Today is Black Friday, the official start of long lines and frantically going from chain store to chain store to cross items off your holiday shopping list. This year, forget all that. From now until late December, the Baltimore area will have dozens of holiday markets that have a much cooler atmosphere than a shopping mall and feature fun activities while you shop, along with clothing, jewelry, artwork, crafts and many other items made by crafters and makers from right here in Baltimore.
Here’s a roundup of the best markets and bazaars in the area.
November
Christmas Village in Baltimore: now through Dec. 24 at 501 Light St. The German-style holiday market returns to the Inner Harbor, bigger and better than ever. More than 50 vendors will sell European food, crafts and more. Stop back for a Bratwurst-eating contest (Nov. 30), German American Weekend (Dec. 1-2) and other special events.
Made In Baltimore Pop-Up Shop: now through Feb. 24 at 20 W. North Ave. Now open for more days, the market returns with crafts, art, clothing, accessories and other items created by local makers.
Highlandtown Gallery Holiday Show: Thursdays-Sunday through Dec. 22 at the Highlandtown Gallery. The gallery offers a chance to cross names off your gift list with items made by local jewelers and craftspeople.
BAZAART Holiday Art Market: Nov. 23-24 at the American Visionary Art Museum. Maryland’s home to outsider art invites visitors in to shop hundreds of works from local artists and crafters, featuring paintings, sculpture, mixed-media art, jewelry, apparel and much more.
Festival of Trees: Nov. 23-25 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds. The Kennedy Krieger Institute hosts the annual display of decorated trees, gingerbread houses and train gardens. More than 100 vendors will be on hand selling holiday gifts.
Pop Up Shop: Saturdays through Dec. 22 at Christopher Schafer Clothier. The haberdashery invites eight to 10 businesses to stop by and sell their wares. And of course, there will be menswear to peruse or custom order.
2nd Annual Black Friday Pop-Up Shop at Open Works: Nov. 23 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Open Works. The makerspace highlights the work of black entrepreneurs. Come shop their expertly made goods.
Black Friday Block Party: Nov. 23 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Harbor East. Swing by Harbor East to shop at your favorites like Brooks Brothers, J. Crew and Madewell, just to name a few, and enjoy a mimosa and Bloody Mary bar, hot chocolate, live music and family-friendly activities such as face painting and cookie decorating.
Holiday Bazaar & Tea at The Cloisters: Nov. 24 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at The Cloisters. Artists and makers sell handmade work in the historic home. Attendees can also enjoy high tea and finger sandwiches.
Christkindlmarkt: Nov. 24-25 at Zion Church of the City of Baltimore. Zion still holds masses in German, so of course they’ll have all the traditional things like glühwein, bratwurst, gulaschsuppe and bier. The market features imported products, crafts and candy.
Vendor and craft fair: Nov. 25 from noon-4 p.m. at VFW Post 160. Twenty vendors will sell their merchandise. Plus, there will be face painting and a chance to meet Santa for the kids.
Holiday Pop Up Shop: Nov. 25, Dec. 2 and Dec. 9 at Angels Event Center. The Cherry Hill group hosts three days of food, crafts, music and local businesses selling holiday gifts.
Benefit Baltimore Market 2018: Nov. 27 from 6-10 p.m. at Peabody Heights Brewery. Makers will sell their goods, and there will be lots of food and beer. A portion of the proceeds go to a half-dozen Baltimore nonprofits.
14th Annual Park School Holiday Artisan Market: Nov. 29 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at the Park School of Baltimore. Thirty-five artists and vendors will sell gourmet food, pottery, clothes, candles and much more.
Atwater’s Holiday Market: Nov. 29 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Atwater’s. The restaurant helps to get the holiday shopping done with gift boxes and vendors selling candles, art, chocolates jewelry and more. There will also be samples of holiday food and Counter Culture Coffee.
Vintage Jewelry and Accessories Sale: Nov. 29-Dec. 1 at the Walters Art Museum. The Women’s Committee of the Walters Art Museum will have gently used jewelry and accessories on offer. Proceeds support educational programs at the museum.
December
Saint Demetrios Philoptochos’ Annual Christmas Bazaar/Craft Fair: Dec. 1-2 at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. Head to the Greek Orthodox church in Parkville for handmade gifts and crafts, wreaths and a visit with Mrs. Claus. Snack on traditional Greek pastries and other food while you’re there.
Pop-Up Holiday Market: Dec. 1 from 2-6 p.m at Charm City Meadworks. The Johnston Square meadery’s taproom turns into a holiday bazaar, with clothes to peruse from Gogo’s Fashion Bus and fresh goods from Lucky Kat Design, Leroy Woodworking, Mount Royal Soaps and others.
