As we step into the new year, we wanted to pause for a moment to look back at one of the most meaningful events of the past season: Il Circolo’s Italian Christmas Bazaar, a celebration that beautifully brought our year of cultural activities to a close.
London is transformed at Christmastime. Streets glitter with decorations, shop windows brim with gift ideas and seasonal treats, including Italian panettone, now produced in countless variations, and people—thousands of people—rush around dragging bags, parcels, and exhausted children in search of that last surprising gift, even if they eventually end up with a safe pair of gloves for dear Auntie Mary and a warm scarf, a choice that always makes Grandpa happy.
In this climate, and for the past 28 years, Il Circolo, a charity dedicated to spreading Italian culture in the United Kingdom, has organised its Italian Christmas Bazaar in its now-traditional location, Chelsea Old Town Hall, right in the heart of elegant King’s Road. The Christmas market is the most important fundraising event in the busy programme of cultural and other activities organised by Il Circolo.
On 6 December, the doors opened onto the beautiful rooms of the Old Chelsea Town Hall, filled with Italian and non-Italian products—from food, always well represented, to jewellery, from clothing to home accessories—offering a wide selection of tasteful, high-quality Christmas gifts.
Lavazza had set up a mini bar serving real coffee, espresso, and cappuccino, providing a welcome break between purchases, while for children, Il Circolo, in collaboration with Gloria Danili of Book O’Clock, had created a dedicated corner with Christmas readings and arts and crafts activities.
The event was opened with the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony by Maria Grazia Lambertini, patron of Il Circolo, this year accompanied by His Excellency the Italian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Dr Inigo Lambertini.
Consul Alessandro Mignini and the Director of the Italian Cultural Institute, Francesco Bongarrà, also visited the market, both emphasising the importance of organisations like Il Circolo for the Italian community in London. They cited, as an example, the first—and still only—literary competition, MATCH PoiNT, which rewards unpublished stories in Italian written by residents of the United Kingdom. The competition has enjoyed great success among the Italian and Italian-speaking communities since its inception four years ago.
This year, the bazaar was also visited by the Mayor of Chelsea, Councillor Tom Bennett, accompanied by his wife. They enjoyed strolling around the stalls, chatting with vendors and shoppers alike.
The London Committees, represented by Alessandro Gaglione and Anna Cambiaggi, also attended, providing information about their activities in support of Italians in London.
The event benefited from the support of important sponsors, including Ifast Bank, which was present throughout the day to provide information on its activities; Vinlist, which offered guests a sophisticated selection of Italian wine tastings; and Tuscany and Taste, with its Tuscan truffle delicacies. Thanks to their contributions, the day concluded with an Italian aperitif, during which an auction was held with prizes donated by Hermione Homes, Studio Laggan & Associates, Starhotels, Hotel Vittoria Brescia, Ornella Tarantola, D’Alessandro e Galli, Lavazza, and the Melpignano family, who donated a stay at the exclusive Masseria San Domenico in Puglia.
The Italian Christmas Bazaar symbolically closed Il Circolo’s year of activities, which in 2025 included 38 events. It also inaugurated a new cycle of initiatives aimed at promoting Italian culture in London and, thanks to the funds raised, at providing grants and scholarships to deserving students. In 2026, MATCH PoiNT will return for its fifth year, benefiting for the second consecutive year from the prestigious collaboration with the Calvino Prize, continuing to offer a space where intimate and universal emotions can be shared.
