With the holidays swiftly approaching, lights are up, the city’s holiday trees will soon all be lit, and it’s the perfect time to get a jumpstart on holiday shopping. What better place to do so than one of D.C.’s holiday markets? Get your holiday spirit on while supporting local vendors and, of course, sipping on some delicious festive beverages while you’re at it!
So, without further ado, here’s a list of the best winter markets across the D.C. area and when they’re open:
Downtown Holiday Market
D.C.’s stunning seasonal outdoor market is returning from Friday, Nov. 22 until Monday, Dec. 23! Held outdoors and spreading over two city blocks— F Street NW, from 7th to 9th Streets NW—the Downtown Holiday Market allows Washingtonians to check out a number of local small businesses while they also check off a few things from their holiday shopping list! Feeling a little cold and hungry? Many of the outdoor food and drink vendors are also on-site to ensure you have constant access to hot chocolate and snacks as you shop, including colorful s’mores, empanadas, churros, waffles and more!
- Where: F Street NW, from 7th to 9th Streets NW
- When: Daily (Nov. 22- Dec. 23) from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
DC Holiday Market at Dupont Circle
This classic D.C. holiday market has both a new name and location this year! Still run by Diverse Markets Management, it has changed its named from Downtown to DC Holiday Market and is now in Dupont Circle in the 1500 block of 19th Street, NW. There are over 30 small businesses, including Migue’s Mini Donuts and the Capital Candy Jar’s hot roasted nuts. Find out more details on DCHolidayMarket.net.
- Where: Dupont Circle, 1500 block of 19th Street, NW
- When: Friday, November 22 through Sunday, December 15, 2024 (closed Thanksgiving Day Nov 28). Hours are Mon-Fri, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sat/Sun, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Union Market’s Pop-Up Holiday Market
Union Market had their pop-up market ready to go by November 15, one of the earliest of the bunch! It will be on a break around Thanksgiving and returns in December. Sponsored by La Cosecha’s Arttepuy, the market “showcases talented local artists and makers.”
On Thanksgiving Weekend (Nov. 29-30), Nall’s Holiday Market will take over with fresh Christmas trees and garland!
When:
- Saturday, December 7, 2024 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Sunday, December 8, 2024 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Friday, December 13, 2024 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Saturday, December 14, 2024 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Sunday, December 15, 2024 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Friday, December 20, 2024 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Saturday, December 21, 2024 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Sunday, December 22, 2024 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: 1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC
D.C. Holiday Lights – Multiple Locations
Go on a mini scavenger hunt across D.C.’s most charming neighborhoods to spot some of the most dazzling and spirited holiday light displays our amazing city has to offer and vote on which you like the best! The lights will be up between November 29 and January 5, and when it ends the neighborhood with the most votes for best holiday lights will hold bragging rights until next year.
This holiday light display is meant to bring attention to some of D.C.’s awesome local vendors, so be sure you venture around and check out all the small shops that are participating! There are lots of one-day markets as part of the events, check them out here:
- Chevy Chase Winter Market: December 7, 12-5 p.m.
- Janney Elementary Winter Market: December 7, 12-2 p.m.
- Holly Jolly Holiday Market: December 14, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Upshur Street Craft Fair: December 14, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Cleveland Park Winter Park: December 14, 6-9 p.m.
Holidays at the Harbor—National Harbor
National Harbor kicked off the holiday spirit on Saturday, November 9, lighting its Christmas tree to start its Holidays at the Harbor series. Besides its beautiful 60-ft. RGB tree now lit each night through Saturday, December 28—every 30 minutes from sunset to 9 p.m.—there’s also the National Harbor Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show Series starting the weekend after Thanksgiving, November 30. What’s unique about this marketing is they have continuously rotating vendors, in both crafts/products and food/drink, so each day is different!
- Where: 100 American Way National Harbor, Maryland
- When: Saturdays and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., November 30-December 22
Heurich Christmas Markt
Hosted by the Heurich House Museum, this holiday market to kick off the month of December is an authentic European-style market featuring German-style mulled wine, Glühwein, and over 60 local small-scale shops. And 2024 is the first time in all 12 years the market has been around that it will be open for an entire week instead of just one weekend!
This a great spot to not only have a great evening (stroll through the museum’s charming “Castle Garden” while sipping on Glühwein!) but also a great spot to pick up unique and thoughtful gifts for the upcoming holidays, as every single vendor is a truly local maker.
- Where: Heurich House Museum’s Castle Garden at 1307 New Hampshire Avenue NW
- When: Friday, December 6 to Friday, December 13
- Dec 6, 4-8p.m.
- Dec 7, 12-8p.m.
- Dec 8, 12-6 p.m.
- Dec 9, Closed
- Dec 10-13, 4-8p.m.