A Guide to Visit Covent Garden at Christmas

Christmas in London is magical time of the year. If you’re in London at Christmas, you must need to visit Covent Garden. Covent Garden at Christmas is always beautiful, and it is the best spot to experience the festive vibes in London. In this guide, you’ll find all the best things to do, lovely dining spots, and festive events to enjoy the holiday spirit in the city.

Covent Garden is culinary hot spot of London, and at Christmas it is packed with so many festive events. It has small Christmas market as well as retail pop ups, and over-the-top decorations. It is not like typical European Christmas markets but you can surely find festive vibes around you!

Eat at one of the best restaurants in London or go for festive cocktails, mulled wine or go shopping! There are plenty of things to do in Covent Garden at Christmas. This is perfect spot to add in your London Christmas Lights walking route.

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A Brief History About Covent Garden

History of Covent Garden dates back to 1200s, when it was once owned by Westminster Abbey. It was referred to as ‘the garden of the Abbey and Convent’, because its located on the North bank of River Thames.

In 1540, the land where Covent garden is located was granted to John Russel, 1st Earl of Bedford by King Henry VII. For about a century, there wasn’t much going on in this particular land, until Francis Russell, 4th Earl of Bedford, converted his estate into public square at Covent Garden. This was the first square designed in London for urban planning.

In 1670, 5th Earl of Bedford secured permission from King Charles II to establish a fruit and vegetable market, giving him and his heirs the right to gather traders. Then over the years, it undergone major changes, and reopening in 1980 as Europe’s first specialty shopping, and dining center. Today, it’s best speciality shopping location in London.

Today, Covent Garden comprises the Main Market Building, Royal Opera House, London Transport Museum, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Neal’s Yard, and Seven Dials.

Covent Garden Christmas Market Today

Every year, from early November to December, Covent Garden gets decked up with giant Christmas bells hung under the ceiling of the Market, a 60-feet tree in the Piazza, holiday pop ups, stalls selling mulled wine, and lots festive activities.

Inside the Market Building, you’ll find vendors selling antiques, arts, crafts, jewelry, and gifts under the Apple Market.The Covent Garden at Christmas exudes joy and cheer from every corner. Covent Garden one of the best Christmas decorations in London.

Best Things to do in Covent Garden at Christmas

1. Admire the Christmas Decoration in Market Building

One of the most popular Christmas decorations in London – giant bells and baubles are iconic festive displays in Covent Garden.

The iconic Market Building is decorated with 40 gigantic bells, 12 giant baubles, and 8 spinning mirror balls hanging from the ceiling. Giant Baubles have been the feature of Covent Garden Christmas since decade but in 2023, they introduced giant Bells with red bows.

The installation is crafted with red and gold glitter! At night the lights from the installation illuminates the building. World class opera singers often performs at the hall during the Christmas.

2. Covent Garden Christmas Tree

Every year, for the Covent Garden Christmas, a fresh, 60-feet tall tree is handpicked from a tree farm in the country. While this isn’t as high as Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York, its still a a spectacular sight in London.

The tree stands on the West Piazza throughout the holiday season, illuminated with over 30,000 lights and over 200 decorations, to complete this dazzling display during Christmas.

Covent Garden Christmas Tree is one of the most festive things to do in London in December.

3. Photo with Covent Garden Christmas Sleigh

You’ll find a quick photo opportunity at the Covent Garden with Christmas Sleigh. I think Christmas is incomplete without Santa or his sleigh!

You’ll find a Santa’s sleigh on the West Piazza in front of the Christmas tree. This lush red sleigh is a vintage 1884 carriage, beautifully restored to its former glory, and hand-painted by American/British artist James Gemmill.

You may not find Santa or reindeer, but still you’ll have fun while taking photos, or sitting inside. It’s free to get your photos taken in the sleigh! It’s available for Photos from 9 AM to 9 PM.

This is one of the most popular Christmas decorations in London, so you’ll need to wait in a line to get the Photos! So make sure to have plenty of time with you when you visit Covent Garden Christmas market.

4. Covent Garden Christmas Market

The Covent Garden Christmas market is set up under the Market Building in the middle of the piazza. It’s one of the best Christmas Markets in London, offering everything from handmade crafts and Christmas ornaments to festive treats.

It’s the perfect place to get unique gifts or getting yourself something special. You’ll also get lots of London inspired souvenirs and Christmas ornaments for the gifts.

Sip hot chocolate or mulled wine while browsing the stalls, and enjoy live performances from street performers. I would say Covent Garden is one of the most spectacular Christmas Markets in London and you should add it in your London Christmas Itinerary.

