A Christmas Market. Pic: Charley 1965
Still not started your Christmas shopping yet? Me neither. It’s fine. In the more than likely scenario that Santa doesn’t act as the jolly janitor, there are more than enough places in the ELL boroughs to pick up your last minute gems.
Hackney
A very Hackney aesthetic of arty bits ‘n’ bobs provides the backdrop for this DIY marketplace. There’s an array of handmade oddities including zines, puppets and art, meaning that you’ll be able to find something to fill that DIY hole in your Christmas shopping list.
Open from 11:00am on Sunday, December 14.
Stoke Newington Late Night Shopping:
A classic high street staple. The late night shopping experience is an integral part of the British Christmas and Stokie isn’t missing out. Along Church Street, shops will be keeping their doors open that little bit later so you don’t miss out on all the sweet deals.
Open December 11 & 18 until 08:00pm.
Tower Hamlets
Canary Wharf Christmas Market:
Work on the wharf? You’ll be able to grab all your last minute presents as you saunter to the tube. Take in the warming glow of the festive fairy lights and take your wallet out for the stall vendors for a variety of handmade gifts. When you’re bored of shopping, you can take a sneaky go on the ice rink. Go on, treat yourself.
Mon-Sat 11:00am-10:00pm and Sunday 11:00am-09:00pm
Columbia Road Christmas Markets:
Yuletime gets trendy down Columbia road. Home to one of London’s famous flower markets, you’ll be able to find a variety of festive floral gifts, vintage fashion, quirky trinkets and even some unexpected Christmas meats.
05:00pm-09:00pm every night until December 17.
Lewisham
The borough’s only shopping centre is likely to see many a Christmas shopping straggler come through its doors. A Christmas treat goes out to anyone buying a gift card between 12:00pm and 05:00pm every weekend in December.
Open every day until Christmas, Monday-Saturday 08:00am-08:00pm, Sunday 11:00am-05:00pm including Christmas Eve.
A beautifully kept secret in the heart of Ladywell, Slater & King specialises in gifts with that handcrafted feel to them. From satchels to prints, you’ll be sure to find something to satisfy any taste.
10:00am-06:00pm Tuesday-Saturday, 12:00pm-16:00pm Sunday
Croydon
Your trusty neighbourhood Whitgift Centre will be available for all your Christmas needs, shopping or otherwise. The centre will be staying open for an extra hour in the run up to Christmas but closing earlier on Christmas Eve.
From Monday, December 15 09:00am-09:00pm, Sunday, December 21 11:00am-05:00pm, Wednesday December 24 11:00-05:00pm.
As a special Christmas treat, shoppers will only having to pay the flat rate of £1 to park in Croydon. The scheme involves Centrale shopping centre, Whitgift Centre West Croydon, Jubilee Bridge car park, Spies Yard Car Park and Wandle Road Car Park but is only applicable on Thursdays until January 1.
