Oh come all ye faithful – to Hackney’s festive markets
Crafty Fox Christmas Market
Vegan Christmas Market @Hackney Downs Studios, 17 Amhurst Terrace, E8 2BT – 17 December
Hackney Downs Studios has teamed up with blogger Sean O’Callaghan for Hackney’s first vegan Christmas Market. The goal is to recreate a traditional market, but without serving or selling any animal products. O’Callaghan, who runs the Fat Gay Vegan website said: “The goal isn’t to convert people, it’s to create something that people would usually be doing at this time of year, but giving them a cruelty free and compassionate option.”
The event will be foodie galore with stalls from all over the UK, including Vegan Fish and Chips and Make No Bones from Sheffield. O’Callaghan believes the fish and chip stand will be a “really big coup”. Local vegan haunts, Black Cat Café and Essential Vegan will also make an appearance.
Christmas Market @Sutton House, 2 and 4 Homerton High St, E9 6JQ –weekends until 18 December
The Tudor heritage house in the heart of Hackney is to be transformed into a Christmas panto extravaganza this year (see picture, above). Katy Parry, from Sutton House gave the Hackney Citizen an exclusive taster. She said: “The design and food market will be designed around the pantomime characters, with characters walking around the house.
“A surreal santa sleigh will be in an interesting location for kids to experience, with the whole house dressed up and a playful pantomime experience throughout the rooms.”
Parry did not want to give too much away, however, some elves whispered to the Hackney Citizen that the mysterious sleigh will be a lavishly palatial double decker caravan. Access is free of charge, the normal admission price of £5 will apply to venture inside the house.
Crafty Fox Christmas Market @The Geffrye Museum, 136 Kingsland Road, E2 8EA – 1 and 15 December
The Crafty Fox Christmas market is hosting two evening events at the festively decorated Geffrye Museum.
Over 65 designer-makers and artists will be peddling their wares in the historic venue. Visitors can buy gifts directly from the makers whilst sipping mulled wine.
The free market will bring together traders selling ceramics, textiles, jewellery, art-prints and gifts as well as offering workshops to foster creative talent. Different traders will be at each event, and there will also be a finger-knitting workshop by I Make Knots. Sinead Koehler launched the market in 2010 with the intention of shaking up the traditional craft fair. It was founded as a social enterprise, and aims to provide an affordable way for designer-makers to bring their products to the public.
Flea-mas Flea Market @Abney House, Stoke Newington – 17 and 18 December
The Hackney Flea-mas Market, now in its third year, focuses its festive efforts on showcasing vintage gifts and yesteryear stocking fillers. Expect the rare and unusual, so vintage decorations and Christmas tree ornaments, mid-century lighting, records, salvaged French homeware, antique luggage, vintage clothes, curiosities and collectables and textiles.
Clissold Park Christmas Market – 16, 17, 18 December
A more traditional Christmas market can be found outside Clissold House which for the second year running will be tranformed into a wintery wonderland. The three-day event will feature stalls, rides, slides, stage and street entertainment outside Clissold House. A Santa’s grotto will be at the heart of the park for the kids. Tradition and entertainment will be at the heart of it all, with mulled wine, pop up food stalls and a communal seating area recreating the much-hyped concept of hygge.
Shoreditch Christmas Triangle – 8, 15, 23 December
The triangle brings together local designers, shops, studios, galleries, cafés, restaurants and pop-ups for a series of design-led festivities over Christmas with late night openings, with music, mulled wine and Christmas cheer. Participating shops include SCP, J.W. Anderson, Long and Waterson, with all venues in easy walking distance of each other.