Shop for unique presents and merry decor at a holiday market this season. These 10 pop-up experiences around the region promise vintage finds, handmade goods, and local crafts, all to help you complete your holiday shopping list.
Lucketts Holiday House
Every item is for sale inside this century-old farmhouse. Stroll through Lucketts’ decked-out rooms to find seasonal decor and delights. There are also photo-worthy holiday murals and vignettes, and a campfire where you can lounge with a drink from Vanish Brewery ($25+ timed-entry ticket).
DC Holiday Market
Diverse Markets Management’s glowing DC Holiday Market returns to Dupont Circle, along New Hampshire Avenue. Shoppers can snack on Migue’s Mini Donuts and Capital Candy Jar’s hot roasted nuts while browsing seasonal gifts from more than 35 small businesses (free).
DowntownDC Holiday Market
The Makers Show is setting up shopping stalls downtown across two blocks of F Street, from 7th to 9th streets, Northwest, with glimmering lights and wintertime goodies. The outdoor holiday shopping village is a great place to find gifts such as jewelry, decor, toys, and more. Plus, there’s s’mores, waffles, BBQ, and other indulgences to snack on while you shop (free).
Maryland Christmas Show
Maryland’s massive family-owned Christmas shopping experience returns to Frederick County. Over a span of two weekends, holiday artisans and merchants fill seven buildings with clothing, furniture, wreaths, toys, ornaments, and Yuletide cheer. The kid-friendly experience includes photographs with Santa and live music ($10 for adults, $4 for children under 10).
Heurich Christmas Markt
Heurich House Museum’s traditional Christmas Markt is all about shopping small. The museum’s historic Castle Garden hosts jury-selected small-scale makers, mulled wine, and German bites for a weekend of present-finding and craft-making ($13+ for adults, $2 for ages 2 to 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
Whether you’re looking to give or keep a new piece of artwork, this showcase has great options. For more than 30 years, local painters, sculptors, ceramicists, photographers, and jewelry designers have presented their creations at Del Ray Artisans Gallery to help patrons find one-of-a-kind presents (free).
Dream Holiday Market
Check out Marion Barry Avenue Market and Cafe’s homegrown holiday pop-up featuring 10 local vendors to shop, hot chocolate to enjoy with friends, a child-friendly Christmas cookie-decorating workshop, and Sunday brunch (free entry).
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).
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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.
