FORGET Oxford Street and Westfield, we think the best way to finish off that Christmas shopping is by dropping into London’s bustling Christmas Markets.
Discover unique gifts, enjoy the food, wine and music, and feel smug about supporting small artisans. Merry Christmas to that!
All I Want for Xmas, Truman Brewery, Brick Lane
Image: Nina’s bakes. Follow them on Instagram here.
10 – 13 December, 17 – 20 December, free entry
(Thursday 5pm – 9pm, 
Friday 12pm – 6pm,
 Saturday 10am – 6pm, 
Sunday 10am – 6pm)
For everyone who dreads Christmas shopping and isn’t looking for a pair of socks for their uncle Joe, this trendy ‘Xmas Emporium’ sells independent retailers in the form of gift markets, exhibitions, designer sales, independent shops and even a pop-up emporium.
Location: F Block 1st floor entrances from Ely’s Yard, 5 Hanbury Street and 81 Brick Lane
https://www.trumanbrewery.com/
Camden Lock’s Christmas Night Markets, Camden Lock
12, 13 & 14 December (10am to 10pm), free entry
Head here for music and funky shopping. You’ll find market stalls, food stalls, the Disappearing Dining Club and a live radio station with With guest DJs including Norman Jay and Anna Greenwood.
Location: 54-56 Camden Lock Place, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AF
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Mid Century Christmas Market, Hammersmith Club
Image: Tony Nylons
Outfit: Di Brooks of Outerlimitz
14 December, 10:30 am – 4 pm, £2 entry
Retro Christmas market all about glamour and pampering. They’re serving hot drinks in antique tea cups, encouraging you to dance to rockabilly music spun by retro DJs, have your hair pin-curled in Vanity Box’s vintage salon and take away a souvenir photo of your new look.
Location: Hammersmith Club, 11 Rutland Grove, W6 9DH
https://www.facebook.com/
Christmas at Kew, Illuminated Trail, Boutique Christmas market & Christmas village, Kew Gardens
Check online for dates until 4 January, adults £12.50, booking required
If you haven’t visited Kew Gardens yet, you might like to try their new one-mile-long illuminated trail as it winds its way through the Gardens. And you can do some shopping there too at their Boutique Christmas market and traditional Christmas village.
Location: Victoria Gate, Kew Gardens, London TW9 3AF
Southbank Centre Christmas Market, London Eye
Until 24 December (until 9pm daily), free entry
Traditional German-style Christmas Market with 80 wooden chalets for handcrafted presents like toys, jewellery and soaps. Daily choir performances (1.30pm and 7.00pm), Chocolate Festival (13 – 15 Dec) and a Real Food Christmas Market (until 24 Dec).
Location: Southbank Centre,
Belvedere Road,
London
SE1 8XX
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Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park
Until 5 January (until 10pm daily), except Christmas Day free entry
Traditional Christmas Market with 200 wooden chalets for handcrafted presents like ceramics, wooden toys, nativity scenes and decorations. Festive food also available.
Location: Hyde Park, London W2 2UH
https://www.
