The annual visit to Columbia Road Flower Market, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, took place on the last Sunday before Christmas, 22 December, 2024, arriving at about 12.30 p.m., a sunny, but cool, afternoon.

The Market appeared to be less vibrant than usual, almost like an annual custom which still takes place but for which the participants, both stallholders and customers,  display little enthusiasm.  There were fewer stalls with less merchandise and fewer customers.

There were fewer Christmas trees than usual, and few, if any poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) were seen.  Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) remains popular, being sold under the name ‘ilex’.  No holly (Ilex aquifolium) was seen, and only one stall offered mistletoe (Viscum album).