This year it’s easier than ever to find independent brands in person, with charming Christmas pop-ups in the heart of London and fun events just on the outskirts. These destinations are your chance to discover brands that align with your values and get to know the people behind them.
Think unique, eco-friendly gifts and a feel-good festive experiences all rolled into one. Here are five pop-ups that will help you to make this Christmas merry and meaningful this year…
Five Christmas Pop-Ups
I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR re/Fashion Event
Thursday 5 December
7pm – 10pm
The Pioneer Club, Harpenden Road, St Albans, AL3 5AY
£20 (£15 for students)
You do have something to wear! And twentyoutfits are going to prove it to you, with a live catwalk show reimagined to demonstrate how to make the best of the clothes we already have. But, of course, what we wear is an ever-evolving statement of who we are and what we stand for, and we all like to edit our wardrobes mindfully, from time-to-time. So, after the show there will be an opportunity to shop from a collective of diverse businesses with sustainability in mind – and a DJ and a bar if you just want to hang out with like-minded people exactly as you are.
Indie Bazaar Alternative Christmas Market
Thursday 5 – Sunday 8 December
147 Stoke Newington High Street, London, N16 0NY
Free
Indie Bazaar is an alternative Christmas market featuring colourful, unique and, importantly, independent brands. Live Frankly fave Weirdstock will be there along with fashion, fragrance, beauty, art, food & drink offerings.
They have a kid’s crafting zone to keep the little ones entertained and are dog friendly. What more could you ask for from Christmas shopping? … Goodie bags and tarot readings, you say? Then join them for their opening night. Tickets cost £6.13 (including Eventbrite fees) but you receive a £5 voucher on entry to spend with any of the brands, plus a welcome drink – so technically you’re making money by attending.
Indie Bazaar Alternative Christmas Market
Visible Mending Workshop with Valentina Karellas
Sunday 8 December
2pm – 4pm
PLATFORM, 49 Marylebone Lane, London, W1U 2NT
£33.22
Have a favourite knit that you can’t part with but have no idea how to mend? Want to spend a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon getting stuck into some creative and cathartic repairing? Then dig out a damaged jumper, scarf, a pair of socks and learn how to turn them into a unique piece of art with Valentina Karellas.
Visible mending harks back to the idea of “mend and make-do”, but it’s also about proudly and
stylishly showing how we’re able to keep some of our favourite pieces out of landfill, and in our
wardrobes, and still being worn. By mending the knitwear, it instantly uplifts the piece to give it a new lease of life. The “visible” part of the idea is using contrasting thread, (which Valentina has saved from her own work so nothing is wasted) to proudly show off the fact the knitwear has been mended, and to encourage others to do the same.
Come alone or bring a friend.
Visible Mending Workshop Tickets
Storm Flowers London Christmas Market
Wednesday 11th December
Westminster Cathedral Piazza
10am – 5pm
Free
For a gift for the gardener in your life, look no further than Storm Flowers Garden. At this Christmas market their stall will be full of their handmade Christmas decorations, tree skirts, soap bars, garden-themed stocking fillers, and more. All products are unique and sustainably made, not mass-produced, and designed to delight and stand the test of time.
Storm Flowers London Christmas Market
The Pop-Up Club, Chelmsford, featuring Jenerous
16 November – 24 December 2024
The Pop-Up Club, 133 Bond Street, Chelmsford
Free
The mission of The Pop-Up Club is simple: to provide artists, makers, designers, and small businesses that have sustainability at their core, affordable pop-up spaces in high footfall locations – so you can find them more easily.
This is where you’ll find Fairtrade apparel brand Jenerous, was founded in 2019 with the explicit aim of helping communities in Bangalore, Jaipur and Pondicherry to find freedom from poverty. They offer beautiful dresses for the festive season and lots of new accessories that could make for perfect conscious gifts this Christmas.
Is Chelmsford a bit far for you to travel? You can also find Jenerous popping up at Christmas markets across London and Essex.
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