We hate to be the ones to say it, but… Christmas is coming. Here’s where to bag your bargains in November. Extra smug points if you have your Christmas presents wrapped by the end of the month.
Pop-Ups
PADDINGTON BEAR: With all the hype around the upcoming Paddington film, it was only a matter of time before someone cashed in. Selfridges has opened The Paddington Curiosity Shop. After all, it was Selfridges where Michael Bond purchased the bear that triggered the story. 20 October-4 January
CLARKS SHOES: Clarks men’s pop-up in Seven Dials, Covent Garden is open for three weeks, selling men’s shoes and boots. 23 October-16 November
CANDY KITTENS: The sweet emporium known for whimsical pop-ups opens its latest at Westfield London, and it’s a Halloween themed one. 27 October-2 November
OSCAR LONDON: Leather accessories brand Oscar has a temporary store at BoxPark in Shoreditch. 27 October-2 November
CLINIQUE: The make-up and skin care brand has opened The Clinique Great Skin Lab at 4 East Piazza, Covent Garden, WC2E 8HD. Travel through an interactive exhibit representing a day in the life of your skin, and have a personalised consultation with an expert. Open now, until January
AVANT-PREMIERE: The luxury brand company launches a temporary luxury fashion store in Fulham, featuring a number of contemporary, international fashion accessories and interior brands for both men and women. At 25 Effie Road, SW6. 3 November, for two months
SCIENCE MUSEUM: London institution the Science Museum opens its first ever pop up store at Bluewater Shopping Centre. Yes, it’s slightly outside of London, but we still reckon it’s worth a mention if you’re thinking about Christmas shopping this month — especially for kids or that person who already has everything. Expect in-store demonstrations of experiments, robots, remote controlled gizmos, and gadgets galore. Beginning of November-31 December
BRITISH CHRISTMAS: Handmade in Britain opens a Christmas shopping pop-up in Maida Vale, where 30 handpicked craftspeople will be selling fashion, accessories and unique homewares, such as hand-blown glass decanters and porcelain pendant lights. There’s a Meet the Makers event on 27 November. 5 November-24 December
BRITISH RED CROSS: To celebrate 100 years of charity pop-ups, British Red Cross is opening a pop-up shop in Covent Garden. Designers such as Erdem, Stella McCartney, Giles Deacon and Ostwald Helgason, as well as famous faces such as Sienna Miller, have donated to the initiative, where prices start from £10. 7-17 November
BAKING BOUTIQUE: Cake experts Dr. Oetker open the Even Better Baking Boutique on Brick Lane for a range of master classes in cake creations. See full list of classes taking place and prebook on the website. 7 November-16 December
RAW FOOD: Batch raw and organic food take away service has opened its doors at Old Street Underground. It offers raw, blended and dehydrated juices, sold in glass bottles. Until March 2015
New Openings
NIXON: The Californian watch brand has opened a store in the Newburgh Quarter of Carnaby. The brand’s first UK store also offers capsule clothing and accessory lines, and there will soon be a customisation bar, where you can create your very own one of a kind Nixon timepiece with engraving options.
TAKE A SEAT: The Original Sofa Co. has opened a new flagship store on Lower Sloane Street in Chelsea.
Markets and Events
![The Liberty London documentary is back on out screens this month](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20141031131852im_/http://cdn.londonist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/liberty-london-documentary.jpg)
The Liberty London documentary is back on our screens this month
FOOD MARKET: Fortnum and Mason’s monthly food market takes on a Halloween theme. It’s a chance to speak directly to the producers who supply the famous Fortnum food hall. 31 October-1 November
RECORD FAIR: Dig A Little monthly record fair is back at The Forest Tavern in Forest Gate for the November Session. Record lovers of all persuasions are invited to peruse crates of used and new records, whilst Les Fisher is on the decks. Free, 12pm-6pm, 1 November
CHRISTMAS WINDOW: The Fortnum & Mason Christmas window display will be revealed on 3 November by TV presenter Claudia Winkleman, and it’s set to be quite an event with street theatre, performers and entertainers. 3 November
GUIDE DOG FAIR: London Guide Dog Training School in Redbridge hosts a Christmas Market with craft stalls, food and drink, and Santa’s grotto. There’s also a chance to tour the kennels and see a guide dog demonstration. No pet dogs allowed. 12pm-4pm, 8 November
LIBERTY LONDON: There’s a new series of the documentary giving an insight into life at Liberty department store, beginning on 12 November on Channel 4.
