Covent Garden Christmas Market 2026 Dates & Highlights

The Covent Garden Christmas Market is less about traditional market stalls and more about London’s most spectacular festive atmosphere. Giant bells, disco balls, and a 55-foot tree transform the historic Piazza into something genuinely show-stopping.

Covent Garden Christmas Market 2026

Dates

Status: Expected, based on previous years
Covent Garden: 11th November 2026 to 2nd January 2027
Last checked: June 2026

Update: Last year’s dates were announced in October. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified of changes.

Source: Verified by Ultimate Christmas Markets via Covent Garden.

Plant Your Visit

Location and Times

Location: Covent Garden Piazza.
Opening times:
Monday to Saturday: 10am to 9pm.
Sunday: 12pm to 5pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.

Travel and Accommodation

Recommended tour: West End music and historic pub experience.
Public transport: Covent Garden tube station (Piccadilly line) is a short walk from the Piazza. Leicester Square station is a 5-minute walk and often less crowded. Charing Cross is the nearest mainline station.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion.
Travel tip: If the lift queue at Covent Garden station is long, walk from Leicester Square or Holborn instead.
Where to stay: The Henrietta Hotel is located just across from the Piazza.

Amenities and Attractions

Admission: Free.
Lights switch-on: Wednesday 11th November at West Piazza from 5:15pm.
Santa: No.
Lego Pop-Up: East Piazza, until 30th November.
Lego Photo Moment: The Market Building, until 2nd January.
Piper-Heidsieck Pop-Up: East Piazza, until 29th November.
Ladurée Pop-Up: The Market Building, until 1st January.
Choir performances: Every Thursday, until 28th December.
Ice skating: Skate at Somerset House. 11th November to 11th January 2027. Book online.
Reason to visit: The 55-foot British grown Christmas tree decorated with over 30,000 lights, giant golden bells and mirror balls inside the Market Building, luxury shopping, and lively street performances.

Dietary Options

Vegetarian: Plenty of options.
Vegan: Plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Some options.
Food specialities: Gourmet mince pies, festive chutneys, Ben’s Cookies seasonal flavours, and Neal’s Yard Dairy cheese boards.

Accessibility

Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, but not recommended during busy periods.

Convenient Hotels

I recommend the Henrietta Hotel, renowned for its stunning rooms and exceptional location, which puts everything within easy reach.

Read our complete guide to the London Christmas Markets.

Alternatively, head outside of the capital to see one of these top UK Christmas Markets.

Visitor Feedback

What Visitors Loved

• The decorations inside the Market Building are consistently praised as some of London’s best. The giant golden bells, mirror balls and the 55-foot tree make this one of the most photographed festive spots in the city.
• Street performers and choirs add an energy you don’t get at most markets. Several visitors described the live music as a highlight that elevated the whole experience.
• The combination of festive atmosphere and year-round shopping makes Covent Garden feel less like a temporary market and more like a proper destination. Visitors appreciate being able to mix Christmas browsing with quality restaurants and West End shows.
• Visiting after dark is when Covent Garden comes alive. The lights switch on from mid-afternoon and the atmosphere after nightfall is noticeably more dramatic.

Common Complaints

• This is not a traditional Christmas market and some visitors feel misled by the name. If you’re expecting rows of wooden chalets selling handcrafted goods, you’ll find the actual market stalls are quite small compared to the overall Covent Garden experience.
• Weekend afternoons and evenings get uncomfortably crowded. Multiple visitors recommend weekday visits or arriving before midday for a much more enjoyable experience.
• Prices across Covent Garden are high, particularly for food and drink. The premium is for location rather than quality, and several visitors noted that similar products are available for less elsewhere in London.
• Some repeat visitors feel the area has become increasingly commercial, with fewer independent stalls in recent years.

The Bottom Line

Covent Garden at Christmas is best enjoyed as an atmosphere and dining experience rather than a traditional market visit. For the best experience, visit on a weekday evening after dark when the lights and performers are at their best and the crowds are manageable.

Location

What to Expect

The Covent Garden Piazza is one of London’s most photogenic festive spots. The 180-year-old Market Building is hung with 40 golden bells, 12 giant baubles and 8 spinning mirror balls, while choirs and street performers keep the atmosphere buzzing from mid-November through to New Year.

This isn’t a traditional European Christmas market with rows of wooden chalets. It’s more of a festive takeover of an already brilliant shopping and dining neighbourhood. Expect boutique brands, the artisan stalls of the Apple Market, pop-up bars and luxury food alongside Covent Garden’s year-round restaurants and shops.

Getting Around

Covent Garden is well served by public transport and is easy to reach on foot from many central London attractions. The Piccadilly line stops at Covent Garden station, though the single lift can create queues during peak times. Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly lines) and Holborn (Central and Piccadilly lines) are both a comfortable walk. Charing Cross is the nearest mainline station. Walking from Waterloo across Waterloo Bridge takes about 20 minutes and offers some of London’s best river views.

Local Specialties

• Mince Pies: A British Christmas staple, and Covent Garden serves up gourmet versions from several bakeries around the Piazza.
• Ben’s Cookies: Famous for chunk-laden cookies, with seasonal flavours like spiced orange chocolate chip and cranberry and white chocolate appearing over the festive period.
• Neal’s Yard Dairy: A Covent Garden icon. Their gift cheese boards and winter cheese selections make excellent presents or a treat for yourself.
• The Apple Market: Covent Garden’s permanent artisan market shifts to a festive focus with gingerbread, seasonal preserves and spiced nuts from independent vendors.
• Ladurée: The Parisian patisserie’s pop-up in the Market Building offers macarons and seasonal gift boxes throughout December.
• Petersham Nurseries: Their gourmet deli and wine shop in the Piazza is worth a browse for unusual foodie gifts and quality produce.

What to Buy

• British Beauty Products: Molton Brown and Neal’s Yard Remedies both have stores in Covent Garden and offer special holiday gift sets. These make excellent stocking fillers with a local angle.
• Tea Blends and Sets: Several shops sell luxury tea sets, from classic Earl Grey to festive blends like spiced apple and cinnamon.
• Artisanal Food and Drink: Look for flavoured gin from London distilleries, jars of luxury preserves and festive hampers packed with local produce.
• Moomin Shop: Dedicated to the beloved Finnish characters, this is one of the more unique gift shops you’ll find in London.
• Apple Market Handmade Goods: The place for one-off handcrafted gifts. Quality varies, so take your time browsing.
• Christmas Jumpers: Traditional patterns and fun holiday designs.

Sustainability Tips

• Staying in Eco-friendly Hotels: If you’re visiting London, it’s a good idea to stay in hotels that actively pursue sustainability. For instance, one that uses renewable energy sources.
• Reducing Food Waste: The temptation at this time of year is to overindulge, but remember only to order what you can eat. Many food stalls will serve smaller portions upon request, helping to minimise waste.
• Ethical Consumption: Be active in only purchasing items you genuinely need or will use.
• Food: Order plant-based or vegetarian options where possible to reduce your carbon footprint. The market often features many vendors preparing plant-based foods, such as the Gourmet Vegan Stalls, which provide delicious meat-free alternatives.