A magical ice grotto is coming to Camden Market this November, as the famous market transforms into a festive winter wonderland for Christmas.
From November, the market will be decorated with glowing light displays and festive decorations. Visitors can look forward to a ceiling of lights above Water Lane, a Christmas tree with mirror balls, icicle lighting and stars in Middle Yard and Camden Lock Place, a glowing light tunnel with a mirror ball at Dockray Place, and a giant LED-lit polar bear inside Waterside Halls.
Market Place will become a magic forest, complete with a 16ft Christmas tree, a gingerbread house, fairy lights, and a 3D ice painting.
The festivities will continue across Camden Market’s historic yards, with snow globe pods at Camden Lock Place, sparkling trees at The Quay and Middle Yard, and a festive village market at the Amphitheatre.
The North Yard Night Markets will return with a winter twist every Thursday evening until 9pm. A live brass band will play festive favourites, and visitors can enjoy mulled wine, hot cider, and late-night shopping with the market’s independent traders.
The Enchanted Ice Grotto will open in Hawley Wharf’s Waterside Halls West from Wednesday, November 26. Families can step inside a glittering ice palace and snow lounge, meeting penguins, polar bears, and a friendly snow leopard.
Mother and Father Christmas will be there to welcome guests for an interactive experience featuring storytelling, festive workshops, craft tables, and face painting.
The grotto will be open on selected dates from November 26 to December 13 — Saturdays and Sundays plus key weekdays — and running daily from December 19 to December 23. Session times are 1pm to 4.30pm, and tickets cost £15, available from November 2 at camdenmarket.com.
Camden Market, home to over 1,000 independent traders, will also offer a variety of seasonal food and drink promotions. From steaming mulled wine and rich hot chocolates to limited-edition festive street food specials and indulgent menus across its restaurants and food halls, there will be plenty for visitors to indulge in.
A spokesperson for Camden Market said: “This Christmas, Camden Market is getting a little frostier and a lot more festive, bringing a season of glowing light displays, winter night markets, brass bands, immersive family experiences and indulge-worthy festive feasting to the iconic London destination.”
Camden is not the only part of London switching on its festive lights this month: Covent Garden’s Christmas lights switch on this week, while Oxford Street’s lights were switched on on Sunday.
