Christmas Fairs in London

For a slice of jolly Christmas fun with some shopping thrown in (or vice versa) you can't beat London's advent calendar bursting with festive themed events. Take a crisp stroll around the Physic Garden in Chelsea, marvel at the glazy ice sculptures at the Frost Fair, or tuck into some freshly cooked seasonal cuisine in Covent Garden Market. Thrown together with some fantastic opportunities for that extra-special something to lay under the tree - arty, fashionable, or environmentally sound - this really is an exciting run-up to Christmas...

Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair

Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, Islington, N1
8th - 12th November 2006

Londoners are in love with super-sleek designs from Ikea and Habitat, but there's one time of year when pine and chrome urban minimalism is the last thing we want.

This Christmas, Country Living magazine brings a taste of rural England to the Business Design Centre, with all the cosy traditionalism that goes with it. Over 400 exhibitors will be selling everything you need for a perfectly British Christmas.

There'll be handmade toys, limited edition decorations, and, of course, piles of carefully-sourced British food, from smoked salmon and tender ham to the delights of Cornish cheese, mulled wine, sloe gin, fudge, chocolate and traditional Christmas puddings.

Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair - Information | Hotels near Business Design Centre

BBC Good Food Show

Olympia, Hammersmith Road, W14
10th - 12th November 2006

A little gem for food-lovers, just thinking about the Good Food Show London makes me salivate. Full of fabulous food, this two day eating extravaganza is a true celebration of taste-bud treats.

There is so much to see, eat and do. You will have the usual serving of wonderful food and drink exhibitors. They will be handing out exquisite little titbits for you to nibble on or sip. There is so much opportunity to taste, try and buy a huge selection of gourmet gifts, culinary gadgets and very snazzy kitchen accessories.

You can also shop till you drop. With Christmas and New Year festivities just round the seasonal corner, you can stock up your larder and refill the ole' drinks cabinet with a delicious array of goodies.

Don't miss the Great British Food Festival. A wonderful look at the UK's finest producers, food show goers will be able to get their mitts on anything from delicate wild Irish smoked salmon to flavoursome cheeses from the Cornish Cheese Company. Henrietta Green's FoodLovers Fair prides itself on freshness. You can seek out seasonal British food that have been made with only the freshest ingredients and are guaranteed to be of the highest quality. It all tastes really delicious.

They have also got a few new features that look pretty great. A personal favourite was 'The Dining Experience'. Here Gordon Ramsay's and Marcus Wareing's top class restaurants will be creating sample dishes from their restaurant menus. It's an exclusive opportunity to sample what would it be like to dine out at the famous Boxwood Cafe or the posh Savoy Grill.

There is also an opportunity to start getting some top tips for festive fare. You can pick out some Christmas must-haves and also pop into the Festive Tasting Theatre to taste the odd luxurious mince pie and stuffed turkey.

There is just so much. From celebrity chefs and Christmas kitchens to vast food halls you can eat, drink, talk to the experts and come home with plenty of grub for the coming months.

A sandwich from Pret for my lunch suddenly seems a little bland and inadequate....

BBC Good Food Show - Information | Hotels near Olympia

Festive Food and Fun Fair

Covent Garden Piazza, WC2
16th - 19th November 2006

As the Christmas lights are turned on, Covent Garden Market will come to life for a long weekend of festive celebrations.

The snow will be swept away from the door of Santa's Grotto as he starts dishing out presents after 11 months off. The mulled wine cabin will be supplying parents with a warming tipple whilst they wait for their excited kids. Take them for a ride on the colourful carousel to finish off.

Of course, Christmas is all about religion, but it's all also about food and shopping. In accordance Covent Garden Market are laying on over 60 food stalls, serving up traditional treats like roast chestnuts and mince pies, to contemporary outward looking alternatives. Don't miss the chefs demonstrating how it's done right in front of your eyes. You'll be able to take home what you see from a mini-food market, as well as plenty of other stalls with great gift ideas.

They'll be a programme of Punch and Judy shows in the day on Saturday and Sunday, whilst on Friday night there's a jazz concert in aid of MacMillan Cancer Research.

Festive Food and Fun Festival - Information | Hotels near Covent Garden Piazza

The Grand Christmas Sale

Lawrence Hall, Royal Horticultural Halls, Pimlico, SW1
22nd - 25th November 2006

A fantastic opportunity to pick up some classy Christmas gifts, this fair does not only offer high quality shopping but a great social event too.

