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Sometimes the best travel memories are completely unplanned, and our visit to the Kingston Christmas Market was exactly that.
After a cancelled flight left us with an unexpected 20 hour London layover, we decided not to head into Central London while exhausted and jet lagged. Instead, we discovered the Kingston Upon Thames Christmas Market was about the same travel time from Heathrow Airport and offered a much more relaxed experience.
Kingston is a charming London suburb about 30 minutes from Heathrow Airport. While the market is much smaller than many famous European Christmas markets, that ended up being part of the appeal.
We spent the evening wandering decorated streets, browsing market stalls inside a church and heated tent, and eating fresh mini pancakes that I am still thinking about.
If you are looking for a quieter Christmas market near London or a festive Heathrow layover idea, Kingston Christmas Market is absolutely worth visiting.
Kingston Christmas Market At a Glance
📍Location: Kingston Upon Thames, southwest London
🚆 Best For: Heathrow layovers and London day trips
🎄 Atmosphere: Cozy, walkable, and less crowded than Central London
🍴 Food Highlights: German inspired market foods, British seasonal treats
🛍️ What to Expect: Traditional wooden chalets, festive lights, holiday shopping, indoor market spaces, and riverside charm
⏰ Best Time to Visit: Evenings for holiday lights or weekdays for smaller crowds
🏨 Where to Stay: Leonardo Hotel Heathrow or town center
About Kingston Upon Thames
Kingston Upon Thames is a historic suburb in southwest London located along the River Thames. The area is known for its walkable town center, riverside restaurants, shopping streets, and pedestrian friendly atmosphere.
It also felt very safe and easy to navigate, especially compared to the busier tourist areas in London.
Unlike the dense and fast paced feel of Central London, Kingston has a more spacious suburban atmosphere with larger homes, riverside paths, shopping streets, and quieter neighborhoods. It felt more like a local community than a major tourist destination.
Kingston is also one of England’s oldest royal boroughs, and several Saxon kings were crowned here centuries ago. Today, it blends that history with modern shops, restaurants, and a lively town center.
During Christmas, the market gives the area a cozy European style atmosphere with festive lights, food stalls, and holiday decorations throughout the town center.
Because Kingston sits outside Central London, it makes a great Christmas day trip from London or a convenient stop from Heathrow Airport for travelers wanting a slower pace during the holidays.
6 Things to Do at the Kingston Christmas Market
The Kingston Christmas Market may be smaller than some of Europe’s famous Christmas markets, but there is still plenty to see and do. Between the food stalls, holiday shopping, decorations, and cozy atmosphere, it ended up being the perfect way to spend our unexpected layover in London.
1. Explore the Kingston Christmas Market
The main Kingston Christmas Market takes place in the Ancient Market Place in the center of town. Traditional wooden chalets fill the square selling Christmas gifts, holiday treats, seasonal drinks, and German inspired food.
The market is decorated with festive lights and holiday displays that give the entire square a holiday atmosphere.
One thing I immediately noticed was how manageable the crowds felt. We could actually stop, browse, and look around without constantly being pushed through the market.
The Kingston Christmas Market typically runs from mid November through December 28 and is closed on Christmas Day.
Opening Hours
- Sunday to Wednesday: 10am to 6pm
- Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 8pm
In addition to the market stalls, Kingston also hosts seasonal entertainment throughout the Christmas season. Depending on when you visit, you may find live music, Christmas choirs, local bands, and other festive performances taking place around the market. Unfortunately, we did not get to catch any of the entertainment during our short layover, but it looked like a great addition for visitors spending a full evening at the market.
Since schedules can occasionally change, I would still recommend double checking the official website before your visit.
2. Visit the Market Inside All Saints Church
One of the most memorable parts of our visit was discovering a Christmas market set up inside All Saints Church. It made the experience feel even cozier and more unique compared to many larger Christmas markets.
Inside, we found local artisans, holiday gift vendors, and smaller market stalls tucked throughout the church. The indoor setting added to the atmosphere and made the market feel especially warm and inviting.
The indoor setup also gave people a warm place to browse during colder or rainy weather. England in December can definitely be chilly and damp.
