Ultimate Holiday Market Wish List: London and Manchester’s Top Christmas Markets & Lights
England layers tradition on top of city energy, and it works. In London, I’m doing the full spread so you don’t miss a beat: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland for the big rides and big lights, Southbank Centre for river views and street-food range, Covent Garden for cozy photos under giant ornaments, and Leicester Square for easy bites and cabaret-style fun. I’m also adding the Tootbus Christmas Lights tour, which lets you sit, warm up, and catch all the major displays without sprinting from street to street. In Manchester, I’ll zero in on the main central zone, laying a simple loop through the market clusters with stops for warm drinks, baked treats, and a couple of great ornament stalls that won’t fall apart by next season.
Go ahead and borrow my list for your own trip. I’ll mark Underground stops, walking times, and the order that saves your feet. You’ll get the best windows to hit Winter Wonderland without the worst lines, the bridges to cross for Southbank photos that actually frame the skyline, and where to stand in Covent Garden for a clean shot of the tree. Manchester gets the same treatment, with a route that keeps you moving through the core while leaving time to duck into a pub when the wind picks up. London is big and bright. Manchester is warm and easy. Together they make a great one-two punch.
London
WEST END CORE (walkable triangle)
Christmas in Leicester Square
Dates / hours: Nov 1–Jan 4, daily 10:00–22:00. New this year: Skate Leicester Square ice rink. (visitlondon.com)
Where: Leicester Square (by the Shakespeare fountain).
Tube / buses: Leicester Square (Piccadilly/Northern) • Buses 24, 29, 176.
Good to know: Cosy market in the square with craft stalls, mulled wine, treats; small stage pop-ups. Easy add-on to Trafalgar. (visitlondon.com)
Trafalgar Square Christmas Market
Dates / hours: From Nov 9; most listings show 10:00–22:00 daily. (visitlondon.com)
Where: North Terrace, by the National Gallery.
Tube / buses: Charing Cross (Bakerloo/Northern + NR) • Buses 3, 6, 12, 88, 139, 159.
Highlights: Chalet stalls, carol singing by the Norwegian tree through December. Tree lighting usually in early December. (visitlondon.com)
Covent Garden (tree, décor, Apple Market)
Dates / hours: Christmas programme from Nov 12–Jan 1; Apple Market typically 10:00–18:00 daily (Sun 11:00–18:00). Characters on select dates late Nov–early Jan. (London Guide)
Where: Covent Garden Piazza & Market Building.
Tube / buses: Covent Garden or Leicester Square • Buses 9, 11, 15.
Vibe: Giant tree, décor, hourly faux snow some evenings; artisan stalls inside Apple Market rather than a separate outdoor “market.” (Covent Garden)
HYDE PARK & MARYLEBONE / OXFORD STREET
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Dates / hours: Nov 14–Jan 1; entry by timed ticket; once inside, attractions until 22:00 (closed Dec 25; additional dark days listed). (hydeparkwinterwonderland.com)
Where: Hyde Park (Serpentine side).
Tube / buses: Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Green Park • Buses 9, 23, 94, 148.
Big draws: Giant Wheel, ice rink, Bar Ice, circus shows, coasters, Ice Kingdom, Bavarian Village. Expect separate ride/show fees. (hydeparkwinterwonderland.com)
Oxford Street & Selfridges (windows + lights)
Lights on: Mon Nov 3; typically lit nightly ~16:00–24:00. (oxfordstreet.co.uk)
Selfridges windows: Nov 6 launch with Disney collaboration and façade light show. (selfridgespress.com)
Tube / buses: Oxford Circus, Bond Street • Buses 7, 55, 98.
What to see: 5,000 “Sky Full of Stars” LEDs above the street; 18 themed Selfridges windows draw crowds from late afternoon. (visitlondon.com)
SOHO / REGENT / PICCADILLY
Carnaby Street Lights
Switch-on: Thu Nov 6 (evening event; past years ~18:00). Display nightly through early Jan. (thisissoho.co.uk)
Tube / buses: Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus • Buses 12, 88, 94.
Vibe: The most creative light art each year; great after Oxford Street.
Regent Street “Spirit of Christmas” Angels
Switch-on: Listings point to early Nov; Regents Street Online trails Nov 6, while other guides list mid-Nov switch-on with c. 18:00 ceremony. Lights run nightly into Jan. (regentstreetonline.com)
Tube / buses: Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus • Buses 12, 94, 139.