Holiday Makers Market: Dec. 1 from noon-4 p.m at Checkerspot Brewing. South Baltimore’s new brewery offers a station to build your own gift baskets, signed beer posters from artist Adam Miller and vendor stations for Ville Charmante Candles, Nick’s Backfire Brand Spices, Good Dog Designs Co., Cedar Plank Prints and others. Kindie rock musician Kyle James Riley will also be there playing tunes for the little ones.
Winter Craft Fair: Dec. 1 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Stoneleigh Elementary. The elementary school hosts a vendor and artist fair with handmade crafts on offer. Shop for gifts in the gym, and watch (or join) a cupcake-decorating contest in the cafeteria.
Holiday Vinyl Record Sale: Dec. 1, 8 and 15 at Wax Atlas headquarters, 22 W. 25th St. The online record dealer opens up its Charles Village space for you to dig through the crates, with new stuff added each Saturday. Beyond records, peruse books, CDs, cassettes and other assorted stuff that might just make a memorable, hard-to-find gift.
Holiday Extravaganza!: Dec. 1, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Francis Scott Key Elementary/Middle. Shop handcrafted jewelry, locally made skin care and kitchen goods, clothing, crafts, photography, books and more, with 20 percent of every purchase going to the PTO. Drop the kids off in the Holiday Room ($10 per child), where they can decorate gingerbread cookies, gift bags, ornaments and more. Also: Visit with Santa, grab a bite from Harbor Que food truck and enjoy live Christmas music.
Baltimore Record & Vintage Bazaar: Dec. 2, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at The Windup Space and Y Not Lot. More crate-digging in Station North, with more than 25 vendors selling vinyl, along with cassettes, CDs, art, vintage clothes and more. Stay to hang after shopping, with drinks, live music from local DJs and producers and food from Baby’s on Fire.
Merry Mart: Dec. 2 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Creative Alliance. A juried selection of handmade goods, from visual art and ceramics to clothes and accessories to toys. Let the kids get creative at a drop-in art-making workshop starting at noon.
Holiday Art Expo: Dec. 2 from 7 a.m.-noon, underneath the JFX at Holliday and Saratoga streets. One of the city’s most popular farmer’s markets and craft sales is open for the holidays, with plenty of locally made art on offer. Take advantage of the complimentary gift-wrapping station.
Holiday Sip and Shop: Dec. 2 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at R. House. Baltimore Vintage Flea is back at the Remington food hall. Have a drink and find some unique crafts, clothes or even furniture to gift away.
Christmas Bazaar: Dec. 2 from 1-4 p.m., Our Lady of Fatima Church. Head to the church all the way east (near Patterson High) for some holiday shopping, warm food like homemade soups, pasta and meatball subs, and games to play.
MICA Art Market: Dec. 6-9 at the Maryland Institute College of Art. More than 200 students, alumni, faculty and staff will offer jewelry, paintings, prints, ceramics, T-shirts and other pieces of art for sale.
Mondo Baltimore – “Cool Cat Saves the Kids” & Holiday Bazaar!: Dec. 6 from 7-11 p.m. at the Windup Space. Catch a hilariously bad movie and buy T-shirts, “weirdo paintings,” toys and plenty more.
Holiday Cookie & Craft Pop-up: Dec. 6 from 5-11 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Baltimore. Stop in before the Monument Lighting for homemade cookies, drinks, music and craft vendors.
Sip, Shop & Stroll O’Donnell Square: Dec. 6 from 4-8 p.m. at O’Donnell Square Park. Local merchants offer discounts to help with holiday shopping. Volunteers will be collecting non-perishable food for the Canton Food Bank.
Moonlight Madness: Dec. 6 and 20 in Fells Point. Local shops will offer special deals, trunk sales and other promotions during two nights of evening shopping.
Handmade in Hampden Pop-Up Shop: Dec. 7 from 4-8 p.m. at SweetSide Cafe. Neighborhood artists and makers sell their wares.
Federal Hill’s Moonlight Madness: Dec. 7 from 7:30 p.m.-midnight in Federal Hill. The night includes a tree lighting and visit from Santa, after which more than 10 vendors will stay open late offering progressive discounts.
Baltimore Toy & Collectible Show: Dec. 8 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Maryland State Fairgrounds. A great stop for the collector in your life. Vendors will have classic toys, sports memorabilia, comic books, action figures, bobbleheads, dolls and more.
