London Christmas Markets 2026: Where to Go and Where to Park
Your guide to London's Christmas markets this winter, and how to park near them.
London Christmas Markets 2026: Dates, Locations and Parking Guide
London's Christmas markets are back from late October, and weekends in December will be packed. Mulled wine, festive stalls and twinkling lights are the easy part. Finding a space nearby is where visits come unstuck. Pick your market below, then book your parking before you set off and spend your time at the stalls, not circling the block.
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Book Parking Near London's Christmas Markets
Book your parking in London before you leave home and arrive knowing exactly where you're parking.
Choose the price point that suits your trip, from short stays to a full day out.
Extend your stay in the app if you're enjoying the mulled wine too much to leave.
Skip the on-the-day rates that central London car parks charge on busy festive weekends.
Where Are the London Christmas Markets?
Most of the big names run from early November to the first weekend of January. Dates and hours can shift year to year, so check each market's own page before you travel.
Park near Hyde Park Winter Wonderland: 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, open daily except Christmas Day. Entry is by timed ticket, so book your slot and your parking together. Rides, ice skating, a Christmas market and live shows sit across the park.
Park near Leicester Square Christmas Market: expected to open in early November, running into early January. Entry to the market is free, with separate tickets for the ice rink and shows. Official dates are still to be confirmed.
Park near Southbank Centre Winter Market: from 2 November 2026 into early January, with free entry. Wooden chalets line the river between Waterloo Bridge and the London Eye.
Park near Trafalgar Square Christmas Market: opening dates vary between listings, from early to mid-November. The tree lights are switched on Thursday 3 December.
Park near Covent Garden's Christmas lights: the lights switch on 12 November, with a giant tree in the West Piazza and decorations across the Market Building. It's a shopping-and-lights destination rather than a chalet market.
Park near Greenwich Christmas Market: the festive season kicks off with a Lantern Parade and lights switch-on in mid-November. Free to enter.
Park near Kingston Christmas Market: 12 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, free entry. A good pick for south-west London.
Park near Borough Market's festive market: from 30 November 2026 into early January.
London Congestion Charge and ULEZ
Driving into the centre? Two charges apply:
Congestion Charge: £18 a day, Monday to Friday 7am to 6pm, and 12pm to 6pm at weekends and bank holidays. Many Christmas market spaces in Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Westminster sit inside the zone.
ULEZ: £12.50 a day for vehicles that don't meet emissions standards, covering all London boroughs.
Check your vehicle on the TfL website before you go.
London Christmas Markets FAQs
When do the Christmas markets start in London?
The first markets open in late October and early November, with Southbank Centre Winter Market from 2 November and Hyde Park Winter Wonderland from 19 November. Most run until the first weekend of January.
Where is the Christmas market in London?
There isn't just one. The biggest are Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Leicester Square, Southbank, Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden, with more in Greenwich, Kingston and Borough.
What is the best Christmas market in London?
It depends what you're after. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is the biggest, with rides and shows. Southbank is a classic riverside stroll, and Covent Garden has the most dazzling lights.
Are London Christmas markets free?
Many are. Leicester Square, Southbank, Greenwich and Kingston are free to enter. Winter Wonderland needs a timed ticket, and extras like ice skating are charged separately.
What time do London Christmas markets open and close?
Hours vary. Winter Wonderland typically runs from 10am to 10pm, while Southbank stalls generally trade from late morning into the evening. Check the market's own page for that day's times.
Are London Christmas markets open on Christmas Day?
No. Most close on 25 December, so plan your visit before then.
Is there parking near London Christmas markets?
Yes, but central spaces go quickly in December. Book ahead with JustPark, and use the app's filters to find Blue Badge spaces, EV charging and CCTV-covered car parks.
Live Near a London Christmas Market? Earn Extra Income by Renting Out Your Driveway
Festive weekends mean thousands of drivers searching for a space close to the stalls. If you live near Hyde Park, Covent Garden, Greenwich or Kingston, rent out your driveway or parking space and turn it into extra income. Hosts near major venues can earn up to 57% more with event pricing, and the first £1,000 of income is tax-free under the Property Income Allowance. Our scheduled pricing guide shows you how to charge more on peak weekends.
Park Up and Enjoy the Festive Season
Mulled wine, twinkling lights and an stress-free arrival. Book your space in advance, explore more city parking options and arrive relaxed, on time and ready to enjoy London at its most festive.
Heading to a market across the UK? Check out out full range of Christmas market parking.
Settled on the capital? Book your London Christmas market parking now
