Columbia Road Christmas Wednesdays

Once again the independent shops and artisan makers of East London’s
Columbia Road will open their doors for the Christmas Wednesday Shopping
Evenings on the four Wednesday evenings preceding Christmas Day: 29th
November, 6th , 13th and 20th December. Shops will be open from 5pm to 9pm.

On Christmas Wednesday evenings the street is a treasure trove of independent
shops offering a diverse and eclectic range of carefully sourced products not
found elsewhere.

An almost Dickensian atmosphere with festive lighting makes for a unique
setting in which to shop for beautiful individual gifts, and to celebrate the
advent of the festive season.

With over 60 shops participating you’ll find all you need to tick off your
Christmas list without the stress of the high street: Choose from artisan jewelers
and booksellers to gift shops and galleries, antiques and homewares, children’s
shops, perfumery and fashion boutiques.

Products are often sourced or made by shopkeepers themselves. There is a clear
connection between the makers and the merchant. Each shop or restaurant has a
story behind the business, and each business reflects the character and
personality of the owner.

After crossing off that final niggling item on your Christmas list, reward
yourself with a much-deserved drink or a bite to eat from the many critically
acclaimed restaurants and pubs in the street.

The wonderfully exuberant carol singers from St Peters, Bethnal Green will also
be there in full voice. Local vicar Adam Atkinson and his congregation wheel a
piano down the street, carol sheets are hand out, and many shopper stop and join
in. The sound of Christmas carols echo down this Victorian thoroughfare.

And if you can’t face the usual Sunday morning crowds, you can also pick up
your Christmas tree and festive greenery. Columbia Road at Christmas is heavy
with the scent of pine needles.

Last year’s event was such a draw it featured in Channel 4’s Kirstie’s
Handmade Christmas with Kirstie Allsopp.