There’s never a shortage of local, handmade items to purchase for loved ones over the holiday season in Austin, Texas! With so many artists calling this city home, you are bound to come across that perfect, one-of-a-kind gift at one of the many Craft Shows and Holiday Markets that start popping up around town in November. For those last minute shoppers, there are event some last-minute, Christmas Eve options!
Wimberley Market Days
When: November 7 & December 5, 2015
Time: 7 am – 4 pm
Where: Lions Field, 601 FM 2325
Shop a wide variety of goods from 300 vendors! In addition to the shopping, there are food vendors and entertainment. FREE Admission, $5 parking. Read more about Wimberley Market Days on Catherine’s Bucket List Adventure here.
Round Rock Market Days
When: November 7 & December 5, 2015
Time: 9 am – 4 pm
Where: Centennial Plaza, behind the Baca Center,301 W. Bagdad, Round Rock
Market Days features farmers market items, arts and crafts, food vendors, and live music all day.
Sleigh Bell Lane Arts & Crafts Show
When: November 12, 13 & 14, 2015
Time: 9 am – 4 pm
Where: 3205 Mayfield Ranch Cove, Round Rock
An annual show, held in a model home, where artisans, crafters, and sellers fill it with unique and wonderful one of a kind gifts, food, and home decor!
City of Round Rock’s 13th Annual Rockin’ Around the Holidays Bazaar
When: November 14, 2015
Time: 9 am – 4 pm
Where: Clay Madsen Recreation Center, 1600 Gattis School Road, Round Rock
A variety of vendors will be present for you to start shopping for unique and handcrafted items. Admission is FREE, but please bring a canned good donation for the Round Rock Serving Center. In addition to shopping, there will also be live music! A shuttle will be run from the Randall’s parking lot, corner of AW Grimes and Gattis School Road, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.. Please park in the rear of the Randall’s parking lot.
3rd Annual Handmade Wonderland by ATX Artisans
When: November 14, 2015
Time: 9 am – 4 pm
Where: Norris Conference Center, 2525 W. Anderson Ln., Austin
Shop local Austin area artisan’s unique handmade items. There will be gifts for everyone on your list including jewelry, visual arts, pottery, home & garden decor, candles & soaps, toys & plush animals, womens & kids accessories, and much more. FREE Admission.
Junior League of Austin – A Christmas Affair Market Days
When: November 18-22, 2015
TIme: Various time; check schedule here
Where: Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd., Austin
A Christmas Affair hosts approximately 200-vendors in a themed shopping extravaganza which includes parties, children’s events, a private shopping brunch, and the season’s biggest celebrity, Santa! Admission: $15/ day.
A Sami Show
When: November 21 & 22, 2015
Time: Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm; Sunday, 11 am – 4:30 pm
Where: Dell Diamond, 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock
Shop for artwork, jewelry, handmade soaps, pottery, gourmet foods and more. Admission: Adults are $5; Kids 12 and under are free.
Blue Genie
When: November 27 – December 24, 2015
Time: 10 am – 10 pm Daily
Where: Marchesa Hall & Theatre, 6226 Middle Fiskville Rd., Austin
The 15th Annual Blue Genie Art Bazaar is a unique holiday art show that features handmade artwork & gifts from over 200 local & regional artists – with a portion of proceeds going to Make-A-Wish® Foundation. Parking & admission are FREE of charge. Full bar with snacks. Cash & cards accepted. Family-friendly events begin on November 28th.
Bright Friday
When: November 27, 2015
Time: 10 am – 6 pm
Where: Vuka Austin, 411 W. Monroe St., Austin
The Amala Foundation, with Vuka and Ten Thousand Villages of Austin, joins together again for the 3rd annual Bright Friday: a Black Friday alternative shopping experience. This family-friendly community event presents the opportunity for Austinites to gather and support local, fair, and direct trade artisans the day after Thanksgiving. In additional to gifts, crafts, and art, there will be kids activities hosted by the Amala Foundation, Ten Thousand Villages and Sanctuary Yoga. FREE Admission! Vendors at Bright Friday share a commitment to ethical practices, environmental responsibility and hand crafted quality products including local, handmade, direct trade and fair trade gifts. Instead of spending Black Friday waiting in lines at Best Buy or Target, join us at this community event where you’ll find unique crafts, gifts and treasures from some of Austin’s most talented artisans.
