The Ultimate Guide to Philly’s Pop-Up Holiday Markets
From Christmas Village to the Punk Rock Flea Market, you’re sure to find something for everyone on your list at these festive pop-ups.
Shopping at the Made in Philadelphia holiday market in Dilworth Park / Photograph courtesy of Made in Philadelphia
With the holiday season kicking off earlier and earlier with every passing year, it’s already time to deck the halls and start shopping. This year, it’s easier than ever to skip Amazon and shop local thanks to the many holiday markets and neighborhood shopping events around town. Even if you don’t have much shopping to do, hit up these spots to check out Philly’s arts scene and visit a neighborhood you may have overlooked.
Christmas Village
For holiday shopping with an international flair, stop by this open-air maze of pop-up shops in LOVE Park. Modeled after the traditional Christmas markets in Germany, this annual month-long market features dozens of vendors in wooden booths selling ornaments, crafts, treats, clothing and more from all over the world. There are festive events including live music, wine tastings, weekly story times and more. There’s also great food — from brats to raclette to strudel to mulled wine (buy the commemorative mug for discount refills!) — and rides including a giant Ferris wheel, a kiddie train, and a double-decker carousel in City Hall courtyard.
Free to attend; November 23rd-December 24th (preview weekend November 18th-19th), LOVE Park and City Hall courtyard.
Made In Philadelphia Holiday Market
A local counterpart to Christmas Village, this market focuses only on Philly-made gifts, from jewelry to artwork to candles (and usually lots of fun Gritty items). While you’re there, go skating on Rothman Rink, frolic though the Wintergarden maze of reindeer topiaries and twinkle lights, and grab some cozy après-skate eats in the cabin. It’s even open on Christmas Eve, so you can go for last-minute shopping.
Free to attend; November 10th-January 1st, Dilworth Park, 1 South 15th Street.
Miracle on American Street Holiday Gift Market
Returning for its third year, NextFab and Olde Kensington Boutique have teamed up for a holiday market that lets you explore the artists behind the gifts. Along with shopping, food, live music and crafting stations (make your own ornaments!), you can tour NextFab to meet the makers in the actual studio spaces they use to produce the work available for purchase and watch live art demonstrations.
Free to attend; November 18th, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., NextFab, 1800 North American Street.
Holiday Art Star Craft Bazaar
The long-running shopping series returns to Rivers Casino with a two-day market, this time welcoming some 80 vendors and creators of handmade goods and other holiday gift options, plus food, tote bags, and make-and-take crafts. Offerings include everything from wall art to jewelry to candles to pottery to dolls — see the full list here. Make-and-take stations are pay-as-you-go with Nimble Craft, Handmade by Melissa, and Craft Coven.
$3 to enter; November 18th & 19th, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Event Center at Rivers Casino, 1001 North Delaware Avenue.
Holiday Art Star Craft Bazaar / Photograph by Ananda Connolly
Hanukkah Makers Market
Artisans, artists, creators and food vendors show off their wares in this one-day pop-up at the Weitzman. In addition to unique gifts for sale, Second Daughter Baking Company will be there with baked goods (including their Best of Philly-winning fudge brownies) and Poser Photobooth will be there for some added festiveness. The market is free to attend, as is the museum itself.
Free to attend; November 19th, noon-5 p.m., the Weitzman, 101 South Independence Mall East.
Made @ Bok Small Business Saturday Market
Visit the artisans of Bok to shop from everything from sustainable fashion and hand-blown glass to fine-crafted jewelry. There will also be demonstrations by resident artists.
Free to attend; November 25th, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Bok Building, 821 Dudley Street.
Holiday Markets at Cherry Street Pier
Resident artists and more local makers take over the pier on select Saturdays.
Free to attend; November 25th, December 2nd, 16th and 23rd, noon-5 p.m., 121 North Columbus Boulevard.
Yuletide at Devon
This brand-new holiday event includes a Christmas market, live music, and food and drink at the Devon Horse Show grounds. There will also be rides, lights, and Santa photos — it’s a whole thing! It’ll kick off on Black Friday and is open five days a week through New Year’s Eve. Check out the lineup of musical performances here.
$23-$35 for single-day pass, or $60-$90 for a season pass; Wednesdays through Sundays from November 24th-December 31st, 23 Dorset Road, Devon.
Now and Then Marketplace’s Gifts Galore Holiday Market
Shop tons of local artists, makers and resellers at this two-day event. It all kicks off Friday night with DJ music and a bar. There are different vendors each day, so be sure to check the lineup and plan your visit accordingly.
Free to attend; December 1st, 5-11 p.m. & December 2nd, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Frankford Arsenal, 2275 Bridge Street.
Bartram’s Garden’s Handmade Holidays
Enjoy seasonal music and refreshments as you get everything you need to deck your halls — including decorated and undecorated wreaths, centerpieces, fresh evergreens and more. Plus, vendors will be there so you get some gift shopping done, too. The event also includes craft activities, a pie-baking contest, kids’ activities, a campfire with free snacks, holiday karaoke, garden tours and more.
Free to attend; December 2nd, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard.
