Say hello to Walthamstow Winter Wonderland!
It’s been a big week for Walthamstow. On Tuesday, London’s first Borough of Culture, Waltham Forest, unveiled their programme of events. Today, we’ve heard the news that E17 is getting its own winter festival, when Walthamstow Winter Wonderland arrives on December 1st.
UPDATE: Organisers have cancelled the ice rink, the bar, and Santa’s grotto. The German market will still take place, so Christmas isn’t completely cancelled.
London may already be pretty well blessed with Christmas markets, but we’re never going to say no to another one – particularly when it’s free to attend. Being a regional affair, Walthamstow Winter Wonderland won’t be as big as the likes of Winterville and Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, but it’ll be chock full of festive fun. A German Christmas market will bring a taste of Bavaria to The ‘Stow, giving you the chance to pick up handmade gifts and cute stocking fillers.
Also in residence will be a series of London’s favourite street food vendors. ELOTE, Makatcha, Tico’s, The Grilling Greek, and Yorkshire Burrito are amongst the big names setting up shop, so you won’t be leaving hungry. Plus, if you need to work off the calories, you can always head to the ice rink that’s coming to Walthamstow town centre, nestled under a canopy of fairy lights. For the kids, there’s a trip to Santa’s Grotto. For the adults, they’ll have the Umbrella Bar, serving up seasonal cocktails – and rumours of boozy singalongs abound… 
The grand opening is Saturday, December 1st at 6pm, when the festival’s Christmas light display will be switched on, and a whole host of entertainment acts will take to the stage. Walthamstow Winter Wonderland will be in place until December 28th, which is plenty enough time to bring festive cheer to the good people of E17!