Grocery stores, craft shops and drugstores are teeming with gifts and seasonal goodies. Magic 106.7 is bumping jolly tunes around the clock. And holiday markets are starting to pop up across Greater Boston. Tomorrow may not be Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, but to quote the Grinch, “it’s practically here!“
Scouring the artisan booths at a holiday market — with a cup of cocoa in hand, of course — makes searching for a gift just as fun as giving it. This year, you’ll find new musical attractions, gift-making workshops and plenty of delicious food at the two biggest holiday markets in Boston. There are also a number of smaller markets happening across the city, too, where you can snag handcrafted, vintage and antique gems. Here’s a glance at the 2024 holiday market scene — and a peek into what’s new at each.
Snowport (Nov. 8 – Dec. 29)
100 Seaport Blvd., Boston
Snowport’s two-month takeover of the Seaport has already begun. Like last year, there are more than 120 vendors stationed at booths across the sprawling outdoor event space, selling everything from paintings and pet treats to accessories and apparel. Grab a hot mulled cider or vegan hot chocolate to keep you cozy as you walk through the crowds, or peel away for a while to make your own snow globe or wreath at the crafting corner (near Northern Ave.).
The market will also feature live music from local artists for the first time. You can catch performances at the Jingle Bar (located right by the entrance, opposite Seaport Common) every Monday at 5 p.m. through Dec. 23. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out some of the locally-owned businesses making their Snowport debut, including Curio Spice Co., Dumpling Daughter and The Half Cookie.
SoWa Winter Festival (Nov. 29 – Dec. 22)
550 Harrison Ave., Boston
The SoWa Winter Festival, held annually at the SoWa Power Station since 2015, has expanded its hours of operation for 2024. The indoor holiday market is now open seven days a week.
Admission to the festival costs $10. But once you’re in, you’ll discover more than 100 vendors selling art, clothing, jewelry and a wide array of food, including crepes, samosas, fresh pasta, gourmet pop tarts, hot chocolate and coffee. (Olde Haven Farm, a new vendor at the SoWa Winter Festival, will even be taking preorders for holiday roasts.) Outside, there’s more to eat, thanks to the festival’s rotating selection of local food trucks.
Also new this year: Craft workshops in the power station’s mezzanine, where you can make your own ornaments, wreaths, candles and gemstone jewelry. These classes require advance registration and range in cost, from free to $65.
Sip & Shop Holiday Market at Boston Public Market (Nov. 29 – Dec. 22)
100 Hanover St., Boston
Edible gifts are always in style. Boston Public Market hosts numerous purveyors of fine food and drink, but during its Sip & Shop Holiday Market — which only takes place on the weekends within the aforementioned dates — you’ll be able to comb through goods from a few new pop-up vendors, like artisan salsa and hot sauce from Farthest Field Farm Maine and fresh flowers from Soluna Garden Farm.
The Somerville Flea Holiday Markets (Dec. 1 and Dec. 15)
191 Highland Ave., Somerville
Keep a couple of Sundays open this December if you plan to swing by The Somerville Flea at the Center for Arts at the Armory. The two-level space will host 40 vintage and artisan vendors, selling clothing, antiques and even furniture to delight your quirkiest loved ones.
Cultural Survival Bazaar (Dec. 5 – Dec. 8)
800 Boylston St., Boston
Located in the Prudential Center, the Cultural Survival Bazaar invites you to peruse one-of-a-kind goods handmade by Indigenous people from Africa, Asia, North and South America. Explore colorful woven textiles from Guatemala, charming bead-and-wire animals from Zimbabwe, Quahog shell jewelry designed by an artist from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and much more.
Holiday markets at Time Out Market (Dec. 7 – 8, Dec. 14 – 15)
401 Park Drive, Boston
Why host one holiday market when you can host three? At least, that’s the mindset over at Time Out Market in the Fenway. The markets will be spread out over two weekends; here’s what you can pick up at each one.
- Select Markets, the group behind a bunch of Boston’s buzziest vintage pop-ups, will host its Vintage Holiday Market the weekend of Dec. 7. There will be bins of clothing and decor, mostly vintage, to thrift through. Take a glimpse at some of their past events on Instagram.
- The Holly Jolly Good Time Holiday Market, hosted by Planning with a Scorpio, offers the opportunity to shop LGBTQ+ owned small businesses on Dec. 14. Expect to find colorful pouches, cute crochet stuffed animals, stationery and stickers.
- And during the Teen Makers Holiday Market on Dec. 15, local teenage artisans will showcase their handmade works. They will also conduct a donation drive for Cradles to Crayons that same day, so if you’ve got any old, gently used children’s winter clothing at home, now is the time to clear it out of storage!
Boston Women’s Holiday Market (Dec. 8 and Dec. 14 – 15)
Multiple locations
This year, the Boston Women’s Market will hold two holiday pop-ups with free entry.
The first will be at the Charles River Speedway on Dec. 8. You’ll have a chance to shop more than 30 women-owned small businesses, and take part in some special programming from the food and drink establishments already there. Anything you purchase can be gift-wrapped on site, too. And since it’s outdoors, pups are welcome!
The second will be held indoors at the AC Hotel in Boston’s South End on Dec. 14 and 15. This installment includes 40 vendors and a tasty seasonal selection of drinks like hot cider and spiked hot chocolate. Gift wrapping will also be offered at this event.
Harvard Square Holiday Market (Dec. 13 – 15, Dec. 20 – 22)
1426 Mass. Ave., Cambridge
The Harvard Square Holiday Market has moved, but not far. This year’s market is nearby Harvard station, along Massachusetts Avenue, just a short walk from its previous location in Brattle Square.
This bustling market features a mix of local artisans and international importers, all passionate about their wares and ready to chat with visitors. You’ll find jewelry, trinkets, hand-knit items and metal work at this market (see pieces from last year’s vendors on their website).
West Roxbury Main Streets Holiday Market (Dec. 14)
1920 Centre St., Boston
West Roxbury’s neighborhood holiday market may be only one day long, but it’s packed with fun attractions. In addition to the vendors — who will be selling everything from homemade desserts to clothing harkening back to the neighborhood’s Irish roots — there will be activity tables for children where they can craft candles to place on the Kwanzaa kinara or dreidels to play with during Hanukkah. Santa and Mrs. Claus are expected to pay a visit to the market, as will a crew of Christmas carolers.