Tower of London Christmas Market 2024 – Christmas By The River
The Tower of London Christmas market is a festive event held annually near London Bridge across from the world-famous landmark.
The market features a range of traditional wooden chalets selling everything from hot food and drink to traditional Christmas decorations to international artisanal goods while enjoying views of the River Thames, Tower of London, the Shard and London Bridge.
This blog post will give you an overview of what to expect at the market, as well as some tips on the best things to buy and how to get there.
So whether you’re planning a visit to London for Christmas or just looking for some gift inspiration, read on for all the need-to-know information about the Tower of London Christmas market.
✅ Get yourself into the festive spirit with this Christmas lights & markets of London tour with a local guide.
When is the Tower of London Christmas Market Open?
The Tower of London Christmas market will be open from 17th November 2022 to 2nd January 2023.
What to Expect at the Tower of London Christmas Market
The Tower of London Christmas market is typically held from around late November to early January. The London Bridge Christmas market is located across from the Tower of London, which is situated on the banks of the river Thames in central London. This Christmas market is also known as Christmas by the River.
As well as being one of the city’s most famous tourist attractions, the Tower of London is also a working royal palace, so there’s plenty to see and do even if you’re not interested in shopping.
Things to do in the Tower of London Christmas Market
Explore The Stalls
Most stalls at the market sell traditional Christmas items such as tree decorations, wreaths, baubles and lights. There are also a number of food and drink stands offering everything from roasted chestnuts and marzipan fruit to mulled wine and hot chocolate.
If you’re looking for something a little different, there are also stalls selling international artisanal goods such as handmade Kenyan jewellery, Moroccan lamps and Indian scarves.
Prices at the market vary depending on what you’re buying, but you can expect to pay around £20-30 for most items.
For more inspiration read my guide on the best Christmas lights in London
Live Entertainment and Rides
In addition to browsing the stalls, visitors can also enjoy live music and entertainment throughout the day. There are usually a few fairground rides set up for children, too.
And if you get peckish, there are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat inside the Tower of London itself, including a café, restaurant and pub. Just bear in mind that it can get very busy during peak times such as weekends and school holidays.
The Best Things to Buy at the Tower of London Christmas Market
There’s no shortage of festive goodies available at the Tower of London Christmas market – from traditional tree decorations to artisanal handmade gifts from around the world. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
– A hand-blown glass bauble or two (or three…) from one of the many stalls specialising in ornamental glassware. Prices start at around £10 per bauble.
– A fresh wreath made from British-grown foliage – perfect for hanging on your front door or using as part table decoration come Christmas day. Wreaths start at around £25.
– A box of stollen – a traditional German fruit cake often eaten during Advent. Stollen usually costs between £5-10 per loaf.
– A bottle (or two) of mulled wine spice mix – an essential ingredient for making classic mulled wine at home. Bottles start at around £3 each.
– A handcrafted Moroccan lamp – perfect for adding a touch of bohemian luxury to your Christmas décor (or year-round décor!). Lamps start at around £30 each.
How to get to the Christmas By The River?
The market is located in near Tower Bridge, in central London.
The nearest underground station is London Bridge Station, 5-minutes walk.
The nearest tube station is Tower Hill, which is served by both the District and Circle lines. Alternatively, you can take the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Tower Gateway station.
If you’re coming by bus, you can take routes 11, 15, 42 or 78. For more information on how to get there, check out the Transport for London website.
Christmas By The River Opening Times
Sunday – Wednesday: 11:00 – 21:00 Thursday – Saturday: 11:00 – 22:00
Christmas Eve: 11:00 – 17:00 Christmas Day: Closed New Year’s Eve: 11:00 – 20:00 2nd January: 11:00 – 17:00
What else is there to do in London at Christmas time?
If you’re visiting London over the festive period, then there’s plenty more to see and do besides visiting the Tower of London Christmas market.
Visit nearby Borough Market, one of the oldest markets in London.
You could go ice skating at Somerset House or Natural History Museum Ice Rink and see Santa at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.
Visit one of London’s many Christmas markets (there are several other large markets in Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Southbank Centre and Canary Wharf).
For more ideas on what to do in London at Christmas time, head over to our blog post on ‘Things To Do in London at Christmas’.
Christmas By The River 2022 Conclusion:
Whether you’re looking for unique gifts or just want to enjoy festive food and drink in one of London’s most iconic landmarks, the Tower of London Christmas Market is definitely worth visiting. Use our guide to make sure you make the most out of your trip!