Holiday decorations and activities in East London. Pic: Muskehound
Date: Saturday December 3, 9am to 5pm
Cost: Free
Location: Well Street
About: Thanks to a crowd-funding campaign, the historic Well Street market will be re-launched this Saturday! Apart from traditional food and fashion stalls, the public will be entertained by a local school choir in the morning and live music and DJs in the afternoon. And Santa will be visiting between 12pm and 4pm. For the first time ever, Hackney teenagers will have the opportunity to book free stalls and put into practice their entrepreneurial skills. The market will run on the first Saturday of every month.
Date: Friday December 2, 7pm to 10.30pm
Cost: Discussion Free – Film screenings £11.50/£12.50
Location: Hackney Picturehouse, 270 Mare Street, E8 1HE
About: Underwire Festival has partnered with New York-based Athena Film Festival to present a selection of thought provoking short films made by women from across the pond which celebrating female leadership. Before the screenings, Women & Hollywood publisher Melissa Silverstein and The Times Chief Film Critic Kate Muir will open the event with a discussion about the role of women in the film industry in the UK and the US. The discussion starts at 7pm, followed by a drink reception, and it’s free. Screenings kick off at 9.
Return to the Workhouse Cabaret
Date: Saturday December 3, 7.45pm till late
Cost: Free (donation on-the-door appreciated)
Location: Chats Palace Arts Centre, 42-44 Brooksby’s Walk, E9 6DF
About: Celebrating International Day of Disabled People, Chats Palace will hosts the Workhouse Cabaret once again after thirty years! In the 80’s and the 90’s, disabled artists, activists and performers from all over UK regularly came together to perform at Chat Palace. On Saturday the event will be back with music, poetry and comedy, hosted by actor and activist Liz Carr.
Date: Saturday & Sunday December 3-4. Every weekend until 18th , 12pm to 5pm.
Cost: £5
Location: Sutton House, 2&4 Homerton High St, E9 6JQ
About: Sutton House plays host to a Christmas themed design and food market featuring a surreal Santa’s sleigh and playful pantomime experiences which take you on a journey throughout 500 years of Sutton House.
FUSS at Hither Green Christmas fair
Date: Saturday December 3, 12pm to 5pm
Cost: Free
Location: Staplehurst Road, SE13 5NB (by Hither Green Station, Fernbrook Road side)
About: FUSS – Friends and Users of Staplehurst Shops – is a local group who get together to discuss topics regarding the Hither Green area. Every year they organise the annual Christmas Fair, with carol singers, a brass band, a raffle (with some fantastic prizes), mulled wine & mince pies along with, who else, but Father Christmas himself! Market traders shall also sell a whole range of things from crafts, gifts, food to Bric-Brac. The stalls are hosted by local business’, craft people to local people selling their homemade produce and gifts.
Date: Friday December 2, 10pm to 6am
Cost: £10 - £20
Location: CLF Art Cafe Block A Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4ST
About: Enjoy clubbing? Head to the Art Cafe in Peckham this Friday, where The Hydra and Southbound present Numbers. Jackmaster & Spencer, Marco Passarani, Peggy Gou and many more DJs will let you rave until the morning. Expect bass, house and techno.
Beckenham Place Park Festival of Lights
Date: Monday December 4, 1pm to 4.30pm
Cost: Free
Location: Beckenham Place Park Mansion, Beckenham Hill Road, BR3 5DE Beckenham, Bromley
About: A family friendly Christmas event in Beckenham Place Park with lantern making workshop, live music, free mince pie and switching on of the Mansion House Christmas Tree and lights. The icing on the cake? Snow fall every 20 minutes!
CROYDON
Date: Monday December 4, 7.30pm
Cost: £5
Location: 3 to 7 Middle Street (off Surrey Street), Croydon, CR0 1RE
About: ‘The most exciting band on the Icelandic music scene today" is going to perform this Sunday at Project B in Croydon. A mix of beat heavy, underground hip hop and electronica; the three pieces band won a prestigious award at the Northern Wave Film Festival for their last video. Check them out and be surprised: they are from Iceland after all.
Date: Saturday December 3, 12.30pm to 4.30pm.
Cost: Free.
Location: St Mildred's Church, Bingham Road, Croydon, CR 7EB
About: Christmas Market with a wide range of stalls selling jewellery, illustrations, candles, cards and more. With live music, mulled wine and chestnuts roasting you won't be disappointed. Oh, and Santa will be popping in too.
Date: From Thursday December 1 to Sunday December 4, 7.30pm (60min)
Cost: £10
Location: Theatre Utopia, 1 Matthews Yard, off Surrey Street Market, Croydon, CRO 1FF
About: Cuckoo Bang Presents Choosers, a new play by Holly Mallett, directed by Jaclyn Bradley. It is a funny and tender new play about male companionship and the humanity which exists behind the label of homelessness.
Date: Saturday & Sunday December 3-4, 12noon.
Cost: Free
Location: Museum of London Docklands, West India Quay, London, E14 4AL
About: A weekend of festive fun for all the family. For two days only the museum will turn into a wintry wonderland of fun and excitement. Explore winter traditions from London and beyond. Enjoy enchanting performances, interactive games and crafts for all ages at this special festival weekend.
Spitalfields Music Winter Festival
Date: From Sunday December 4 to Sunday December 11.
Cost: £0 up to £35.
Location: Various locations across Tower Hamlets, including Brady Arts Centre, Rich Mix and Queen Mary University of London.
About: From Bach to Bollywood, this year’s Spitalfields Music Winter Festival offers an intriguing mix of early and new music, dance events and poetry happenings. Highlights of the Winter Festival include TROUPE: The Empty Chair on Sunday 4th December at The Brady Arts Centre.
Do it for Charity Santa Run 2016.
Date: Sunday December 4, 11am.
Cost: £10 - £25
Location: Victoria Park, Grove road, E3.
About: Over 4,000 Father Christmas's will descend upon Victoria Park in a bid to raise funds for their chosen charity in the Do it for Charity Santa Run. Family and dog friendly: you will be provided with a free Santa suit!
Old Spitalfield Market Christmas Light switch on
Date: Friday December 2, 5.30pm to 9pm
Cost: Free
Location: Old Spitalfield Market 16 Horner Square, Spitalfields,
London, E1 6EW.
About: The tree lighting ceremony marks the start of the Christmas shopping season at Old Spitalfields Market and guests will be able to enjoy late night shopping during the event. Expect amazing food stalls, street performers and carolling performances. Hoxton Radio will be streaming live throughout the evening.
