Make your holiday shopping list, and check it twice at one of these seasonal pop-up markets around the region, where you’ll find homemade goods, vintage items, locally-crafted artworks, holiday decor, and other gifts.
Lucketts Holiday House
Venture through a century-old farmhouse for a multi-room shopping experience curated with seasonal goods and jolly decor. Check out holiday murals and photo vignettes on the grounds of the Lucketts store in Leesburg, and sip drinks from Vanish Brewery by a campfire ($25+ timed-entry ticket).
DC Holiday Market
Diverse Markets Management’s glowing DC Holiday Market—formerly Downtown Holiday Market— returns to Dupont Circle. Shoppers can snack on doughnuts from Migue’s Mini Donuts and Capital Candy Jar’s hot roasted nuts while browsing seasonal goods from more than 30 small businesses along New Hampshire Avenue (free).
DowntownDC Holiday Market
The Makers Show returns downtown to enchant two blocks of F Street, from 7th to 9th streets, Northwest, with glimmering lights and an array of wintertime favorites. The outdoor holiday shopping village is a great place to find presents and indulge in bites from a local food truck (free).
Maryland Christmas Show
Immerse yourself in yuletide cheer at Frederick’s giant Maryland Christmas Show. Over a span of two weekends, holiday artisans and merchants fill seven buildings with clothing, furniture, wreaths, toys, ornaments, and much more. The family-friendly experience includes photographs with Santa and live music ($10 for adults, $4 for children under 10).
Heurich Christmas Markt
If you are looking to shop small, you’ll love Heurich House Museum’s traditional Christmas Markt. History, mulled wine, and German inspiration come together in their Castle Garden for a weekend of gift-finding and craft-making. You can browse more than 45 small-scale makers, visit a mini craftsmanship exhibition, and munch on German snacks ($12+ for adults, $2 for children under 15).
Norwegian Festival
Space is limited inside of Norway House, but you’ll still find a selection of Nordic books, sweaters, cheeses, coffee, chocolates, and linens. While you wait to enter the holiday house, you can taste pea soup and watch Norwegian food demos at the outdoor cafe, meet Fjord horses, play corn hole, and listen to Viking storytelling (free, but registration required for indoors, walk-ins limited).
Del Ray Artisans’ Fine Art & Fine Craft Holiday Market
Here’s a good market to visit if you’re looking for a unique item to gift or keep. This artsy holiday market marks its 30th anniversary this December with a showcase of artworks from local painters, sculptors, ceramicists, photographers, jewelry designers, and more (free).
Silver Spring Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Fair
Tis’ the season for shoppers to browse home decor, ornaments, crafts, and other gifts from more than 70 local small business vendors, all while listening to Christmas melodies at Veterans Plaza (free).
Old Town Alexandria Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show
Alexandria’s merry outdoor shopping attraction returns to John Carlyle Square with caroling and a live DJ. In addition to the array of items on display for purchase, the market hosts a children-friendly section where youngsters can customize ornaments and take pictures with Santa (free).
Procrastinator’s Holiday Market
Last-minute shoppers will love this winter shopping spree usually held both indoor and outdoor at Kraken Kourts and Skates. Details for the market are forthcoming, but past events featured local vendors, festive eats for purchase, kid-friendly train rides, raffle giveaways, and other on-theme activities (free).
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Briana A. Thomas is a local journalist, historian, and tour guide who specializes in the research of D.C. history and culture. She is the author of the Black history book, Black Broadway in Washington, D.C., a story that was first published in Washingtonian in 2016.