Tip: Car-free celebration day announced around early Dec in some press—watch for updates if you want the pedestrian party. (The Sun)
Piccadilly / Fortnum & Mason (windows)
Windows live: Fortnum’s 2025 Christmas windows are live (animal characters & classic redcoat motifs). (fortnumandmason.com)
Tube / buses: Piccadilly Circus, Green Park • Buses 9, 14, 38.
Why go: Traditional windows, advent-style façade; combine with Regent Street angels.
Liberty London (windows & Christmas Shop)
Status: Christmas Shop open on the fourth floor; seasonal windows installed for winter. (Liberty London)
Tube / buses: Oxford Circus • Buses 55, 73.
Note: Walk two minutes to Carnaby for the lights.
KNIGHTSBRIDGE
Harrods (windows & in-store Christmas)
What’s on: Windows + events calendar through mid-Dec; Christmas Shop open, doors 10:00 (Sun 11:30). (Harrods)
Tube / buses: Knightsbridge • Buses 9, 14, 52.
Tip: Arrive early to view windows without the evening crowd.
QUICK HOPS AND HOW TO PAIR
Leicester Sq → Trafalgar Sq: 7-minute walk; do Trafalgar at blue hour for the tree and carols. (London City Hall)
Trafalgar → Covent Garden: 12–15 minutes via St Martin’s Lane.
Southbank loop: Cross Golden Jubilee Bridge from Embankment, stroll the market, then continue to Waterloo or keep along the river to Winter by the River at London Bridge City. (South Bank London)
Lights walk: Oxford Street → Carnaby → Regent → Piccadilly/Fortnum’s → Green Park for the Tube home. Switch-ons: Oxford St Nov 3, Carnaby Nov 6, Regent St ~Nov 6–13; plan lights viewing ~16:30–20:00 for glow + shop hours. (oxfordstreet.co.uk)
MANCHESTER
Manchester’s Christmas Markets pack a lot into one easy loop—skating under twinkly lights at Cathedral Gardens, grazing through food stalls at Piccadilly Gardens, and hopping tram stops between cozy craft squares. Plan a daytime stroll that rolls straight into dusk so you catch the stalls, the switch-on glow, and a hot chocolate break right when you need it.
Core dates, hours, and how to get around
Markets season: Fri 7 Nov – Mon 22 Dec 2025 across ten city-centre sites. Most zones run 10:00–21:00 (craft stalls often wind down around 20:00), with some areas trading beyond the main dates. (manchester.gov.uk)
Skate Manchester (Cathedral Gardens): Sat 25 Oct 2025 – Sun 4 Jan 2026, closed on 25 Dec. Sessions typically 10:00/11:00–21:00 with last skate at 20:00. Covered rink = skates whatever the weather. (skatemanchester.com)
Nearest rail hubs: Manchester Victoria, Piccadilly, Oxford Road; from there it’s an easy Metrolink hop or short walk to the market clusters. (Avanti West Coast)
Handy Metrolink stops for the markets: Exchange Square, Market Street, Piccadilly Gardens, St Peter’s Square, Deansgate-Castlefield, Victoria (use whichever is closest to your cluster). (Secret Manchester)
Northern Quarter & Cathedral end
Cathedral Gardens (ice rink + family zone)
When: See Skate Manchester dates above.
Where: Cathedral Gardens (M4 3BG), beside National Football Museum.
Nearest: Victoria rail/Metrolink or Exchange Square tram.
What to expect: Large covered ice rink, food and drink stalls, and free live entertainment Thu–Sun leading up to New Year’s Eve. (manchester.gov.uk)
Exchange Square & Corn Exchange
When: Within the 7 Nov – 22 Dec window; typical 10:00–21:00.
Nearest: Exchange Square tram, Victoria rail.
What to expect: Big food choice and gift chalets around Selfridges/Arndale and Corn Exchange. Easy link to Cathedral Gardens for skating, and short walk to New Cathedral Street. (I Love Manchester)
New Cathedral Street
- When: Typically 10:00–20:00 daily
- Nearest: Exchange Square tram.
- What to expect: Higher-end gifts and foodie favourites along the designer strip connecting the above sites. (The Manc)
Central Heritage
St Ann’s Square
When: 10:00–21:00 daily.
Nearest: St Peter’s Square tram (then 6–8 min walk).
What to expect: One of the oldest Manchester market spots with classic craft chalets and a calmer vibe than the main food hubs. (The Manc)
King Street
When: 10:00–21:00 daily.
