These Christmas fairs won’t be around for long, so you better market in your diary…
While London has some brilliant long-running Christmas markets on every day between now and Christmas Day, these are also some fantastic festive fairs that appear for one weekend only. Take a look at our handy guide and you might just find one near you..
1. Spitalfields The Insta Gift Market (December 2)
What happens if you Instagram an Instagram Christmas market? Will the time-space continuum rip apart at the seams? Now is your chance to find out, as Instagram are championing fifty small businesses who operate on the site. Hopefully they’ll look as good without filters, but if they don’t, you can pick up a free Instagram tote bag by turning up early enough. It runs on Saturday December 2nd between 10am and 7pm.
16 Horner Square, Spitafields, E16EW. Nearest station is Liverpool Street.
2-5: Brixton, Peckham, Hoxton, Borough: Crafty Fox Market, various dates
Aside from the range of carefully chosen stalls, Crafty Fox champions new talent, runs workshops, and hosts live DJ sets. They’re operating not one, but four foxy markets this year. The original Brixton location is first up, running on December 2nd & 3rd. You’ll also find them in Peckham (9th/10th December), Hoxton (14th December), and Elephant & Castle‘s Mercato Metropolitano. (16th December).
6. Battersea: Pear Tree Christmas Market (December 2-3)
You’ll find this market next to Battersea’s charming boating lake. The Christmas market run by the Pear Tree Cafe is definitely one for foodies given the amount of artisan produce on offer. There are also beautiful handmade gifts to buy as well. If you’re struggling for a mum-pleasing gift, pick up a hamper and fill it with goodies. Sorted.
Pear Tree Cafe, Battersea Park, SW11 4NJ. Nearest station is Battersea Park.
7. North Greenwich: SAMPLE Christmas (December 2-3)
Greenwich’s biggest craft market gets a festive makeover. Alongside SAMPLE’s usual handmade designs and street food, you’ll find live music until late, and festive workshops. Fashion designer Charles Jeffrey has produced an installation, and the neon wizards of Walthamstow, God’s Own Junkyard, have created a fabulous illuminated entrance.
Peninsula Square, Greenwich Peninsula, SE10 0SQ. Nearest station is North Greenwich.
8. Belgravia Christmas Sunday (December 3)
Perhaps the fanciest of London’s Christmas fairs. Well it’s Belgravia darling, what did you expect? Sixty rather nice stalls will be selling boutique items at the Belgravia Christmas Sunday. There will also be carols, festive food, rivers of mulled wine, and a visit from Santa and his reindeer.
Elizabeth Street, Belgravia, SW1W. Nearest stations are Victoria and Sloane Square.
9. Hampstead Village (December 3)
It’s not everyday that London gets a brand new Christmas fair. Hampstead Village have decided that it’s fair game for them to launch their own version, hoping to bring in the crowds. Food and craft stalls, Santa’s grotto, vintage fairground rides – expect to see them all on Hampstead High Street.
Hampstead High Street, NW3. Nearest station is Hampstead.
10. Hoxton: The Garmhaus Christmas Vintage Market (December 3)
The Garmhaus are leaving their home in sunny Leeds for the day, and setting up a pop-up in Shoreditch. Between 1pm and 9pm, you’ll be able to pick up some vintage threads from some of the UK’s biggest independent labels. Alongside a mountain of preloved clothes, you’ll also find live music, mulled wine, and street food courtesy of Orange Buffalo. Useful if you’re aiming to revamp your wardrobe in time for the office Christmas party!
Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen, 2-4 Hoxton Square, N1 6NU. Nearest station is Old Street.
11. Bank: City Christmas Fair (December 4)
Christmas fairs in stunning locations are what dreams are made of. Drapers’ Hall played host to Oliver Cromwell and Henry VIII once upon a time, but now it’s hosting a fair with a charitable background. Run by Wellbeing of Women, which focuses on the healthcare of women and babies, this is a luxurious affair. The Lady Mayoress will open proceedings, and you can sip champagne whilst taking part in the silent auction or browsing the range of independent retailers.
Drapers’ Hall, Throgmorton Street, London, EC2N 2DG. Nearest station is Bank.
12. Peckham: Pexmas (December 9-10)
Christmas is one pexy beast south of the river. Now in it’s sixth year, Pexmas’ Christmas Market is offering stalls aplenty from local traders, hoping to show off the best that Peckham has to offer. You’ll also find mulled wine, street food, and a tune or two as well. Oh Peckham, where have you been all our lives?
13. Mile End: Urban Makers East (December 9-10)
Over fifty designers and crafters will launch a crafty takeover of Mile End Park this year. At one of east London’s loveliest Christmas fairs, vendors sell everything from toys and ceramics, to stationery and textiles. The lineup is different on both days, so there’s a prime opportunity to make a weekend of it.
Ecology Pavilion in Mile End Park, Grove Road, E3 5TW. Nearest station is Mile End.
14. Brick Lane: Renegade Craft Fair (December 9-10)
They’ve gone big over at the Old Truman Brewery, with a staggering 200 makers turning up for this one. Despite being an international affair, Renegade Craft Fair still feels unique and independent, and the range of vendors reflects this. If you can’t find the perfect gift here, then it probably doesn’t exist. Sorry to be the bearers of bad news.
Old Truman Brewery, 85 Brick Lane, E1 6Q. Nearest station is Shoreditch High Street.
15. Notting Hill: Portobello Winter Festival (December 9-10)
Back for a second year, Portobello Winter Festival is a whirlwind of colour and culture. The highlight is the Winter Moorish Bazaar, which sells everything from fashion to alternative medicines. Expect to see calypso, Moroccan performances, and something called ‘TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED’ (yes, in caps) which apparently features winter wizards and a yeti. Not your traditional fair, is this one.
Portobello Road and Acklam Village, W11. Nearest stations is Ladbroke Grove.
16. Bethnal Green: Satanic Flea Market Anti-Christmas Fayre (December 10)
OK, so the name kind of gives the game away: this is not a Christmas fair. Quite the opposite, as you’re more likely to encounter Krampus than Santa here. The list of what’s on offer is impressively unsettling: curses, Satanic artefacts, and occult books. Their Facebook event also alludes to human remains, with literally zero explanation… Merry Christmas everyone!
Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club, 42-46 Pollard Row, Bethnal Green, E2 6NB. Nearest station is Bethnal Green.
Check out our guides to London’s Christmas lights and winter pop-ups. We’ve also got you covered with our list of where to buy a Christmas tree this year.
Featured image: @aceandmekids