Around London on 24 December 2024? Tend to leave your Christmas Day food shop till the last minute? Decidedly un-vegan? Then Smithfield's annual Christmas auction could be for you.

What is it? Every Christmas, as the sundry meat suppliers of Smithfield Market in the City of London take a break, their surplus meats are sold off to the public during a raucous meat auction. It's a tradition that spans back a century or so, and a time when the meat had to be got rid of because there were no fridges. Greg Lawrence of G Lawrence Wholesale Meats has performed the role of auctioneer for years now (his sons help him out), ensuring the auction goes smoothly, and that all produce is sold. Trust us, it goes quickly!
When is the auction this year? Traditionally, the auction takes place on Christmas Eve. This year's auction takes place at 10am on Tuesday 24 December 2024.
Where exactly is it? In recent years, the auction was traditionally held outside the Harts of Smithfield area of the market, but in 2023, it moved to the market's ornate (and sheltered) Grand Avenue. That's where it'll be in 2024, too.
Why should I go? If you're not carnivorous, you possibly shouldn't. Otherwise — even if you're not looking to score a hunk of bargain meat — this is a chance to witness a quirky London ritual. Yes, it's the exchanging of hunks of meat for cash, but the atmosphere is festive, the auctioneers are jovial and a community spirit ensues, as strangers pass notes and legs of lamb back and forth.
Any other reason? Smithfield might not be long for this world — it was supposed to be upping sticks to Dagenham in the coming years, but that plan's been nixed now, and this could be one of the last few years in which you'll be able to witness the auction. While the Victorian market building is 150 years old, Smithfield Market itself dates back over 800 years — a dry-aged, well-marbled slab of London history.

What's on sale? Turkeys, sides of beef, hams. The grand finale tends to see a handful of suckling pigs sold off to folks who presumably have kitchens like the one at Hampton Court Palace.
Can I pay on card? Absolutely not! This is one of those cash-only affairs, where you're encouraged to wave tens and twenties in the air when bidding. Trust us, if you try to settle up for your gammon using Apple Pay, you'll have a few hundred people laughing at you.

Any tips on getting served?
1. Get there early! Though the auction kicks off at 10am, if you covet a prime spot, arrive as early as 9am.
2. Wave your notes about in the air to get the auctioneers' attention. (Don't worry if you're further back in the crowd: the auctioneers make a point of getting punters in the 'cheap seats' served.)
3. Write a sign: just as youngsters hold up placards at football matches asking for players shirts, you can write one begging for a juicy turkey.
4. Speaking of kids, if you've got one, use 'em by putting them on your shoulders, so the auctioneers clock you.
5. Despite its name, this is not an auction as such. Meat is sold at a fixed price; no haggling required.
Any recipe tips for my meat? We did ask G Lawrence Meat Co for any of these and they replied "cook it properly". So, yeah, probably seek out a Nigella cookbook or something.
What should I do post-auction? If you've bagged yourself something, then get thee to a refrigerator! If you just came to watch, why not treat yourself to a post-auction fry up. We'd recommend the Fox and Anchor's mahoosive City Breakfast, served from 7am with a pint of Guinness. It is Christmas after all.