A Crafty Christmas

Get into the festive spirit this December and explore the array of Christmas markets and winter fairs that the UK has to offer! Whether you’re looking for gift inspiration, or simply want to indulge in mince pies and mulled wine – you’re sure to find something to enjoy from this month’s top picks.

Abigail Leach, Earthenware, Teracotta Teapot

MAKE 2019

Each year, The Devon Guild of Craftsmen hosts a contemporary fair where you can tackle your Christmas shopping and fulfil your craft cravings.

You can find handmade pieces by up to 50 brilliant designer-makers including the likes of Abigail Leach, who uses Earthenware Terracotta clay to hand build a range of Domestic ware, adding bespoke slips for colour and decoration.

Make sure to check out the craft shop where you will find a delightful selection of Christmas cards, wrapping, decorations and gifts, as well as the great variety of unique crafts handmade by members of the guild.

Showing until: 5 Jan 2020
Open hours: 10.30am – 5.30pm daily
Free Entry

Location: Jubilee Gallery Devon, TQ13 9AF

7 December : join the Christmas Celebration Day at Devon Guild, where you can enjoy a programme of events, including a wood workshop and a pottery demonstration.

Winter Arts Market, Liverpool Cathedral

Winter Arts Market 2019

Open Culture is a social enterprise that aims to nurture and support the arts in Merseyside across a variety of projects, platforms and events; inspiring people to create and develop their knowledge of and access to cultural events and activities.

Based in the grandeur setting of Liverpool Cathedral, The Winter Arts Market is Merseyside’s biggest arts and crafts event. Amidst the bustling aisles you will find 200 stallholders across all art-forms, plus an Asian food fair, vintage fair and crafting workshops. This event provides an excellent opportunity for independent artists from across the region to sell their work and for the public to support local artists.

Open: Sat 7 Dec 2019, 10am – 7pm
Location: Liverpool Cathedral St James Mt, Liverpool L1 7AZ
£3 / under 16s free

Elisa Gustilo, Natural white Mongolian dome hat

Cockpit Arts Open Studios

Winter Open Studios brings you the chance to meet and shop directly with over 140 of London’s finest makers during two weekends. Cockpit Arts opens its doors to the public, making this an exclusive chance to meet some of the best craftspeople in London and immerse yourself within its hub of creative talent.

Whether you’re looking for jewellery, homeware, ceramics or fashion accessories, this event is the perfect opportunity for festive shopping. You can buy direct from Cockpit’s makers, including Alison Dickens who creates decorative basketry and Elise Gustilo who specialises in the art of traditional British millinery.

Showing times: Holborn – 29 November – 1 December
Deptford: 6 – 8 December
Opening times: Fri 11am – 8pm, Sat & Sun 11am – 6pm

Find out more

Canopy Market, Kings Cross

Curated by Dan Goode

Christmas Under the Canopy

This year’s Christmas Under the Canopy is curated by trained ceramicist, speaker and working actor, Dan Goode. The Kings Cross based market will be open daily and packed with special workshops and all the gifts, mince pies and mulled wine you can dream of.

Kicking off with a ceramics and craft special, there is an exciting programme of live events which you can find here.

Showing times: 29 November – 22 December
Location: West Handyside Canopy, London N1C 4BH

Battersea River Walk Christmas Market

River Walk market is back for its festive return. The cosy wooden huts will be brimming with a great collection of traders, street food, art and jewellery. For those of you looking for gift ideas, you can do your Christmas shopping whilst strolling along the beautiful setting of the Battersea riverbank.

Open: 28 November – 25 December 2019
Opening hours: 12 – 8pm
Location: Battersea Power Station, 188 Kirtling St, SW8 5BN

Dan Goode: website / Twitter