Christmas

Westbourne Grove
Dec 3, 4-9pm
On December 3 most of the chic boutiques dotted around Westbourne Grove and Ledbury Ave will be luring customers in with Champagne, canapés and discount deals. For the best savings head to Ghost, who are hosting a half-price sale (select racks will be slashed by 70 per cent) and giving out a free goody bags. If you’re lucky enough to be jetting off for some winter sun, don’t miss expensive swimwear shop Heidi Klein knock 25 per cent off everything in store. Otherwise, art lovers can get their fill in England & Co, where photographer Brian Griffin will be exclusively on hand from 6.30pm to talk you through star-studded portraits. Festivities will span entire the street with carol singers and a secret Santa raffle. Hankering for a bit of that wholesome American cheer? You’ll certainly get it in Ralph Lauren who will be tree lighting and dishing out free mince pies.
Westbourne Grove/Ledbury Rd, W11 (020 7313 7590) Notting Hill Gate tube. Open Dec 3, 4-9pm. Feature continues

Columbia Road
Dec 3, 10, 17, 5-9pm; Dec 20, 10am-4pm
If you can’t hack Sunday alarm bells in party season, don’t worry: you can still enjoy shopping on Columbia Road, as the street will be springing to life for a series of late-night openings throughout December. Enjoy live music as you browse through the bric-a-brac of the 60 independent boutiques that line this Dickensian street. Without being distracted by the bustling flower market, you’ll get a great peek at the unusual mix of quirky arts, antiques, fashion and homeware on offer. Check out Bahasa for gorgeous garden furniture imported from Indonesia, or the hoards of bottles and jars in Angela Flanders perfumery. As one the few parts of the city not to have been bombed during the war, this promises to be one of the quaintest Christmas shopping experiences in the capital.  
Christmas Wednesdays, Columbia Rd and Ezra St, E2 (www.columbiaroad.info/home.html) Old St tube; 26,48, 55 bus. Open  Dec 3, 10 & 17, 5-9pm; Dec 20 10am-4pm.

Cross Street
Dec 4, 6-8.30pm
The eclectic mix of shops tucked away on this charming Islington backstreet are clubbing together for a one-off, late-night Christmas party on Thursday December 4. Enjoy seasonal refreshments and discounts in some of the area’s hottest independents. Tallullah Lingerie, The Cross St. Gallery and Jabberwockie children’s clothes are just some of the big names involved (as is neighbouring jewellery haven Dinny Hall). For a quick dress-fix on a budget, don’t miss Scandinavian fashion boutique Wild Swans, who will be offering 10 per cent off everything in store. Add that to sale items already down by 30 per cent, a free glass of Glogg (Scandinavian Christmas wine) and you’ll soon be in the party spirit.
Christmas Shopping Party, Cross St, Islington, N1 (0207 354 8681) Highbury & Islington or Angel tube. Open Dec 4, 6-8.30pm.

Bermondsey Street
Dec 4, 6.30-9.30pm
Style-savvy shoppers love this boutique haven, so it’s a great place to pick up a dapper present or two and you’ll find excellent promotions at this Christmas evening. Already all the shops have united to offer 10 per cent off everything and there are bound to be far more deals and Christmas treats unearthed on the night. If you’re looking to get your pooch something special Holly & Lil Collar Couture should have the perfect bit of pet bling. Otherwise check out Cockfighter Bermondsey for high-end fashion or Tara Plana for unusually stylish green footwear. The Fashion and Textile Museum will also be open late and designers sold in their shop will be making special appearances. All make for thirsty work? The Garrison will be handing out their infamous Warm Spiced Apple Cider.
Christmas Shopping Night, Bermondsey St, SE1 (www.london-se1.co.uk/whatson) London Bridge tube. Open Dec 4, 6.30-9.30pm.   

