’Tis the season…to put on your sneakers and athleisure and take to the holiday market scene. Whether you’re looking for artisanal soaps, fine art or just-one-decent-family-photo-with-Santa-darn-it, these events have something to stuff your stocking. This story will be updated as new information about seasonal pop-up markets becomes available, so be sure to check back.
Dominion Guild Merry MarketÂ
Nov. 8, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Ready to shop? Some 25 vendors will be showcasing their finest giftables for putting under your tree or next to your menorah, from creative jewelry by Not Your Mother’s Diamonds to silk ponchos and accessories by Rock Paper No Scissors. Refreshments and sweets will be available for purchase. Tickets cost $15 and can be purchased online or at the door. Proceeds will support eight local nonprofits, including Bridges to Independence, which helps people experiencing homelessness, and the Center for Youth and Family Advocacy, which works with children, particularly of color, to navigate the criminal legal system. For a super festive kick-off to the holiday season, a $45 ticket to the Bubbly and Bites evening shopping event on Tuesday, Nov. 8 also includes entry to the all-day market on Wednesday. // 5115 Little Falls Road, Arlington (inside the Knights of Columbus building)
The Lights at Wilson
Nov. 9, 5-8 p.m.
Tucked inside a funky farmhouse at the corner of Wilson Boulevard and North Frederick Street in Bluemont, Arlington boutiques Covet and The Urban Farmhouse invite guests to their ninth annual shopping, sipping and snacking event. Get a head-start on gifting with items such as the Redwood Tree Farm Candle ($25), clever holiday greeting cards and a blue snowflake stemless wine glass ($16). // 5140 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Bluemont)
Mothers of North Arlington Holiday Market
Nov. 16, 7-9:30 p.m.
This annual event, formerly known as Sip ‘N Shop, promises more than 40 local vendors under one roof – plus wine and snacks for purchase to keep energy levels high while you browse. Expect to find apparel, accessories, skincare, cosmetics, ceramics, art, books, jewelry and more. It’s free to register, but you can get an all-you-can-drink bracelet for $7 ($10 at the door). // 5115 Little Falls Road, Arlington (Rock Spring, in the Knights of Columbus building)
Pure Barre Falls Church’s 7th Annual Holiday Sip & Shop
Nov. 16, 6-8 p.m.
Launched by Pure Barre Falls Church in 2017, this festive event encourages community members to connect with local businesses and has been growing ever since. Browse offerings from local vendors selling clothing, candles, jewelry, accessories, chocolates, cookies, holiday décor, dolls and more. This year’s fete takes place at Café Kindred and includes light bites, seasonal cocktails and wine to enjoy as you shop. // 450 N. Washington St., Suite F, Falls ChurchÂ
Made in ALX Holiday Makers’ Market
Nov. 25, 12-5 p.m.
Happening at Port City Brewing Co. on Small Business Saturday, the market will include a craft beer tasting, a performance by the Alexandria City High School Choir and food trucks – not to mention goods to buy and gift from more than 30 artists. Some of the vendors you’ll find at the kid- and pet-friendly event are Daniel Horowitz Art, Sweet Victori, Love and Lettering by Katie, and Hypergoat Coffee Roasters. // 3950 Wheeler Ave., Alexandria
EntryPointDC and Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center Chanukah Holiday Market
Nov. 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
The annual event — dubbed “Etsy IRL” — returns with handmade goods form more than 40 independent artists. New this year will be an olive oil cake-making demonstration and class with Chef Aubree Hunter and a dried flower keepsake class with District Harvests. There will also be musical performances, a hot chocolate bar and food from Baked By Yael, a D.C.-based kosher and nut-free bakery. Tickets to enter cost $7. // 1529 16th St., NW, Washington, D.C.Â
Made in Arlington Holiday Pop-Up Market
Dec. 1, 5-9 p.m.
