The Duckie Christmas Market

Continuing in the same vein as last year's Alternative Christmas Extravaganza, the Barbican will play host to another left-of-centre festive fair this December. Located in the Barbican Foyer and named after a theatrical collective, the Duckie Christmas Market will boast an array of independent gifts showcasing cult craftspeople, underground artisans, DIY designers, thrifty retro hawkers and community arts curios. The idea is to think outside the box and eschew the consumerist High Street identikit chain store Christmas and plump for something much more worthy and traditional. The Barbican bazaar will feature a range of stalls offering a range of housewares, clothes, jewellery, artwork, specialty foods and cards - and even if you're not buying, you'll be sure to get some inspiration. Throw in some Crafty Christmas Workshops (10, 11, 17, 18 December - tickets ?6), the odd pop-up performance and barrels of seasonal bonhomie, and this promises to be a breath of fresh festive air in today's day and age of senseless shopaholic-style soulless spending.