Downtown Holiday Market by kimberlyfaye.

This is the third in a series of holiday shopping guides that focus on small businesses and local stores, producers and purveyors. See also the first post on food gifts and the second on local and/or D.C.-themed Etsy items.

Tis the season for holiday markets, bringing the work of artists and crafters into D.C. This weekend is an especially full of shopping opportunities, but many of the markets listed below continue through the end of December. Take advantage of these chances to support small businesses, and avoid the crowded malls. And if we missed anything, let us know in the comments.

Downtown Holiday Market
When: December 2-23, 2011, 12-8 p.m.
Where: 8th and F Streets NW
Admission: Free
What: Craft tents featuring 60 exhibitors a day, and over 175 regional artists during the 22 days the market is open. Vendors will be selling jewelry, children’s clothes, paintings, pottery, and other gifts. There will also be daily live musical performances, including Christylez Bacon, Ian walters, the All New Genetically Altered Jug Band, and many others.

IceBox 2011 Holiday Gift Shop – Washington Project for the Arts
When: December 2-23, 2011 (11 a.m.-5 p.m.), except on the following dates: December 2 (opening reception, 6-8 p.m.), December 18 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.), December 19 (6-8 p.m.)
Where: 2023 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Admission: Free
What: Hand-made works of art, including crafts, jewelry, and housewares, by WPA member artists. Proceeds support the artists and the WPA’s free public programs and artist services.

A Capital Collection of Holiday Shops – Junior League of Washington
When: December 2-4, 2011. December 2 (11 a.m.-5 p.m.), December 3 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.), December 4 (11 a.m.-4 p.m.).
Where: Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Hall A, 2660 Woodley Road, NW
Admission: Free
What: A fundraiser for the Junior League of Washington that features over 60 merchants selling clothing, gourmet food, jewelry, and more. There will also be special events, including the Meg Graham Scholarship Breakfast (December 2, 9-11 a.m.), the Belles and Beaus cocktail party (December 2, 6-10 p.m., $65/$70), and Pictures with Santa (December 4, 12-3 p.m.).

Washington Craft Show – Washington Convention Center
When: December 2-4, 2011. December 2 (10 a.m.-8 p.m.), December 3 (10 a.m.-6 p.m.), December 4 (11 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Where: 801 Mount Vernon Place NW
Admission: $15 adults, $14 seniors, free for children 12 and under
What: 190 artists selling cermaics, wearable art, glass, and more . There will also be fashion shows and artist talks.

Holiday Market – Del Ray Artisans
When: December 2-4, 2011. December 2 (6-9 p.m., reception), December 3 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.), December 4 (12-4 p.m.)
Where: 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia
Admission: Free
What: Fine arts and crafts, including pottery, photography, paper crafts, and more, by 20 artists. There will also be a bake sale with proceeds going to Rebuilding Together Alexandria.

Holiday Market – Columbia Heights Community Marketplace
When: December 3, 10, 17, 2011, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Civic plaza at 14th Street and Park Road, NW
Admission: Free
What: Local artists selling drawings, jewelry, paintings, knitware, and pottery. There will also be Christmas trees and wreaths for sale from Chesley Farms and Licking Creek Bend Farm, farmers market produce, and live music by Chelsea McBee from 10 a.m. to noon.

Art Market – National Museum of the American Indian
When: December 3 and 4, 2011, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Where: 4th Street and Independence Avenue SW
Admission: Free
What: Art and items, including jewelry, cereamics, hand-woven baskets, beadwork, dolls, and art, made by Native artists.

Swedish Christmas Bazaar – Embassy of Sweden
When: December 3, 2011, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW
Admission: Free
What: Swedish art, crafts, crystal, textiles, books, glogg, and more.

Nana’s Handmade Holly Mart
When: December 3rd, 2011, 11 a.m. -7 p.m.
Where: 3068 Mount Pleasant Street NW
Admission: Free
What: Around 10 local D.C. artists, designers, musicians, and more.

Kyoto Kimono: Holiday Truck Show
When: December 3, 2011, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Sackler Gallery Shop, 1050 Independence Avenue SW
Admission: Free
What: Vintage Japanese kimono robes and jackets from boutique Kyoto Kimono.

Greens Sale and Christmas Bazaar
When: December 3, 2011, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: St. John’s Episcopal Church, 3240 O Street NW
Admission: Free
What: Holiday plants and wreaths, gourmet food, decorations, children’s clothes, antiques, jewelry, and more.

National Museum of Women in the Arts Holiday Gift Market
When: December 4-6, 2011. December 4 (12-5 p.m.), December 5 (10 a.m.-8 p.m.), December 6 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Where: 1250 New York Avenue NW
What: An event focused on “Empowering Women Through Art.” Items, including jewelry, home accents, and accessories, made by artists (both local and global) and women’s cooperatives.

Holiday Market – Olney Farmers and Artists Market
When: December 4, 2011, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Montgomery General Hospital Thrift Shop, Route 108 and Prince Philip Drive, Olney, MD
Admission: Free
What: Holiday foods (potato latkes, hot apple cider, hot chocolate), a fire for roasting s’mores and chestnuts, handmade jewelry, art, cooking demo, wine tasting, and a children’s craft tent.

Alternative Gift Fair
When: December 8, 2011, 12-2 p.m.
Where: National Education Association, 1201 16th Street NW
Admission: Free
What: Tax deductible gifts that go to support charity organizations. There will also be a bake sale benefiting the Capital Area Food Bank.

Off the Walls Art Sale – Corcoran
When: December 8-10, 2011
Where: 500 17th Street NW
Admission: Free
What: Jewelry, wearable art, and fine art by Corcoran College of Art and Design students.

GRUMP Holiday Market
When: December 10, 2011, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: American Legion, 224 D Street SE
Admission: Free
What: 20 Crafty Bastards vendors selling their handmade items.

Rock-n-Shop – Black Cat
When: December 11, 2011, 8 p.m.
Where: 1811 14th Street NW
Admission: Free
What: Band t-shirts and Rock and Roll Garage Sale items.

National Harbor Holiday Market
When: November 26-December 18, 2011, 12-6 p.m.
Where: National Harbor, American Way
Admission: Free
What: Handmade holiday decorations, roasted chestnuts, cookies, and more.