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Jingle Bell Shopping: Holiday Markets and Craft Bazaars

Opt out of the usual overcrowded shopping malls and find original, handcrafted gifts at these local holiday markets.

By Claudia Bahar   Published Thursday, December 04, 2008

Shoppers enjoy the festive atmosphere at the Downtown Holiday Market on F Street. Courtesy of Downtown DC BID.

Shoppers enjoy the festive atmosphere at the Downtown Holiday Market on F Street. Courtesy of Downtown DC BID.

Downtown Holiday Market
Friday, December 5, through Tuesday, December 23, check out the fourth annual Downtown Holiday Market on F Street between Seventh and Ninth streets. A rotation of 150 local exhibitors and artisans will be selling tons of gift-worthy items, including jewelry, pottery, photography, clothing, and food. Local musicians and bands performing everything from jazz to bluegrass to a cappella will keep the atmosphere festive and entertaining. The event will be open daily noon to 8.

Glen Echo Holiday Art Show & Sale
The Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture presents this annual event featuring works by resident artists, including glass, ceramics, photography, painting, and more. The event will be held Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 6 until January 11.

Holiday Art Show and Sale at Gallery 222
This Loudoun Academy of the Arts event runs from Friday, December 5—with an opening reception from 6 to 9 PM—until Saturday, January 10, and will feature fine art by 22 artists. Monday through Saturday 10 to 5.

Celebrate the Season Annual Holiday Gift Market
This sale, now in its seventh year, is held Tuesday, December 9, and Wednesday, December 10 in the Great Hall of the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Shop for unique jewelry, home accents, accessories, and gifts made by women designers and artisans, and receive double discounts if you’re a museum member. There’ll also be a book signing on both days with NMWA founder Wilhelmina Cole Holladay, author of A Museum of Their Own. Admission is free.

Sugarloaf Crafts Festival
Come out to the Dulles Expo Center from Friday, December 12, through Sunday, December 14, to see the work of 300 fine artists and craft designers. Adult admission is $8, good for all three days. There’ll also be food, craft demos, entertainment, and children’s activities.

Bloomingdale Holiday Arts Market

On Saturday, December 20, from 4 to 9 PM, head out to Big Bear Cafe in DC’s Bloomingdale neighborhood to browse through and buy locally crafted handmade gifts.

Rock ’n’ Shop at the Black Cat
Stop by the DC music venue Black Cat on Sunday, December 21, at 8 PM for its biannual Rock ’n’ Roll Garage Sale, featuring recycled clothing and accessories, screen-printed tees, and jewelry from the Queer Crafter Collective, as well as records and other holiday gifts. Admission is free.

Eastern Market
This popular market, open year-round, is a great market for holiday-gift shopping. The weekends are especially good with the market festival on Saturdays (think artisan crafts such as paintings and pottery) and the flea market on Sundays (antiques and collectables with an international flavor).

Capitol Riverfront First Annual Holiday Market
From Tuesday, December 16 to Thursday, December 18, the Capitol Riverfront will be transformed into a festive holiday marketplace featuring the handcrafted jewelry, pottery, photographs and other unique gift items from local artisans. The event, held at the intersection of M St. and New Jersey Ave., SE, will be open from 11:30 to 6 on all three days.

Off the Walls Annual College Art Sale

Off the Walls is the Corcoran College of Art + Design’s annual art sale, featuring fine arts, jewelry, and ceramics made by Corcoran students, faculty, alumni, and staff. The event will be held in the Corcoran Gallery of Art from Thursday, December 11 to Saturday, December 13. The sale runs from 5 to 9 PM on Thursday, and 10 to 3 on Friday and Saturday.   All sales directly benefit the artists and the Corcoran’s Student Activities Programming Board.

Let us know about any other holiday markets we missed in the comments! 

Comments


4th Upshur Street Arts Fair
Saturday, December 13, 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Domku Bar & Cafe
821 Upshur Street NW in Petworth
Local artists selling anything from pottery, paintings, jewelry & accessories, photos, etc.

Posted by: Mary Carrick, Dec 09, 2008 12:53:01 PM

http://www.craftmutiny.com/

3rd Annual Holiday Booty Market
Saturday, December 6, 2008 -- 12-6pm
Hilda’s Giftshop in the National City Christian Church
5 Thomas Circle NW, Washington, DC


The Craft Mutiny Collective presents its 3rd annual Holiday Booty Market! This super fun event will be your chance to find that perfectly unique handmade gift before the holidays. Come and check out our indie craft event in the heart of Washington, D.C. Admission is free. Music and snacks provided! All you have to bring is your shopping list!!!

Posted by: Nicole, Dec 05, 2008 07:36:01 AM

DC Rollergirls Holiday Bash at the Rock n Roll Hotel Bar on H St NE to benefit the DC Rollergirls and Alternative House

Sunday Dec 14th

Finish your holiday shopping with local craft vendors, enjoy music by DJ Soul and enjoy an evening of roller derby-themed holiday fun. DCRG will be collecting gift cards from major retailers for Alternative House

Doors @ 630pm
Special 21+ event

Posted by: Yarrow, Dec 05, 2008 06:26:26 AM

Gifts for Good:
http://www.dcgiftsforgood.org/

Gifts for Good Market gives families an opportunity to make a tremendous difference in the lives of others, with unique gift ideas from a variety of service organizations, including Heifer International, World Wildlife Fund, Community of Hope and many others. Kids will have the chance to make gifts in the spirit of the season.

This year, the Gifts for Good Fair will be held on Saturday, December 6, from 11 AM to 3 PM in the Great Hall of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School, 4700 Whitehaven Parkway, NW, Washington DC.

There is a catalog on the website.

Posted by: Nicole, Dec 04, 2008 11:55:27 AM

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