Combine festive fun with art, culture and scenic views at the Southbank Christmas Market this December in London. Along the banks of the River Thames by the Southbank Centre enjoy the Winter Light installations whilst shopping for crafts. Or sample the succulent street food before catching a world-class show or concert.
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As the days get shorter London makes up for its dark evenings with festive markets, glittering lights and cultural treats around the city. And you know you can expect all this and more at the annual Southbank Winter Festival.
It’s the time of year for seasonal shows and cabaret comedy, feel-good musicals…. and Richard Curtis’s Christmas Actually. It’s all on the billing at the Southbank Centre along with their Wondrous Winter Market.
Where is the Southbank Centre Winter Market?
The Southbank Centre includes the Royal Festival Hall, Hayward Gallery, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room. This high octane arts complex lies on the south banks of the Thames beside the National Theatre.
And the Southbank Christmas market is held on The Queen’s Walk, the wide promenade between the Southbank Centre buildings and the river.
From this riverside setting visitors have great views of the London Eye. Whilst on the north bank of the river Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament stand beside Westminster Bridge.
What to see at the Christmas Market at Southbank
I’ve actually walked through the South Bank Christmas Market several times already this year. I love the riverside views all year round, but they’re extra special on a winter’s evening.
So take a moment to enjoy the sight of Big Ben and St Paul’s Cathedral glittering beside the dark river. And don’t worry too much about the weather. Even when it rains, (and it did when I was taking most of these photos) the show goes on. The majority of the stalls are grouped beside the Festival Hall and sheltered by Hungerford Bridge.
The Christmas Market at Southbank Centre is a great place to find a warming snack, a lunch-on-the-move or a cosy supper. You can explore what’s on in the arts centre or get into the Christmas spirit by shopping the stalls for unique gifts.
As well as canopies of twinkling fairy lights and cheerfully lit stalls, the South Bank’s Winter Festival is hosting Winter Light, a collection of outdoor artworks.
Intriguing, thought-provoking or just plain cheering, they light up The Queen’s Walk and the arts complex all around you. This is another reason for visiting after sundown as Winter Light switches on at 4pm. You can find a map of the installations here.
Gifts and Street Food
A cluster of wooden chalets house the market stalls, glowing with Christmas lights on their eaves. Between the street food stalls are pretty displays of handmade crafts and Christmas gifts. I was tempted by honey’d almonds and lovely beeswax candles at The Great British Bee Co., plus elegant Christmas stars at Just Stars. There’s delicate jewellery, decor signs and alpaca wool gifts too.
For more Christmas craft stalls head along the riverside to the London Bridge Christmas Market. Or cross the river for a different festive style at Christmas in Covent Garden.
Feeling peckish? The Southbank Centre Christmas market stalls have delicious food to tempt you. Food vendors dish up sizzling duck wraps and gooey, melting gourmet cheese toasties. You’ll be torn between truffle burgers and spicy Thai dishes, hot dogs or Lebanese street food.
Sweet treats include crepes and dutch pancakes whilst Choco Fruit’s desserts lavish melted Belgian choc onto fresh fruit and waffles.
You can sip and shop too with plenty of choice of coffees, hot chocolate, mulled wine and hot toddies.
Restaurants, bars and entertainment
Seasonal pop-up Jimmy’s Fire and Fromage raclette bar, recreates Alpine flavours for suppers by the river. Sit around tabletop fire pits or snuggle up in a snow globe with a Christmas cocktail and set menu of apres-ski style cheese fondue.
At Beltane and Pop you can gather by the Thameside fire pit with small-batch beers from Brixton Brewery, hot cider or warming toddies. Whilst The Thirsty Farrier serves a list including spiced Old Fashioneds and boozy hot chocolate from a converted horsebox bar.
An alpine-themed curling pop-up, The Curling Club, is nestled by the Southbank Centre this year. Pop in to test your winter sports skills or stay for cocktails, sharing plates, gourmet burgers and party fun.
And don’t forget to stroll along the riverside to the retro fairground carousel!
Things to do at Christmas on Southbank
The Southbank Centre’s Winter Festival of performances runs from 1 November 2024 to 5 January 2025.
There’s a packed schedule of free fun activities including party-style dance and jive, craft workshops and a New Year’s Day Ceilidh.
In the theatres and galleries
Here are some highlights from the ticketed performances during the Southbank Centre Winter Festival:
Royal Festival Hall Lots of festive treats from Vivaldi’s Gloria on 11 Dec and Handel’s Messiah on 13 Dec, to Circa’s Duck Pond, a circus re-imagining of Swan Lake on 19-30 Dec and Fascinating Aida 2-5 Jan 2025.
