Leadenhall Market got an early taste of Christmas this ‘weekend past’, as the historic London market was transformed for a festive takeover celebrating EBENEZER, the upcoming theatrical release from Paramount Pictures UK, arriving in UK cinemas this Friday 13th November. Watch the trailer here.
The historic market was filled with Victorian carol singers, bringing a festive atmosphere as Londoners and visitors stepped back in time and enjoyed an afternoon of Christmas magic with a distinctly Dickensian twist.
The highlight of the takeover was the Leadenhall Wunderkammer, a miniature Victorian storefront transformed into Scrooge & Marley’s counting house. Taking its cue from 19th-century curiosity cabinets, miniature theatres and Leadenhall Market’s ornate architecture, visitors queued up to ring the bell and see what surprise the Victorian shopkeeper had waiting behind the window.
There were plenty of treats up for grabs, including exclusive EBENEZER merchandise and festive goodies from the film’s partners, Branston, Aunt Bessie’s and Ferrero Rocher. But not everyone was so lucky, with some visitors discovering a rather less exciting surprise: a marshmallow lump of coal! Bah Humbug!
And there’s still time to visit to get your own treat or lump of coal! The EBENEZER themed Wunderkammer will be open for visitors to ring the bell for their mystery gift, Thursday to Sunday between 12th – 15th and 19th – 22nd November, 12-5pm*. Visitors will be invited to make a £10 donation, with 25% of the proceeds supporting Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity and its work helping seriously ill children, a cause close to Ebenezer Scrooge’s, sorry, Johnny Depp’s heart!
Afterwards, they can stay on for festive food and drinks at the market’s restaurants, pubs and bars, including The Lamb Tavern, Luc’s Brasserie, MRBL and Giorgio at Leadenhall.
Simon McCaugherty, Director at Visit London commented, “London is full of surprises at Christmas, and the Ebenezer takeover at Leadenhall Market is a brilliant example of the creativity and history that makes the city such a special place to visit. This fresh twist to Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in one of London’s most historic markets is a great way to celebrate the festive season. It’s exactly the kind of imaginative experience that makes Christmas in London so memorable. We’d encourage visitors to discover it for themselves and see which ghostly gift awaits them!”
This November, prepare to be ghosted. Johnny Depp is the deliciously unpleasant Ebenezer Scrooge in a thrilling reimagining of the most iconic ghost story of all time. On one unforgettable Christmas Eve, Ebenezer collides with his past, present, and future on a supernatural journey that will decide his ultimate fate. If you think you know his story, think again. Directed by Ti West and with a screenplay by Nathaniel Halpern, Ebenezer also stars Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Sam Claflin, Daisy Ridley, Arthur Conti, Ellie Bamber, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Charlie Murphy, with Tramell Tillman and Ian McKellen.
