photo by Caitlin Abrams
The Departments at Dayton's seasonal makers market
Forgo big-box bonanzas and cyber sales—every holiday season, there seems to be a makers market (or two, or three) to hit every weekend. With each one offering fresh handcrafted gifts (perhaps even something for yourself), and cocktails and craft beers to boot, there are many ways to keep your dollars local and support small businesses. Consider this your pocket guide to where the local craft purveyors are popping up this holiday season.
We'll continue to update this list throughout the season. Keep checking back, or send us your event to include in our roundup at edit@mspmag.com.
Holi-Go-Fabulous
Galleria and Mpls.St.Paul Magazine kick off the season in style with a two-weekend event featuring Mpls.St.Paul Magazine editors and local experts showcasing the trends for all things holiday, including home decor, gift ideas, style trends, cocktail tastings and more. Tickets are $10. Nov. 12-13, 19-20, Galleria Edina, 3510 W 69th St., Edina, mspmag.com
Field and Festival Holiday Market
Minneapolis Craft Market’s ever-popular pop-ups at Wagner’s are back. Find locally made gifts, food, coffee, art, apothecary goods, and more. Weekends, Nov. 5–Dec. 18, Wagner’s Garden Center, 6024 Penn Ave. S., Mpls., fieldandfestival.com
Dayton’s Winter Maker’s Market
Are you even holiday shopping in the Twin Cities if you don’t stop by Dayton’s? Shop 65 local retailers and makers in downtown style. Nov. 17–Jan. 13, The Dayton’s Project, 700 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., thedaytonsproject.com
Holiday Market at Keg and Case
What better place for a holiday market than, well, a market? Shop local vendors (plus those permanently set up at Keg and Case)—and maybe grab a bite while you’re at it. Nov. 19–Dec. 23, Keg and Case, 928 W. 7th St., St. Paul, kegandcase.com
Holiday Gifts at Veronique Wantz Gallery
The North Loop gallery’s annual holiday event is a little artsy, a little party, and a lot of great gifts. The team is joining forces with building neighbors Umei and J. Atelier for a market full of affordable art, gift ideas, live jazz, and bubbles. Nov. 19, Veronique Wantz Gallery, 901 N. 5th St., Mpls., veroniquewantz.com
Holidazzle
It’s almost impossible to not get into the holiday spirit at Holidazzle—let the twinkling lights and hot cocoa help you finish (or start?) your gift shopping right on-site. Weekends, Nov. 25–Dec. 18, Loring Park, 1382 Willow St., Mpls., holidazzle.com
European Christmas Market
Sometimes you just crave tradition—that’s what Union Depot’s annual holiday experience is all about. Set up like a classic European market, it features local vendors selling gifts and snacks while live musicians play and fuzzy holiday feelings abound. Weekends, Nov. 25–Dec. 18, Union Depot East Plaza, 240 Kellogg Blvd. E., St. Paul, stpaulchristmasmarket.org
The Winter Markets at Viking Lakes
Have a holly jolly season at Viking Lakes, where you can shop 20-plus rotating vendors, sip holiday-themed cocktails, snack from food trucks, dance to live music, and check out outdoor activities for kids and adults. Weekends, Nov. 26–Dec. 18, Viking Lakes, 730 Vikings Pkwy., Eagan, explorevikinglakes.com
Urban Growler Maker’s Market
Hit this woman-owned brewery two times this season and find a collection of local brands, makers, and artists. Bonus: Different brands will attend each event, so visiting both markets is twice as nice. Nov. 27 and Dec. 4, Urban Growler Brewing Company, 2325 Endicott St., St. Paul, urbangrowlerbrewing.com
Holiday Village
Minneapolis’s Young-Quinlan Building has roots as one of downtown’s first department stores—so a bit of holiday shopping there feels right. Explore more than 40 BIPOC-and women-owned businesses, makers, authors, chefs, and artists at this new market, supported by the Chameleon Shoppes. Want to know more? Our sister pub, Twin Cities Business, has the deets. Now–Dec. 24, Young-Quinlan Building, 81 S. 9th St., Mpls., chameleonshoppes.com
