I have no shame in getting ready for Christmas as soon as the clocks go back. Extra Christmas lights have been ordered, several but not all presents bought and the pudding is about to be made this weekend on stir up Sunday (I use the classic Delia Christmas pudding recipe and add glace cherries because I am at heart a small child).
With a bun in the oven for the last nine months, I’m planning what I’m going to drink on Christmas day (Nyetimber Classic Cuvee, 25% off at Waitrose) because the small one will have well and truly made its way out by then, and I’ll be able to guiltlessly down a couple of shandies.
OK, so this 2016 Christmas market list skews pretty much to the South East of London, because, ya know, self-interest and all that. I’m sure there’s things going on in west London, I’m told there are people there. But for now with the capacity to take one short train ride only, here’s a list of London Christmas markets I hope to make my way to.
Here are some great present buying and mulled wine-drinking opportunities in the east and south east of London in date order.
This one, maybe don’t take the urchins to, unless they are extra specially well-behaved urchins who never touch or break anything. This is more your chance to get some great locally-made gifts for people who appreciate handmade craft. It’s very much a one for me, one for someone else, two for me, one for someone else situation in my book.
Date: Friday 25th – Sunday 27th November 2016
Time: Friday first look 2-6pm, Friday private view 6-8pm
Saturday & Sunday 10-6pm
Where: The Kiln Rooms, Unit 9C, Copeland Park, 133 Rye Lane, London. SE15 3SN
Dot to Dot London at the V&A Museum of Childhood
Expect beautiful gifts and baby and kids clothes from small-scale designers. You can even take your tikes to this one, as they love that giant robot, the play kitchen and storytelling.
Date: Sunday 27th November 2016
Time: 10-5pm
Where: V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Road, London E2 9PA
East Dulwich Christmas Cracker
My local food market becomes a Christmas bonanza but once a year with nice music, fun, middle-class tasty things and gifts that are suitably tasteful but not too Clapham.
Date: Saturday 3rd December 2016
Time: 11-5pm
Where: Around North Cross Road East Dulwich, SE22, London.
There’s no pun too far for the industrious folk of Peckdoggy. This year SE15 promises to deliver it’s traditional local gifts of independent designers, makers, crafters and foodies to everyone priced out of Hackney, and anyone else who enjoys a sojourn down the ginger line.
Date: Saturday 10th – Sunday 11th December 2016
Time: 11-6pm
Where: Warwick Gardens, Peckham, London SE15 5AQ
Local Forest Hill kid magnet the Horniman museum holds its annual Christmas fair alongside its regular farmers market on Saturday and then again on the Sunday. One of the best things about it is that as it’s teaming with children, so no-one will notice your cherub going gaga with a sugar rush or a case of the toddleritis. Run them around the grounds ’til tiredness sets in and you might even get some peace on the way home.
Date: Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th December 2016
Time: 10.30am – 4.30pm
Where: 100 London Road, Forest Hill, London, SE23 3PQ
Also on:
Dulwich College Christmas Fair, Saturday 26th November and Sunday 27th November 2016
Anerley Christmas Craft Fair, 20th November 2016
Winter Market at Southbank centre Friday 20th November – Thursday 24th December
Tate Modern Christmas market Saturday 19th November 2016 – Friday 23rd December 2016
