Wimbledon Frost Fayre

Wimbledon is attempting to do things a little differently this year. Rather than hosting your average Christmas craft market, or even a glühwein-fuelled German-style event, it's taking inspiration from the traditional River Thames 'frost fairs'. Popular in the fifteenth century when parts of the river would freeze over, the fairs featured sledging, skating, bull-baiting and plenty of booze and merriment. The Wimbledon Frost Fayre is taking a stab in the right direction with stalls selling traditional gifts and food, a Nativity-inspired petting farm starring donkeys and sheep, jazz crew Mississippi Swamp Dogs on stage and a few roaming carol singers.