The holiday shopping season is even more special when you shop local. Explore Holiday markets throughout Montgomery County, Maryland, to find thoughtful handmade gifts for someone on your list who appreciates a little character. Along the way, meet local markets, discover the stories behind their work, and help support the small businesses that make the community special. This season, cozy up by the fire, explore holiday bazaars steeped in cultural traditions, and find festive events the whole family to enjoy, as unique as the character of the main streets themselves. 

Artisan Markets & Locally Made Gifts

Step inside a cozy barn in the heart of Gaithersburg during the Arts Barn Holiday Pop-up on November 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Browse handmade ceramics, glasswork, woodwork, jewelry, fiber arts, and photography in search of a one-of-a-kind gift for someone on your list who appreciates a more personal touch.

Shop the Windridge Vineyards Holiday Market in Darnestown November 7–8 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Discover original watercolor watercolor paintings, handcrafted earrings, and decorative bottle stoppers, all while browsing local vendors against a backdrop of the rural countryside. Celebrate local creativity in a museum shop setting at the Museum & Makers Holiday Market at Strathmore, November 12-14, with gifts ranging from handwoven scarves and artisan candles to nature-inspired creations. As you shop, your purchases will help support nonprofit museums and local independent artists in the community.

Looking for a bit more variety? Make your way over to the WCCC Artisan Market in Chevy Chase, hosted by the Women’s Club of Chevy Chase on November 15 from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Wander through displays of handmade art and hand painted ceramic bowls to find a thoughtful gift for someone who appreciates a unique find made with care, then enter the raffle for a chance to take home a handcrafted piece of your own.

Get in the holiday shopping spirit at the Christmas Market & Holiday Craft Fair in Silver Spring on December 6 from 12 to 4 p.m., with the pedestrian mall’s holiday lights in the distance. Then head to the Locally Crafted Fall & Holiday Makers Market at Rio Lakefront December 13–14, to browse more than 100 local artisan makers, with oversize ornaments scattered throughout the waterfront. Shop festive wreaths, handcrafted wooden serving boards and locally made jams to share with loved ones at your next family gathering.

Festive Nights & Seasonal Sips

With a hot cider in hand, settle in for an evening under the stars at the Takoma Park Gift Market, a curated holiday shopping experience beneath twinkling lights, taking place on December 11 from 5 p.m-9 p.m. Unleash your creativity with a seasonal craft at the Craft Café, see what’s in the cards with a festive tarot reading, then warm up with dinner by the fire with friends and family, featuring local food trucks, cocktails, mocktails, beer and wine, and hot chocolate that’s perfect for the little ones.

Sip your favorite glass of mead as you warm up and shop at your own pace at the Clear Skies Meadery Holiday Market on November 21 from 2-6 p.m. Browse local vendors for handmade ceramics, statement jewlerrly, and art prints, then enjoy a seasonal pour and live music in the tucked-away taproom, where mead is brewed right downstairs in the basement. Discover handcrafted holiday meads like Gingerbread and Salted Chocolate, layered with flavors of honey, warm spices, and rich chocolate, while enjoying a holiday market made for a little more time to relax, sip, and savor the afternoon.

Festive Traditions & Holiday Celebrations

Travel to Denmark for the day without a passport at the Annual Danish Christmas Bazaar on November 14 from 11a.m. to 3p.m. in Rockville. Browse traditional Danish Christmas decorations, pastries, cookies, crafts, and other unique finds, then sample an authentic smorrebred, a Danish open-faced sandwich topped with ingredients like smoked salmon, pickled herring, and cheese with fruit or preserves. Watch an Æbleskive cooking demonstration, pick up Danish treats and gifts, and let the little ones explore a play table filled with LEGOs and Danish children’s books.

Bundle up the kids and head outside for the afternoon to Bethesda’s Winter Wonderland on Saturday, December 5, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Watch a live ice sculpting demo, let the kids get creative with crafts and face painting, and visit Santa Claus. Browse the Holiday Market for gifts from local artisans while enjoying a student concert and bites from Bethesda favorites Olazzo, The Red Bandana, and Smoke BBQ. In the spirit of giving, make sure to bring a new toy to donate to Toys for Tots.

Keep on your comfiest pair of Pajamas and head down to Carroll Avenue on December 5 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. during Pajamarama. Score early-morning discounts at participating local businesses, then fuel up with a steaming cup of coffee, a warm breakfast sandwich with green eggs and ham, and huevos rancheros from local favorite Cielo Rojo before browsing the Pajamarama Holiday Market, where local artists, makers, and collectors offer handmade gifts and one-of-a-kind finds for everyone on your list.

Find even more holiday markets to explore this season, from Takoma Park’s Market on the Street, a seasonal pop-up market, to BlackRock Center for the Arts outdoor Artisan Market, where you’ll handmade crafted gifts made by local makers. Make this season Merrier in Montgomery County and find more holiday events to add to your calendar.