After a year off, we’re even more excited than usual to go out and do our present shopping at these festive fairs, mince pies in hand. Get out your diary to bookmark the dates now.
Great Dixter Christmas Fair
We love Phoebe Connolly’s limited edition poster for the Great Dixter Christmas Fair. Find painted lampshades from Bloomsbury Revisited, quilts from Running Stitches and so many more beautiful handmade things for the home and garden. There will also be talks and mulled apple juice on arrival. Hear Clare Foster and Andrew Montgomery on Saturday discussing their book, The Winter Garden and Amy Miller on Sunday talking about her latest book, Dressed to Kill.
When: 27 – 28 November, 10am – 4pm
Where: Great Dixter, Northiam, Rye TN31 6PH
Price: £5 entry
Website: greatdixter.co.uk/Event/the-christmas-fair
Wild by Tart Christmas Fair
A festive treat at Wild by Tart with wreath-making, gingerbread baking and delicious food and drink to put you in the right mood to shop. There will be men’s clothing from Sir Plus, homewares from Molly Mahon, artworks by Bell Hutley and Tatiana Alida, accessories from Tea and Tequila, beaded jewellery from Octopussy Jewels, ceramics from Pophams Home and cushions from Studio Raff.
When: 27 – 28 November, 10am – 6pm
Where: 3 – 4 Ecclestone Yards, SW1W 9AZ
Price: £2 charity donation to We Are Grow
Website: wildbytart.com/tart-events
Badger's Velvet Underground
Top artists and makers are brought together by the brilliant Ros Badger and Sarah O’Keefe for these fairs that run in the West Country (at Batcombe Village Hall 11-12 November) and at The Department Store, Brixton later in the month. Expect Fliff Carr ceramics, Lucy Jones lingerie, Sophia Langmead prints, Catherine Phelps vases, Jam Jar Edit goodies, Ukrainian textiles and lots more. The perfect place to find presents for those who are difficult to buy for!
Where: The Department Store, Ferndale Road, London SW9
When: 20 – 21 November
Price: £2 charity donation
Website: badgersvelvetunderground.com/brixton-november-21
The Hand Sale
The Hand Sale has been going for over 20 years and continues to be one of our favourites. Run by designer Kristen Heckterman, this year we can look forward to Maude Made t-towels, Miranda Sinclair handcut paper flowers and cards, Mel Waterer ceramics and Ram jewellery rings. Do make an extra effort to get to the preview night on Wednesday 24 November 6-9pm to get the best choice.
Where: St Mary Abbott’s Centre, W8 4HN
When: 24 November 6-9pm, 25 November 10am-7pm, 26 November 10am-5pm
Price: £2 charity donation
Website: instagram.com/thehandsale/
Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair
The whole Physic Garden becomes a winter wonderland for their annual fair, where over 100 independent makers will be selling their wares from cheese to children’s toys, jewellery and tableware. There’s also festive refreshments to keep your energy up.
Where: Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road Chelsea, SW3 4HS
When: 25 – 28 November, 11am – 4pm
Price: £7 (access with pre-booked tickets only), free for friends
Website: chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk
The London Artisan
This is a fair for all the last minute present buyers. Running the last weekend before Christmas, snap up jewellery, ceramics, homewares, illustration and beauty products from independent makers and producers at The Old Truman Brewery.
Where: The Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Ln, E1 6QR
When: 18 – 19 December, 11am – 6pm
Price: Free entry
Website: thelondonartisan.com
Christmas Pop Up at The Depot
Some of our favourite female-led brands are popping up together for a Christmas shopping weekend in Shoreditch this December. Think embroidery kits from The Fabled Thread, trinkets from Mikaela Lyons Jewellery, art and antiques from the Conspicuous Collector, lampshades from The Drawing Room, vintage prints from Print Sisters, bobbin mirrors from Folie Chambre and bags from Maison M.
Where: The Depot, 33 Boundary Street, E2 7JQ
When: 4 – 5 December, 11am-6pm
Price: Free entry
Lucky Finds Christmas Fair At Home
Hosted by Annie Reid, founder of Lucky Finds, at her home in Brook Green. Shop her collection of vintage Ukrainian Christmas ornaments, lavender bags made with Suffolk lavender, handmade Liberty-print knickers and hair scrunchies. There will also be jewellery from Lavi and Belle, ceramic colanders from Lucy Fanthorpe, collars and shirts from Madder Rose and decoupage shells from Margie Frew. All welcome.
Where: 11 Dewhurst Road, W14 0ET
When: 2 December, 10am-7pm
Price: Free entry
Website: luckyfinds.co.uk
The Interiors Boot Sale
We love everything to do with TAT – Charlie Porter’s one stop shop for antiques and vintage treasures. This Christmas Fair from TAT and friends will be full of gems – do bring plenty of bags.
Where: St Mark’s Church, St Mark’s Square, NW1 7TN
When: 4 December, 10.30am – 4pm
Price: Free entry
Website: tat-london.co.uk
A Little Bird Loves
