London Bridge festive extravaganzas opens next week

Winter by the River will bring the festive spirit to the Thames and the riverside shopping district when it opens on November 14.

Running until January 1 in the shadow of London Bridge, market stalls and pop-up bars will line up underneath neon-themed lights.

The festival pops up in the shadow of Tower Bridge (Image: Tower Bridge City)

For people looking for a stroll and a peruse, street food such as K-dogs, burgers and empanadas will be on offer, while market stalls dressed up as winter cabins will peddle crafty handmade gifts such as handmade candles and skincare.

The two pop-up bars have a heated indoors section as well as seating outside, however wherever you sit, the bars come with stellar river-side views.

For those looking for bit more action, Karaoke at the Pier combines music with probably much needed cocktails and prosecco by the bottle, for people wanting to belt out a few festive bangers.

The festival has two pop up bars (Image: Tower Bridge City)

The indoor private rooms fit up to10 people and have a catalogue of more than 80,000 songs to choose from.

If you want more winter markets, stroll along the Thames to Southbank Centre’s Winter Festival and Winter Market for more illuminations and mulled wine.

This all-out celebration of Christmas also comes with Thames-side views and a market selling handmade gifts and seasonal goodies.

The Curling Club has also set up on South Bank for the festive season, as have the private dining snow globes. These Alpine-inspired igloos are heated and the menu focuses on fondue and raclette, as well as sharing steaks.

There will also be festive events and market stalls selling handmade gifts (Image: London Bridge City)

If you want more raclette, a raclette bar is among the South Bank festivities as well, serving an unlimited Savoyard raclette with sourdough baguettes, rosemary and herb potatoes with confit garlic, mixed lead salad and mixed charcuterie.

For more information on Winter by the River visit londonbridgecity.co.uk and there are plenty more Christmas markets in London to visit as well.