3. Browse the Heated Tent Market
In addition to the outdoor stalls, Kingston also had vendors set up inside a heated tent. This was another nice touch that made the market feel comfortable during winter weather.
4. Eat the Mini Pancakes
If you visit Kingston Christmas Market, the mini pancakes are a must try. We grabbed them for dessert after dinner, and honestly, I still think about them.
They were warm, soft, and covered in your choice toppings. I chose Nutella and strawberries! Delicious! After a stressful travel day, they were exactly what we needed.
There were also several other food stalls throughout the market selling German style sausages, warm holiday drinks, sweets, and traditional Christmas market snacks. Alongside the European inspired market foods, we also noticed several vendors serving classic British comfort foods and seasonal treats.
We also found plenty of cafés and restaurants nearby if you want to sit inside and enjoy a meal.
5. Walk Through Kingston Town Centre
One of the best parts of visiting the Kingston Christmas Market is simply wandering through the town center. The historic streets were decorated with Christmas lights and holiday displays, and the entire area felt festive without being overly crowded.
Kingston is also a great place for shopping during the holidays. Along with the Christmas market stalls, there are plenty of shops, restaurants, and cafés throughout the area. The Bentall Centre is also nearby for visitors looking for more traditional shopping options.
6. Stroll Along the River Thames
If you have extra time, I would also recommend walking along the River Thames. The riverside setting gives Kingston a completely different atmosphere than Central London.
Unfortunately, we did not have enough time to fully explore the riverside during our short layover, but it is at the top of my list for a future visit to Kingston.
Why Kingston is a Great Alternative to or Day Trip From Central London at Christmas
One of the things we loved most about Kingston was how easy and enjoyable it felt to explore during the busy holiday season.
The crowds were noticeably smaller, which made it easier to actually enjoy the Christmas market without constantly navigating packed sidewalks and long lines. We could slow down, browse the stalls, and enjoy the atmosphere at our own pace.
Kingston was simple to navigate, very walkable, and much calmer than moving through busy tourist areas in Central London. We also found people to be incredibly friendly and welcoming throughout our visit.
I also think Kingston would be a great option for families, travelers with limited time, or anyone wanting a slower paced Christmas experience near London.
For travelers flying through Heathrow Airport, Kingston makes an especially convenient holiday stop. It offered us a festive Christmas market experience without needing to commit to a full Central London visit during a short layover.
What to Wear at Kingston Christmas Market
London in December can be cold, damp, and windy, especially in the evenings. During our visit, layers were definitely the key to staying comfortable while exploring the market.
Here are a few things I would recommend bringing:
- Warm winter coat
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Waterproof shoes or boots for rainy weather
- Scarf, gloves, and hat for colder evenings
- Extra layer if visiting during a Heathrow layover
- Small umbrella or rain jacket just in case
👉If you are planning a European Christmas market trip, you can also read my complete Christmas Market Packing List for more winter travel essentials and cold weather tips.
Funny Travel Mishap: When I Tried to Spend 20 Year Old British Money
One of the funniest moments from our Kingston visit happened when I tried paying with British pounds I still had from a trip to London nearly 20 years ago.
Apparently, the UK had completely redesigned much of its paper currency since my last visit, and several of my bills were no longer accepted.
Thankfully, the vendor was incredibly kind about it and explained what had changed and showed me where to find a bank that could help me. The bank staff were also extremely helpful when we stopped to exchange the old currency.
Honestly, the whole experience ended up becoming one of those unexpected travel moments we still laugh about now. It also reminded me how friendly and welcoming everyone we met in Kingston was during our short stay.
How to Get to Kingston Christmas Market
Kingston Upon Thames is easy to reach from both Heathrow Airport and Central London, which is one reason I think it makes such a great alternative Christmas market destination.
For our short layover visit, we used Uber from Heathrow Airport. It was definitely the easiest and least stressful option after a long travel day, especially while dealing with jet lag.
Rideshares were also very easy to find throughout the area. While it was not the cheapest transportation option, the convenience was worth it for us during a short visit.
If you are visiting from Central London, the easiest option is usually taking the train from London Waterloo Station to Kingston Station. The trip typically takes about 30 to 40 minutes depending on the route and time of day.