The Shoreditch Triangle
Dec 4, 11, 18, 6-8pm
On select Thursdays throughout the month, a fine pick of Hoxton’s edgy boutiques will be opening late and serving up special discounts, which are only, a bit annoyingly, going to be revealed on the night. But lots are offering free gift-wrap (bound to be the coolest in town) and in terms of Crimbo music it will probably be a more BoomBox than your average community choir. Shops involved include SCP, a must for contemporary furniture design, excellent his ‘n’ hers designer boutiques Start, and glamorous lingerie company Bordello. To round it off, with every purchase at the Rivington Bar and Grill you’ll get a free mince pie and glass of their mean mulled wine.      
Shoreditch Triangle Late Night Christmas Shoppping, Great Eastern St and Rivington St, Hoxton, EC2 (020 7729 7053 or email press@start-london for more info) Old St tube. Open Dec 4, 11, 18, 6-8pm.

Dulwich Park Christmas Market
Dec 7, 9.30am-3pm
Dulwich Park’s small annual Christmas Market picks up pace this year with more than 25 local traders selling contemporary gifts alongside seasonal treats from the Pavilion Café. Highlights include kid’s tees from Freddy Says, scarves by Jenny Alexander, Rococo handmade chocolates, Brazilian fashion and jewellery by Totem and Funky Mutt dog accessories. Kids can marvel at local magician Barry Westwell while a nine-person Christmas choir will attempt to drown out their excited screeches. Adults can steady themselves with mulled wine, Winter Pimms, Belgian waffles with hot chocolate sauce from a chocolate fountain, or delicious Bailey’s lattes from the café.
Dulwich Park Christmas Market, Pavilion Café, Dulwich Park, SE21 (020 8299 1383/ www.pavilioncafedulwich.co.uk). Open Dec 7, 9.30am-3pm.

Belgravia
Dec 7, 11am-4pm
Over 100 specialist shops from cigar merchants to antique traders will be offering festive deals and unique stocking fillers on this Christmas Sunday. The stores are dispersed over three streets, and you can take free rickshaw rides between them and enjoy a whole cabaret of street entertainment and carol singers. For chichi looking presents, be sure not to miss the Swarovski pop-up shop, offering complimentary gift-wrap. Both Motcomb Street and Elizabeth Street will be pedestrianised to accommodate special Christmas fetes, where you can pick up a hoard of great deals (try The Chocolate Society for sweet treats.) Alternatively, on Pimlico Road you can get your fridge-fill at the farmers market, open specially. Look out for Santa and his sleigh, which should be doing the rounds with help from a furry friend or two.
A Special Christmas Shopping Sunday, Elizabeth St, Motcomb St and Pimlico Rd, SW3 (www.motcombstreet.co.uk) Sloane Square tube. Open Dec 7, 11am-4pm.

Cabbages & Frocks Christmas Fair
Dec 7, 11am-5pm
Not even a half-price sale at Selfridges could compete with the designer bargains available at this boutique fair. Bigger and better than normal, almost every trader will have discounted offers on the go. Expect stacks of cashmere as the organisers wheel in more than usual to cope with high Crimbo demands; all of it will go for between £15-£40. Fashion lovers shouldn’t miss the vintage beaded dresses by Balenciaga and Chanel selling from £75, or once-worn Jimmy Choos going for £150. Look out for the ridiculous deal on nearly-new £1000 Aquascutum coats, now on sale for a justifiable £50.
Cabbages & Frocks Christmas Fair, William Ellis School, Highgate Rd, NW5 (020 7794 1636 www.cabbagesandfrocks.co.uk) Kentish town tube, C11 and 214 bus. Open Dec 7, 11am-5pm.      

Brick Lane
Dec 11, 6-8.30pm
Escape the weekend gridlock of skinny jeans and beehives and pop to Brick Lane on Thursday December 11 for a spot of late-night shopping. It’s first year that many of the area’s independent shops will be staying open late, and as a special treat for Time Out readers, lots will offer 10 per cent off (just mention Time Out at the till). For fashion fixes, rummage through mounds of second-hand attire at Rokit or Mendoza. Stores will be stocking up shelves specially, so it’s also worth a peek in the ever-popular Laden Showrooms (now a firm fave on ASOS.) As well as refreshments, one-off Christmas gifts will be available on the night. Find something for little ones try Eastside Books or OhbabyLondon, which sells plenty of quirky gifts for the under-fours.
Late Night Christmas Shopping, Brick Lane, E1 (020 7247 4949/www.ohbabylondon.com/blog) Liverpool St tube. Open Dec 11, 6-8.30pm.  

See more Christmas shopping features