Saturday 19 December 2026 | 2:00–7:00pm
Yi Crafts Studio, London, NW10 2UW

Join us for our final gathering of 2026 — a cosy winter afternoon of craft, film, festive drinks, cultural sharing and our special Yi Crafts End-of-Year Yard Sale.

Before we close the studio for Christmas, we’re opening our doors for one last celebration with our community.

Come in from the December cold, warm up with a glass of mulled wine, make something by hand, discover treasures from our studio, and join us for two special short film screenings exploring the cultures of Yunnan.

We'll end the evening in true Dali spirit — learning a traditional Bai drinking song from Yi Crafts founder Yiran's mother, who is travelling all the way from Dali, Yunnan to celebrate with us.

Stay for an hour or spend the whole afternoon with us — everyone is welcome.

✨ PROGRAMME

2:00–4:00pm | Bamboo Snowflake Christmas Workshop ❄️

Pre-booking required

Slow down for an afternoon of bamboo weaving and create your own handmade snowflake Christmas decoration.

Using natural bamboo and traditional weaving techniques, we'll guide you step by step through making a festive piece to take home and hang on your Christmas tree.

This is a separate two-hour workshop with limited spaces and must be booked in advance.

2:00–5:00pm | Christmas Craft Drop-ins 🎨

Throughout the afternoon, we'll have two relaxed festive craft activities running in the studio.

Natural Stencil Dye Christmas Gift Bag

Create your own reusable Christmas gift bag using natural dye and stencil-resist techniques — turning the wrapping itself into part of the present.

Christmas Lacquer Bauble Making

Experiment with colour and lacquer techniques to create a one-of-a-kind Christmas bauble for your tree.

No previous experience is needed. Come, sit down and enjoy making something by hand.

2:00–7:00pm | Yi Crafts End-of-Year Yard Sale 🛍️

Have a rummage through the Yi Crafts studio!

For one day only, we'll be bringing out samples, archive pieces, workshop creations, slightly imperfect pieces, discontinued items, textiles, craft materials and other little treasures, alongside selected Yi Crafts products at special end-of-year prices.

Find an unusual handmade Christmas present, discover something you might not normally see in our shop — or simply treat yourself.

5:00–5:30pm | Yunnan Short Film Screening 🎬

Settle in with a drink as we travel from London back to Yunnan through two beautiful short documentaries.

ADAUPA
A fashion documentary exploring the clothing, identity and cultural world of the Yi ethnic minority, bringing traditional heritage into conversation with contemporary fashion and visual storytelling.

A Palm of Snow
A short documentary centred around a traditional Bai snow dessert from Dali, exploring food, memory and the everyday traditions that carry culture from one generation to the next.

Together, the two films offer different windows into Yunnan — one through dress and fashion, the other through food and daily life.

The screening is included with all event tickets.

6:00–6:30pm | Bai Drinking Song & A Toast Together 🍶

And for the final gathering of the evening, we're bringing a little piece of Dali to London.

This session will be led by Yi Crafts founder Yiran Duan's mother, visiting us from Dali, Yunnan especially during the Christmas season.

In Bai culture, welcoming guests often comes with food, drink and song. Drinking songs are part of the warmth and hospitality of gathering together — sung around the table, between friends, family and visitors.

She'll introduce us to this tradition and teach everyone a simple Bai drinking song.

Then we'll raise our glasses together — to the year we've shared, to friends old and new, and to 2027.

Don't worry if you can't sing. Enthusiasm is much more important.

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will be available so everyone can join the toast.

🎟 TICKETS

£10 | Gathering Ticket

Your ticket includes:

• Entry to A Slow Christmas at Yi Crafts
• ADAUPA + A Palm of Snow film screenings
• Bai Drinking Song & communal toast
• One festive drink

You'll also have access to our End-of-Year Yard Sale throughout the afternoon.

£24 | Gathering + Christmas Craft

Includes everything in the Gathering Ticket, plus one Christmas craft drop-in activity of your choice:

• Natural Stencil Dye Christmas Gift Bag
or
• Christmas Lacquer Bauble Making

All materials are included and no previous craft experience is needed.

❄️ Bamboo Snowflake Christmas Workshop

Our 2:00–4:00pm Bamboo Snowflake Workshop is a separate pre-booked workshop with limited spaces.

Please reserve your place in advance.

A Little Piece of Yunnan at Christmas

2026 has taken Yi Crafts through another year of making, travelling, teaching and sharing the craft traditions and cultures of Southwest China.

For our final event of the year, we wanted to bring things back to what Yi Crafts has always been about: people gathering around a table, making things with their hands, sharing stories, eating, drinking and learning from one another.

Come alone, bring a friend, find a handmade Christmas present, make something to take home and spend a slow December afternoon with us.

Crafts, Culture and Slow Living.

We can't wait to celebrate with you. ❤️