15 Best places for Christmas shopping in London

Picking up the right time to visit London is always tricky. From summer to winter, London is always beautiful to discover any time of the year. However, when Christmas is approaching, the city becomes magical and worth visiting. There are so many things to do in London at Christmas that makes the town different from other times of the year. 

I know we mentioned Christmas a couple of times, and this means that in this article you will find all the best places for Christmas shopping in London. 

Yes, shopping at Xmas is a must, especially if you’re looking for something particular for your partner, friend, or family. We will walk you through the best Christmas shops in London, from the famous Oxford Circus to the less known Stratford City, stopping by Fortnum & Mason for some Christmas food shopping in London.

We will not miss the best Christmas Markets in London and some hidden gems you should know.

So be ready to discover London with Christmas decorations, lights and incredible vibes. We bet that you will fall in love with the city over and over again.

Apple Market in Covent Garden

Covent Garden is on everyone’s London bucket list. Thanks to its gorgeous Christmas lights and decorations, gift shops and bubbly atmosphere, Covent Garden is today one of the best locations for your Christmas shopping in London. From the typical local London souvenirs to the massive Apple store, this area is ideal if you want to buy something special for your friends or family.

Pop into Conver Garden Markets and admire the lovely decorations that dominate the area but at the same time don’t forget to have a look at the different shops where you can buy a nice present. From jewellery to home accessories, Covent Garden has it all, and that’s why it is the perfect location for your Christmas shopping in London. In Covent Garden Market, there is a new feature with typical, warm and cosy igloos on the East-side. 

Take your time and indulge in a hot chocolate before continuing your shopping in London at Christmas.

Carnaby Street

The best area to admire stunning decorations is Carnaby Street when Christmas is approaching. Every year you will find a different topic that will decorate this famous shopping street in London. This year’s theme is butterflies; all along Carnaby street, there are installations of butterflies together with the Christmas touch decorations. 

You will be shopping with style, going from one shop to another while admiring the gorgeous and popular decorations around Carnaby Street. Make sure to pop inside EL&N cafe to grab your instagrammable coffee. Together with New Bond Street, Carnaby is the best place to find the perfect Christmas party outfits and enjoy London nightlife. Christmas Shopping in the Capital is nothing without visiting the designer boutiques around Soho Area.

New Bond Street

We mentioned this street before, and now is the time to talk more about it. New Bond Street is fabulous during Christmas, adorned with glittering lights and various festive decorations, you can do your Christmas shopping while enjoying the beautiful illustrations. Stop in the cute narrow streets of Mayfair and snap your pictures with the lights on. For sure, New Bond street is a popular place for shopping and during this time of the year, you will find many people grabbing their Christmas presents all day long.

Luxury Shopping at Harrods in Knightsbridge

You can’t leave London without stopping by the famous Harrods, one of the luxury Christmas shops in London. With its most exclusive brands and designers from all over the world, Harrods in Knightsbridge is a great place to grab your Christmas present. It is indeed a bit expensive, but roaming around the alleys is free!

When Christmas is approaching, Harrods starts to transform into a magical world with its decorations, Santa and Christmas trees all around the many floors. If it’s your first time in Harrods to be scared, we know that it might be overwhelming due to the many people, numerous stories and endless things to buy but take your time and enjoy your Christmas shopping in London. 

With its many brands and designers, you will find high-quality gifts but even on a budget one. While roaming around looking for the perfect Christmas gifts, make sure you grab a bite and enjoy a delicious meal at the champagne bar; you won’t regret it! 

Westfield Stratford City

Let’s be honest, when someone is telling you to go shopping in London, the only place that you might think of is Oxford Street. This is the reason why we decided to put together this guide. Besides the famous streets, London has many Christmas shopping places worth visiting. 

Westfield Stratford City is one of these vast shopping centres perfect if you’re planning your Christmas shopping in London. Accessible via the Central/Jubilee and DLR line from central London, this shopping centre is home to big brands like H&M, Zara, Apple, Primark and many more.  

The largest shopping centre in Stratford is the ideal place to buy your Christmas present, from clothes to children and technology shops. However, we highly recommend avoiding weekends as the shopping centre might be super busy. Instead, try to plan your visit in the morning to have fewer people around.

Winter Wonderland Christmas Shopping in Hyde Park

Every November, the big Winter Wonderland opens its gates to all Londoners and tourists. In Hyde Park, Winter Wonderland is one of my favourite places for Christmas shopping in London. I could stay there the entire day just strolling around the Christmas markets while drinking mulled wine. 

From the typical stands with Christmas decorations to the homemade jewellery, home accessories, and clothes stand, Winter Wonderland is a dream come true. Since November, the broad park has seen life, full of games, food and drink stands and an incredible ice rink. Walk through the typical Christmas Market or pop in a renowned pub with a proper Christmas Style.

Due to the current circumstances, you need to book your tickets here, and during peak times, there is a small fee of £5 to pay if you wish to visit the Winter Wonderland.

Portobello Road Market 

Portobello Road Market will always be my favourite place to go shopping. Thanks to its many different and alternative shops, Portobello Market is an excellent place if you’re looking to buy your Christmas presents. 

From Monday to Thursday and on Saturday, the market is open along with the beautiful boutique shops, antique and vintage stores. However, what we love the most about Portobello Road is that the majority of the shops around have a unique touch. In fact, you will see many different styles while walking along Portobello.

With its variety of shops, Portobello Road Market can’t be skipped for your Christmas shopping in London plus, be ready to admire the beautiful Christmas decorations while walking around Portobello! 