Queen Elizabeth Hall Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana 10-15 Dec.
Hayward Gallery Haegue Yang: Leap Year – inventive, immersive, multi-sensory installations and sculptures.
For the full programme of events check the Southbank Centre website.
Southbank Centre Christmas Market 2024: Dates and Times
The Market runs from Friday 1 November to Thursday 26 December 2024
7 days a week: 11am until 10pm (Fridays and Saturdays until 11pm)
Christmas Eve Tuesday 24 Dec: 11am to 3pm
Christmas Day Wednesday 25 Dec: CLOSED
Boxing Day Thursday 26 Dec: 11am to 3pm
Winter Light runs from Friday 15 Nov until Sunday 2 Feb 2025
Check the website for timings before you go.
How to get to Southbank Christmas Market
By train
Waterloo station is an easy 7 minute walk away from the Southbank Centre. Waterloo East, Charing Cross and Blackfriars stations are also close by.
By underground
The nearest tube station to the Southbank Centre Christmas market is Waterloo. It has Northern, Jubilee, Bakerloo and Waterloo and City lines and is just a few minute’s walk away. In second place, on the opposite side of the river, is Embankment tube station on the District and Circle, Northern and Bakerloo lines. This is an 8 minute walk via the Golden Jubilee bridges.
Top Tips for visiting the Christmas market Southbank
⭐️Make an evening of it and carry on walking east along the riverside to the London Bridge Christmas Market this year called Winter by the River. The walk takes around 30 minutes and you’ll see some of the most iconic of London’s historical places brilliantly illuminated. St Paul’s Cathedral, HMS Belfast, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge will all catch your eye and Hay’s Galleria is also festively dressed up for the season.
🌂Whether or not you’re planning a walk, dress up warm and bring an umbrella, just in case.
Book Ahead for these Festive London Experiences
🎡You can combine a visit to the Southbank Christmas market with a champagne ride on the London Eye. It carries on turning until 8.30pm at this time of year. But hurry, it’s super popular!
⭐️Or see the London Christmas Lights at Night on an Open Top bus tour. With multiple evening departures and a meeting point close to the London Eye it’s a great add-on to your visit to the Southbank Centre winter market.
Where to stay near the Christmas Market on the Southbank
Make a night of it, or enjoy a weekend in London in winter, and book one of the lovely hotels by the south bank of the river Thames. Convenient for lots of central London attractions as well as the South Bank theatres, many also have fabulous views of the Thames or Houses of Parliament.
Sea Containers With spectacular riverside views this contemporary luxury hotel with 1920s cruise liner vibes is perfect for an indulgent winter stay. It’s handy for cultural outings along the South Bank or popping over the river to Covent Garden for retail treats. Basement spa, cool bars and in-house cinema.
Read reviews, check availability and book Sea Container’s London
London Marriott Hotel County Hall I had breakfast here the same day I was writing this post and it was feeling a lot like Christmas in the stately wood panelled halls. With a peerless location at the foot of Westminster bridge, this 5 star Marriott outpost has views of Big Ben and is perfectly placed for cultural visits to the South Bank.
Read reviews, check availability and book London Marriott Hotel County Hall
Park Plaza County Hall A great location again for this well-priced 4 star hotel that’s just a stone’s throw from Westminster Bridge and The Queen’s Walk. Some fab skyline views too. Perfect for a sightseeing visit to London. Part of the Radisson hotel group.
Read reviews, check availability and book Park Plaza County Hall
Please note that all visitor information here is for guidance only. Please check the relevant websites for the most up to date information eg. accommodation details, tickets, entrance requirements, opening times etc.
What to Read Next
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London has an array of festive winter fairs, one of my favourites is the London Bridge Christmas Market
Visiting London in November or December? Don’t miss the spectacular light trail at Kew Gardens
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To experience London like a Londoner: find out Best Non-Touristy Things to do in London
For a checklist of London souvenirs: 101 of the Best London Gifts for Family
For more fun food souvenirs to bring home from London: 101 Best British Snacks that make Great Souvenirs
To plan an itinerary for history lovers: 40+ Historical Places in London and why you’ll want to see them.
Looking for a drink or meal in Kensington? Here’s a guide to the best pubs near the Royal Albert Hall.
About the author Nancy Roberts is a former women’s magazine editor and writer. She lives in London and is mum to two 20-something boys. In Map&Family she shares info and inspiration for curious travellers: singles and couples as well as families travelling with teens and young adults.
All photos are all rights reserved. Please do not reproduce these photos without prior written permission
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