7 of the Best Holiday Markets to Celebrate the Season in Your City
December 8, 2017
Holiday shopping doesn’t have to be stressful drudgery. Instead, it can be a way to socialize with creative types, listen to talks and live music, score some tasty treats, and otherwise soak up the heart-warming vibes (oh yeah—and pick up some great gifts, too). We’ve picked seven of the best holiday markets that offer a perfectly alternative retail experience, just in time for the festive season.
1. RENEGADE CRAFT FAIR, SEATTLE, DECEMBER 16-17, 2017: You know those friends and family members who are notoriously hard to shop for? Not anymore. The Renegade Craft Fair, now in its third year in Seattle, offers a plenitude of makers: over 200, to be exact. From all-natural candles and skincare to silkscreened tees, one-of-a-kind prints, quirky ceramics, and homemade caramels, you can find gifts for everyone on your list here.
Image courtesy of Renegade Craft Fair
Image courtesy of Renegade Craft Fair
2. MADE IN PHILADELPHIA HOLIDAY MARKET, NOVEMBER 18, 2017-JANUARY 1, 2018: Few cities have as much local pride as Philly, so it only makes sense that the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market, now in its second year, features artists and designers who are all denizens of the City of Brotherly Love. Score a homemade cutting board, pick up books written by local authors, catch glass-blowing demos...and afterwards, venture over to the companion Christmas Village at LOVE Park for further festivities.
Image courtesy of Christmas Village in Philadelphia
Image courtesy of Christmas Village in Philadelphia
3. CHRISTKINDLMARKET, CHICAGO, NOVEMBER 17-DECEMBER 24, 2017: No one does holiday markets quite like the Germans. But for the next best thing, venture to the Christkindlmarket in Chicago, where holiday traditions—and German culture—are celebrated in equal measure. Nosh on strudel and sausages, pick up gifts both traditional (cuckoo clocks) and modern (clothes and jewelry)—and then bop along to the oom-pah-pah, courtesy of the lederhosen-clad live music acts.
Image courtesy of Christkindlmarket Chicago
Image courtesy of Christkindlmarket Chicago
4. BUST CRAFTACULAR, BROOKLYN, DECEMBER 9-10, 2017: One of the best holiday markets for quirky gifts is the blink-and-you'll-miss-it BUST Craftacular. Sponsored by BUST Magazine and held at the Brooklyn Expo Center, the event is the longest-running juried craft fair in New York. It's also an alternative-minded shopper's dream. Browse the wares of over 200 vintage thrifters, crafters, and food vendors. The extra-motivated can also attend the panels and workshops, hosted by BUST's School for Creative Living.
5. ECHO PARK CRAFT FAIR, LOS ANGELES, DECEMBER 9-10, 2017: Sure, LA's palm trees and ocean breezes don't quite jive with images of sleigh bells and snowfall. But it's hard not to get in the festive spirit after a visit to the Echo Park Craft Fair. A local institution for nigh-on a decade, the market was born as a backyard pop-up before moving to two huge soundstages at Mack Sennett Studios. All the better to accommodate its 150-plus sellers, who sling everything from cardamom almond butter to essential oil tinctures.
Image courtesy of Taka Nonaka Hill
Image courtesy of Taka Nonaka Hill
6. GEORGETOWN CHRISTMAS MARKET, DECEMBER 2, 3, 9, AND 10, 2017: Step aside, D.C. The historic city of Georgetown, Colorado—just a 50-minute drive from downtown Denver and nestled in the Rockies—hosts one of the best holiday markets to visit if you want to go for a ride in a one-horse open sleigh (no, really—that happens). In addition to the high odds of snowfall and breath-taking scenery, the market—now in its 57th year—offers attendees roasted chestnuts, a daily Santa Lucia procession, and plenty of handmade gifts.
Image courtesy of Clear Creek County Tourism Bureau
Image courtesy of Clear Creek County Tourism Bureau
7. HOLIDAY CR[EAT]OR MARKET, BOSTON, NOVEMBER 18-DECEMBER 17, 2017: Sometimes a pretty necklace or a handsome wallet is the right way to let someone know you care. And sometimes, barbecue sauce does the trick. Or cinnamon rolls. Or biscotti. If you've got foodies in your life to shop for, then Boston's Holiday Cr[EAT]or Market is the place to be. Alongside the dozens of traders who populate the Boston Public Market year-round, a number of new vendors have popped up just for the holiday season. Santa Claus might know if you've been bad or good, but we won't tell if you pick up some treats for yourself, too.