Christmas Shopping at Greenwich Market 

We never went Christmas shopping in Greenwich Market until we moved to our new flat located 30 minutes from Greenwich a couple of years ago. After that, we planned many days out in Greenwich to easily walk there. 

This lets us discover that Greenwich Market is perfect for Christmas shopping in London, and that’s why it needs to be on your list as well. Located in a market hall with stands, shops and street food, during Christmas, Greenwich Market is an alternative place where you can go shopping.

From exclusive vintage goods to handmade jewellery and accessories, Greenwich Market has everything you might be looking for. Make sure you plan your day out in Greenwich at Christmas and explore the beautiful area.

Old Spitalfields Market

Shoreditch is always the perfect spot to engage with the many alternative things to do in London. For example, if you’re looking for a non-conventional place to do your Christmas shopping in London, you should consider Old Spitalfields Market. 

The market will give you the perfect Christmas vibes thanks to its different stands with vintage and start-up designers. Old Spitalfield Market is not only a great place for Christmas shops in London, but it’s also the ideal place to buy souvenirs from London. With its moderate prices, you will find unique pieces worth your money. After your Christmas shopping, stroll around the area of Liverpool Street and Brick Lane to admire incredible street arts and festive decorations.

Oxford Street & Regent Street Christmas Shopping

Here you go—the most popular and famous street in London. Oxford Street is the busiest street ever, starting from Regent Street and ending from one side in New Bond Street and the other Tottenham Court Road. With the many different shops along the way, Oxford and Regent Street are ideal for your Christmas Shopping in London. Oxford Street is one of the most famous streets ever with its variety of shops from Hamleys to Primark; you will find everything you need.

If you want to experience the Christmas atmosphere, you should have your shopping list handy and start enjoying the windows in the afternoon as, after 3 PM, the lights along Regent Street and Oxford Streets are on. The lighted angels adorning the two principal shopping streets create the harmonic spot. Take the best photos of London at Christmas, standing at the centre of the carriage (in the safest way possible) with the lights in the backdrop. Check out our guide to the most instagrammable spots in London.

Christmas Shopping in Southbank Market

Fewer tourists than Oxford Street, the Christmas markets along Southbank are our favourites. Located along Southbank, you can enjoy the beautiful view over London Eye, Big Ben and St. Paul while doing some shopping for Christmas. 

Walking through “Christmas by the river”, you will see different stands from the handmade Christmas decorations balls to festive foods ready to return home with you. Every time we go for our Christmas shopping in London our first place is Southbank Market thanks to the different alternative things you can buy. 

The good thing after all this shopping is that you can walk along the river, reach the beautiful Tower Bridge and grab a bite before heading home.

Columbia Road Flower Market

Taking place only on Sundays from 8 AM till 3 PM, this popular market is an alternative place to consider for your London Christmas shopping. Let’s be honest; instead of always buying the same things, you can plan something different and even surprise your partner or friends. 

Pick up some fresh flower or a plant and grab your bouquet to attach to your present. Well, besides this famous Flower Market, in Columbia Road, you will find small shops where you can find handmade jewellery, home utensils and accessories, vintage goods. So grab a coffee before you go and have some rest from your Christmas shopping.

Camden Town

We couldn’t leave Camden Town outside our list of the best places for the best Christmas shopping in London. I mean, it’s not London without it. Thanks to its variety of shops and the huge Camden Market, this place is one of the most favourites for tourists and locals. Here you can find anything you’re looking for. 

From second-hand technology shops, vintage, souvenirs, food and clothes shops, Camden Town has it all. The borough on the Northern Line changed a lot during recent years, and it’s completely different compared to a couple of years ago. So, even if you’ve been there before, we suggest you return it as you will see how better it has become. 

Stop inside the market and grab a bite along with your crazy Christmas shopping; you won’t regret it.

Best time to do Christmas shopping in London

After Halloween, many shops and restaurants decorate for the festive season. You will already spot Christmas trees and decorations from the beginning of November. The official day for the famous lights in Oxford Street is around the 13th of November. However, this day might change depending on the year.

From that moment, London starts to go inside the Christmas mood. The best time to do Christmas shopping in London is actually in November. Suppose you can avoid the entire month of December even better. November is already busy, but December is just crazy; sometimes, you won’t walk due to the many people around. If you’re running late and don’t want to go around busy shops, you can always consider doing your Christmas shopping online.

Above, we’ve mentioned all the best Christmas shopping locations in London, and now it’s time to say some Christmas food shopping as well. From the typical Fortnum & Mason, you can find all the Christmas food products to the traditional Mince Pie that you need to try.

Fortnum & Mason

Known for its many selections of teas, from the typical English Breakfast to fruit teas, chocolate and coffee for every taste, Fortnum & Mason is the perfect place for your Christmas food shopping in London.

You can find anything you’re looking for here, from the delicious shortbread to the typical Mince Pie usually out during the festive season.

Mince Pie

It is not Christmas if you don’t see Mince Pie around all the shops and bakeries in London. So every time the festive season is approaching, everyone starts looking for this delicious sweet filled with dried fruits and mincemeat.

You will find Mince Pie everywhere, from the local coffee shop to Fortnum & Mason, or grocery shops like Waitrose. What does that mean? It means that you can’t leave London without trying one.

Christmas in London Traditions

• See the Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square
• Enjoy the beautiful lights display at Regent Street
• Pose for a photo in Oxford St. with the lights in the background
• Midnight Mess at Westminster Abbey
• Ice Skating at Somerset House
• Have fun at Winter Wonderland
• Eat Mince Pie
• Enjoy a proper Christmas Afternoon Tea in London
• Dress to impress, wear your own Christmas Jumper

Q&A Christmas shopping in London