5. Enjoy Festive Treats & Drinks

During the starting of November, most of the cafes, restaurants, and food stalls in London start offering special Christmas meals and drinks. And Covent Garden is NO exception!

And of course, your Christmas market visit is incomplete without a cup of mulled wine, which you’ll get at some of the stalls in Covent Garden. You’ll also find stalls selling hot desserts like hot dogs, crepes, donuts, and churros. The winter season is best to devour the festive treats.

You’ll also find famous pop up bars around the market hall building selling mulled wine, holiday drinks, and fancy cocktails.

If you want a sit-down meal, here are a few cafes, and restaurants you must try:

• Ivy Market Grill: Overlooking the Piazza, Ivy Market Grill serves British classics with beautiful festive ambience.
• Arome Bakery: Known for its signature honey buttered toast, this bakery is one of my favorite in the area. Try their apple miso danish, pistachio escargot, or tomato pesto danish.
• Bill’s Covent Garden: This British restaurant serves delicious pancakes as well as English breakfast. Vegetarian options are available.
• Franco Manca Pizza: Offering delicious Italian sourdough Pizza with fresh ingredients. The portions are generous and prices are fair.
• Gordon Ramsay Street Burger: Try the world famous chef’s Christmas burger. They offers variety of options including hash brown and cabbage!
• Clos Maggiore: London’s most famous Christmas restaurant decorated with baubles, it offers modern European flavors. If you’re looking for most romantic dining spot in London, this is the one!

6. Enjoy Live Snow Every Hour

London rarely gets snows, and there is NO White Christmas here! I saw many pictures on social media with Snow but that was very long ago!

But you can experience daily snow showers during the whole month of December at Covent Garden!

Everyday in December, a flurry of artificial snow falls from the Market Building, giving you white Christmas experience in the heart of London.

7. Go for Shopping

Covent Garden is one of London’s best shopping hub. You’ll find more than 300 retailers including world famous brands like Apple, NARS, Charlotte tilbury and Uniqlo!

You can also check out British brands like Mulberry, Russel & Bromley, Elemis, Hotel Chocolat, and AllSaints.

If you want to support locals, buy something from vendors at Apple Market inside the Market building in Covent Garden. This is a great way to help local artisans, and making their Christmas better by supporting their work.

8. Visit Festive Pop ups

Every year, many brands set up their holiday pop ups in the East Piazza of Covent Garden. Every year it is very different and you’ll love to experience it!

This year World-renown champagne house Piper-Heidsieck has set up a Champagne Winter Garden where you can sip a chilled glass of the famous champagne, as well as taste delicious Champagne cocktails.

And LEGO team have brought two LEGO sculptures of Santa and Rudolph to the West Piazza! You can get the photo with them with the backdrop of famous Christmas bells!

9. Live Christmas Choir Performances

The Covent Garden Christmas Market is really a treat to eyes with its beautiful Christmas decor. But it’s equally soothing to your ears! You’ll hear lovely Christmas Music to create the magical atmosphere during holidays.

In the lower court in the Market Building, you’ll hear a live performances every Thursday. You can listen to performances from the London International Gospel Choir with classic Christmas carols.

10. Visit nearby Jubilee Market

The Jubilee Market is another perfect place to grab some quirky Christmas gifts in Covent Garden. This historic market was built in 1904 and has been housing stalls ever since!

I really love the Antiques and collectables Market stalls (Monday 5 AM to 5 PM) here. You can shop for the fine art, sterling silver, and used books. You’ll find Arts & Craft Market on Saturday and sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. You can get the handcrafted jwellery, candles, or paintings etc.

the General Market happens on Thursday and Friday from 10:30 AM to 6 PM where you can shop everything from fashion, art to clothes! It is the perfect place to get Christmas gifts to take back home.

11. Go for Alfresco Dining

when you’re in Covent Garden during Christmas, you’ll be near some of the top restaurants in London. But at this time of the year, the heated alfresco dining in the piazza offers a very cozy festive way to experience Christmas in Covent Garden.

Several restaurants and bars have outdoor terraces, and they offers heated terrace dining experience as well as warm blankets to enjoy the winter vibes with festive cocktails.

With a Piazza bar and a balcony overlooking Covent Garden, SUSHI SAMBA has a great al fresco offering.

12. Visit the London Transport Museum

Do you love knowing about trains and buses? Especially London’s iconic double decker buses and underground tubes? Then you’ve must have to visit the London Transport Museum, right next to the Royal Opera House. This is actually perfect family friendly activity for young children!

You can explore a variety of exhibitions and artifacts, including different trains, horse-drawn carriages, and buses from the 19th century and beyond. You can even go inside in some of them! How cool this experience, isn’t it?

