London | 17 November 2026 – 10 January 2027
From a 1630 Midwinter feast to Christmas in 2049, the Museum of the Home in Hoxton is exploring how we celebrate winter with its festive programme. Here are five things to do.
1. Winter Past, a free exhibition
The annual winter exhibition (17 November – 10 January) travels through the centuries, from the frost fairs once held on the frozen Thames to a speculative look at Christmas in 2049. You can learn the origins of Boxing Day, try your hand at dreidel and listen to festive music on a radiogram. It’s free.
2. Almshouse 14 by Candlelight
A special candlelit tour takes you through the museum’s restored 18th-century almshouse homes, offering an atmospheric glimpse of everyday life in Hackney 200 years ago. Tours run from 18 November to 10 January and cost £8 to £10.
3. The Winter Market (28 November)
The much-loved Winter Market returns with more than 50 independent makers, small businesses and vintage sellers, a great place to find unusual Christmas gifts and buy direct from makers. Entry is pay what you can, or £8 for early access from 10am.
4. Talks on Victorian Christmas and dark folklore
Discover how Dickens and the royal family shaped our Christmas traditions with historian Nicholas Travers (28 November), explore pagan Yule customs (5 December), or hear about Krampus, ghosts and the darker side of Christmas folklore with author Sarah Clegg (12 December). Talks cost £10, or £8 for concessions.
5. Make your own Yule Goat (12 December)
In this hands-on workshop, straw craftsman Daddystreetfox shows you how to make a Nordic Julbock, the traditional straw Yule Goat, complete with plaited horns, wheat beard, ribbons and bells. It’s £40 and a lovely way to make a decoration to keep.
Visit
Museum of the Home, 136 Kingsland Road, London E2 8EA
Nearest station: Hoxton