‘Tis the season to be jolly… merry and bright, naughty and nice, bake gingerbread houses and eat mince pies. It’s a time when everything sparkles – from the windows on our high street to the sequins on our party skirts. We drink our wine warm, sip our chocolate hot, eat our chestnuts roasted on an open fire – or so the song goes – and add cinnamon and ginger to everything!
I love the Christmassy feeling in the air, but not a day before 1st December. I was hoping the new Christmas rom-com with all the music by George Michael was going to be our December Film Club pick, but it came out in the middle of November! November is the month for fireworks, bonfires and kicking leaves, not for movies about an elf in a year-round Christmas shop. I’ll still go and see it though, obviously because… it’s George!
This year, we are adapting some of our festive family traditions to have an eco-friendlier Christmas. I shall be giving more thoughtfully too and there are many ways to shop locally, support small businesses and the community this season.
The Winter Makers Market (1 December) at Stag & Bow offers beautiful handmade items direct from the makers’ hands.
The Dulwich Village Christmas Stocking (1 December) is a free community event and features special offers in many of the independent shops with carols from local school bands and choirs, as well as a mystery Christmas stocking trail with prizes for children.
A group of talented applied artists will bring you the latest in their collections of jewellery, knitwear, ceramics, stationery, prints, shaker style boxes, textiles and greeting cards at the Makers Market at Art@57 on North Cross Road (7 December).
The 2019 East Dulwich Christmas Cracker (7 December) is a wonderful way to get in the festive spirit. This year’s street festival programme will include an exciting array of entertainment from choirs and performance groups, exclusive offers from the fantastic local traders, a suitably seasonal North Cross Road market with tempting gifts, delicious festive food and the return of the delightful Children’s Christmas Treasure Hunt in aid of Link Age Southwark.
At Pexmas this year (7 & 8 December) you will find over 100 independent boutique stalls offering prints, plants, bath products, ceramics, clothes, accessories, jewellery, homewares, foodie gifts, craft beers and wines and a million other things you never knew you wanted.
The Dulwich Charity Lunch (5 December) will be held at The Lordship pub this year. Many local businesses have donated items for the charity auction, which will raise much-needed funds for Link Age Southwark.
Come and share the joy of an afternoon with the seven Massive Violins (8 December). They perform jaw-dropping versions of famous songs – from Elvis to Adele, taking in the Beach Boys, the Beatles, the Back Street Boys, Mozart, Shaggy and Clean Bandit.
The Magic of Christmas Family Show (23 December) is a popular Christmas themed parlour magic show, now in the beautiful surrounds of Belair House.
These are just a few of the many events in and around Dulwich this festive season. It really is the most wonderful time of the year!
Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. I’ll see you on the other side!
Details of all local events including ticket and booking information can be found on our events page and Instagram @arounddulwich.