ELL Guide to Christmas: This week’s markets and fairs

Christmas market. Pic: Andrew West

Christmas market. Pic: Andrew West

 

ELL has been rounding up this week’s Christmas markets and fairs so you can plan a great family day out, stock up on those stocking stuffers or just to get you into the Christmas spirit. The Horniman Museum has all things strange and extraordinary. Winterville’s comedy clubs, nightclubs and free gigs will guarantee to keep you entertained. There is no shortage of food stalls for your every craving. Shopping fans will find plenty of handmade fashion and jewellery, arts, crafts and much more. 

 

Winterville Christmas Market. Pic: Bob Marsden

Winter Village Christmas Market. Pic: Bob Marsden

HACKNEY

Winter Village

St John at Hackney, Hackney Central, E5 0PD

December 5-7

Free admission

@CityShowcase

Winter Village is a collaboration between Hackney Council and City Showcase. From 5:00pm-9:00pm Friday and 11:00am-7:00pm Saturday and Sunday, the public will be able to browse stalls for gifts by specially selected artisans, ceramicists, artists, as well as fashion and jewellery designers.

There will also be street food available featuring Fever Tree’s Ultimate Cocktail Bar and Bayleaf the donkey from Spitalfields City Farm.

 

Sutton House Christmas Craft Fair

2-4 Homerton High Street, E9 6JQ

December 6-7

£1 Adult, Free admission for children and National Trust members

@SuttonHouseNT

Indulge in a cultural family day out in East London’s oldest family home with the Sutton House Christmas Craft Fair.

With craft stalls, mulled wine, mince pies and Santa’s Grotto for the little ones, there’s something for everyone.

 

Winterville. Pic: PG Brunelli

Winterville. Pic: PG Brunelli

TOWER HAMLETS

Winterville

Victoria Park, Grove Road, Bow, E3 5TB

December 2, 2014 – January 1, 2015

Free Admission

@WintervilleLDN

If you’re tired of Christmas fairs that seem to only have rides for kids, you’re in for a treat at Winterville.

There’s a host of activities for everyone. Expect a kid’s quarter, a roller disco, free gigs and club nights, comedy and cabaret, and a stunning variety of street food stalls and bars, including a Hot Cider Bar, to keep you warm this winter.

Break away from high street Christmas shopping at The Bizarre Bazaar and the Wicker Tent.

 

Canary Wharf Christmas Market

Montgomery Square, Canary Wharf

November 17–December 24

Free Admission

@yourcanarywharf

If you love the twinkle of fairy lights and weaving through bustling crowds to get to that hot mulled wine, then the Canary Wharf Christmas Market is the place for you.

Eat, drink and be merry with plenty of festive food and drink stalls to choose from and browse a range of unique, handcrafted gifts and souvenirs. For an extra special time, skate up a storm at the Ice Rink!

 

Community Choir Singalong. Pic: Ludovic des Cognets and Horniman Museum and Gardens

Community Choir Singalong. Pic: Ludovic des Cognets and Horniman Museum and Gardens

LEWISHAM

Horniman Christmas Fair

100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ

December 6-7

Free Admission

@HornimanMuseum

The Horniman Museum is known for its collections of all things strange and extraordinary – you can expect nothing less in its Christmas Fair.

Plan a fun family weekend and take part in activities such as the Christmas trail, parades, Festive Discovery and face painting! Hunt the Arts and Crafts market stalls for unique, handmade gifts made by independent artists and join community choirs for a seasonal sing-a-long.

 

Discofest

All Saints Community Centre, Monson Road, New Cross Gate SE14 5DJ

December 6

£5 Adult, £7 Child, Free admission for under 1’s

discofest@outlook.com

If the cold is making you feel slow and sluggish, it’s time to get everyone out the door and onto the dance floor. Get the whole family into the Christmas spirit with a live DJ free, face painting or glitter tattoos, a visit from Santa, surprise performances and lots of party props, games and food!

The best part? There’s a snow machine.

 

Christmas at Platform. Pic: Platform Ruskin Square

Christmas at Platform. Pic: Platform Ruskin Square

 CROYDON

Christmas Cheers Market at Platform Ruskin Square

Next to East Croydon station, at the bridge entrance on Lansdowne Road

December 4-20

Free Admission

events@platformruskinsquare.co.uk

Regular commuters to East Croydon are in for a treat this festive season. Platform, the events space next to the station’s new entrance, is now fully decked out with a pop-up living room bar, an entertainment space for live music as well as indoor and outdoor seating with heaters.

The last day of the market will have some special guests – real live reindeers! Mark your calendars.

 

Croydon Christmas Crafts and Gifts Fair

Friends Meeting House, 60 Park Lane, CR0 1JE

December 7

Free Admission

Croydon.events@yahoo.co.uk

Add a bit of history to your Christmas shopping at the Croydon Christmas Crafts and Gifts Fair, held in a Grade II listed building. Stalls are themed from sweet foods to arts and crafts, so don’t worry about getting muddled or lost when looking for the mulled wine.

Have a chat with the creators, artists and designers taking part in the fair and hear the stories behind the gifts.

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