Northside Social Arlington will host a pop-up market featuring local artists’ work in its upstairs wine bar with live music from Magnelove. Take advantage of wine and beer specials while checking out glasswork from MarzDMStudio, drawings by Johnerick Lawson and upcycled textiles from Trapillo Art. // 3211 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
McLean Holiday Art & Crafts Festival
Dec. 1, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Dec. 3, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Managed by the Northern Virginia Handcrafters Guild, this holiday market will welcome about 80 regional artists and their works in pottery, glass, jewelry, fashion accessories, artisanal foods, wood and soaps. Admission is $5 for everyone age 12 and up. New this year is a Muffins & Mimosas V.I.P. Preview event on Dec. 1 from 9-11 a.m. for $15. // 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean (McLean Community Center)
Washington-Liberty High School Holiday Bazaar
Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Shop local and support W-L clubs and teams by buying gifts from scores of area crafters and vendors. This annual fundraiser also features high school choir performances and tasty snacks to enjoy while you browse. // Washington-Liberty High School, 1301 N. Stafford St., Arlington
Del Ray Artisans’ 28th Annual Fine Art & Fine Craft Holiday Market
Held the first three weekends in December: Fridays 6-9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m.-6 p.m.Â
Now in its 28th year, this holiday market will accommodate last-minute shoppers by adding on Dec. 22 and 23 markets this year. Different artists are featured each weekend, so you might want to go back again and again to peruse the presentations of arts and crafts in a variety of media, including fiber, textiles, glass, jewelry, paint, pottery, sculpture and more. // 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria (at the Nicholas A. Colasanto Center)
Falls Church Holiday Gift and Craft Show
Dec. 2, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Children’s Holiday Shoppe, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Dec. 3, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
This annual shopping event returns to the Falls Church Community Center with about 40 crafters and merchants selling unique handmade items and baked goods. Kids can get a leg up on their own holiday shopping at the Children’s Holiday Shoppe, hosted by the Friends of Cherry Hill Farmhouse. Volunteers will help youngsters choose gifts costing $6 or less for friends and family members – and they will wrap them for free. Admission to the show is $2. // 223 Little Falls St., Falls Church
Mosaic Holiday Village
Nov. 18-19, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Dec. 16-17, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Mosaic will celebrate the season with two weekends of its popular holiday street fair staged in partnership with URBNMarket. More than 65 artists will showcase their wares amid festive lights, trendy shops and often-packed restaurants. Find handmade items by local makers such as Persimmon Street, B.Birdwatcher Spiritual Stones, Good Goose Graphics, Voyager Bagworks, Ware Clay and a whole lot more. Snap a pic with Santa in December. // 2920 District Ave., Fairfax
Arlington Artists Alliance Winter Artful Weekend
Dec. 8, 4-8 p.m.
Dec. 9, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Dec. 10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
This three-day market fills the historic Hendry House at Fort C.F. Smith Park with works by about 40 Arlington Artists Alliance members. This winter marks its 21st year. Admire paintings, ceramics, jewelry, woodworks, sculpture and glassworks. // 2411 N. 24th St., Arlington (Woodmont)
McLean High School Highlander Holiday Bazaar
Dec. 9, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Â
The 21st annual bazaar will be open to the community and will feature about 100 vendors and student clubs selling a variety of gifts, including original wood-carved tables, scented soaps, jewelry, beauty products and home decor. To keep your energy levels high while you shop, there will be food, drinks and live entertainment by the MHS Orchestra. // 1633 Davidson Road, McLean
LAC Studios Show & Sale
Dec. 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Formerly known as Lee Arts Center, LAC Studios will host a holiday event featuring local artists selling ceramics, pottery and hand-pulled prints. LAC, a program of Arlington Cultural Affairs, is a fully equipped professional studio for artists working in ceramics and printmaking. The event is free and open to the public. // 5722 Langston Blvd., Arlington (Langston Boulevard)
Old Town Christmas Market & Holiday Craft Show
Dec. 9, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Head to Old Town Alexandria to find the perfect gifts from more than 100 artisans, crafters, independent consultants and local small businesses. You can’t miss the tents lining John Carlyle Square Park, which will be decked out for the holidays. Search for handmade jewelry, organic bath products, holiday ornaments and décor. Be sure to take a break to watch the Christmas Carols Show. Little ones can visit the Elves’ Shop to create a customized Christmas ornament. Pictures with Santa will also be available. // 300 John Carlyle St., Alexandria
Rosslyn Cheer Holiday Market
Dec. 9 & 10, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sip free hot chocolate and pick out something special for your loved ones from about 20 vendors, many of which are owned by women, minorities and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Hosted by the Rosslyn Business Improvement District, the event also invites guests to take pictures with Santa and pile into a mobile photo booth to print free keepsake photos. On Dec. 9 only, Mrs. Claus and Buddy the Elf will be across the street at Assembly food hall. // 1800 N. Lynn St., Arlington (Central Place Plaza in Rosslyn)Â
Botanologica Holiday Makers Market
Dec. 9, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Browse giftable wares by a dozen hometown vendors at this festive event outside garden emporium Botanologica, featuring warm drinks from Rare Bird Coffee Roasters. The options include one-of-a-kind jewelry from Falls Church-based Metal & Stone Creations, handcrafted blooms from FairyDusted, and almost too-lovely-to-eat chocolates from Scrummy Gorgeous. Plus plenty more. // 817 W. Broad St., Falls Church City
Holiday windows add cheer to MoCA Arlington’s Tiffany Gallery, where the Winter Warmer/Winter Market will take place. (Courtesy photo)
Winter Warmer / Winter Market
Dec. 10, 12-3 p.m.
Holiday Makers Market at The Commentary Social House
Dec. 16, 3-5 p.m.
The Commentary Social House, situated inside the Westin Arlington, will host a Holiday Makers Market featuring light bites, drinks, and local artists and vendors. Some you can expect to mingle with are David Amoroso of AmorosoART, Ana Sicer of Ana Just Made It and Zhenya Parish of Canvas Vibrations. Tickets cost $15 and include a special holiday drink and the snacks. // 801 North Glebe Road, Arlington (Ballston)