Forget the traffic of the West End, the usual offerings of gift packs and pre-Christmas queues and inflated prices. Dulwich can offer so much more and all within walking distance.
Christmas Bazaar at the Dulwich Picture Gallery, 2010 (Flux studios)
The Friends of Dulwich Picture Gallery takes over St Barnabas Parish Hall in Dulwich Village with forty stalls offering a cornucopia of perfect Christmas gifts. There will be local artists selling their unique wares of pottery, glassware and crochet, vintage silken tops, superb alpacca hats and shawls which really keeps the cold at bay and there will be exclusive jewellery as well as jams, handbags, cushions and handmade toys for the young ones.
Judy Mewburn has yet again organised the Christmas Bazaar and it has grown in popularity for each year and in order to get as many stalls as possible they are now installed for the second time in the village hall rather than in Dulwich Picture Gallery. “We are delighted that our Bazaar takes place on the same day, Saturday 29 November, as the Love West Dulwich Christmas Festival. We complement and enhance each other,” says Judy.
The West Dulwich event will take place between 10am and 5pm, just like the Bazaar and it means everyone will be able to find the perfect gifts and all within walking distance. The shops of Croxted, Rosendale and Park Hall Roads will offer all sorts of different promotions and there will be entertainment and face painting as well. “Then just a short walk away we offer mulled apple juice, proper tea and coffee and home-baked cakes as well as sandwiches made to order at very reasonable prices for weary shoppers,” adds Judy and mentions that there will be tables in the hall for a proper sit-down.
The entrance is free to the Bazaar and new among the forty stalls will be the Dulwich Picture Gallery Shop, famous for its selection of exclusive gifts for art lovers. The local charity, Dulwich Helpline is also represented.
West Dulwich has signed up twenty seven businesses and shops and the three roads will also be hosting several stalls offering goods and services. So set aside Saturday 29 November and join in the fun as well as getting all the Christmas shopping done – supporting local businesses, shops and artists.
Christmas Bazaar
Organised by Friends of Dulwich Picture Gallery
Saturday 29 November 10am – 5pm
St Barnabas Church Hall,
Dulwich Village
Free entrance
Love West Dulwich Festival
29 November 10am – 5pm
Croxted Road, Rosendale Road, Park Hall Road