Renegade Craft Fair
When: November 28 & 29, 2015
Time: 11 am – 6 pm
Where: Fair Market, 1100 E. 5th St., Austin
The Renegade Craft Fair features a thoughtfully curated selectionof the finest indie-craft goods, perfect for all of your holiday gift-giving needs. Attendees will enjoy a weekend of shopping handmade, participating in DIY workshops, and joining in on the festive holiday vibes. FREE Admission!
6th Annual Christmas Market
When: December 5, 2015
Time: 9 am – 4 pm
Where: The For the City Center, 500 E. St. John’s Ave., Austin
The Sixth Annual Christmas Market is a venue for patrons to shop responsibly this holiday season, while supporting local, socially conscious vendors. Hosted by Allies Against Slavery, the Market features 25+ fair trade, direct trade, and social enterprise merchants who use their businesses to promote employment and well-being for people in Austin and around the world. This FREE event for the public will include art, jewelry, music, clothing, purses/bags, toys, cosmetics, coffee, paper goods, housewares, photo prints, and much more.
German Christmas Market
When: December 5, 2015
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Where: German Free School of Austin, 507 E. 10th St., Austin
The German-Texan Heritage Society offers shoppers hand-made, imported crafts including plenty of Christmas themed decorations such as nutcrackers and ornaments. It is a festival atmosphere with traditional German Christmas music, tables full of handcrafted items direct from the Erzgebirge region of Germany, a visit by both our historic American Santa Claus and the traditional German Sankt Nikolas with gifts for the children, a hospitality serving of Glühwein (hot spiced wine), coffee, apple cider/juice and gingerbread cookies and plenty of German style baked goodies for purchase. All purchases are Sales Tax Free on this special day.
Violet Crown Arts Festival
When: December 5 & 6, 2015
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: Brentwood Elementary School, West Parking Lot at 6700 Yates, Austin
Expect to find unique artwork from talented sculptors, potters, and fiber artists, painters, jewelers, glass artists, woodworkers and metal smiths. Shop for hand made gifts and great quality art, and support local cottage businesses. It’s always FREE admission for the whole family!
Austin Flea
When: December 5 & 6, 2015
Time: Saturday, 11 am – 5 pm ; Sunday, 11am – 4 pm
Where: The Highball, 1120 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin
Shop local! You’ll find a variety of handmade items and vintage wares from some of Austin’s most amazing and talented vendors. Find one-of-a-kind gifts for the holidays or any occasion including jewelry, glasswork, clothing, artwork, paper goods, textiles and so much more! FREE! Admission. There will be two additional shopping events: 4th tap Brewery on December 11th from 4-8 and a Mini Flea at Radio, Coffee & Beer on December 13th from 10-4.
Hutto Downtown Christmas Fair
When: December 12, 2015
Time: 1- am – 5 pm
Where: 100 East St., Hutto
Shop the stores, enjoy a meal at the downtown restaurants, shop vendors featuring: handmade items, unique gifts, home decor, jewelry, toys and delicious fair food and drinks! The YMCA Children’s Area will include crafts, games, inflatables, train rides and… SNOW!!!
Admission to Children’s Area is $5 per child and includes all activities!
Cherrywood Art Fair
When: December 12 & 13, 2015
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: Maplewood Elementary, E. 38 1/2 St. & Maplewood Ave., Austin
Shop for local handmade items, enjoy a variety of food and drinks available for purchase and bid on art work from Austin-area 5th & 6th graders as part of the Little Artist BIG Artist program. There will also be family-friendly entertainment including crafts with LiveMom on December 13th! That’s right…. come by and see us. FREE Admission.
40th Annual Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
When: December 15-24, 2015
Time: 10 am – 10 pm daily
Where: Palmer Event Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd., Austin
Hot music, fine art, and cold beer make the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar the place where Austin shops in the giving season. The show is actually two events in one: an art fair and music festival with a vibrant community-driven vibe. Visitors can explore an amazing array of handmade items from 160+ artists while enjoying live local music and sips from a full bar. On exhibit will be everything from statement-making collectible pieces to modestly priced stocking stuffers. While Texas artists predominate, there are a select few carefully chosen from around the country. The Armadillo stage showcases some of Austin’s favorite musical talent, with live, intimate performances at least three times a day. Featured musicians range from new and emerging stars to local legends, to Grammy winners. Admission: $8.
Catherine Prystup is mom to three human kids ages seventeen, eight and three, as well as two dogs and one cat. She’s the founder of LiveMom.com, AustinSummerFun.com and ACLWithKids.com. When she’s not planning events or working on the next idea for a story, you’ll find her enjoying a good book with a glass of wine (or coffee if it’s too early in the day for wine) or planning the next adventure with her family and friends.
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