Awbury Arboretum’s Holiday Farm Party and Greens Sale
Shop for holiday greens like wreaths and evergreen branches (pre-orders are recommended). Plus, there will be music, craft workshops (sign up online), a campfire with treats, and visits with the goats!
Free to attend; December 2nd, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Francis Cope House, 1 Awbury Road.
Sisterly Love Holiday Markets
Gather under the Headhouse Shambles for three Saturday markets in a row hosted by the Sisterly Love Collective. You’ll find food, jewelry, clothing, self-care products and more. The December 2nd event is called the “Mrs. Claus Holiday Market” — Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and the event precedes South Street’s tree-lighting ceremony at 4:15 p.m.
Free to attend; December 2nd, 9th & 16th, noon-4 p.m., Headhouse Shambles, 2nd and Pine streets.
Liberty Flea
This is the perfect market for aesthetes and vintage-seekers alike. You’ll find antiques, records and vintage clothing, plus some modern makers selling jewelry, spices, and art. The next Liberty Flea will be at the Bok building, but check them out year-round as they regularly pop up at locations like Cherry Street Pier.
$5 ($10 for early-bird entry); December 2nd, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Bok Building, 821 Dudley Street.
Community Fair at the Asian Arts Initiative
This one’s more than just shopping, as AAI celebrates the end of their youth education semester with a day of hands-on art and other activities. Yes, you’ll find holiday shopping, but you can also check out the current exhibits the while you’re in the galleries.
Pay-what-you-can; December 2nd, noon-4 p.m., 1219 Vine Street.
Lucia and Christmas Market
Shop for Swedish food, crafts, decorations and more at this outdoor holiday market. Plus, enjoy Lucia processions at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. and live holiday music throughout the day.
$5 on Saturday, free on Sunday and for museum members and kids under age 12; December 2nd & 3rd, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., American Swedish Historical Museum, 1900 Pattison Ave.
Clover Market
Head to West Chester for two days of shopping 100 handmade and vintage vendors (full list here), plus food and drink and kids’ activities (crafts with the Handwork Studio on Saturday, face-painting on both days). VIP tickets get you an extra hour of shopping, plus some other goodies.
Free to attend, $25 for VIP early admission; December 2nd & 3rd, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., the Westtown School, 975 Westtown Road, West Chester.
Moore Vintage Archive Pop-Up at W Philadelphia
One of our favorite Philly vintage shops is teaming up with W Philadelphia to bring luxe vintage clothing to their Living Room lobby. Shop a collection curated by founder Keesean Moore, including concert tees and “major fashion moments” by Issey Miyake, Chanel, Saint Laurent and more.
Free to attend; December 7th-9th, 3-8 p.m., W Philadelphia, 1439 Chestnut Street.
Roxborough Pop-Up Market
Over 20 unique crafters, artists, treats and beverages will fill the space next to Roxborough Pocket Park (previously Royal Bargain Dollar Store) for a new three-day indoor holiday market. A tree-lighting ceremony will kick off the weekend on Friday night at 5:30 p.m. in Pocket Park. And if you’re planning to come with little ones, know that Santa will be there on Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m., and Frozen’s Elsa and Anna will be there on Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. There will also be family photos with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on Sunday from noon to 2 p.m.
Free to attend; December 8th-10th, 6174 Ridge Avenue.
West Craft Fest
Find unique holiday gifts handmade by dozens of local makers and artists, including accessories, jewelry, art, toys and more. The fair runs all weekend, and there are different vendors on Saturday and Sunday (130 total!), so check the schedule to make sure you get what you want. (Or just go both days, why not?)
Free to attend; December 9th & 10th, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street.
HANDMADE x El Mercado Cultural
This indoor juried craft market organized by Fleisher Art Memorial features handmade and artisanal gifts at varying price points, all by local artists. Another reason to feel good about supporting this market? It’s a collab with El Mercado Cultural, a Fleisher initiative focused on sharing creative and marketing resources with Latinx entrepreneurs. Fleisher’s 125th Annual Adult Student Exhibition will also be on display in the galleries, with many works available for sale.
Free to attend; December 9th, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Fleisher Art Memorial, 719 Catharine Street.
Trans Art Market
This holiday shopping event highlights trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive makers from the Philadelphia area. A portion of the $5 entry fee benefits Philly-based reparation groups. Masks are required and vaccine cards will be checked at the entrance, or you can take a rapid test on site.
$5; December 10th, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Bok Building, 821 Dudley Street.
Merry Gothmas
For those who prefer bones, taxidermy, crystals, or just plain creepy to jolly, this is the market for you! It’s organized by Goth Shop and Social, who run pop-up art marts and gothic gatherings throughout the year.
Free to attend; December 10th, 7-10 p.m., Tattooed Mom, 530 South Street.
Punk Rock Flea Market
Pick up some clothing, records, art and “old punk junk” at this fabulous market to score vintage items with a rocker edge.
$10 at the door (kids 12 and under free), December 15th-17th, 23rd Street Armory, 22 South 23rd Street.
Additional reporting by Patrick Rapa.
