It’s easy to get caught up in the large shopping centres and accessible chain stores that London has to offer. But look a little further and there are plenty of one-off shopping events too. We’ve rounded up the best pop-up shops, markets and fairs that are happening in London this month. Just hone in on whichever section tickles your fancy below, and browse by date.
Pop-Up Shops
LOUISA PARRIS: The womenswear designer has opened a pop-up store at 35 Monmouth Street in Seven Dials, specialising in her iconic print silk scarves. They will be sold alongside art from Louisa’s mother, Cherill Parris-Fox. 22 May-11 June
HUSH PUPPIES: The iconic shoe brand kicked off its one month pop-up at 68 Neal Street on 22 May by offering selected pairs of shows for £5, the price they sold at originally in 1958. Open now
POP-UP FASHION: Fairground in Haggerston has paired up with The Stylist’s Rail, to turn the first floor into a pop-up shopping event all day, with fashion stalls, street food and live DJs. noon-5pm (entry is £5 before 1pm, free after 1pm). The Stylist’s Rail will be at Fairground every Saturday until 7 June. Prebook.
Markets and Events
Acklam Village Market has an event on 31 May
INTERIORS: The Spring Clean, at the Londonnewcastle Project Space in Shoreditch sees interior designers, fabric, rug and furniture companies selling off excess stock at reasonable prices, to raise money for Kids Company. There will also be food trucks, a raffle and a champagne bar. 30 May-1 June
SUMMER MARKET: N1 Centre in Islington holds its first summer market of the year, with stallholders selling handcrafted items such as candles and cashmere products. 26 May-1 June, 10am-6pm
CAKE PARTY: Acklam Village Market on Portobello Road takes place every Saturday and Sunday, and is the only street food market in West London. 31 May is an all-day party with a cake theme, with live music, live graffiti and street food. Free before 6pm, £5 after, just turn up, 31 May, 12 noon-1am
FASHION BARGAINS: Capital Carboot in Pimlico takes place every Sunday, but on 1 June there is a second-hand designer fashion sale, consisting mainly of pieces from fashion shoots, outlet seconds and a magazine editor’s annual clear-out. Entry £5 before 11.30am, £1 after, 1 June from 10.15am
UPCOMING DESIGNERS: The Intrigue Emporium Summer show comes to Shoreditch Town Hall. Over 50 young designers and makers will showcase their items, including fashion, homewares, objets d’art and stationary. Suggested donation £1, just turn up, 22 June, 11.30am-5.30pm
CREATIVE BUSINESSES: Queens Parade in Willesden Green has been transformed into a space for creative independent businesses. On 7 June the Queens Parade Summer Festival launches, with a day of activities, workshops, entertainment, special offers, live music and more. 7 June, 11am-6pm
Vintage Fairs
Affordable homewares at the Bethnal Green Vintage Fair, 1 June
AFFORDABLE VINTAGE: Judy’s Vintage Fair returns to York Hall in Bethnal Green with the Affordable Vintage Fair. A selection of handpicked stalls sell vintage fashion, accessories and homewares at affordable prices. Entry is £3 before 11am, or £2 after, 1 June, 10.30am-4pm
VINTAGE MAPS: Wanstead Vintage Fashion and Brocante Fair is celebrating its fourth birthday at Christchurch Hall. Traders source their products from all over Europe and America, and we’re promised new stallholders alongside the regular faces. As well as vintage fashion items, there will be maps, prints and art deco products. 7 June, 10am-4pm
STYLISH SHOPPING: So Vintage London returns to Old Spitalfields Market for its monthly event, and this time, there’s a Summer Holiday theme. Get your hands on vintage clothes, home-made jewellery, china and crockery sets, and boost your shopping trip with a cupcake or two. Plus roaming street style snappers will hand out £5 vouchers to the most stylish shoppers. Free, just turn up, 7 June, 11am-5pm
CHELSEA: Frock Me! Vintage returns to Chelsea Town Hall with over 50 stalls of vintage clothing, textiles, haberdashery and accessories. Plus refreshments from Blackbird Vintage Tea Rooms. £4, 8 June, 11am-5.30pm
LOU LOU’S: The Camden Centre on Euston Road hosts Lou Lou’s Vintage Fair. Choose vintage fashion items, visit the Lipstick and Curls beauty salon or the vintage tea rooms. £2, 15 June, 11am-5pm
POP-UP VINTAGE: Find vintage and retro ladies & menswear, vintage & antique jewellery, homeware, picnic baskets, antiques, collectables, maps, books, curios & more at Pop-Up Vintage at Spitalfields. Free, 21 June, 11am-5pm
Art and Craft
Dandy Lion Market
ART & DESIGN: The Wimbledon Village Affordable Art & Design Fair is a new event, showcasing photographers, scupltors, jewellery makers, potters and more. Free, just turn up, 31 May, 10am-5pm
GOOD JUMBLE: Head to Lewisham Arthouse in Brockley for a sale of good-quality second-hand women’s clothes from Good Jumble. Unlike other similar sales, customers can try items on, and even have them adjusted on the spot if they don’t quite fit perfectly. £3, just turn up, 31 May 11am-2pm. Good Jumble also takes place in Forest Hill on 14 June.
REGULAR ART: From paintings to photography, Spitalfields Art Market offer shoppers a chance to browse and buy affordable art direct from established and up-and-coming artists. Regular exhibitors include My London Story, which sells black and white photos of the city, and screen printer John Patrick Reynolds. There are two chances to catch the market this month. 5-8 June and 12-15 June
FESTIVAL OF FLIGHT: Get Thrifty’s Craft Fairs host a craft marquee with around 40 stalls at the Biggin Hill Festival Of Flight. Get Thrify aims to provide local craftspeople a place to exhibit their work without having to pay hefty commission fees. £15/£7 (entry into whole festival), prebook, 14 June, 12pm
CREATIVES: The Dandy Lion art and craft market celebrates its third birthday at The Oxford on Kentish Town Road. The market consists of creative traders, some of whom are regulars at the market, and some are new. Free, 14 June, 12pm-5pm
Book/Music/Collectors
RECORD FAIR: Truman Brewery on Brick Lane hosts London Record Fair with international dealers, music memorabilia, record accessories and more. £1-£10, prebook, 30 May-1 June
New openings
LONDONIST GOODIES: Our Londonist shop is now online, for all of your Londonist needs. Buy t-shirts, hoodies, Oyster card holder, tote bags and maps, and choose to have them sent to your house, or collect your purchases from Londonist Towers in Old Street. Start shopping here.
INDIAN BICYCLES: Prana Custom Cycles has opened its first store, on Carnaby Street. The brand offers custom made, vintage bikes, inspired by the streets of India.
MENSWEAR: Farah, a menswear brand which began selling workwear in Texas in the 1920s, opened in Seven Dials in early May.
We want to keep these monthly shopping and market listings as relevant, up-to-date, and interesting as possible, and we want your input. Got any top tips, for great local markets or upcoming shopping events? Know of any pop-up shops opening soon, or anything we’ve missed? Leave a comment below or hit us up at hello@londonist.com.