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The road famous for its flower market is swapping blooms for firs as its independent shops stay open until 8pm for these annual Christmas evenings. Every Wednesday in the lead-up to Christmas you can beat the usual Sunday crowds, pick up unique stocking fillers and grab fragrant greenery. Look out for the local vicar wheeling a piano down the street to accompany the carol singers and dancing pearly queens.
What time do Columbia Road carols start?
Usually, Christmas carols fill the air from from 7-8pm, with everyone joining in a session led by the vicar of St Peter's Church Bethnal Green. But unfortunately, the carol seshes have been cancelled for the remainder of 2023, after becoming a victim of their own success. A whopping 7000 people came to the first carol evening in December, causing dangerous levels of overcrowding.
Recommended: Get your carolling fix at these London carol services and singalongs instead