Top Christmas Markets in the South East 2025
The festive season is fast approaching, so if you’re keen to get into the Christmas spirit we’ve rounded up a selection of this year’s top markets in Kent, Sussex & London that make a lovely day out for all the family.
Top Image (Folkestone Festive Marketplace) © Matt Rowe
Christmas markets offer plenty of inspiration for gifts, decorations and tasty treats, as well as many having fun family attractions. Plus if you’re thinking of taking a mini-break this year in the run-up to the festivities we take a look at a few of the best Christmas Markets in Europe for a truly special celebration of the season.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Until 1st January 2026
Head up to London and make some festive family memories at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. There you will find thrilling rides such as the Munich Looping rollercoaster, the Dragon’s Nest tower ride and the Haunted Mansion; immersive icy attractions such as the ice rink, ice slide and ice sculpting workshops; carnival games; enchanting shows including Cirque Berserk: Ignite! as well as a whole host of festive food and drink, offering something to entice or entertain all the family whatever the age. An unmissable pit stop is a visit to Santa himself at the grotto or enjoy breathtaking views of London’s skyline from The Giant Wheel – the world’s largest transportable observation wheel. There are also many bars, street food traders and sit-down dining options when you need to refuel – or just to treat yourself!
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland Image © Eric Aydin-Barberini / Fanatic 2021
Folkestone Festive Marketplace, 14th November – 24th December 2025
At Folkestone Harbour Arm, the Festive Marketplace 2025 is well underway as it has been transformed into a Christmassy oasis of snow blizzards, independent market huts, festive films, live music and special, one-off events. Last year the market was featured as one of The Time’s 7 Loveliest Boutique Christmas Markets and it looks set to build on this success with another spectacular offering, including its free programme of events plus the maritime-themed Harbour Grotto will once again come to life as it takes over The Customs House. This boutique festival uses exclusively independent businesses from Folkestone and the local area. The market is open every Friday and Saturday, from 11am-7pm and every Sunday from 11am-6pm until 21st December. It will then be open on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th December from 11am-6pm. The festive fun continues after the big day itself, as if you head there from 26th December 2025 to 1st January 2026 – for Chrimbo Limbo! – then The Goods Yard will be an escape from the endless turkey sandwiches and cold mince pies as their Street Food traders will be open 11am-4pm, with a family favourite film on The Harbour Screen daily. Fancy enjoying a festive staycation while visiting the Festive Marketplace? Folkestone Shoreline offers luxury beachhouses on the seafront that you can rent for a weekend, a week or a month.
Folkestone Festive Marketplace Image Index Digital
Rochester Christmas Market, 28th-30th November, 5th-7th December & 12th-14th December 2025
Head to the heart of historic Rocester for another spectacular festive experience for all the family with Rochester Christmas Market 2025. Packed with seasonal treats, unique gifts and festive fun for all ages, the event is set against the stunning backdrop of Rochester Castle Gardens. On a trip to the market you can try some of the delicious food and drink on offer including Christmas Dinner wraps, plus mulled wine and hot chocolate, enjoy unique shopping with more than 120 stalls offering one-of-a-kind gifts and head to the funfair with its rides and attractions for the whole family. There will also be live entertainment with performances on the bandstand as you enjoy the twinkling lights, historic charm and Christmas cheer. The market will be open on Fridays from 12noon-9pm, Saturdays from 10am-9pm, and on Sundays from 10am-6pm. Rochester's Christmas Artisan Market also return this month on 15th, 16th, 22nd and 23rd November from 10am-3.30pm.
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market, 21st November – 22nd December 2025
Recognised as one of the best in Europe, Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market is “renowned for its bustling atmosphere, stunning location and handpicked high quality exhibitors”. Its pretty wooden chalets, inspired by traditional German Christmas Markets, and location in historic grounds attract visitors from around the world. Here you will enjoy the beautifully festive atmosphere created by pretty lighting, the sound of carols and the scent of mulled wine as you browse the stalls in search of gifts. It is open Monday to Wednesday 10am-6pm, Thursday 10am-7pm, Friday and Saturday 10am-8pm and Sunday 10am-5pm.
Canterbury Christmas Market, Until 24th December 2025
The Canterbury Christmas Market will once again be spread throughout the historic city centre – across Whitefriars Shopping Centre, St George's Street and the Cathedral Precincts – including a large festive fayre, featuring artisan stalls, a carousel, a giant snow globe and live music. One of the largest Christmas markets in the South East and the largest in Kent, Canterbury Christmas Market offers a total of 120 huts and 172 stallholders over 137 pitches. Immerse yourself in the festive ambience as you explore the myriad of Christmas-themed stalls. There you will find festive treats, handcrafted ornaments, unique gifts and beautiful decorations while you breathe in the delicious scent of mulled wine and hot chocolate. There will also be seasonal music, as well as live performances setting a merry tone with Christmas carols and holiday tunes. Plus don’t forget about the range of special events taking place as well as the chance to see Santa Claus who will be in residence in his grotto from 29th November on selected dates.