Julmarknad
More than 60 regionally based artisans will pop up at the American Swedish Institute for a weekend of shopping, live music, story times, holiday foods, and kids’ craft projects. Dec. 2–4, American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave., Mpls., asimn.org
Photo by Caitlin Abrams
European Christmas Market
Nordic Julemarket
The full Scandi experience, complete with shopping, folk music, dancing, and more, is back at Utepils this year. Dec. 2–4, Utepils Brewing, 225 Thomas Ave. N., Mpls., nordicjulemarket.com
A Handmade Holiday Market
Shop Minnesota makers with a beer in hand—need we say more? Dec. 3, Lakes and Legends, 1368 Lasalle Ave., Mpls., mplscraftmarket.com
Four Seasons Christmas Market
Downtown Minneapolis’s striking new hotel is getting into the market game. Shop local vendors—and even enjoy Brunch with Santa on December 4. Dec. 3–4, Four Seasons Hotel, 245 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., fourseasons.com
Bold and Brazen Bazaar
The holidays have arrived at the Hewing! Shop natural Christmas trees from the Tree Ranch, snap photos with Santa, and shop a selection of local makers right in the lobby. Trees available Dec. 3–4, Santa and makers’ market Dec. 4 only. Hewing Hotel, 300 Washington Ave. N., Mpls., hewinghotel.com
Old St. Anthony Holiday Bazaar
Coffee from The Get Down Coffee Co., two floors of artisans, a DJ, and holiday cheer will all be on tap at this Northeast fave. Dec. 4, Machine Shop, 300 SE 2nd St., Mpls., mplscraftmarket.com
The Northern Express
Head to Excelsior for a fully immersive holiday experience—complete with Santa and reindeer visits, kids’ activities, a Hanukkah celebration, food and drinks, and, of course, a holiday market. Weekends, Dec. 3–18, Camp Fire, 3300 Tanadoona Dr., Excelsior, thenorthernexpress.org
Holiday Market at Malcolm Yards
Shop and snack in the same spot at the second annual Holiday Market at Malcolm Yards. Twenty-five local makers will share their wares for a fabulous shopping weekend. Dec. 10–11, The Market at Malcolm Yards, 501 30th Ave. SE, Mpls., malcolmyards.market
Tattersall's Annual Winter Market
Haven't traveled to Tattersall's River Falls, Wisconsin location yet? Consider this your sign. The team will host some 80 Minnesota and Wisconsin artists selling clothing, homewares, jewelry, ceramics, barware, and more over the two-day event. Plus, grab your Santa pix, nosh on brunch and signature winter cocktails, and check out a few Tattersall-specific deals and gifts while you're there. Dec 10–11, 1777 Paulson Rd., River Falls, Wisc., tattersalldistilling.com
Queer Holiday Market
Shop 20-plus queer makers and queer-owned small businesses in this first annual market hosted by Scout and Lush. Plus, you’ll be shopping for a cause: A portion of proceeds from each vendor will be donated to The Aliveness Project. Dec. 15–16, Lush, 990 Central Ave. NE, Mpls., facebook.com/scoutstp
Last Minute Gifts
Procrastinators, set this as a reminder in your phone now: Stop at Springboard for the Arts for last-minute stocking stuffers and locally made gifts by Minnesota artists. An even better reason to shop this market: Over 70 percent of the makers identify as BIPOC artists. Dec. 17, Springboard for the Arts, 262 University Ave. W, St. Paul, instagram.com
The Final Countdown
Need a last-minute (well, sort of last-minute) handmade gift? Head to Larissa Loden’s shop for a market of more than 15 local vendors, vendors, snacks, sips, music, and llamas (you read that right). Dec 17–18 Larissa Loden, 2032 Marshall Ave., St. Paul, larissaloden.com
