With only ten shopping days left before Christmas it’s nice to know that the best is yet to come – there are markets and fairs aplenty across Eastlondonlines boroughs. Here’s our rundown of the best, so you can avoid the last minute trolley dash on Christmas eve…
Chatsworth Road Christmas Market
December 16 & 23. 11am-4pm
Chatsworth Road Market. Chatsworth Road, London E5 0LH
Meet Santa and pick up creative handmade jewellery, vintage clothes and homewares. Get mulled wine and minced pies while you enjoy carol singers and festive music.
December 15 & 22. From 11am
St John-at-Hackney churchyard, Lower Clapton Rd, E5 0PD
A holiday-inspired market, selling all kinds of deli goods from homemade chutneys and jams to artisan foods and cakes. Handcrafted gifts, stocking fillers and vintage clothes will also be on sale from local designers. Visitors can make their own Christmas cards, presents and decorations at a crafts workshop too.
Goldsmiths Row Christmas Book Market
Sunday, December 22
Goldsmith Row, E2 8QY
One of Hackney’s newest book markets with a selection of Christmas books for all tastes and ages. There will also be plenty of music, mince pies and seasonal hot, spiced drinks.
Saturday, December 22. From 11am-5pm.
Gillett Square, Dalston, N16 8JN
Sounds of African drumming will fill Gillett Square at this special market. Mask-making, face-painting and delicious food will be on offer alongside traditional African crafts.
Festive Feast Stoke Newington Town Hall Christmas Market
December 15-16. 11am-5pm. Free entry
Stoke Newington Town Hall, 186 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0JR
More than 60 stalls selling arts and crafts, clothing, jewellery and Christmas gifts. There’s face painting and craft activities for the children. Santa will be on hand and collecting gifts for the children on the Homerton Starlight Ward.
Saturday, December 22. 7:30am – 6pm
Broadway Market, Hackney, E8 4QJ
This farmer’s market with good quality fashion, foods and arts will have special seasonal offers from shops and traders. Carol singers will perform in the market and in the yard of London Fields Primary School.
Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Market
Saturday, December 15. 11am-5pm
15 Westland Place, London, N1 7LP
Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen is hosting a Christmas market outside the restaurant. They have teamed up with some of London’s best street food vendors and producers, so you can pick up those last-minute pressies for the foodies in your life.
December 1-23. 12pm-11pm. Tues - Sun. Free entry
347-349 Old Street, London, EC1V 9LP
Discover a secret Christmas grotto in the heart of Shoreditch. Every day throughout December (except Mondays) enjoy street food, warm winter cocktails, art exhibitions, book launches, a gift workshop and live screen printing.
Secret Emporium’s Christmas Market
December 15-16. 10:30am-8pm
Factory 7, Hearn Street, Shoreditch, EC2A 3LS
Shoreditch warehouse, Factory 7, turns into an urban winter bazaar showcasing wares from the best of British independent designers. Christmas markets don’t get any more stylish than this.
Late Night Christmas Shopping in Stoke Newington
December 12 & 19. Most shops open until 8pm
Bursting with independent spirit, Stoke Newington intends to bring a new Christmas experience that everyone can enjoy. Each Wednesday in December shops are staying open late and running special offers and surprises to celebrate the winter season.
Saturday, December 15. 10am-4pm
Goulson Street, London, E1 7TP (off Middlesex Street)
The ‘Together They Come’ market will be the place to come and check out the best London has to offer in fashion, crafts and mouth-watering foods. It is also showcasing dynamic events including film screenings, live art displays and auctions, fashion shows, food demonstrations and live sports performances.
Pop-up Vintage Fair Christmas Market
Saturday, December 15. 11am-5pm.
Old Spitalfields Market, 16 Horner Square, London, EC1 6EW
Spitalfields will be lit up for Christmas with handpicked quality vintage traders that will have everything you need for a day of Christmas shopping vintage style.
Expect to find a wide range of ladies and menswear, party outfits with all the trimmings, vintage and antique jewellery, fashion accessories, haberdashery, retro furnishings, homeware, vintage posters and antique maps, collectables and more.
Every Saturday from December 1-22. From 9am
200 Deptford High Street, London, SE8 3PR
Deptford’s shops and market stalls sell everything you need for the festive season and while you stock up you can enjoy singing or street dance workshops, help make a Christmas tree and decorations or watch a live cookery demonstration. You will need to explore the High Street and market to find all the events and traders, but what better way to spend a crisp December Saturday?
Sunday, December 16. 10am-4pm
Sydenham Station, Station Approach, SE26 5EU
Seasonal gastronomic goodies and festive gifts. The festive market will serve top class street food and festive treats. There will also be live music and street entertainment.
Saturday, December 15. 10am-5pm
Forest Hill Swimming Pools, Dartmouth Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3HZ
Forest Hill Pools will go all Christmassy for the day. The festive fair will showcase local talent, offering handcrafted trinkets, wooden toys, jewellery, candles, ceramics, vintage accessories and Christmas tree decorations.
December 8-15. Open all day and until 9pm on Thursdays
With over 25 local shops and businesses participating, each with their own festive £5 deal, it is sure to be a great time to enjoy what the town has to offer.
Walking in a Vintage Wonderland
Sunday, December 16. 11am-5pm
Grow Mayow Community Garden, Mayow Park, Sydenham
Vintage items and great Christmas gifts. Accessories, jewellery, crafts, and cakes. A glistening beautiful site of vintage delights.
Saturday, December 15. 12pm-6pm
Outside Brockley Station
More than 40 arts, crafts, and food stalls – indulge in the mince pies and mulled wine. Then visit Santa’s grotto and the lantern parade as you are serenaded with live music and carols. Top the day off with the lighting ceremony for Brockley’s Christmas Tree.
‘Strictly Christmas’ at Ladywell Christmas Market
Saturday, December 15. 11am-5pm
Ladywell Station forecourt
This year’s Christmas market is taking its inspiration from the popular BBC television show ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. There will be plenty of glitter and glamour as Ladywell celebrates ‘Strictly Christmas’.
The area outside the train station will be transformed into a festive food and gift market. Entertainment and activities will include choirs and the all-important dressing and lighting of the village Christmas tree.
Concrete Market at Matthews Yard
Saturday, December 15. 11am-6pm
Matthews Yard, 1 Matthews Yard, Croydon, London, CR0 1FF
Discover beautifully handmade items made by some amazingly talented designers, artists, illustrators and makers.You will also be treated to some wonderful live music from a selection of unplugged acoustic acts 'Busking by the Window'. There will also be writing workshops with Sarah Milne.