Temperatures are dropping, dazzling lights are popping up all around and holiday markets are reappearing. Cue the carols — the holiday season has commenced.
These holiday markets in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia are a fantastic opportunity to support local businesses while ticking items off your gift list.
Find out where to find a gift for a loved one, eat delicious holiday treats and maybe hear a carol or two (or 90) during these colder months.
Washington, D.C. holiday markets
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Downtown Holiday Market
📅 Nov. 17 to Dec. 23
📍 Centered at 8th and F streets NW
💲 Free to enter
🔗 Details
The Downtown Holiday Market is back, a sure sign of the holiday season. The outdoor market has taken over two blocks outside the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum, featuring feature over 70 vendors, six food or drink stalls and a stage for live music.
Its hours are noon to 8 p.m. daily. Note that the market will be closed Monday, Dec. 4.
You can show your Downtown Holiday Market receipt or bag to get discounts at three José Andrés restaurants in the neighborhood: China Chilcano, Oyamel and the bar at Jaleo. Rideshare service Alto is also offering $15 off two rides for riders who use the code HOLIDAYMARKET.
The Markt at MLK & Metro's First Shop Pop-Up Shop
📅 Nov. 25 to Dec. 18
📍 Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (901 G St. NW)
💲 Free entry
🔗 Details
Curated by the Heurich House Museum, this holiday market specializes in locally made and library-themed goods.
For the Metro fan in your life, make sure to stop by Metro's First Shop Pop-Up Shop, where you can pick up select gifts from a collection that includes T-shirts, models and more.
Tenleytown Winter Holiday Market
📅 Weds., Dec. 13, 5-10 p.m.
📍 East West Cafe (4619 41st St NW, Washington, D.C.)
💲 Free entry
🔗 Details
Scrambling to wrap up your gift list? Twenty local artisans will set up in the newly-opened East West Café alongside a DJ. Families are welcome to bring kids, who can enjoy the Children’s Craft Corner and watch “Elf” while parents shop.
NoMa Holiday Market
📅 Sat., Dec. 16, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
📍 The Woonerf on Quincy Lane and Alethia Tanner Park
💲 Free entry
🔗 Details
Dozens of vendors offering books, food, art and more are set to be selling giftable wares.
Yalda Winter Solstice Market
📅 Sat., Dec. 16, 3-7 p.m.
📍 Brookland Arts Walk (716 Monroe St. NE)
💲 Free entry
🔗 Details
This market with live music presented by Norooz Market will commemorate the Persian New Year, Nowruz, and the longest night of the year. Nearby Brookland Arts Walk shops will be open for the entirety of the event.
Holly Jolly Sidewalk Market
📅 Sat., Dec. 16, 1-6 p.m.
📍 14th Street (between U & T Streets NW)
💲 Free entry
🔗 Details
Thirty local retailers will create a special shopping experience in the Logan Circle and U Street area.
Enchant
📅 Nov. 24 to Dec. 31
📍 Nationals Park
💲 From $32 for adults and $27 for kids ages 3 to 17
🔗 Details
Nationals Park's Enchant is a dazzling spot for holiday lights, featuring a light maze and ice skating trail for the whole family. There's also a holiday market in The Village.
Maryland holiday markets
10th Annual Kris Kringle Christmas Market
📅 Dec. 8-10
📍 Charles County Fairgrounds (8440 Fairgrounds Road, La Plata, Maryland)
💲 $5 (free for children 10 and under)
🔗 Details
This German-style Christmas market is a fan favorite every year because of its light displays, tasty Christmas treats, music and fireworks.
Fresh holiday decorations will be sold, too.
If you’re there on Friday at 5 p.m., you can take in the splendor of Santa and the official tree lighting.
Hours are Friday, 4-8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Takoma Park Gift Market
📅 Dec. 8, 5-9 p.m.
📍 201 Ethan Allen Ave.
💲 Free
🔗 Details
Enjoy the evening by shopping small businesses, grabbing dinner from food trucks by a fire or getting a personalized tarot card reading.
Holiday Craft Fair at the Brentwood Arts Exchange
📅 Sat., Dec. 9
📍 3901 Rhode Island Avenue, Brentwood, Maryland
💲 Free entry
🔗 Details
Live music, a Maryland Meadworks Tasting Lounge and crafts to entertain kids add some extra cheer to this holiday craft fair within Brentwood Arts Exchange.
It's the perfect chance to explore the Gateway Arts District. Many businesses are rolling out the holiday red carpet. Stop by open artists' studios at the Washington Glass School and Portico Gallery and Studios and shop more markets at spots including miXt Food Hall and Material Things.
Empowered Women International Holiday Market
📅 Dec. 10, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
📍 Silver Spring Civic Building (1 Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring, Maryland)
💲 Free
🔗 Details
Support local female entrepreneurs at the Empowered Women International Holiday Market. Many participating businesses are owned by Black, Latina and/or immigrant women.
Annapolis Holiday Market
📅 Dec. 7, 4-10 p.m.; Dec. 8-Dec. 9, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Dec. 10, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.