CARNABY STREET PARTY: Carnaby Street Shopping Party sees the shops in the area stay open late for one night only, with discounts available to those who register for a free ticket, plus instore activities such as makeovers in Benefit. Free, prebook, 13 November
HYPER JAPAN: The three-day celebration of all things Japanese returns to Olympia London for a Christmas Market. Visitors are promised a chance to purchase unique and interesting Christmas gifts, alongside stage performances, martial arts and cooking demonstrations, and food and drink stalls. £12/£15, prebook, 14-16 November
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: The highly anticipated switching on of Regent Street’s Christmas lights takes place on 16 November, complete with fireworks and “celebrity guests” – keep an eye on the website for specific names.
WINTER FAIR: Stroud Green WI’s Winter Fair takes place at Stapleton Tavern on Crouch Hill. It features the work of local talented artists and craft experts, with homemade produce to tempt Christmas shoppers. And it’s in aid of local charity Open Door, so you can shop guilt free, knowing you’re making a difference. 12pm-4pm, 22 November
FLEA MARKET: There’s a double dose of Hackney Flea Market this month, as it comes to Stoke Newington on 22-23 November and 29-30 November. Entry is free, and it’s a chance to rummage through rare, one-off items including clothing, kitchenalia, antique luggage, curiosities, collectables and more.
CHRISTMAS FAIR: Get into the Christmas spirit at Turner’s House in Twickenham. The Christmas Fair has cards and prints by artists Beverley Waller and Katie Sollohub, scarves by Annie Simpson, Stella & Dot jewellery, calendars, a cake stall and much more. All profits go towards Turner’s House Trust’s restoration project. 11am-3pm, 23 November
GIFT FAIR: Hampstead Christmas Gift Fair takes place at Hampstead Old Town Hall, offering a chance to do your Christmas shopping while avoiding high street hell. Buy fashion gifts for both men and women, home products, children’s toys and clothes, gifts for your pets (only in Hampstead, eh?) and artisan food products. Entry £3, 28-30 November
NOEL FAIR: The Noel Fair takes place at The Worx Parsons Green in Fulham, raising money for Octavia Appeal, a local charity which raises funds for projects around the Royal Brompton Hospital, the UK’s largest heart and lung centre. 25 locally based suppliers will be offering cakes, jewellery, books, home decoration, accessories, children’s clothing and food and drink. 9.30am-3.30pm, 30 November
Vintage Fairs
SO VINTAGE: So Vintage London is back at Old Spitalfields Market for vintage clothes, handmade jewellery, maps, prints, books, tea sets, and of course, cupcakes. This month, there’s a party theme, and it’s a great chance to get your glad rags for your Christmas shindigs. Free entry, 1 November, 11am-5pm
NORTH LONDON: North London Vintage Market returns to Crouch End, and the focus is very much on Bonfire Night. Rummage around for vintage knitwear, wool blankets, hats and scarves, plus vintage homeware. There’s even a market cafe offering seasonal food – and it’s right next door to the Alexandra Palace fireworks. Entry £1.50, 1-2 November
VINTAGE KILO: The Vintage Kilo Sale is back at York Hall in Bethnal Green offering fashion savvy shoppers a chance to invest in vintage clothing by the kilo. Mix and match your own items at £15 for 1kg of clothes, plus jewellery is on offer from 50p an item. £1.50 entry, 12pm-4pm, 2 November (or earlybird entry is £3 between 11am-12pm)
POP-UP VINTAGE: Pop Up Vintage Fairs London are at Old Spitalfields Market on the third Saturday of every month. Start Christmas shopping vintage-style with over 40 stalls selling ladies and menswear, jewellery and accessories, homeware, antiques, collectables, posters, maps and curios. Free, 11am-5pm, 15 November
