Shop till you hop
Gipsy Hill Brewery is hosting a one-day-only mini festival, featuring live carollers, boozy hot chocolates, local brews and a chance to do some Christmas shopping courtesy of a spread of stalls from independent traders. Eat, drink and be merry – they’re promising Mariah Carey on repeat after all. The market and taproom are both indoors, so no need to worry about the weather.
Gipsy Hill Brewery, Unit 5, 160 Hamilton Road , SE27 9SF. December 11, 12pm – 5pm. Admission: FREE.
www.gipsyhillbrew.com/bar/the-taproom
Makers’ market
Shop local in the run up to Christmas, as Crystal Palace hosts a South London Makers’ Market on Thursday December 15. Browse the wares of over 20 small brands and traders, who between them are selling everything from homeware to jewellery, skincare and baked goods. There’s a mulled wine and hot chocolate station to keep you fuelled, but book a table in the Weston House pub below if you fancy something more substantial.
Weston House, 79 Westow Hill, Norwood, London SE19 1TY. December 15, 4pm – 9pm. Admission: FREE.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/a-south-london-makers-market-26883026071
Glide across south London’s new ice rink
While central London is mourning the loss of the Natural History Museum’s ice rink this winter, its loss is south London’s gain, as the team behind it – who are also in charge of the rink at Winter Wonderland – have opened a seasonal ice rink outside the newly opened Battersea Park Power Station. Practise your spins, glides and twirls across three interconnecting ice rinks watched over by twinkling fairy lights and a giant, glowing Christmas tree.
Battersea Park Power Station, Circus Road West, Nine Elms, London SW8 5BN. Until January 8; Monday – Thursday, 10am – 6pm, Friday 10am – 10pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am – 6pm. Admission: £12/£8 children.
www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk/events/glide/
Take the plunge for charity
Crisis, the charity tackling homelessness, is hosting a series of icebreaker challenges in outdoor swimming pools across London this winter, and the next one is coming to a pool near you. Head to Brockwell Lido on December 3 and take part in a cold water swim to raise money for the charity. Register in advance (and we’d recommend easing yourself in with a few cold dips in training), then on the day, all you need to do is swim a width of the pool. Oh, and fancy dress is very much encouraged.
Brockwell Park, Dulwich Road, London
SE24 0PA. December 3, 11am – 12:30pm. Admission: £15 / sponsorship target £150.
www.crisis.org.uk/get-involved/fundraise/events/swim/icebreaker-brockwell/
Bermondsey Street after dark
Wrap up warm and feel fully festive on Bermondsey Street on December 8, when its chocolate box windows will be glowing after dark and the doors of its independent businesses will stay open to offer a spot of late-night shopping. Pick up something for your festive spread from the Giddy Grocer and B Street Deli, gifts for him from Seaward & Stern, or for her from Kat Maconie, and a bouquet for your home from Igloo Flowers. You’ll be plied with mulled wine and festive treats while you browse.
80 – 167 Bermondsey Street, SE1.
December 8, 6pm – 10pm.
A panto just for grown ups
Who said panto was strictly family entertainment? Certainly not the brilliant double act behind Sh!t Theatre who, as the name suggests, are not peddling their wares for the kiddos. Their show Sing-A-Long Muppet Christmas Carol is showing at Battersea Arts Centre in the run up to Christmas. It’s not new exactly: theatremakers Louise Mothersole and Becca Biscuit started performing it in their bedroom 10 years ago, but it’s become something of a cult favourite – and not just because they give out goody bags and free whisky. It’s not too late to hop on board the hype, though: as they say themselves, Muppet virgins are welcome.
Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill,
London SW11 5TN. December 8 – 19, 8pm. Admission: £14/£10 concessions.
www.bac.org.uk/whats-on/sing-a-long-muppet-christmas-carol/
