If you have to shop till you drop, it may as well help support local artists and artisans. Richmond has no shortage of holiday markets, some of them even offering tempting bonuses like booze, music and food trucks. It’s enough to make a person craft a list and enjoy crossing off each item.
Maymont’s Merry Market features 50 local artisans, food vendors, fire pits, crafts for all ages and holiday carolers. It’s all happening on the Carriage House Lawn, decorated for the holidays with strings of lights and flanked by Maymont’s historic buildings draped in fresh evergreen wreaths and garlands. On Saturday, children can enjoy visits with Saint Nicholas and pose for family photos or ride a kiddie holiday train. The fun takes place on Fridays, Dec. 1 and 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays, Dec. 2 and 9 from noon to 8 p.m. at Maymont, 1000 Westover Rd.
Make a day of shopping with the Richmond Night Market’s Holiday Villages, complete with unique finds from over 75 talented artisans, a dedicated gift-wrapping station, and a wine lounge to make the time fly. For a diversion from shopping, check out the live art installations and art gallery curated by The Art Seen. You can count on a soundtrack for your shopping spree with music from DJ J. Kirvin, DJ Billy Crystal Fingers and live music by The Fuzz Band and Bee Boy$oul. It takes place on Saturday, Dec. 2 from noon to 8 p.m. at Main Street Station, 1500 E. Main St.
Because hot toddies should be part of any holiday shopping experience, there is the RVA Krampusnacht Holidaze Market at Gallery 5. Krampus, for the uninitiated, is the centuries-old counterpart to Saint Nicholas who visits to deal with naughty children. Browse an eclectic array of local vendors and art – Gallery 5, is, after all, an art gallery – with glass in hand. And if you’re feeling the spirit, bring an unwrapped toy for Red Vein Army’s Scares that Care Toy Drive. This takes place on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Gallery 5, 200 W. Marshall St.
Need beer to get through your holiday shopping? Hardywood Richmond understands, and their Christmas Market Pop-Up is the answer. After procuring your brew, head to the Barrel Room to peruse handmade home décor, art, jewelry, and apparel at this indoor market that takes place on Saturday, Dec. 9 from noon to 3:30 p.m. at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, 2410 Ownby Lane.
For the non-traditional shopper, consider the Kismet Holiday Makers’ Market featuring a sexy Santa, actually a drag king, and Indian food thanks to Kay’s Khushbu Indian Street Food. Sure, there will also be over two dozen local makers, but since the market is at Starr Hill Brewery, you can also count on a selection of beers to fuel your shopping endeavors. Just be sure to get a picture with the sexy Santa to prove you were there. This happens on Sunday, Dec. 10 from noon to 4 p.m. at Starr Hill Beer Hall, 3406 W. Leigh St.
If you’re more the mimosa and pink Christmas tree type, there’s Quirk’s Holiday Local Goods Market to put you in a festive mood. With over 30 vendors scattered throughout the hotel, shoppers are sure to find gifts as unique as Quirk itself. When you’ve checked off the last person on your list, reward yourself by settling into a lobby couch with a latte and being dazzled by the biggest pink Christmas tree in town. This is on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Quirk, 201 W. Broad St.
Bigger than ever, the Winter Moon Market is a curated craft and wellness market. Richmond’s original enchanted market prides itself on bringing together all the weird, wild and wonderful healers and craftspeople of central Virginia. Think fortune tellers, vendors of plants and flowers, candles, jewelry, clothing, art, crystals, magical supplies, handmade botanicals, custom skincare blends, vintage gear and housewares. This takes place on Saturday, Dec. 16 and Sunday, Dec.17 from noon to 5 p.m. at Stone Brewing, 4300 Williamsburg Rd.
Since 2004 when it began at the old Chop Suey Books, Bizarre Market has sprung fully formed every year for the holidays, making it a go-to and much beloved pop-up shop. Dedicated to featuring handmade goods and artwork from cool people in Richmond, the pop-up showcases the community of brilliant, talented and funny makers who helped put RVA on the creative map. Takes place Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Dec. 23 at the Visual Arts Center, 1812 W. Main St.
Think of the Holiday Boutique at Diversity Thrift’s Iridian Gallery as the ultimate in regifting. Diversity pulls out the very best vintage wares, antiques, books, clothing, ceramics, and kitsch so that shoppers can feel good about recycling while shopping. Where else are you going to find an aqua colored Oster Snowflake Ice Crusher for a midcentury modern-loving friend while benefiting the LGBTQ+ community? Runs daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Dec. 23 at Diversity Thrift, 1407 Sherwood Ave.
The Made in RVA Holiday Market is a holiday tradition at Art Works, the contemporary art center in Manchester with four galleries and 80 artist studios. Check off everyone on your gift list with original art, pottery, jewelry, soft goods and locally made gifts. And if you don’t get what you want this holiday season, the market stays open until nearly the end of the month so you can shop for yourself, too. This runs Tuesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Dec. 30 at Art Works, 320 Hull St.
Studio Two Three’s Winter Market offers artwork, clothing, housewares and jewelry from over a hundred local artists, plus the chance to check out their new digs in the former Dogtown Dance building. Last minute shoppers take note: the market is open on Christmas Eve. Fridays through Wednesdays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursdays 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Dec. 24 at Studio Two Three, 109 W. 15th St.