📍 1 Dock St., Annapolis, Maryland
💲 Free
🔗 Details
Take a quick trip for four days of holiday shopping and live entertainment along the Annapolis waterfront.
If you make the trip to Annapolis on Saturday, check out the dazzling Eastport Light Parade in the waters of Annapolis Harbor from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Virginia holiday markets
Old Town Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show
📅 Dec. 9, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.
📍 John Carlyle Square (300 John Carlyle St., Alexandria, Virginia)
💲 Free
🔗 Details
Grab a gift for your loved ones from one of more than 110 local small businesses selling giftable items, ranging from baked goods to jewelry.
PAST EVENTS:
D.C.
Chanukah Holiday Market
📅 Nov. 28, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
📍 EDCJCC (1529 16th St. NW)
💲 $7
🔗 Details
Hosted by the Edlavitch D.C. Jewish Community Center, this holiday market will feature a diverse set of vendors, plus classes demonstrating how to make olive oil cake and dried flower keepsakes for an additional fee ($30).
EDCJCC recommends buying tickets online in advance so you don't have to wait in line at the door.
Heurich House Chriskindlmarkt
📅 Dec.1 to Dec. 3
📍 Heurich House Museum (1307 New Hampshire Ave. NW)
💲 $2 (children), $12 (adults)
🔗 Details
This German-style market in the garden of a castle-style is supporting the Heurich House's small business development program this year. The three-day event will feature more than 50 vendors.
Native Art Market
📅 Dec. 2-3, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
📍 Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian
💲 Free entry
🔗 Details
Indigenous artists from the western hemisphere will be selling beadwork, jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery and sculpture in the museum's atrium.
Violinist QVLN and DJ Sunny Z will provide a soundtrack for your holiday shopping.
Dupont Circle Holiday Pop-up
📅 Dec. 2, 12 p.m.-5 p.m. (rain date Dec. 3)
📍 Historic Dupont Circle main streets (9 Dupont Circle NW)
💲 Free
🔗 Details
Walk along Connecticut Avenue NW, P Street, 17th Street and 18th Street as local stores run special pop-ups outside selling pottery, wood crafts, bath and beauty supplies, jewelry and more.
A couple of highlights include the Ìpàdé Holiday Market featuring Black women-owned businesses (1734 20th St. NW) and Dupont Underground's annual bazaar (entrance along Dupont Circle between Connecticut Avenue and 19th Street).
You can also take pictures with Santa, with proceeds benefitting the Humane Rescue Alliance, at the Washington Hilton on Connecticut Avenue.
Need something sweet or a freshly cut tree? The Ross Elementary PTA will host a Christmas tree sale, bake sale and festival at 1730 R St. NW.
Carolers, hot chocolate and popcorn will be in Dupont Circle's park for a cheery break from shopping.
Van Ness Holiday Pop-up
📅 Dec. 2, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
📍 4320 Connecticut Ave. NW
💲 Free
🔗 Details
Van Ness Main Street will host its annual pop-up shop event, featuring more than 40 local artisans and a holiday hunt for prizes. The Singing Capital Chorus, an a cappella group, will perform from 1 to 2 p.m.
House of Sweden Holiday Market
📅 Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entry at 4 p.m.)
📍 House of Sweden (2900 K St. NW)
💲 $10-$15
🔗 Details
This Swedish market hosted by the Embassy of Sweden is the perfect place to try traditional treats while shopping from vendors selling ornaments, Swedish glass, books, decor and more.
You can save a few dollars by purchasing tickets before Nov. 27. After that, attendees must pay Eventbrite's processing fees.
After the market, you can watch the Swedish Lucia celebration. According to Sweden.se, it's a December tradition when children in long white gowns sing songs and carry candles. It's free to attend.
Cleveland Park Winter Market
📅 Dec. 2, 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
📍 3400 block of Connecticut Ave. NW
💲 Free
🔗 Details
Shop a wide selection of gifts and enjoy the holiday lights strung along Connecticut Avenue NW at this market.
Winter Festival at the National Arboretum
📅 Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
📍 The National Arboretum's New York Avenue parking lot
💲 Free
🔗 Details
Shop local vendors and enjoy free holiday-themed activities for the whole family, including nature-based crafts and face painting. You can get into the festival through the R Street entrance (2400 R St. NE) or the New York Avenue entrance (3501 New York Ave. NE).
The event is hosted by Friends of the National Arboretum. The group will hold a Christmas tree sale on Saturday during the festival, as well as the following Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Trees are available for preorder; they can be picked up or delivered.
Holiday Market at The Parks
📅 Dec. 2, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
📍 Marketplace Plaza at The Parks (Georgia Avenue and Dahlia Street NW)
💲 Free
🔗 Details
Carolers, a 30-foot holiday tree, crafts and sweet treat giveaways will make this market at The Parks at Walter Reed extra special (plans for firepits have been sidelined for this year).
The market is partnering with Housing Up, an organization supporting homeless and at-risk families during their 2023 gift drive. Patrons can bring a gift from Housing Up's wish list to the market or make a donation.
