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 28th-December 24th (preview weekend November 23th-24th), 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; through January 1st, Dilworth Park, 1 South 15th Street.
Miracle on American Street Holiday Gift Market
Returning for its fourth 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 (over 80 vendors), 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 23rd, 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 Project Joy and Miriam Singer.
$3 to enter (free for kids 12 and under); November 23rd & 24th, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Event Center at Rivers Casino, 1001 North Delaware Avenue.
Holiday Art Star Craft Bazaar / Photograph by Ananda Connolly
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 29th, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Bok Building, 821 Dudley Street.
Yuletide at Liberty Hill
This holiday event returns after debuting last year at the Devon Horse Show grounds, this year with a new location in Lafayette Hill. The event includes a Christmas market, live entertainment, and food and drink. There will also be rides, ice-skating, lights, and Santa photos — it’s a whole thing!
$23-$30 for single-day pass, or $52-$74 for a season pass; select days from November 22, 2024-January 5, 2025, 800 Ridge Pike, Lafayette Hill.
Juicy Goth: Shop Til You Drop
This adults-only market at Tattooed Mom will have clothing, jewelry, art and more handmade items. Plus, live body painting by Juicy Goth.
Free to attend; November 30th, 1-5 p.m., Tattooed Mom, 530 South Street.
Nosh & Shop Hanukkah 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, Huda, and K’Far will be selling Hanukkah treats. The market is free to attend, as is the museum itself.
Free to attend; December 1st, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., the Weitzman, 101 South Independence Mall East.
Now and Then Marketplace’s Sunday Holiday Markets
Shop tons of local artists, makers and resellers each Sunday at the Close at Hand Warehouse. Local vendors change each week, so it’s worth coming back to see what they’ve got — and stick around for some hot apple cider by the fire. Christmas trees will be available next door on December 8th and 15th as well.
Free to attend; December 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd, noon-5 p.m., 2418 Martha Street.
Roxborough Pop-Up Market
Crafters, artists, treats and beverages will fill two festive days on Ridge Avenue. A tree-lighting ceremony will kick off the weekend on Friday night at 5:30 p.m. in Pocket Park. with live music. And if you’re planning to come with little ones, know that Frozen‘s Elsa will be there on Sunday from 12:30 to 3 p.m. and Santa will arrive via firetruck at 3 p.m. so you can stick around for photos.
Free to attend; December 6th & 7th, Ridge Avenue in Roxborough.
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, 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, games, a campfire with free snacks, family photos, and more.
Free to attend; December 7th, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard.
Holiday Markets at Cherry Street Pier
Resident artists and more local makers take over the pier on select Saturdays.
Free to attend; December 7th, 14th and 21st, noon-5 p.m., 121 North Columbus Boulevard.
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 7th, 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 and live holiday music throughout the day.
$5-$10 on Saturday, free on Sunday and for museum members and kids under age 12; December 7th & 8th, American Swedish Historical Museum, 1900 Pattison Ave.
Sisterly Love Holiday Markets
The Sisterly Love Collective is hosting two markets this season with food, jewelry, clothing, self-care products and more. First, on December 7th, they’ll be at the Headhouse Shambles for the South Street tree lighting from noon till 4 p.m., when Santa will be there. The following week, you can find them at the Independence Visitor Center with 15 vendors and a free gingerbread cookie decorating station for kids.
Free to attend; December 7th, noon-4 p.m., Headhouse Shambles, 2nd and Pine streets; December 14th, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Independence Visitor Center, 599 Market Street.
Clover Market
Head to West Chester for two days of shopping 100 handmade and vintage vendors, plus food and drink, crafting workshops, music, and kids’ activities.
Free to attend; December 7th & 8th, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., the Westtown School, 975 Westtown Road, West Chester.
Awbury Arboretum’s Holiday Open House and Greens Sale
Shop for holiday greens like wreaths and evergreen branches (pre-orders are recommended). Plus, there will be craft workshops, a campfire with treats, kids’ activities, and visits with the goats!
Free to attend; December 8th, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Francis Cope House, 1 Awbury Road.
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.
$5; December 8th, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Bok Building, 821 Dudley 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 Banquet Hall in South Philly, but check them out year-round as they regularly pop up at locations like Cherry Street Pier and Bok.
$5-$7 (free for kids 12 and under); December 14th, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sheet Metal Workers Banquet Hall, 1301 South Columbus Boulevard.
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 14th & 15th, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street.
HANDMADE at Fleisher Art Memorial
This indoor juried craft market organized by Fleisher Art Memorial features handmade and artisanal gifts at varying price points, all by local artists. Fleisher’s 126th Annual Adult Student Exhibition will also be on display in the galleries, with many works available for sale.
Free to attend; December 14th, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Fleisher Art Memorial, 719 Catharine 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. Your $10 admission is good all weekend, and there are different vendors on different days, so it’s worth coming back for more.
$10 at the door (kids 12 and under free), December 20th-22nd, 23rd Street Armory, 22 South 23rd Street.
Additional reporting by Patrick Rapa.