JUMBLE & PEARLS: The Book Club in Shoreditch is the venue for Jumble & Pearls (early) Christmas pop-up. Innovators, designers and art sellers all come together to showcase their products, whilst a DJ spins records. Celebrities including Dawn French, Pixie Geldof and blogger Susie Bubble have all been spotted rummaging at the event in the past. Free entry, 12pm-6pm, 15 November
DANDY LION: The Dandy Lion Vintage Market takes up residence in a new home at Sir Richard Steele’s Pub, in Belsize Park. 12pm-7pm, 15 November
VINTAGE GIFTS: Clerkenwell Vintage Fashion Fair wants to take the stress out of your Christmas shopping by allowing you to avoid the high street and buy a unique gift the recipient definitely won’t already have. Over 50 stallholders offer fashion pieces from the 1800s to the 1980s. £4 entry, 11am-5pm, 23 November
FROCK ME: Frock Me! Vintage Fair hosts its final 2014 date at Chelsea Old Town Hall, with extravagant outfit choices for Christmas parties, and refreshments from Blackbird Tea Rooms of Brighton. £4, 11am-5.30pm, 30 November
Art and Craft
D.I.Y ART: The D.I.Y Art Market is back in Stoke Newington. Independent and self-published artists display everything from screen prints and comic art to clothing and, er, space crafts — all at affordable prices. Free entry, 1-2 November
ARTS MARKET: Spitalfields Art Market offers affordable art, including paintings and photography. Different exhibitors appear every month, so pop along if you’re looking to spruce up your pad before Christmas. 6-9 November/13-16 November/20-23 November
ART AND DESIGN: Handmade in Britain throws a Contemporary Crafts and Design Fair at Chelsea Old Town Hall, with 100 designer-makers showcasing and selling at the event, which is now in its eighth year. £7/£10, prebook, 16-18 November
CRAFTY FOX: At every Crafty Fox Market, expect different traders, as each event is individually curated. This month, Crafty Fox makes its first foray into Dalston. See Saturday and Sunday‘s list of traders, and go armed with your Christmas shopping list, as you’ll find some pretty unique stuff. Free, 11am-5pm, 29-30 November
Regular Local Markets
![Sadly, dogs aren't allowed at Brook Green Wild Food Market, but they're well provided for at the gate](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20141031131852im_/http://cdn.londonist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Wild-Food.jpg)
Sadly, dogs aren’t allowed at Brook Green Wild Food Market, but they’re well provided for at the gate
ACKLAM VILLAGE MARKET: Mainly specialising in international street food, from places including Veneuzuela, Mexico, Morocco, Vietnam, Cuba, Portugal, Poland, China and Sudan, this local market also has a bar and live music. Located just around the corner from Portobello Road Market, near Westbourne Park. Every Saturday and Sunday, 11am-5pm
CAPITAL CARBOOT: Every Sunday in Pimlico, an indoor and outdoor car boot sale takes place. Early bird buyers entry is at 10.15am and costs £5, or public entry is 11.30am- 2.30pm, costing £1. Every Sunday
BROOK GREEN WILD FOOD MARKET: This new addition to London’s market scene takes place in Addison Primary School near Shepherd’s Bush. Traders sell a range of organic, sustainable produce, sourced as locally as possible, and a range of street food cuisines from across the world. Every Saturday
WEMBLEY PARK: A new market programme is under way in Wembley Park. A Sunday market runs on alternate Sundays, plus there’s a monthly art, antiques and vintage market.
VENN STREET: The weekly food and produce market in Clapham has been running since November 2009, and sees farmers and local traders flocking to sell their produce. Every Saturday
We want to keep these monthly shopping and market listings as relevant, up-to-date, and interesting as possible, and we need your input to do so. Got any top tips for great local markets or upcoming shopping events? Know of any pop-up shops opening soon, or anything we’ve missed? Leave a comment below or hit us up at hello@londonist.com.