A festive fan has revealed what she believes could be the ‘most underrated’ Christmas market
Christmas festivities are just around the corner, with seasonal markets, skating rinks, and similar attractions soon returning to cities and towns nationwide. London offers a range of family-friendly activities for those eager to experience the holiday atmosphere.
One of this year’s many attractions is a festive fayre that’s been described as “the most underrated Christmas market in London.” The Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre returns for two weekends in December, running between December 5-7 and 12-14. A visitor who had loved attending a previous year’s event recommended the ticketed event in a popular social media video.
Posting on TikTok as @travelfromessex, the blogging duo wrote: “If you are planning on hitting a London Christmas market this year make it Hampton Court Palaces Festive Fayre! In our opinion it’s the most underrated Christmas market in London!
“Running on 5-7 & 12-14 December 2025, book your ticket now. You can wander the palace & grounds during your visit too! It makes you feel like you have travelled back in time. Enjoy festive stalls, food & drinks as well as live entertainment.”
The video earned over 5k likes from viewers who loved what they saw. One fan commented: “Oh I can’t wait for this!!!” Another praised: “Looks amazing.” A third fan said: Definitely need to go!”
According to Hampton Court Palace’s website, the fayre features over one hundred artisan producers, with Henry VIII’s palace serving as the backdrop. The event page states: “Experience a ‘truly magical day’ at this year’s Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre.
“This much-loved Christmas shopping event is back for two unforgettable weekends, hosted entirely in the stunning Great Fountain Garden of Henry VIII’s famous palace. There is no better way to kick off a festive season to remember!
“Don’t miss an unforgettable festive day out with your loved ones. Eat, shop and be merry at this spectacular palace. Visit on Fridays to save on entry. Return on the second weekend to discover even more independent stallholders, with members visiting for free. Included in your ticket, why not also explore the grand palace, 60 acre gardens and famous maze.” Adult tickets start from £28.
For shoppers keen to know more, Hampton Court Palace has thousands of reviews on TripAdvisor. Many of these reviews mention what the fayre was like in previous years, reports the Mirror.
One reviewer wrote: “This place, in my opinion, is simply magical. It is just a privilege to walk around this stunning place. We kicked off our festive activities by visiting the Palace, the Christmas fayre, followed by ice-skating.
“Yes, a lot of things are expensive, but I considered this as a treat; we ate several times from the wonderful stalls. We are Royal Palaces Members so enjoyed benefits there of course. We all came away with smiles on our faces. Lovely staff.”
Another shared: “We have membership to the royal palaces, but this was our first year attending the 3 day Festive Fayre event. It was absolutely wonderful. The courtyards are filled with stalls, offering everything from craft gins and beers, to wonderful trinkets and gifts and every cuisine under the sun. Once the sun started to set, the fairy lights in the courtyards made the experience even more magical.”
A different reviewer said: “We visited Hampton Court for the Festive Fayre, it was busy as you would expect but not overbearingly so. There was the outdoor skating rink as you approached the main entrance through which you enter into the first courtyard which consisted mostly of food and drink vendors, you could enjoy your purchases near a small stage which had various musicians performing throughout the day.
“In the second courtyard was a selection of stalls selling non food items. You continue through the Palace to the rear gardens where there was more food and drink outlets and a marquee with cooking demonstrations, we were lucky to catch one by Michel Roux jnr who we found very entertaining. After lunch we had a wander around the Palace which was informative and very interesting, a thoroughly enjoyable day and I’m sure we will return for the Fayre another year.”
