Ilford's Christmas market has 100 stalls on the High Road from 20 to 22 November, free. Hainault Forest and Wanstead hold smaller markets later in the season.
The biggest Christmas market in Redbridge this year is on Ilford High Road from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 November 2026, with 100 stalls around the Christmas inIlford lights switch-on. It is free. Two smaller markets follow later in the season, in Hainault Forest and on Wanstead High Street, but neither has named its 2026 date yet.
The quick answer
Ilford: Friday 20 to Sunday 22 November, 100 stalls, free entry. On the switch-on day, Saturday 21 November, the market runs 9am to 6.30pm, and the lights go on at 5.30pm.
Updated 28 September: the organisers have published the switch-on time (5.30pm), a fireworks slot and Santa’s grotto hours for Saturday 21 November.
Hainault Forest held its market on the last weekend of November last year, and Wanstead held its on a Saturday before Christmas. Both are free and both are still to confirm 2026.
Ilford High Road, 20 to 22 November
The organisers’ Christmas inIlford 2026 page says the market runs across the whole weekend of 20 to 22 November, with 100 festive stalls selling gifts, food, seasonal decorations and crafts. Entry is free.
The event listing on Eventbrite gives the times for Saturday 21 November only:
| Saturday 21 November | Time |
|---|---|
| Christmas food and drink market | 9am to 6.30pm |
| Fairground rides | 9am to 6.30pm |
| Music and dance performances | 11.30am to 5pm |
| Santa’s grotto (booking needed) | 12pm to 5pm |
| Snow fall experience | 4pm to 6.30pm |
| Lights and tree switch-on | 5.30pm |
| Fireworks | 5.30pm to 6.30pm |
You do not need a ticket to get in, but the listing says Santa’s grotto on the day needs booking and has limited spaces. Friday and Sunday market hours have not been published.
Saturday is the day the stage, the fireworks and the crowds arrive. If you want the stalls without the crush, Friday or Sunday is the better bet once the hours are out. Our page on the Ilford Christmas lights switch-on has the full Saturday programme.
Last year, the council’s listing for the festive food and drink market ran it from 10am to 7pm along the High Road. This year’s market opens an hour earlier and closes half an hour sooner on the Saturday.
Hainault Forest, late November (2026 date to come)
Hainault Forest’s own Christmas market page describes a smaller, free market at the 1856 Cafe and Foxburrows Barn: 13 stallholders selling silk-painted gifts, perfume and dog treats, a forest stall with hot chocolate, mulled wine and sweet things, and gingerbread man icing kits to take home. It currently shows “no upcoming dates”.
Last year it ran on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November 2025, 10am to 4pm, according to the council’s Christmas programme for 2025. The same weekend in 2026 would be Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November.
Wanstead High Street, a Saturday in December (2026 date to come)
Wanstead’s Christmas market is run by Ace Events on the High Street. It was on Saturday 20 December 2025, 10am to 4pm, with music, festive stalls, food and children’s activities, according to the Wanstead Village Directory. The year before, the Wanstead Community Christmas Market was on Saturday 14 December 2024, also 10am to 4pm.
The 2025 date was only announced on 2 December, so expect the 2026 one late.
In the meantime, Ace Events’ regular Wanstead market runs on the first Sunday of every month, 10am to 4pm, on Wanstead High Street, E11 2AE. In the run-up to Christmas that means Sunday 1 November and Sunday 6 December 2026.
Other Christmas dates in the borough
The markets sit alongside five town-centre switch-ons. Last year the council’s programme had Wanstead on 21 November on George Green, Ilford on 22 November, Hainault on 25 November outside the library on Manford Way, Seven Kings on 28 November at the station and Fulwell Cross on 29 November. The 2025 programme was published on 18 November, so the 2026 list should follow in mid-November.
For more of the season, see Valentines Mansion at Christmas, Santa’s grotto in Ilford and the Ilford pantomime.
Getting there
If you are coming by train, check our Christmas travel page, because the Elizabeth line through Ilford is closed on the following weekend, 28 and 29 November. Car parks and charges are on our parking in Ilford page, and road closures on Ilford roadworks and travel.
Still to confirm
- Ilford: Friday and Sunday market hours, and the switch-on and fireworks times on Saturday.
- Hainault Forest: the 2026 market date.
- Wanstead: the 2026 Christmas market date, likely a Saturday in mid-December.
We will update this page as each one is published.
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