Holiday Makers Mart: Dec. 8 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Green Spring Station. Featuring more than 20 vendors and artisans, pop-up shops curated by Taken and Baltimore Etsy Sellers and a DIY corner to make something of your own.
Jingle and Mingle: Dec. 8 from noon-6 p.m. at Oliver Brewing Company. A ticket gets you a beer and a stocking to decorate (supplies provided). In addition to ornament decorating, face painting, a visit from Santa and, well, drinking more beer, there will also be vendors selling last-minute gifts.
Holiday Shopping Bazaar: Dec. 8 from 1-4 p.m. at the DELTA Community Center. The Baltimore Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. hosts an afternoon of shopping and a toy drive for kids ages 2-12.
Holiday Hoopla: Dec. 8 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Village of Cross Keys. Shoppers can enjoy selfies with Santa, a puppet show, snacks, caroling and deals from the shopping center’s merchants.
2018 Makers Alley!: Dec. 8 from 9 a.m.-noon at Local Color Flowers. Now in its sixth year, the pop-up market in Abell brings together members of the city’s maker community.
PRISM Holiday Market: Dec. 9 from 1-5 p.m. at Prism Carpets in Timonium. A holiday market inside a Baltimore County business park. Shop paintings, mosaics, handmade soaps and jewelry, and other goods that make unique holiday gifts. Also: warm drinks, food and live music.
Holiday Bazaar: Dec. 9 from noon-4 p.m. at Waverly Brewing. Have a pint to fuel your shopping at the Hampden-Woodberry brewery. Twenty Baltimore artisans and makers squeeze into the space, including Gina Tackett Jewelry, Charm City Threads, Frye Glass, Hadley Woodshop, Apocalypse Bakery and others.
Annual Christmas Bazaar: Dec. 9, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m at Sacred Heart of Mary Church. The Catholic sanctuary in Dundalk turns its lower hall into a holiday affair, complete with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, dozens of craft vendors, and food (including Polish favorites like Golabki, Pierogi and Kielbasa, along with hot dogs, pizza and pulled pork) and drink.
Builder’s Bazaar: Holiday Spectacular: Dec. 9, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at The Foundery. The Port Covington maker space hosts what’s sure to be a unique array of skilled crafters and builders selling their creations and tools.
Women’s Unity Artisan Market: Dec. 11 from 5-9 p.m. at Mary Gardella Photographer studio. Shop from an all-female lineup of Baltimore artisans at Clipper Mill, and have a drink made with craft spirits from Lyon Distilling and mixers from Le Monade.
Black Business Bazaar 2018: Dec. 13 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Kappa Foundation of Metropolitan Baltimore. Stock up on holiday gifts while supporting African-American-owned businesses. Organized by Baltimore Racial Justice Action, this market includes a roster of all-black artisans, bakers, crafters and others.
Under $500 // Sixth Annual Affordable Art Sale: Dec. 14 from 7-10 p.m. at Maryland Art Place. Art can be a personalized, if expensive holiday gift. Maryland Art Place may be your answer today. Enjoy an open wine and beer bar (tickets required), browse a range of works for sale and chat with the artists themselves, along with collectors and others.
Old Goucher Design Open House + Post Typography Print Sale: Dec. 15 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The firm behind some of the city’s best concert posters, album covers and other art is partnering with the cafe Larder, art bookstore Co_Lab Books and coffeehouse Sophomore Coffee for a shopping crawl through Old Goucher.
Holiday Heap: Dec. 15 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at 2640 Space. The Five Families, er, more than 50 vendors in the Charm City Craft Mafia give customers offers and many handmade goods they can’t refuse.
Greater Goods Market: Holiday Edition feat. City Seeds: Dec. 16 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at R. House. Grab a bite and shop from more than 70 local vendors, all while helping City Seeds, a group offering culinary and hospitality training to help people land jobs.
2nd Annual Polish Christmas Food Sale: Dec. 16 from noon-4 p.m. at Holy Cross Polish National Catholic Church. A one-stop-shop for Pyzy (potato dumplings with meat inside), Pączki (donuts) and all sorts of Polish goodness. There will be two floors of treats, a prize wheel and gifts for the kids.
Last Stop Hops & Shop: Dec. 20 from 5-9 p.m. at Peabody Heights Brewery. For the way-too-busy and slackers out there, 20 vendors affiliated with the Charm City Craft Mafia will offer a chance for some last-minute shopping. There will, of course, be food and beer on hand.
MUSE: A Pop-up Art Gallery and Marketplace: Dec. 23 at House of Diamondz. The Harlem Park venue opens up for a community marketplace and give-back event, with local vendors selling clothing, books, food and more.
