It’s that time of year again, folks. It’s that time of year when the mulled wine comes out, the cold sets in and the festive jumpers are proudly donned by wearers young and old. Made in Shoreditch Magazine is here to help you make the most of your Christmas. So, what are the key events this December in Shoreditch?
These are the Top 10 Things to Do in the ’Ditch This Festive Season:
1. Christmas Wednesdays, Columbia Road
The longstanding Shoreditch tourist hot-spot, Columbia Road is now giving its devotees even more reason to visit come December with Christmas Wednesdays. The famed Road’s stores and local businesses will be open for extended trading hours, allowing marketeers to get their mitts on pieces from institutions such as Nelly Duff and Marcos & Trump, right in time for Christmas.
Where: Columbia Road shops and businesses
When: Extended opening times: 4, 11 & 18 December, 6pm-9pm; 21 December, 12pm-8pm
Cost: Free
2. Secret Emporium Christmas Market
Bohemians and shabby chic-lovers, listen up: the Secret Emporium Christmas Market is the place for you. Tempting market guests with mulled cider and tasty treats, the annual event showcases over 40 British designers all under one roof. With interactive performances, ‘left-of-field’ work from niche designers and trinkets a-plenty, Secret Emporium go-ers will not be disappointed.
Where: Nicholls & Clarke Building, 3-10 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6PG
When: TBC; see secretemporium.com for further details
Cost: Free
3. East London Design Show
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the East London Design Show acknowledges the UK’s best independent designers from the fashion, jewellery and interior industries. Participating designers, both up-’n’-coming and established, will be providing show attendees with special offers. In other words, the East London Design Show is the answer to all of your Christmas present needs.
Where: The Old Truman Brewery, Hanbury Street entrance (off Brick Lane), London E1 6QL
When: Thursday 5 December, 12pm-6pm; Friday 6 December, 12pm-9pm; Saturday 7 December & Sunday 8 December, 10am-6pm
Cost: £5 Admission; £3 Concession; free for accompanied children under 15
4. Spitalfields Winter Festival
From Lights at Arnold Circus, to La Nuova Musica with Lawrence Zazzo, to La Serenissima’s rendition of Vivaldi’s classics and Market Live Sessions, there’s something for everyone’s musical tastebuds at this year’s Spitalfields Winter Festival. Scattered throughout Shoreditch’s iconic locations and spaces, the Festival boasts the area’s best musical talent, both classical and contemporary. Make sure you don’t miss out on the action; check out their website now.
Where: Various venues around Spitalfields, London E2 7JS
When: 6-17 December
Cost: Various; see www.spitalfieldsmusic.org.uk for further details
5. A Festive Night of Swing
Bring out your poodle skirts and black-and-white brogues because, for the first time ever, Shoreditch Town Hall plays host to A Festive Night of Swing: the occasion for all budding jivers and quick-steppers. Within STH’s grand Assembly Hall, the ‘Kings of Filthy Swing’, The Top Shelf will be playing all of their Lindy Hop-worthy tunes, which will be interspersed with The London Swing Dance Society’s best DJ sets. With a Beginners’ swing dance class and a fully licensed bar, everyone is guaranteed to have a brilliant night out.
Where: Assembly Hall, Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old Street, London EC1V 9LT
When: 7:15pm-12am, 9 December
Cost: £8.80
6. Disappearing Dining Club, Town House
Get your supper club on with Disappearing Dining Club’s Town House installment at the 18th century weaver’s house. Opposite Spitalfields’s famed Hawksmoor, the cosy, antique-adorned dining room is the setting for a family style meal, where attendees can expect four courses, a welcome Grey Goose Vodka cocktail, and wine with dinner. As seating is limited, book your place now and revel in the old-time charm.
Where: Disappearing Dining Club, 224 Brick Lane, London E1 6SA
When: 7:30pm-11pm, 13 December
Cost: £60 per head + £1 donation to Teenage Cancer Trust
Phone: 07507 754 318
Email: dinners@disappearingdiningclub.co.uk
7. Shoreditch Design Triangle
Now in its fifth year, the Shoreditch Design Triangle will be hosting their Shoreditch Christmas Triangle, which celebrates the areas local shops, studios, galleries and cafes. Participants, whose details are listed on SDT’s site for ten months afterwards, hold late night events on Thursdays in the lead up to Christmas. A celebration of the area’s local businesses? Count us in.
Where: Throughout Shoreditch
When: Throughout December
Cost: Free; see www.shoreditchdesigntriangle.com for further details
8. Snapshots Christmas Festival
Shoreditch’s charity and social enterprise, Rich Mix is the the hub for all things creative performance. This year, Rich Mix for their Snapshots Christmas Festival will be screening the Christmas classic, It’s a Wonderful Life with mulled wine and festive fare on offer. Post film, put on your dancing shoes and enjoy Rich Mix’s Christmas Ceilidh; the live band’s upbeat melodies will put a smile on everyone’s face.
Where: 35-67 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
When: 7:30pm, 21 December
Cost: Ceilidh and mulled wine for £5.50; Ceilidh only for £4
9. SPIN x LCF Xmas
SPIN London, the ‘world’s first urban-focused bicycle consumer show and festival’, and the team responsible for creating the London Coffee Festival are collaborating this year for SPIN x LCF Xmas. Festival go-ers can expect the newest and most innovative cycling and coffee products — perfect for last-minute gift shopping — while enjoying a wide selection of artisanal street food and alcoholic beverages, plus the progressive sounds of up-‘n’-coming DJs. Get in quick and enjoy the three Cs: Christmas, Cycling and Coffee (oh, my)!
Where: The Yard, 89 & 1/2 Worship Street, London EC2A 2BF
When: 29 November (4pm-10pm), 30 November (10am-2pm; 2pm-7pm) and 1 December (10am-2pm; 2pm-6pm)
Cost: Free; or, reserve your place for £1.75 (max. of two tickets)
10. Ninetyeight Bar & Lounge Mixology Classes
Woo your guests at your next Christmas party with your cocktail making prowess by taking a mixology class at Ninetyeight Bar & Lounge on Curtain Road. Using seasonal ingredients, you can expect variety and a festive twist (pun intended) at Ninetyeight’s December mixology classes. During winter, the ultra luxe bar offers open Master Mixology classes and Meet, Mix and Match Master Mixology classes, as well as Mini Mixology courses held on Wednesday that are free of charge. As places are limited, get in quick and reserve your place now!
Where: 98 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3AF
When: Throughout December
Cost: Free for Mini Mixology; £60 per head for all other courses, comprising a welcome cocktail, three seasonal cocktails, a competition cocktail and a farewell shot
Phone: 0207 729 4141
Email: mixology@ninetyeight-bar-lounge.com