Canterbury Christmas Market Image Index Digital
Southbank Centre Winter Market, Until 4th January 2026 (closed 25th & 31st December 2025 and 1st January 2026)
The Southbank Centre Winter Market offers the chance to stroll along the Thames where you will find traditional alpine-style chalets providing the opportunity to sample indulgent drinks and delicious street food. Located at Queen’s Walk, under Hungerford Bridge, is this “haven for festive indulgence” where you will find pop-up bars, street food stalls with delights such as duck wraps, classic hot dogs and Himalayan dumplings as well as sweet treats such as Dutch pancakes and churros as well as independent craft traders selling gifts, jewellery, decorations and clothing. The market takes place until 4th January 2026, but is closed on 25th & 31st December 2025 and 1st January 2026.
The Sussex Craft & Design Christmas Fair, 29th & 30th November 2025
Head to Enterprise Shopping Centre in Eastbourne this month for The Sussex Craft & Design Christmas Fair, which this year is taking place on 29th & 30th November. At this free event you will find beautiful and unique handmade gifts for your loved ones – or yourself – this Christmas. Discover one-of-a-kind stocking fillers and thoughtful gifts handmade by talented artisans, including gorgeous ceramics, soft textiles, unique jewellery, striking artwork, home accessories and more. The fair takes place from 10am until 5pm on the Saturday and 10am and 4pm on the Sunday.
Pantiles Christmas Markets, Friday to Sunday until 21st December & 22nd-24th December 2025
You can truly get into the Christmas spirit with a visit to the historic Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells at one of the Pantiles Christmas Markets. The festive spectacle offers an enchanting experience for traders and visitors alike as it is filled with wooden chalets lit to embrace this sparkling time of year – plus the chance to see its Christmas tree and twinkling lights on the Bandstand. Browse gifts for loved one – or simply yourself! – and enjoy some tasty treats along the way. There will also be live entertainment from musicians, choirs and local theatre groups. New for 2025, Rudolph’s Runner is an interactive experience which sees a land train transport passengers around the town (including a stop at the Pantiles) in a bid to spot the eight missing reindeer on route. The markets will take place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11am until 8pm until 21st December and then will also take place on the Monday to Wednesday of Christmas week (22nd-24th December 2025).
Canterbury Christmas Market Image Canterbury BID / Josh Carter
Markets Perfect for Festive Mini-Breaks
Bath Christmas Market, 27th November – 14th December 2025
This year Bath Christmas Market is celebrating 25 years of festive cheer. Considered one of the best Christmas markets in Europe, and the Best UK Christmas Market 2024, Bath's market is running from Thursday 27th November to Sunday 14th December. As you wander through the heart of Bath’s city centre, with historic landmarks like Bath Abbey, you will discover a winter wonderland of twinkling chalets, unique gifts and gourmet food and drink and also have the chance to explore independent boutiques, designer stores and high street brands. The market, set in the heart of Bath’s UNESCO World Heritage city, will be open Monday to Wednesday, 10am to 7pm, Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 8pm and Sunday, 10am to 6pm.
Copenhagen Christmas Markets, Denmark, Until 4th January 2026
Copenhagen offers a variety of Christmas markets providing the opportunity to have several fun-filled festive days on a mini-break. You can also combine browsing the markets with heading to the shopping centres for even more gift ideas – and to admire their impressive Christmas displays – such as following a trip to the Christmas Market in Tivoli with a visit to Royal Copenhagen on Strøget. Tivoli’s Christmas Market is open until 4th January and with its Christmas trees, carousels, attractions and decorations covered in snow, plus around 50 stalls, it makes a truly festive sight. Højbro Plads Christmas Market, which takes place until 21st December, was one of the first in Copenhagen and has many stalls selling Italian and French delicacies, clothes, crafts and Danish Christmas food, as well as having its own Santa Claus. Copenhagen Winter Wonderland is open until 4th January 2026 and takes place in the square Kongens Nytorv which is also home to the popular and stunning Christmas decorations at Hotel D’Angleterre. This year there will also be a 1,200sqm ice rink there.
Salzburg Christmas Market, Austria, Until 1st January 2026
Having celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, the historic Salzburg Christmas Market is once again taking place on Domplatz and Residenzplatz, this year until 1st January 2026. One of the oldest and most beautiful Advent markets in the world it is held in the heart of Salzburg’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Christkindlmarkt has around 100 market stands as well as a colourful daily events programme, readings of Christmas stories for children, Krampus parades, guided Christmas tours, choral concerts and more. “Sing-Along” in a choir open to singers from the general public is every Tuesday with traditional wind music performed every Wednesday and Thursday and visit of the Salzburg “Christ Child” with his angels every Sunday.
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