There will be stall after stall of tempting bits and pieces which will make a welcome surprise when unwrapped on Christmas morning. From natty handbags to some sleekly designed home accessories, there's a fabulous range. It's really well organised too, with a convenient cloakroom where you can leave your purchases whilst you head to the restaurant or champagne bar.

The four-day sale kicks off with a 'Cava and Canapes' charity evening.

The Grand Christmas Sale - Information | Hotels near Lawrence Hall

Swedish Church Christmas Fair

Swedish Parish Church, 6 Harcourt Street, W1
23rd, 25th and 26th November 2006

Inside the Swedish Parish Church there will be a veritable smorgasbord of Scandinavian treats on sale. Ideal for the homesick Swede or anyone who wants a new take on Christmas shopping.

The best thing about a Swedish Christmas is the fabulous handmade wooden decorations. Carefully placed around the house these beautifully crafted and brightly painted bits will freshen up the usual tired set of tinsel and baubles.

Don't miss the fantastic food market either. You'll be able to sample plenty of Swedish specialities from meat balls to pickled fish. Best of all is glogg, their turbo-charged version of mulled wine.

Swedish Church Christmas Fair - Information | Hotels near Swedish Parish Church

The Great Art Christmas Fair

Alexandra Palace, Station Road, Wood Green, N11
30th November - 3rd December 2006

Thousands of dealers, galleries, agents and the artists themselves set up camp inside Alexandra Palace for a huge pre-Christmas art fair.

A great chance to see what's going on in contemporary art world, you'll be able to admire anything from a pretty but run-of-the-mill landscape, to the latest and most outlandish creations out. With gallery staff and individual artists manning the stalls it's a fantastic chance to chat and learn a bit more.

If you're looking for a present for an art enthusiast, there will be a wealth of talent and styles to choose from.

The Great Art Christmas Fair - Information | Hotels near Alexandra Palace

Eco-Design Chirstmas Fair

Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent's Park Road, Camden, NW1
2nd December 2006

Not just a small corner of the supermarket, this is a whole fair dedicated to ethically produced, green gifts.

These days eco events aren't just a place to pick up a pair of hemp trousers and some joss sticks - as well as the predictable lines of fair trade tea, coffee and chocolate, there will be a great selection of handmade bespoke goods which will make a fabulous, individual gift. Fashion, accessories, food and lots more.

Organic, recycled, non-toxic, fair trade, handmade, carbon-neutral, low-energy, whatever you're after you'll be able to find it here. Real thought has gone into every aspect of these products and it shows.

Eco-Design Christmas Fair - Information | Hotels near Cecil Sharp House

Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair

66 Royal Hospital Road (entrance on Swan Walk), Chelsea, SW3
3rd December 2006

The historical botanical gardens open their gates for a charming walk through nature and a chance to pick up some Christmas gifts.

Visitors are welcome to roam the gardens themselves or take a free guided tour. A wander on your own is great as this really attractive collection of flowers and plants from across the globe, but with a knowledgeable guide you can tap into a rich vein of history and some green fingered anecdotes. Laid out in the 17th century, the gardens were initially intended as a place to grow medicinal plants for the Royal Hospital just up the road. The three and a half acre site on the banks of the Thames was chosen due to its mild micro-climate which allows non-native species to flourish.

As well as the garden itself there will be a shopping marquee with a clutch of stalls selling jewellery, cashmere, gloves, bags, tasty treats and loads more. Don't worry about keeping the kids entertained either, there'll be plenty of activities for them too, and everyone can join in with the carol singing.

This will be a cheery event combining a crisp winter stroll through one of London's least known gardens and some festive good spirits.

Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair - Information | Hotels near Chelsea Physic Garden

Southwark Frost Fair

Bankside, SE1
15th - 17th December 2006

The Frost Fair is back for its fourth year, bringing all its usual festive cheer to the South Bank.

The organisers are expecting in excess of 100,000 visitors – so it won’t be the place to avoid the crowds. Nevertheless, it’ll be packed to the gills with last minute-shopping opportunities and the prospect of whetting that Yuletide appetite a full week in advance (as if you hadn't started already!). The enormous hog roasts are irresistible. Warm yourself up with a piping cup of mulled wine served from behind the gleaming ice bar, one of many frozen sculptures adorning Bankside.

With carol singers, street entertainers and a concoction of musicians this event will no doubt get you in a jolly mood.

Southwark Frost Fair - Information | Hotels near Bankside