Today I want to share my guide to the South Bank Christmas market with you. Christmas gets grander and more exciting every year in London. The city welcomes the festive season with ever-increasing amounts of cheer. One of my favorite places to experience it is at the Christmas market on the South Bank. Right on the Thames, it’s one of the most popular places to get into the seasonal spirit in London. Read on for my guide. I’ve included an interactive map as well.
South Bank Christmas Market
There’s no shortage of Christmas markets in London, and more pop up every winter. From London Bridge to Hyde Park, Leicester Square, and King’s Cross, there’s a market in every corner of the city. Visiting them is a must on any Christmas itinerary.
Some of the markets are big, some local, some on the river, and others in front of iconic attractions. What they all have in common is that going to them is one of the best things to do in London at Christmas.
One of my favorites is the Christmas market on the Thames near the London Eye. Officially called the South Bank Winter Market, it not only features chalets selling all kinds of food, drinks, and gifts, but it also has stunning views of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and other major landmarks.
Where is the South Bank Christmas Market?
The market itself sits along the river in the area around the Southbank Centre. Lights and decorations line the Thames, and the Alpine-style stalls can be found under Hungerford Bridge and the Golden Jubilee Bridges. You can see a map below.
How to Get Here
The South Bank Christmas market is located on the Queen’s Walk, and it’s easy to get here by public transport. Waterloo station and Embankment station are both served by multiple tube lines, and Waterloo is served by many mainline rail services as well. Plenty of local buses stop around the area, too.
You can even arrive by boat. Festival Pier is right by the Southbank Centre and the market stalls, and it’s a great place to kick off your visit.
If you’re walking, you can get here on foot from Waterloo, London Bridge, Bankside, Borough Market, Westminster, and other popular areas and attractions.
It’s also on the route of my free self-guided Thames walk and my Christmas lights walk. You can take a guided tour to see it, too. You can book one here.
Opening Hours and Times
This year the South Bank Christmas market dates are November 2, 2026 to January 4, 2027. That means you have loads of time to shop, eat, and soak up the festive atmosphere throughout the season.
The daily hours are 11am to 10pm, with the craft traders open until 9pm. The market is closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, so make sure to plan accordingly.
Tips for Visiting the Market
If you want to make the most of your visit, I suggest going in the late afternoon or evening. The market is magical when dusk sets in and the Christmas lights go on.
If you plan to buy gifts for friends and family, I recommend bringing a reusable bag you can put your purchases in. Not only will it help reduce waste, but it will also help you carry all your exciting finds.
Furthermore, make sure to arrive hungry. And thirsty. The market is the ideal place to enjoy a meal, snack, sweet treat, or Christmas drink from the stalls.
Additionally, dress warmly. It can be cold outside in London, especially at night on the Thames. The London weather is unpredictable at the best of times, and temperatures can drop significantly in the winter months.
It’s a good idea to wear warm clothing and carry a good umbrella with you when you go. You can get the umbrella I recommend on Amazon here.
My winter packing list for London can help you figure out what to wear as well. It has loads of ideas for how to dress in London in November, December, and January.
What to Buy
There’s a lot to buy at the London Bridge Christmas market. The chalets sell everything from vintage treasures to Christmas treats, handicrafts, jewelry, hats, tote bags, and souvenirs.
Given a fair amount of the goods are handmade, they’re great unique finds. Many of the traders return year after year, and it’s exciting to see the new things they have for sale each Christmas season.
Whether you’re looking for gifts for family, presents for friends and loved ones, or something for yourself, there’s a lot to love about this market.
What to Eat and Drink
As far food and drink go, there’s plenty of deliciousness to savor and sip. Whether you’re looking for a snack, a meal, or a sweet treat, you’ll find it at the Christmas market on the South Bank.
There are lots of chalets selling classic Christmas market foods and unique offerings. From cookies to mulled wine, you can get it here. There’s also a range of international food to tempt your taste buds.
When it comes to sweets, there’s a lot to choose from. Whether you’re craving Dutch pancakes or hot chocolate, the South Bank Christmas market has something for you.
Additionally, there are pop-up bars at the market. They sell everything from mulled wine to mulled cider, Christmas cocktails, beer, and other drinks.
South Bank Christmas Market Map
As promised, I created an interactive Google map of the area where the market is. You can see it here. I hope it helps you plan a great visit!
Christmas Market on the South Bank
I hope this blog post has inspired you to take a trip to the South Bank for the Christmas market this year. It’s just the place to get into the seasonal spirit, and a festive spot to pick up food, drinks, and gifts.
There are plenty of other Christmas markets to discover in London, too. From Winter Wonderland to Leicester Square, London Bridge, and Trafalgar Square, you’ll find lots to get excited about in the city this season. If you found this post helpful, buy me a coffee!
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