Now that the holiday season is in full swing, the hunt to score the perfect presents for your loved ones is officially on. But instead of rushing to the mall (or heading straight for the gift card endcap) why not shop for one-of-a-kind pieces made by local artisans? As always, Baltimore will be full of cheery markets featuring talented regional makers this holiday season. Be sure to mark your calendar for these upcoming pop-ups, which yield endless opportunities to pick out something personal.
11/24: Pariah Brewing Company x Chuck’s Trading Post Holiday Market
With help from Hampden neighbors at Chuck’s Trading Post, Pariah Brewing Company is kicking off Black Friday with food, booze, and retail therapy. Spend your evening in the taproom browsing scratch-made conversation pieces from the likes of Fun for the Sun (beaded jewelry) and Little Lolita Lexey (crocheted critters).
11/24-25: Bazaart: AVAM’s Annual Holiday Craft Marketplace
The Key Highway art museum’s annual market will play host to more than 50 local artisans and crafters. Peruse the venue’s storied Jim Rouse Visionary Center for the likes of paintings, sculptures, handmade clothing, and accessories.
11/24-12/22: The Holiday Market at Hotel Revival
Fridays from Nov. 24-Dec. 22, the Mount Vernon hotel’s second-floor lobby will host a rotating selection of local crafters, makers, and artists. Shop for carefully curated stocking stuffers like handmade ceramics by Kate Rowe Creations, eco-friendly candles by Sacred Ashes, and colorful accessories a la Natural Feelings.
11/24-12/24: The Holiday Shoppe at Lord Baltimore Hotel
Beginning Black Friday—and open from Wednesday through Sunday in the weeks leading up to Christmas Eve—this holiday boutique will take over the hotel’s mezzanine level. Visit the Lafayette and Charles suites to shop everything from Cachet Crafts’ quaint paper-quilled ornaments to Toxic Tray’s custom trinket trays to Guenevere Adimanthi’s hand-sketched paper goods.
11/25: Harbor East Holiday Haul & Makers Market
Complete with photo ops for pets, live tunes, and bites prepared by Lebanese Taverna, this pop-up market in Harbor East is a surefire way to make spirits bright. Stroll Aliceanna Street in search of mesmerizing resin goods, posh polymer clay earrings, and eye-catching vintage items by Champagne Collective.
11/25: Small Business Saturday at the 32nd Street Farmers Market
This year, Small Business Saturday will mark the beginning of the fan-favorite farmers market’s winter season. Grab your totes and head to Waverly to shop finds from more than 12 small makers, artisans, and growers. You can also hang around to catch live musical performances and holiday activities.
11/25, 12/23: Hampden Holiday Markets
On Small Business Saturday—and on Dec. 23—St Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hampden will boast goods from more than 40 local artisans, creators, and small businesses. Spread out over two floors, the pop-up market is a one-stop shop for everything from sweets to keepsakes for your friends and family.
12/1: Highlandtown Holiday Night Market
In true Highlandtown fashion, this hyper-local market at Creative Alliance’s Marquee Lounge & Creativity Center aims to support neighborhood artists. Show the community’s creators and small businesses some love while scoring artsy finds.
12/3: Ottobar Maker’s Night Market: Holiday Edition
Steamy drinks, baked goods, and twinkling lights will set the scene for the holiday edition of the Ottobar’s recurring market—which will take place after the Mayor’s Christmas Parade this year. The venue is expected to play host to more than 40 local vendors selling everything from loose leaf teas to entertaining cat toys to warm knit garments for gifting. You can also pencil in a haircut with local razor-cut specialist Samantha Garner or a tarot reading with The Abstractionist.
12/3: Queer-Made Holiday Market at Peabody Heights Brewery
Visit the Abell taproom to support Charm City’s marginalized makers with a purchase for yourself—or your favorite peeps. Peabody Heights will be stocked with unique offerings including mushroom grow kits from BaltiSpore, handmade punch needle creations by Stinging Nettle Stitchery, and small-batch polymer clay goods, like these cute cat earrings, from Thx My Friend Made It.
12/9: Holiday Heap
Charm City Craft Mafia’s adored holiday market and craft show is once again set to bring handcrafted, one-of-a-kind finds to 2640 Space. Check items off your gift-giving agenda with the help of onsite vendors. Look out for highlights including Annie Howe’s papercut art, 5 Cow Farm Boards’ sturdy wooden kitchen wares, Monique Langley’s handmade lightbulb terrariums, and more.
12/9: Art with a Heart Holiday Open House
The Falls Road art nonprofit’s annual shopping event features the work of volunteers and members of its HeARTworks program, which helps Baltimore youth build life and job readiness skills. Shop for handmade creations, design your own holiday gift tag, and graze concessions from the likes of The Wine Source, Neopol Savory Smokery, and The Bluebird Cocktail Room.
12/9: Birch & Pen Holiday Market and Mount Vernon Marketplace
While strolling around Mount Vernon Marketplace for unique goodies, jam to live holiday tunes and keep warm with a sweet, steamy cup of hot chocolate. Plus, make your life easier by hitting the gift-wrapping station on the way out.
12/9: Creative Makers Holiday Market
At Baltimore Peninsula, this festive pop-up market offers visitors a chance to get to know Charm City artisans. Stock up on handmade goods before snapping pics at holiday-themed photo ops and lacing up your skates for a spin around the new disco-themed roller rink.
12/9: Station North Holiday Market
Courtesy of The Station North Arts District—in conjunction with Currency Studio, MICA Made Flagship Store, and the all-new Mobtown Ballroom & Cafe—this holiday pop-up will feature more than 30 small businesses. While shopping, enjoy live performances and stop for treats prepared by onsite food and drink vendors.
12/9: Green Spring Station Holiday Makers Market
Taking after New York City’s celebrated Bryant Park Holiday Market, this shopping spree at Green Spring Station will include live tunes, Cane Collective sips, and more than 20 independent makers. Make your way around the shopping district to splurge on everything from high-end dog treats to trend-setting handbags.
12/16: Shop Small Art Crawl
Courtesy of Mill Centre Artist Studios, the annual event offers the chance to score unique delights from more than 20 Baltimore artists. Enjoy treats by Hello Globe Coffee and stock up on the likes of paintings, photographic prints, and puzzles.