Once you arrive in Kingston, the Christmas market and town center are very walkable from the train station. We found it easy to explore the market, restaurants, shops, and surrounding streets entirely on foot.
Helpful Tips for Visiting Kingston Christmas Market
Here are a few practical things to know before your visit:
- The market takes place in Kingston’s pedestrianized town center, so you do not need to worry about vehicle traffic while exploring the market area.
- Most of the market is outdoors, although several vendors were located inside All Saints Church and a heated tent during our visit.
- Most vendors accept both cash and cards, although cards tend to be the preferred payment method.
- Temporary toilet facilities are typically provided during the Christmas market season, and additional restrooms can be found in nearby restaurants, cafés, and shopping areas.
- The market is very walkable and easy to navigate, making it a good option for families with strollers and visitors looking for a lower stress Christmas market experience.
Where to Stay for a Kingston Christmas Market Visit
Since our visit to Kingston Christmas Market happened during a long Heathrow layover, we stayed closer to the airport instead of in Kingston itself. If you are planning something similar, staying near Heathrow can make things much easier after a long flight.
We stayed at the Leonardo Hotel Heathrow Airport and had a really good experience there. The rooms were comfortable and the breakfast buffet was absolutely worth paying extra.
One thing I especially liked was finally finding a hotel chain in Europe that I would happily book again in other cities. That was a great added bonus to our unexpected layover.
Travelers wanting a longer Christmas market stay could also find hotels and apartments directly in Kingston town center within walking distance of the market, restaurants, and shopping streets.
👉Search Kingston Hotels on Booking.com
👉Browse Kingston Upon Thames Hotels.com
👉Find Kingston Holiday Apartments on VRBO. This is a great option when I want a little more space or am traveling for a longer stay. It lists apartments, condos, and full homes. It is a great option if you want a kitchen or extra space. I like using it to find comfortable stays in good locations that feel a bit more like home.
📍Recommended Heathrow Stay: Leonardo Hotel Heathrow Airport
A comfortable airport hotel with an excellent breakfast buffet and convenient access to Heathrow Airport. This worked perfectly for our unexpected London layover and quick trip to Kingston Christmas Market.
FAQs
Here are answers to some of the questions I get asked most often about the Kingston Upon Thames Christmas Market.
Is Kingston Christmas Market worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you prefer smaller crowds and a more relaxed atmosphere. While it is not as large as some European Christmas markets, I loved how easy it was to explore and actually enjoy the experience.
How far is Kingston Christmas Market from Heathrow Airport?
Kingston Upon Thames is about 30 minutes from Heathrow Airport depending on traffic. The drive was very manageable for our long layover, although traffic can definitely increase during busy times of day.
Can you visit Kingston Christmas Market as a day trip from London?
Absolutely. Kingston makes an easy day trip from London and offers a slower pace compared to Central London during Christmas. It’s about 30-40 minutes by train.
What food should you try at Kingston Christmas Market?
The mini pancakes were easily my favorite thing we ate during our visit. There were also several food stalls selling traditional Christmas market snacks, drinks, and warm meals throughout the market area.
Is Kingston Upon Thames safe for tourists?
Kingston felt very safe during our visit. The area has a quieter suburban atmosphere with walkable streets, restaurants, shops, and families throughout the town center.
What is the best time to visit Kingston Christmas Market?
I would recommend visiting in the evening if you want to see the Christmas lights fully lit up and enjoy the cozy atmosphere after dark. Weekdays are also a great option if you prefer smaller crowds and a quieter experience.
Final Thoughts
Our visit to the Kingston Christmas Market was completely unexpected, but it ended up being one of my favorite travel memories from the trip. Plus we got to add a country to our full itinerary.
What started as a stressful cancelled flight and long layover turned into a cozy evening filled with Christmas lights, food stalls, mini pancakes, and a much calmer side of London.
If you are looking for a quieter Christmas market near London, a festive Heathrow layover idea, or simply a more relaxed Christmas experience, Kingston Upon Thames is absolutely worth visiting. I would happily return someday with more time to explore the riverside and spend another evening wandering the Christmas markets.
I hope you found this Kingston Christmas Market Guide helpful for planning your trip! Drop me an email if you have any questions. julie@travelandtinsel.com I love to hear from readers.