Also, during Christmas time, you’ll get chance to meet Santa or driving his sleigh! You can also ride the elf trail! You can also buy some cool London transport themed souvenirs at their gift shop at the end for your loved ones!

13. Admire the Views Royal Opera House

Do you know you can have the beautiful views of Covent Garden from top for free? yes, you hear that right. Just opposite the Market building, The Royal Opera House is home to The Royal Ballet, The Royal Opera and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden’s Opera House is one of the most important cultural landmark of London.

You will find beautifully decorated Christmas tree at the first floor(Paul Hamlyn hall) of the Royal Opera. It’s free to stop by here before you visit the top floor.

At the top floor, you’ll get the beautiful views of Piazza and market building as well as London eye! It’s free to visit which many people don’t know about! If you want to grab drinks, visit the beautiful Bar Cicoria.

14. Visit a Pub

Your London Trip is incomplete without visiting an old British pub and Covent Garden has so many of them! You can visit Lamb & Flag, dating back to 1772. This historic pub was a favorite haunt of Charles Dickens. The White Lion and The Nags Head are also best to visit in the area. Another is The Porterhouse, famous for its wide variety of beers from around the world.

The Cross Keys historic pub has a cozy interior filled with quirky memorabilia. It looks beautiful from outside as well as inside. You can also visit The Punch and Judy in the market building which offers traditional British food as well as beautiful views from Piazza.  

15. Watch Christmas Show

Visit a Theatre to watch Christmas shows at Covent Gardens Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Frozen, the musical is playing at the Theatre, Royal Drury Lane. You can even book a show at Royal Opera House for classic Christmas performance.

Book the Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre in Covent Garden, or hop over to the TKTS booth in Leicester Square for discounted cheap theatre tickets.

Places to Visit Near Covent Garden During Christmas

The good thing about Covent Garden is you are in the heart of London and there are so many places to visit nearby. These places are also just a few minutes walk from Covent Garden.

• Somerset House Ice Rink
• Piccadilly Circus
• Trafalgar Square Christmas Market
• Leicester Square Christmas Market

I have covered all these places in my London Christmas Lights Walking Route. You can plan your own DIY London Christmas lights trail.

How to get to covent Garden

Covent Garden is located in the heart of Central London and is easily accessible by Public transport. Here are some of the best ways to get to Covent Garden:

• By Tube: Covent Garden has its own tube station on the Piccadilly Line, which provides direct access to other popular areas such as Leicester Square, and Heathrow Airport.
• By Bus: Many bus routes serve the Covent Garden area, including the 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, and 139.
• By Train: Charing Cross and Waterloo stations are both within walking distance of Covent Garden and offer connections to other parts of London & UK.

Where to Stay in Covent Garden During Christmas

• St Martins Lane London: Just 5 minute walk to Covent Garden, this hotel features stylish rooms as well as restaurant featuring all day dining menu.
• Strand Palace: Located on West end theaters, Covent Garden’s shops and the Royal Opera House are a 5-minute walk away. The rooms are comfortable, and spacious. The hotel has 2 on-site bars offering cocktails and afternoon tea, and a restaurant serving British cuisine.
• The Z Hotel Strand: Rooms feature air-conditioning, private bathrooms with walk-in showers, and its just 5 minutes from Covent Garden as well as Trafalgar Square.

FAQs about Christmas in Covent Garden

At What time Does the covent garden Christmas market open?

The Covent Garden Christmas market remains open from 10 AM to 8 PM, Monday to Saturday, and 11 AM to 6 PM on Sundays. The Apple market remains open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. Covent Garden remains closed on Christmas day.

What time does the Covent Garden tree snowfall happens?

Snow fall at Covent Garden happens in West Piazza, right in front of Christmas tree every hour from 12 PM to 9 PM from December 6th–31st December.

Is Covent Garden worth Visiting?

Yes, Covent Garden is one of the most popular neighbourhood of London and it’s really beautiful at Christmas with all the decorations and it’s an excellent place for shopping and dining in London.

Final Thoughts about Covent Garden Christmas

Covent Garden is the perfect place to visit at Christmas, with dazzling light displays, massive bells and baubles under the ceiling and a fresh 60-foot tree from the countryside, as well as Christmas carols.

I really love London during Christmas. It’s simply magical at this time of the year. You can’t describe that feelings in words! So. don’t miss Christmas at Covent Garden when you visit London’s popular Christmas markets.

Whether it’s your first visit to London during Christmas or not, a trip to Covent Garden during the holidays is a must for a cheerful experience! You’ll find so many different activities every time you visit the area!

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