Nearest: St Peter’s Square tram (10 min walk).
What to expect: Continental stalls and artisanal gifts tucked between historic façades; a nice breather between the big squares. (The Manc)
Civic quarter & Albert Square (Town Hall)
Albert Square (Town Hall)
When: Core markets 7 Nov – 23 Dec (10:00–21:00); then 26–30 Dec 10:00–18:00 and NYE open to 00:30; closed 25 Dec.
Nearest: St Peter’s Square tram (4–6 min walk).
What to expect: A headline site with bars, food chalets and those classic Town Hall backdrops. Part of the square reopened to markets this year. (manchester.gov.uk)
Piccadilly Corridor
Piccadilly Gardens “Winter Gardens”
When: 10:00–21:00 daily 7 Nov – 22 Dec.
Nearest: Piccadilly Gardens tram and bus hub; Manchester Piccadilly rail is a short walk.
What to expect: The main food court vibe with covered seating and live entertainment under the tipis, great for rainy nights. (The Manc)
Market Street (link strip)
When: 10:00–21:00 (Sundays often close at 18:00).
Nearest: Market Street tram.
What to expect: A busy pedestrian link lined with stalls; use it to connect Piccadilly Gardens to Exchange Square. (The Manc)
“Lights on” and festive displays
City centre market zones run illuminated throughout trading hours once the markets open (from 7 Nov), with the huge Grand Santa/structures and decorative lighting across the trail. Area switch-on moments vary by site; plan your dusk loop between Cathedral Gardens → Exchange Square → St Ann’s → Albert Square → Piccadilly Gardens to catch everything lit. (manchester.gov.uk)
Skate Manchester is fully lit for evening sessions from opening day (25 Oct) to 4 Jan, so it doubles as a night-photo spot any time in season. (skatemnchester.com)
Neighbourhood switch-ons: Greater Manchester boroughs hold separate evening events across late Nov and early Dec (if you’re staying outside the centre, check local listings). (visitmanchester.com)
December pop-ups, sweet stops and hot-chocolate ideas
Hotel Chocolat pop-ups at Printworks have been handing out free hot and cold “Hot-el Chocolate” cups on select weekends; follow Printworks’ socials for drop dates. There’s also a new Hotel Chocolat café concept in the city with a heavy hot-choc focus. (Facebook)
Primark’s themed cafés: Manchester Market Street and Trafford stores host seasonal cafés (Grinch or other themes depending on the year) with festive hot drinks and waffles through December. (License Global)
Foodie finds inside the markets change yearly, but 2025 highlights include Great North Pie Co., Pasta Claus, Hong Kong French Toast, Niwa Yakitori and more across Piccadilly Gardens, King Street and Albert Square. (The Manc)
LGBTQ-friendly cafés and restaurants near the trail
Richmond Tea Rooms (46 Sackville St, just off Piccadilly Gardens)
Alice-in-Wonderland-style tea room with seasonal menus and evening shows. It’s perfect for a warm sit-down between Piccadilly and St Ann’s/King Street. (Creative Tourist)
The Molly House (26 Richmond St, Gay Village)
Relaxed, inclusive bar-café with tapas and a strong drinks list; ideal for a later bite after the markets. 5–7 minutes from Piccadilly Gardens. (themollyhouse.com)
Feel Good Club (26–28 Hilton St, Northern Quarter)
Community-minded coffee spot with queer-friendly events; easy stop between the Northern Quarter and Cathedral Gardens/Exchange Square. (thefeelgoodclub)
Quick planning tips (save this)
Start early at Cathedral Gardens if you want an ice-skate, then glide through Exchange Square → St Ann’s → King Street → Albert Square → Piccadilly Gardens for dinner and live music under cover. (visitmanchester.com)
Use Metrolink to hop clusters: Exchange Square / Market Street / Piccadilly Gardens / St Peter’s Square cover nearly all the ground. Victoria rail drops you right by Cathedral Gardens. (Secret Manchester)
Check daily hours by zone if you’re running late; some areas close a bit earlier than the big food hubs. Secret Manchester keeps an updated list. (The Manc)
Skate tickets sell out on peak weekends; pre-book your session and arrive 30–40 minutes before skate time. (skatemanchester.com)
If you want, I can turn this into a printable one-pager with a walking map, a tram hop plan, and a “warm-up” list of cafés for hot chocolate breaks between clusters.
