As the holiday season approaches and you are shopping, the DMV provides many different markets to help you look for the perfect gifts for your loved ones. Most holiday markets in our list offer not only places to shop, but fun holiday festivities as well. Alternative gifts are also a large part of this list, providing a way to give back to the community if you are tired of just buying more “stuff.” Check each market’s website for more information about specific offerings.
Virginia
- Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston Alternative Gift Market
- The Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston’s Alternative Gift Market teams up with local organizations that offer charity to the surrounding community. By making a donation, you receive a holiday card with an insert describing the donation you made in a loved one’s name. The online gift market is from Nov. 29-Dec. 8 and will be held on the website. The in-person market is on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at 1625 Wiehle Avenue, Reston, Va.
- Old Town Alexandria Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show
- Looking for a place to shop as well as have holiday fun? Old Town Alexandria Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show not only sells handcrafted gifts from local artisans and delicious treats, but offers Christmas music and ornament crafting for kids as well. And in Santa’s Magic Corner, you can take plenty of pictures of your little ones with Mr. Claus himself. The market and craft show is on Dec. 12 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at 300 John Carlyle Street, Alexandria, Va.
- Historic Manassas Holiday Market
- With ice skating at the Harris Pavilion, a festive atmosphere and the Virginia Express Railway Santa Train, the Historic Manassas Holiday Market brings Santa’s Village to Virginia. Games, music, local vendors and the surrounding area of Historic Downtown Manassas make this market one of a kind. Tickets for the VRE Santa Train can be purchased in person on 2 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at select locations and can be purchased online starting Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. until sold out. The market is Dec. 14 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at 9431 West Street, Manassas, Va.
Maryland
- Takoma Park Alternative Gift Fair
- Takoma Park Alternative Gift Fair allows you to make donations to one or more of around a dozen local charities. There are around 50 gift options ranging from $3 to $50 that let you make donations in the names of loved ones even on a budget. This event also has music, a bake sale, kids’ crafts, raffles and places to find volunteer opportunities to spread love this holiday season. The gift fair is on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 12-4 p.m. at 310 Tulip Ave, Takoma Park, Md.
- Bethesda’s Winter Wonderland & Holiday Market
- Visit Bethesda’s Winter Wonderland & Holiday Market as they collaborate with URBN Market to supply 50 artisan vendors. The market will have an ice sculpting demo, face painting, concerts, activities, restaurants and a visit from Santa Claus. This market is on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 12-4p.m. on Norfolk and Cordell Avenues, Bethesda, Md.
- Silver Spring Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Fair
- With over 80 local vendors, the Silver Spring Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Fair has plenty of options for holiday shopping. From arts and crafts to baked goods, there is a wide selection of products offered. It all takes place Dec. 3 from 12-4 p.m. at 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, Md.
D.C.
- DowntownDC Holiday Market
- Join the DowntownDC Holiday Market for their 20th anniversary as they celebrate with food, drinks, games and live performances. The market itself includes vendors selling a variety of gifts, from jewelry to toys and games. After shopping at the market, you can also explore the surrounding area of Downtown Washington, D.C. to keep the holiday fun going. Free tickets can be purchased online. The DowntownDC Holiday Market is Nov. 22-Dec. 23 from 12-8 p.m at F Street NW (between 7th and 9th streets NW), Washington, D.C.
- DC Holiday Market
- The DC Holiday Market features more than 30 small businesses and local artists. With plenty of places to shop both in the market and in the surrounding Dupont Circle Park, the DC Holiday Market has an endless variety of gifts. If you are struggling to decide what to buy your loved ones, the market also offers gift certificates to shop at the market. Nov. 22-Dec. 15 from 12-8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday at 1500 19th St NW, Washington, D.C.
For the past 12 years, the Heurich House Museum Christmas Markt (yes, that’s Markt with no “e” per the German!) has been offered gifts from local artisan makers. Also enjoy holiday Heurich House tours, craft stations, carolers, food, drinks and movie screenings. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door of the market. The market will be from Dec. 6 – Dec. 8 at select hours and from Dec. 10 – Dec. 13 from 4-8 p.m. at 1307 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.
