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.
November 24th-December 24th (preview weekend November 19th-20th), 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. At night, catch the Deck the Hall light show projected onto City Hall. It’s even open on Christmas Eve, so you can go for last-minute shopping.
November 19th-January 1st, Dilworth Park, 1 South 15th Street.
Holiday Art Star Craft Bazaar
Art Star returns to Rivers Casino with a two-day market featuring over 60 vendors, interactive craft booths, make-and-takes, giveaways and more. Offerings include everything from wall art to jewelry to candles to pottery to dolls (see full list here). Make-and-take stations are pay-as-you-go: screen-print holiday cards ($5) with Miriam Singer; color and stitch laser-cut ornament designs ($6) with Nimble Craft and macramé holiday wreath ornaments ($12-15) with Melissa Manna from Handmade by Melissa. You can also buy snacks from Okie Dokie Donuts and Bourbon & Branch. Art Star will be giving away 75 free event totes at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day.
$3 (free for kids ages 12 and under); November 19th & 20th, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Rivers Casino, 1001 North Delaware Avenue.
Holiday Art Star Craft Bazaar / Photograph by Ananda Connolly
Waldorf Holiday Fair & Craft Bazaar
Shop for handmade crafts and goodies from 70 local vendors. Friday is an adults-only cocktail affair. Saturday you can bring the kids, and there will be activities for them including various craft tables, face-painting, a puppet play, a “magical shop just for children,” and someone called the “pocket fairy.” Tickets are available online.
Friday, November 18th, 6-10 p.m. (free; $25 dinner optional) and Saturday, November 19th, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. ($5 admission); Waldorf School of Philadelphia, 6000 Wayne Avenue.
Miracle on American Street Holiday Gift Market
Returning for its second 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, 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.
November 19th, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., NextFab, 1800 North American Street.
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 Sheet Metal Workers Union, but check them out year-round as they regularly pop up at locations like Cherry Street Pier.
$5; November 19th, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Banquet Hall at the Sheet Metal Workers Union, 1301 South Columbus Boulevard.
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 live pet illustrations, art demonstrations and more.
November 26th, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Bok Building, 821 Dudley Street.
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?).
December 3rd & 4th, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut 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 photo booth, a pie-baking contest, kids’ activities, a campfire with free snacks, garden tours and more.
December 3rd, noon.-5 p.m., Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard.
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Trans Art Market
This weekend-long event highlights trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive makers from the Philadelphia area — over 100 makers in two days! The $5 entry benefits Housing Reparations Philly and Cars for Philly. Masks are required and vaccine cards will be checked at the entrance.
$5; December 3rd & 4th, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Bok Building, 821 Dudley Street.
NKCDC Holiday Market
New Kensington Community Development Corporation hosts local makers, with a focus on those who live in Kensington.
December 3rd, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Frankford Avenue and Somerset Street.
HANDMADE x El Mercado Cultural
This market includes unique and affordable gifts by over 20 artists and craft vendors, curated by artist Cassie Renee Peña. Another reason to feel good about supporting this local artists’ market: It’s a collab with El Mercado Cultural, a Fleisher initiative focused on sharing creative and marketing resources with Latinx entrepreneurs.
December 3rd, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Fleisher Art Memorial, 719 Catharine 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 by the Last Chance Duo.
$5 (free for museum members and kids under age 12), December 3rd, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., American Swedish Historical Museum, 1900 Pattison Ave.
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. You’ll find holiday shopping on the third floor, and you can check out the living artworks of the Eco/Systems: Gather exhibit in the main gallery while you’re there.
Pay-what-you-can; December 3rd, noon-4 p.m., 1219 Vine Street.
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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 food vendors, crafts, a campfire and visits with the goats!
December 4th, noon-4 p.m., The Farm at Awbury Arboretum, 6336 Ardleigh Street.
Sisterly Love Holiday Markets
Gather under the Headhouse Shambles for two Saturday markets in a row hosted by the Sisterly Love Collective. You’ll find food, jewelry, clothing, self-care products and more.
December 10th & 17th, noon-4 p.m., Headhouse Shambles, 2nd and Pine streets.
Live More Marketplace
Hosted by resident artist (and Best of Philly winner) Walls for Justice, this market at Cherry Street Pier will showcase local makers, creators, merchants and wellness vendors.
December 11th, noon-7 p.m., Cherry Street Pier, 121 North Columbus Boulevard.
Dr. Mütter’s Merry Emporium
Pick up some unique arts, crafts and “plague doctor cookies” for your hardest-to-shop-for friend at Philadelphia’s museum of medical oddities.
$5; December 11th, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Mütter Museum, 19 South 22nd 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.
$5, December 17th & 18th, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 23rd Street Armory, 22 South 23rd Street.
