Winter by the River Holiday Market: London Bridge Nov 10

Winter by the River returns to London Bridge City on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, and stays until Sunday, 3 January 2027. It is a riverside Christmas market on the south bank of the Thames, with rows of boutique stalls selling crafts, gifts and treats, a two-storey pop-up bar called The Clubhouse and a glass-enclosed curling venue on London Bridge City Pier. The estate's own event page lists opening from 11am to 10pm every day, which makes it one of the easier London markets to fit around an evening in the City.

The official description promises "charming boutique market stalls, bursting with artisanal crafts, thoughtful gifts, and delicious treats". In practice that means a mixture of luxury finds and handmade creations, plus a group of stalls selling what the organisers call "gifts for good", which are run in partnership with social enterprises. That last detail is worth knowing if you like to buy presents with a purpose.

Because the stalls are boutique rather than souvenir-heavy, the sensible plan is to walk the whole row once without buying, note the two or three stalls you liked, and then circle back. Doing it in that order avoids the classic mistake of buying a candle at the first stall and finding a better one at the last.

The Clubhouse is the larger of the two pop-up bars this year. The estate describes it as a spectacular two-storey festive venue with panoramic views across the Thames. You can sit under an enclosed, heated rooftop canopy, or step out onto the open balcony when you want the view without the roof. The menu is a full one of seasonal drinks, craft beers, wine and spirits, so it works for a quick warm-up after browsing the stalls as well as for a longer evening.

The organisers also say that The Clubhouse will host live music and seasonal activities through the season, and that it is available for private celebrations. If you are planning an after-work group, the heated canopy is the feature that matters, because a December evening beside the river is cold, and a covered seat with a heater makes the difference between a twenty-minute visit and a long one.

The curling pop-up is the part of Winter by the River that most visitors do not expect. Swift Stone Curling returns to London Bridge City Pier with six curling lanes and a larger central bar, all inside a glass-enclosed riverside venue. Each lane takes up to eight players, and each session lasts 50 minutes, which the organisers say blends friendly competition with a festive atmosphere. It is pitched at holiday get-togethers and team outings, and a lane for eight is the sensible size for a work group or a family reunion.

Curling is far easier to pick up than it looks. You slide the stone down the lane, your teammates sweep, and the whole thing is a game of patience and teamwork rather than athletic skill. Because sessions are fixed at 50 minutes, arrive a little before your start time so that you are not losing minutes to the coat check. I would book the lane first and then plan the stalls and the bar around it, rather than hoping for a free lane on the night.

The standard hours are 11am to 10pm, seven days a week. Christmas Eve is shorter, with the estate listing 11am to 5pm. Christmas Day is closed. New Year's Eve runs from 11am to 9pm, which is an hour earlier than a normal evening, so do not plan a late countdown here. The dates run from Tuesday, 10 November to Sunday, 3 January, which means the market is open for about eight weeks, and the quietest times are likely to be weekday lunchtimes in November.

The estate's address is 2a More London Riverside, London SE1 2DB. London Bridge station is the closest rail and Tube stop, and the riverside walk takes you past City Hall towards Tower Bridge. If you finish early, Borough Market, at 8 Southwark Street, is a short walk west and is a sensible place for a proper meal, since the market stalls here are more about snacks and gifts than dinner.

A second option for the same evening is a short walk east along the river towards Tower Bridge, where the bridge lights make a good photo. Another is to cross London Bridge on foot and look back at the market lights reflected in the water. Neither needs a ticket, and both are easier if you travel light and leave the shopping bags at home until the end of the evening.

London Bridge City is a riverside estate, and the Thames is its theme this year. The event page opens with a line about the river inspiring unforgettable stories and closes with a pun about a page-turner, which tells you that the organisers have leaned into a storybook idea for 2026. That story theme also explains why the stalls and the bars are described as chapters of the same evening rather than separate attractions.

Go on a weekday if you want space at the stalls. Go at dusk if you want the lights, because the Thames side of the estate looks best once the sky has turned dark blue. Bring layers, because the balcony of The Clubhouse is open to the air. If you want to curl, pre-book a session and arrive early, and if you are in a group of more than eight, book two lanes rather than hoping everyone fits. Finally, keep your hands free for the stalls, which is easier if you leave bulky bags at home.

Dates: Tuesday, 10 November 2026 to Sunday, 3 January 2027.

Hours: 11am to 10pm daily; Christmas Eve 11am to 5pm; closed Christmas Day; New Year's Eve 11am to 9pm.

Curling: six lanes, up to eight players per lane, 50-minute sessions at London Bridge City Pier.

Address: 2a More London Riverside, London SE1 2DB. Event details: londonbridgecity.co.uk.