The nights are officially getting colder, and the festive spirit is amongst us, especially in London. Although it is significantly colder, it is certainly full of joy, with the smells of mulled wine, sparkling Christmas lights that enlighten the streets, festive music echoing around the streets, and busy shoppers searching for the best Christmas bargains for Black Friday. With unique festive presents, family days out that embrace the festive cheer, London is certainly the place to be. That being said, London can get ridiculously busy during this period, which is why it is worth considering other places outside the city as well.
Romford Festive Markets – East London/ Essex
Romford is one of the best spots outside of London when it comes to shopping; however, this part of London is fantastic when it comes to Christmas. These markets are spectacular and are set in the heart of Romford, located on South Street. Not to mention that the surrounding area is filled with festive lights, tasty food stalls and independent traders. On top of this, you can expect an assortment of handcrafted gifts, yuletide decorations, toys, speciality foods and even winter warmers.
What makes Romford so special is the fact that it focuses on the community. Here you can have live entertainment, carol singing, and some themed evenings that are full of festive cheer. There are Santa grotos for families to choose from. Furthermore, the Romford Christmas markets have a perfect mixture of modern and traditional architecture. Once you are done with the markets, you can also get plenty more gifts for friends and family at the wonderful Liberty shopping centre in Essex.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland – Central London
There is nothing more magical than London’s Winter Wonderland, a fantastic spot that is located in the heart of the capital. That being said, it is one of the busiest markets in the country, if not the busiest. Nevertheless, there is plenty to offer here, and you can certainly get in the festive spirit, although it doesn’t have your traditional festive markets. Instead, it has ice-skating, circus shows, rides and even themed bars.
Furthermore, the Bavarian-style Christmas Market is perfect for these festive gifts. Not to mention the wooden chalets that overflow with handmade crafts, winter clothing, ornaments and gourmet.
Greenwich Christmas Markets – East London
Up next is the wonderful Christmas markets located in Greenwich. Open throughout the festive season, here you have a range of independent designers, artists, and makers. Stunning jewellery and handmade ceramics. On top of this, you’ve got fantastic home decor that is the perfect unique gift for your friends and family.
One of the best parts about this Christmas market is the fact that it has a cover, meaning that you can stay dry in those wet and windy conditions. Additionally, it helps to support the small business owners and enjoy the festive atmosphere at the same time. This is why Greenwich is a must-visit.
Southbank Centre Winter Markets – Central London
Up next is the wonderful and magical Southbank Winter Markets. There is no better place to capture the Christmas spirit than these wonderful markets, as they line up with the River Thames and the fantastic wooden chalets. It is great for an evening visit after work or even at the weekend as the river is lit up with the festive lights.
One thing that the Southbank Winter Markets are fantastic when it comes to its food. This is because it is filled with grilled bratwurst, hot chocolates, mulled wine and everything that is traditional at a festive market. Additionally, you can get festive candles, art prints, festive trinkets and much more. It is the place to be when it comes to London.
Colchester Christmas Markets – Essex
Last but certainly not least is Colchester Christmas markets, and it certainly rivals Romford for its festive cheer. It has a great atmosphere that is surrounded by the Roman Walls, castle floors, and high streets full of character. Not to mention the fantastic historical backdrop of the town behind the winter markets. As always with a London Christmas market, you can expect artisan goods, festive foods, decorations, and locally sourced gifts.
One of the great things about this market is that you can include live entertainment, children’s activities, themed weekends and offer a great option for families and culture lovers alike. If you enjoy wandering through the historic streets with lights and seasonal displays. There is no doubt that this market is full of festive cheer, so it is a must-visit this year.
Columbia Road Christmas Wednesdays
On Wednesday evenings in December, this famous flower market street opens late. It’s filled with independent shops, carol singers, and mulled wine, pure Dickensian charm. This is a great idea for families who don’t want to stay in during the week and want to keep the Christmas spirit alive. While it is open late, families will likely not stay for the whole thing, but if not, it’s a great little activity for couples to spend the evening.
Epping Ongar Lights Express – Essex
Just a short trip from London, this heritage railway runs a “Lights Express.” The train itself is covered in thousands of LEDs that sync to music as you travel through the Essex countryside. This is such a magical experience for families and couples who want a full-on Christmas experience. This is the event to get involved in.
RHS Glow at Hyde Hall – Chelmsford
Hyde Hall’s light trail is a stunning alternative to some of the busier ones that are more famously known around London. The gardens are transformed with a kaleidoscope of colour, often much easier to navigate than the inner-city trails. It’s a hidden gem that must be appreciated during the busy Christmas period, and if you can avoid crowds, it really makes these things so much more magical and enjoyable.
Summary
As you can see, there are many Christmas markets that you can visit in London, but these are certainly some of the best. Hyde Park certainly smashes the Christmas Markets out of the park (No pun intended). But, if you want to go to the less-busy markets, there are plenty of options outside of Winter Wonderland as well.
Winter wonderland, however, is a great spot for events, food and just overall is a must-do for the Christmas period and would be a real shame to spend the entire month of December and not do some of the iconic Christmas festivities; however, it’s also great to merge with other Christmas events that are more underrated and low-key.