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A holiday market with white tents in a downtown area. People browse and mill about.
Downtown holiday market
AFP via Getty Images

12 holidays markets happening in the D.C. area this year

Get your gifts early at these local spots

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Downtown holiday market
| AFP via Getty Images

It’s time for some gift-giving, and there are plenty of places to shop in the D.C. area for memorable items. From November to December, hundreds of vendors and artists descend on markets and pop-ups in the region to share their locally made products.

From Chinatown and Dupont Circle to Alexandria, Virginia, and Frederick, Maryland, here are a dozen local venues where you can get your gift-grabbing on. Enjoy the holidays!

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Downtown Holiday Market in Penn Quarter

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Now in its 15th year, this annual holiday market in front of the National Portrait Gallery on F street NW between 7th and 9th streets NW offers more than 150 merchants selling handmade art and wares. It’s open until December 23 (closed on Thanksgiving) from noon to 8 p.m. daily, and is accessible by Metro.

A holiday market filled with people in the middle of a city. The market is lined with white tents. AFP via Getty Images

Christkindlmarkt at Heurich House Museum

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At the Heurich House Museum in Dupont Circle, “Christkindlmarkt” will run from December 6 through 8. The museum will be open for public tours inside the holiday-decorated mansion during the event. Tickets are available online or at the door. All proceeds benefit the museum.

A historic house museum in a city. It is three stories tall and made of brick. Shutterstock

Van Ness Pop-Up Shop

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Twenty local vendors are slated to participate in this holiday market near the Van Ness–UDC Metro station. Holiday coloring, drawing, card-making, and gingerbread-decorating will be available for kids and adults. The pop-up starts December 13 and ends December 15.

Maryland Christmas Show

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From November 29 to December 1, the Frederick County Fairgrounds will host this 35th annual holiday expo, with hundreds of vendors expected. The goods are spread across seven buildings and a big tent.

Alexandria’s Holiday Market

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In Alexandria, this annual market runs from December 1 through 6 at John Carlyle Square. Admission is free.

Winterfest at Wunder Garten

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This NoMa pop-up market takes place at the Wunder Garten beer garden between December 6 and 22. The beer garden transforms into a winter wonderland with festive lights and local vendors selling their goods. Drinks are available, and the venue will have a “Polar Tunnel” art installation. The market is active Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Swedish Holiday Market at House of Sweden

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This annual Swedish holiday market hosted by SWEA International will occur at the House of Sweden in Georgetown December 7. More than 1,500 attendees are anticipated—as are crafts, textiles, books, and delicacies. The market opens at 10 a.m., with a festive procession to follow at 5 p.m.

A modern glassy building seen form the side next to landscaped gardens. Shutterstock

Tenley WinterFest at Janney Elementary School

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In Tenleytown, more than 100 merchants will participate in this annual holiday market December 7 from noon to 4 p.m. Free wrapping is available on site.

Norwegian Holiday Festival and Bazaar

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On December 6 and 7, check out this Norwegian holiday festival in Fairfax. It includes live music, imported food, jewelry, crafts, and baked goods.

Unique Markets at Union Market

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On December 1 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., retail organization Unique Markets is hosting a holiday market at Union Market. Seventy-five local vendors are expected, and free tote bags are included.

An old market building with a large sign on top that says “Union Market.” There is a parking lot outside. Shutterstock

GRUMP Holiday Market at National Zoo

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At the National Zoo, this alternative arts-and-crafts event runs from December 6 through 8. The zoo promises “unique and quirky gifts” amid its annual ZooLights event.

Animal lights at a zoo. Trees are also lit up. Shutterstock

DC Brau Holiday Market

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On November 30 at the DC Brau brewery in Northeast, a holiday market sponsored by Think Local First DC will host more than 40 vendors. There will also be live music, kids games, and food trucks.

Downtown Holiday Market in Penn Quarter

Now in its 15th year, this annual holiday market in front of the National Portrait Gallery on F street NW between 7th and 9th streets NW offers more than 150 merchants selling handmade art and wares. It’s open until December 23 (closed on Thanksgiving) from noon to 8 p.m. daily, and is accessible by Metro.

A holiday market filled with people in the middle of a city. The market is lined with white tents. AFP via Getty Images

Christkindlmarkt at Heurich House Museum

At the Heurich House Museum in Dupont Circle, “Christkindlmarkt” will run from December 6 through 8. The museum will be open for public tours inside the holiday-decorated mansion during the event. Tickets are available online or at the door. All proceeds benefit the museum.

A historic house museum in a city. It is three stories tall and made of brick. Shutterstock

Van Ness Pop-Up Shop

Twenty local vendors are slated to participate in this holiday market near the Van Ness–UDC Metro station. Holiday coloring, drawing, card-making, and gingerbread-decorating will be available for kids and adults. The pop-up starts December 13 and ends December 15.

Maryland Christmas Show

From November 29 to December 1, the Frederick County Fairgrounds will host this 35th annual holiday expo, with hundreds of vendors expected. The goods are spread across seven buildings and a big tent.

Alexandria’s Holiday Market

In Alexandria, this annual market runs from December 1 through 6 at John Carlyle Square. Admission is free.

Winterfest at Wunder Garten

This NoMa pop-up market takes place at the Wunder Garten beer garden between December 6 and 22. The beer garden transforms into a winter wonderland with festive lights and local vendors selling their goods. Drinks are available, and the venue will have a “Polar Tunnel” art installation. The market is active Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Swedish Holiday Market at House of Sweden

This annual Swedish holiday market hosted by SWEA International will occur at the House of Sweden in Georgetown December 7. More than 1,500 attendees are anticipated—as are crafts, textiles, books, and delicacies. The market opens at 10 a.m., with a festive procession to follow at 5 p.m.

A modern glassy building seen form the side next to landscaped gardens. Shutterstock

Tenley WinterFest at Janney Elementary School

In Tenleytown, more than 100 merchants will participate in this annual holiday market December 7 from noon to 4 p.m. Free wrapping is available on site.

Norwegian Holiday Festival and Bazaar

On December 6 and 7, check out this Norwegian holiday festival in Fairfax. It includes live music, imported food, jewelry, crafts, and baked goods.

Unique Markets at Union Market

On December 1 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., retail organization Unique Markets is hosting a holiday market at Union Market. Seventy-five local vendors are expected, and free tote bags are included.

An old market building with a large sign on top that says “Union Market.” There is a parking lot outside. Shutterstock

GRUMP Holiday Market at National Zoo

At the National Zoo, this alternative arts-and-crafts event runs from December 6 through 8. The zoo promises “unique and quirky gifts” amid its annual ZooLights event.

Animal lights at a zoo. Trees are also lit up. Shutterstock

DC Brau Holiday Market

On November 30 at the DC Brau brewery in Northeast, a holiday market sponsored by Think Local First DC will host more than 40 vendors. There will also be live music, kids games, and food trucks.