’s all the time one thing completely different occurring past the meals too, with household actions usually happening in December, together with storytelling, music and crafts, in addition to Christmas exhibits (though well-liked turn-of-the-century Circus 1903 moved to a brand new house in Hammersmith)
For extra of the greatest Christmas theatre in London with children, try my high picks
Look out for the Winter Mild show illuminating the timber on Queen’s Stroll, plus a string of wood huts promoting the right tempting odds and ends for presents and the normal carousel to experience on.
And for those who actually need an statement wheel, there’s all the time the London Eye…
Southbank Winter Market ticket costs
Free to get in, value for exhibits varies.
Southbank Winter Market dates
October 28 to January 7, 2023.
Leicester Sq. Christmas market
Proper within the coronary heart of London, Leicester Sq. is house to one of many newer Christmas markets in central London.
It’s again for 2023 once more with a variety of outside bars, scrumptious meals and conventional market stalls deliberate as traditional for Leicester Sq. Christmas market.
For now, there aren’t any exhibits introduced for households (though grownup cabaret La Clique is lined up) – in earlier years, the family-friendly headliners have included a brand new tackle Sleeping Magnificence, magic, high notch puppetry, youngsters’s theatre firm Les Petits and performances from theatreland’s greatest younger performers, in addition to interactive leisure and improvised exhibits. There are additionally no plans for Santa’s Grotto this 12 months.
As you’re within the coronary heart of Theatreland, it’s an ideal Christmas market to mix with a few of the greatest Christmas theatre in London with children
Leicester Sq. Christmas market ticket costs
Free to enter, though there’s a cost for any performances (costs differ).
Leicester Sq. Christmas market dates
Runs from November 8 to January 7 2024.
For extra issues to do round Leicester Sq. with children, try my high picks
Trafalgar Sq. Christmas Market
2023 TBC: A stone’s throw from Leicester Sq., there’s a small Christmas market in Trafalgar Sq. as nicely, run by the identical firm.
Whereas there aren’t enormous numbers of stalls to browse, it’s a beautiful location to take pleasure in Christmas within the metropolis with London’s enormous Christmas tree lit up, plus common carol performances.
Take a look at my recommendations on the most effective issues to do at Christmas in London with children for extra particulars
Trafalgar Sq. Christmas market ticket costs
Free
Trafalgar Sq. Christmas market dates
2023 dates TBC
Christmas By The River at London Bridge Metropolis
One other incredible London location, this time with Tower Bridge within the background and the skyscrapers of town alongside the Thames. Christmas by the River is a quieter occasion than a number of the others, however you’ll discover free workshops in addition to stalls.
You’re promised a singular expertise right here, with yearly twists on the same old theme. Earlier years included a classic ski theme aiming to move everybody to the snowy slopes of the Alps, full with sizzling toddy on the apres-ski themed bar.
There’s additionally normally a collection of workshops to be careful for, in addition to tastings, and storytelling occasions, with earlier festive crafts together with Christmas wreath and Christmas jumper adorning, many in assist of charity.
Together with the humanities and crafts, you possibly can attempt food and drinks tastings with greater than 70 pop-up stalls – plus conventional presents galore to purchase. And you possibly can all the time hop on a riverboat from London Bridge Metropolis Pier close by to make extra of a day trip (wrap up heat for the river in winter although!)
Christmas by The River ticket costs
Free
Christmas by The River dates
From November 15 2023, to January 1 2024
Covent Backyard Christmas Market
The final couple of years, you’ve been assured a white Christmas at Covent Backyard, with faux snow swirling over the piazza each hour – however whether or not the flurries return for 2023 or not, Covent Backyard is all the time an excellent choice for a Christmas market in London with children.
In addition to the large baubles adorning the market itself, plus some beautiful Christmas lights, you possibly can count on a forest of Christmas timber and a few nice festive food and drinks within the Covent Backyard Christmas village.
Inside the primary Christmas in Covent Backyard celebrations, there are additionally further pop-up occasions to be careful for – the Winter Hotter competition will get you within the festive temper throughout November, with a complete string of mulled wines and festive drinks.
Maintain an eye fixed out for the normal sleigh (though no Santa or reindeer), in addition to the enchanting Surprise Wooden pop-up, good for just a few festive selfies among the many superbly embellished timber.
Take a look at the following pointers for the greatest sizzling chocolate in London with children, for those who’re trying to heat up after looking
Covent Backyard Christmas market ticket costs
Free
Covent Backyard Christmas market dates
Festive celebrations will run from the start of November till January (exact 2023 timings tbc).
Greenwich Christmas market
2023 TBC: Enterprise additional down the river to Greenwich to find how the common market transforms in time for Christmas – its 150 stalls, with some fabulous issues to purchase year-round, get illuminated by the lights in addition to the Greenwich Kids’s Lantern Procession to kick all the things off.
It’s simple to mix with a skate on the ice rink on the Queen’s Home, whereas Greenwich normally has varied festive occasions at the museums and the Cutty Sark throughout December – whether or not there’s one thing happening or not, it’s value climbing on board the Cutty Sark between Christmas market looking, with loads for youths of all ages.