Union Station Holiday Market
📅 Thurs., Dec. 7 to Sun., Dec. 10, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
📍 Union Station Main Hall
💲 Free entry
🔗 Details
Walk through Union Station’s ornate main hall and shop from artisanal vendors offering art, vintage clothing, crafts, jewelry and more.
Union Station is lighting its huge holiday tree on Thursday, Dec. 7, and its Menorah on Sunday, Dec. 10, so you can soak in the festive lights and grab a selfie after browsing.
Columbia Heights Tree Lighting & Market
📅 Dec. 8, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
📍 Columbia Heights Civic Plaza (1400 Park Road NW)
💲 Free
🔗 Details
Located in the heart of Columbia Heights, this market offers shopping from small business vendors, plus a tree lighting ceremony, live music and family-friendly programming from 5 to 7 p.m.
Holiday Bazaar & Day Party for a Cause
📅 Sat., Dec. 9, 3-7 p.m.
📍 Westin DC City Center (1400 M St., Northwest D.C.)
💲 $100+
🔗 Details
A day party where you can holiday shop and help out worthy causes is a slam dunk in our book. Bonus points for its hosts, News4’s own Shawn Yancy and her nonprofit Girls’ Night Out, and all our other NBC friends participating including Doug Kammerer, Tommy McFly, Adam Tuss, Molette Green and Chuck Bell.
When you’re not walking in on the pink carpet or browsing from 20 curated boutiques, enjoy day party festivities including a celebrity fashion show and a Iive auction. Tickets come with signature cocktails and food.
Proceeds will provide new winter coats, hats, gloves, and hundreds of new Christmas toys to children in the D.C. area, Shawn says.
Mt. Pleasant Holiday Market
📅 Sun., Dec. 10, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
📍 Lamont Plaza
💲 Free
🔗 Details
Peruse dozens of vendors on Mount Pleasant Street and Lamont Plaza, bring kids to visit Santa and make cards for hospitalized kids at the Mt. Pleasant Artists Collective’s event.
Maryland
Sparkle Mart: Juried Art and Craft Fair
📅 Sat. and Sun., Dec. 2-3
📍 Greenbelt Community Center (Greenbelt Community Center. 15 Crescent Road, Greenbelt, Maryland)
💲 Free entry
🔗 Details
Nearly 80 local artists and artisans will offer handmade gifts, including clothes, toys, prints, housewares and even seasonings.
On Saturday, the market will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Go early for the youth craft sale (10 a.m. to noon) and a Santa visit, or 1-3 p.m. for live music from Seth Kibel and Friends. Shoppers can also enter a free drawing for a chance to win $50 in Art Bucks.
Sunday’s hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Greenbelt Farmers Market will be outside until 2 p.m.
College Park Winter Wonderland Holiday Market and Tree Lighting
📅 Sat., Dec. 2, 4-8 p.m.
📍 Plaza at City Hall, College Park, Maryland
💲 Free
🔗 Details
While you’re not browsing Made in Maryland vendors, explore the festival including live music, carolers, arts and crafts and a petting zoo.
The festival leads up to an appearance by Santa at 5 p.m. before the holiday tree lighting ceremony at 7:30 p.m.
Food and drink vendors will be on hand to fuel your holiday outing.
Silver Spring Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Fair
📅 Dec. 3, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
📍 Veterans Plaza (1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, Maryland)
💲 Free
🔗 Details
Silver Spring's holiday market will have arts and crafts, baked goods, jewelry and more for everyone on your gift list. More than 80 vendors are expected to attend, organizers say.
Virginia
37th Annual Holiday Craft Show
📅 Nov. 18-19
📍 Fairfax High School (3501 Lion Run, Fairfax, Virginia)
💲 $5 (one day)/$8 (two-day pass); free for those 18 and under
🔗 Details
Crafters from across the United States will be selling gourmet foods, jewelry, fragrances, home decor, woodworking and more at Fairfax's holiday craft market that's been going since 1987. Families can also get photos with Santa from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Here's a map of this year's festival, and here's a list of vendors.
Limited parking is available at Fairfax High School. On Saturday, you also have the option of parking at Willow Wood Plaza and taking a shuttle. The shuttles will begin running at 9:45 a.m., and the last one departs Fairfax High School at 5:30 p.m.
Black Friday Holiday Market
You can head to Springfield Mall on Black Friday and still support smaller local businesses. Empower Me Events Group is set to host more than 30 vendors selling crafts, health and beauty supplies and more.
McLean Holiday Art & Crafts Festival
📅 Dec.1-Dec. 3
📍 McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean, Virginia)
💲 $5 (general admission); free for children under 12
🔗 Details
This three-day indoor festival is set to feature more than 80 regional artisans. Shoppers can pick up lunch or drinks from the on-site café.
Fairfax City Holiday Market
📅 Dec. 1-3 and Dec. 8-10
📍 Old Town Square
💲 Free
🔗 Details
Enjoy live music and dance while shopping from local vendors. The list of vendors will vary between the two weekends, so you can make a return trip if you don't complete your gift shopping at first.
The market is set to be open 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays, noon to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
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