Image courtesy of Melissa DiPalma
Image courtesy of Melissa DiPalma
1. RENEGADE CRAFT FAIR, SEATTLE, DECEMBER 16-17, 2017: You know those friends and family members who are notoriously hard to shop for? Not anymore. The Renegade Craft Fair, now in its third year in Seattle, offers a plenitude of makers: over 200, to be exact. From all-natural candles and skincare to silkscreened tees, one-of-a-kind prints, quirky ceramics, and homemade caramels, you can find gifts for everyone on your list here.
Image courtesy of Renegade Craft Fair
Image courtesy of Renegade Craft Fair
2. MADE IN PHILADELPHIA HOLIDAY MARKET, NOVEMBER 18, 2017-JANUARY 1, 2018: Few cities have as much local pride as Philly, so it only makes sense that the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market, now in its second year, features artists and designers who are all denizens of the City of Brotherly Love. Score a homemade cutting board, pick up books written by local authors, catch glass-blowing demos...and afterwards, venture over to the companion Christmas Village at LOVE Park for further festivities.
Image courtesy of Christmas Village in Philadelphia
Image courtesy of Christmas Village in Philadelphia
3. CHRISTKINDLMARKET, CHICAGO, NOVEMBER 17-DECEMBER 24, 2017: No one does holiday markets quite like the Germans. But for the next best thing, venture to the Christkindlmarket in Chicago, where holiday traditions—and German culture—are celebrated in equal measure. Nosh on strudel and sausages, pick up gifts both traditional (cuckoo clocks) and modern (clothes and jewelry)—and then bop along to the oom-pah-pah, courtesy of the lederhosen-clad live music acts.
Image courtesy of Christkindlmarket Chicago
Image courtesy of Christkindlmarket Chicago
4. BUST CRAFTACULAR, BROOKLYN, DECEMBER 9-10, 2017: One of the best holiday markets for quirky gifts is the blink-and-you'll-miss-it BUST Craftacular. Sponsored by BUST Magazine and held at the Brooklyn Expo Center, the event is the longest-running juried craft fair in New York. It's also an alternative-minded shopper's dream. Browse the wares of over 200 vintage thrifters, crafters, and food vendors. The extra-motivated can also attend the panels and workshops, hosted by BUST's School for Creative Living.
5. ECHO PARK CRAFT FAIR, LOS ANGELES, DECEMBER 9-10, 2017: Sure, LA's palm trees and ocean breezes don't quite jive with images of sleigh bells and snowfall. But it's hard not to get in the festive spirit after a visit to the Echo Park Craft Fair. A local institution for nigh-on a decade, the market was born as a backyard pop-up before moving to two huge soundstages at Mack Sennett Studios. All the better to accommodate its 150-plus sellers, who sling everything from cardamom almond butter to essential oil tinctures.
Image courtesy of Taka Nonaka Hill
Image courtesy of Taka Nonaka Hill
6. GEORGETOWN CHRISTMAS MARKET, DECEMBER 2, 3, 9, AND 10, 2017: Step aside, D.C. The historic city of Georgetown, Colorado—just a 50-minute drive from downtown Denver and nestled in the Rockies—hosts one of the best holiday markets to visit if you want to go for a ride in a one-horse open sleigh (no, really—that happens). In addition to the high odds of snowfall and breath-taking scenery, the market—now in its 57th year—offers attendees roasted chestnuts, a daily Santa Lucia procession, and plenty of handmade gifts.
Image courtesy of Clear Creek County Tourism Bureau
Image courtesy of Clear Creek County Tourism Bureau
7. HOLIDAY CR[EAT]OR MARKET, BOSTON, NOVEMBER 18-DECEMBER 17, 2017: Sometimes a pretty necklace or a handsome wallet is the right way to let someone know you care. And sometimes, barbecue sauce does the trick. Or cinnamon rolls. Or biscotti. If you've got foodies in your life to shop for, then Boston's Holiday Cr[EAT]or Market is the place to be. Alongside the dozens of traders who populate the Boston Public Market year-round, a number of new vendors have popped up just for the holiday season. Santa Claus might know if you've been bad or good, but we won't tell if you pick up some treats for yourself, too.
Image courtesy of Melissa DiPalma
Image courtesy of Melissa DiPalma