Good for those who’re in search of a day trip with added Christmas markets in south-east London.
Greenwich Christmas market ticket costs
Free
Greenwich Christmas market dates
Beforehand, there have been Christmas late markets each Wednesday in December, from 10am to 8pm so it’s value checking for further festive occasions. In any other case, the overall market took day-after-day from 10am to five.30pm (precise 2023 dates TBC).
For extra concepts of festive gentle trails in London with children, try this publish
Battersea Energy Station Winter Village
A comparatively new festive addition in considered one of London’s iconic landmarks – December normally sees Battersea Energy Station being reworked right into a magical Winter Village with food and drinks pop-ups, Christmas timber and cosy alpine wood huts to snuggle up in opposition to the chilly.
For 2023, Glide at Battersea Energy Station, town’s solely riverside ice rink, is again, created by the individuals behind the Pure Historical past Museum ice rink. The truth is, there are three interconnecting rinks, surrounded by twinkling lights and a 30ft Christmas tree.
Final 12 months additionally featured classic funfair rides, meals stalls and mulled wine to take pleasure in afterwards, together with a Christmas path that includes big baubles.
Earlier years have seen riverside curling lanes on the previous Coaling Jetty alongside the Thames, festive movies on the cinema and household favourites at The Turbine Theatre.
Battersea Energy Station Winter Village ticket costs
Free to go to, ice rink and exercise prices differ.
Battersea Energy Station Winter Village dates
Glide is open from November 10 till January 7 2024.
Kingston Christmas Market
Head out of the centre for among the best Christmas markets in west London (nicely, southwest London) as Kingston’s Historical Market Place will get its personal conventional Christmas Market with a string of particular actions for youths, in addition to 40 embellished wooden cabins promoting presents, stocking fillers and mulled wine.
Together with the stalls within the Alpine Village, there are additionally fairground rides, together with a carousel, for youths, in addition to avenue meals and a few reside leisure – particulars nonetheless to return for 2023’s occasion.
In earlier years, there have additionally been trails to get youngsters exploring additional together with a Fairy Story Path, in addition to a Letter to Santa competitors with a reply and small present again, plus prizes together with a ticket to Kingston’s Rose theatre.
For extra issues to do in Kingston with children, try this publish
Kingston Christmas Market ticket costs
Free
Kingston Christmas Market dates
November 16, to December 31, 2023
Wembley Park Festive market
2023 TBC: There are sometimes nice family-friendly occasions happening round Wembley Park and the festive season isn’t any completely different, with its personal little Christmas market working in December and an paintings doubling as a tree.
With merchants promoting mince piles, mulled wine and handmade presents, it’s an excellent excuse to go over to Market Sq. and discover – don’t miss the particular selfie spots, together with a starry present field.
There’s additionally reside music on weekends, in addition to seven immersive artworks as a part of the free Wembley Park Artwork Path, themed round ‘Winter’s Wander.’
Three everlasting items of paintings are additionally heading to the world, together with a brand new mural and light-weight sculpture, plus Not possible Greenhouses, which transforms six electrical cupboards throughout Wembley Park into imagined greenhouses.
Wembley Park Festive market ticket costs
Free
Wembley Park Festive market dates
2023 dates TBC
For extra issues to do in Wembley Park with children, try this publish
London Christmas markets with children: better of the remainder
Hampton Courtroom Palace Festive Fayre
Hampton Courtroom Palace will get dressed up for Christmas with its Festive Fayre from December 1-3 and 8-10, the place the palace courtyards are reworked with food and drinks stalls, reside cooking demos and carol singing.
There are additionally extra carol occasions in December, whereas the palace ice rink opens between November and January alongside with the winter gentle path.
Take a look at my video for a style of the ice skating
Borough Market
The market normally will get a festive facelift in addition to longer opening hours, so it’s simpler than ever to wander round selecting up a number of the fantastic meals, whereas bells ring and carols sound, plus particular occasions throughout December – tbc for 2023.
Artful Fox Christmas markets
Good for those who’re in search of an uncommon inventive present, the Artful Fox markets are stuffed with items from unbiased designers, with a special combine every time, together with paintings, jewelry, and kids’s gadgets.
Takes place in November and December, at Mercato Metropolitano in Elephant and Fort and The Crossing at Kings Cross, whereas different earlier areas have included The Division Retailer, Brixton.
Winterville Clapham Frequent
Promising another Christmas, Winterville is a good distance from gingerbread hearts and conventional wood stalls – nonetheless, the occasions haven’t taken place for the final 4 years for varied causes, and there’s nothing confirmed for 2023 both.
With UV-powered Plonk Golf, a Curler Disco and avenue meals galore up to now, entry was free for those who had an occasion ticket and for some weekday classes.
For extra solutions of the most effective Christmas markets in Europe for youngsters, try this choice from Suitcases & Sandcastles
PIN FOR LATER: CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN LONDON WITH KIDS
Photos: South Financial institution and Hampton court docket, copyright MummyTravels. All others courtesy Depositphotos
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