Christkindlmarkt returns to the Heurich House Museum in Dupont Circle from December 2-4. (Courtesy of the Heurich House Museum)

Just because it is the shopping-est time of year, doesn’t mean you have to get stuck in a frenzied mall while “All I Want for Christmas Is You” plays on loop. Plenty of markets pop up to make gift buying a more relaxed, community-minded experience, with local artisans well-represented among their wares. Many of them up the cheer factor with food, drink, and live music, so gift buying doesn’t seem like quite the chore. Check out one or two, and then you can get back to the season’s other tradition, staring at twinkly lights and Christmas displays.


MADE IN DC HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE
When: November 26, 1 – 6 p.m.
Where: DC Brau (3178 Bladensburg Rd. NE)
Admission: Free
What: On Small Business Saturday, DC Brau has invited 26 local artisans in for the fourth annual Made in DC Marketplace in conjunction with Think Local First. In addition to all the shopping, the brewery’s tasting room will be open and food trucks will be on hand.

MONROE ARTS WALK
When: November 26, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: Arts Walk at Monroe Street Market (716 Monroe St. NE)
Admission: Free
What: A number of studios near the Brookland Metro will open their doors and offer discounts for Small Business Saturday.

CREATE+DISCOVER
When: December 1-4
Where: White Cloud Gallery (1843 14th St. NW, second floor)
Admission: Free, workshops are $65
What: Logan Circle’s White Cloud Gallery is playing host to a “holiday pop-up shop and DIY artist collective.” Among the offerings: “cozy knits, sterling & semi-precious jewelry, leather accessories, holiday ornaments, living plant arrangements, bronze sculpture, signed prints and original fine art paintings.” They are also hosting two crafty workshops.

MISS PIXIE’S HOLIDAY MARKET
When: December 2, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Miss Pixie’s (1626 14th St NW)
Admission: Free
What: The colorful secondhand furniture store transforms into a holiday market for the evening, with more than 20 vendors and 20 percent off items in the store. A live band will provide an accompaniment of “gypsy jazz tunes” and there will be food on site to purchase.

CHRISTKINDLMARKT
When: December 2-4, from 4-9 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday
Where: Heurich House Museum (1307 New Hampshire Ave NW)
Admission: $10, includes admission to the museum
What: The Heurich House Museum’s garden transforms into a German-style holiday market with more than 40 vendors from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia—artists, jewelers, ceramicists, chocolatiers, and more among them.

HOLIDAY CERAMICS SALE
When: December 2-4,
Where: The Art League’s Madison Annex (305 Madison St., Alexandria)
Admission: Free
What: The Art League returns with its annual ceramics sale, featuring hundreds of pieces from students and others affiliated with the studio.

NATIVE ART MARKET
When: December 3-4, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Where: Atrium at the National Museum of the American Indian
Admission: Free
What: Work from more than 35 Native American artists will be available at the National Museum of the American Indian—including jewelry, basketry, paintings, sculpture, beadwork, photography and apparel.

ROSSLYN HOLIDAY MARKET FESTIVAL
When: December 9-10, from 3-11 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday
Where: Gateway Park
Admission: Free
What: The Rosslyn Business Improvement District hosts this combined market, festival, bonfire, Santa visit, 5-mile run, and clothing drive. More than 25 local vendors will be on hand over the course of two days, with Friday events geared toward adults and Saturday toward families.

HOLIDAZE
When: December 11th from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: The Fillmore (8656 Colesville Rd. in Silver Spring)
Admission: Free
What: A holiday market “featuring over 30 local artists and craftspeople; food and drink by The Fillmore; non-profit and community organizations, including a toy and food drive; and a hands-on winter science booth for kids.”

DC MAKER’S MARKET
When: December 11, 12 – 5 p.m.
Where: East City Bookshop (645 Pennsylvania Ave. SE)
Admission: Free
What: Eastern Market’s East City Bookshop promises local creators selling their unique, handmade crafts, cards, and more—plus free gift wrapping.

GRUMP
When: December 17, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Shops at Crystal City (1750 Crystal Dr. Arlington)
Admission: Free
What: This annual arts and crafts show returns after a break last year due to the closing of Artisphere. It returns with more than 50 vendors at a new location—”an 8600 square foot store in the Shops at Crystal City.”

Procrastinator’s Holiday Market
When: December 16 (5-9 p.m.) and 17-18 (12-6 p.m.)
Where: Rhode Island Avenue Center (680 Rhode Island Avenue NE)
Admission: Free
What: Dozens of vendors are joined by a DJ, holiday card-making station, a ‘Letters for Santa’ mailbox, winter-themed drink bar, and a visit from the jolly man himself.

DC MAKERS MARKET
When: Weekends from December 3-18.
Where: Logan Hardware (1734 14th St NW)
Admission: Free
What: Six different local makers will set up shop inside (and outside) the 14th Street shop. They’ll be different on Saturdays and Sundays, so check back on both days.

GARDEN DISTRICT HOLIDAY MARKET
When: November 26 – December 18
Where: Garden District (801 14th St. NW)
Admission: Free
What: The beer garden is staying open a little while longer before going into winter hibernation. In addition to twinkling lights and tinsel, they’ll put out patio heaters and holiday beverages to keep folks warm. And on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, a “market tent” will pop up, featuring a slew of local makers.

COMPASS ROSE HOLIDAY MARKET
When: December 21, 12 – 9 p.m.
Where: Compass Rose (1346 T St. NW)
Admission: $5-10 suggested donation
What: A slew of local makers, including Bazaar Spices, Pax Apothecary, and the ladies of the Lemon Bowl, will be on hand for a festive market by day that transitions to an “Industry Reads Bad Reviews” night at 10 p.m. “It’s going to be a day full of food, gluhwein, DC makers, and holiday cheer. Our kitchen will be preparing special dishes for the day inspired by European holiday markets,” says owner Rose Previte.

DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY MARKET
When: November 25 – December 23, 12 – 8 p.m.
Where: F Street NW between 7th and 9th streets
Admission: Free
What: A stretch of downtown once again transforms into a holiday market for the month, with more than 150 vendors represented along with food and live music.

116 KING
When: November 10 – December 31, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily
Where: 116 King (116 King Street, Alexandria)
Admission: Free
What: Sponsored by the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, this retail pop-up will feature 13 brands affiliated with The Skinny Dip, a fashion collective with New England roots, among other offerings.

This list has been updated