Friends and family, good times and gifts. For many of us, that’s a recipe for the holidays. Sure, there’s a huge holiday market downtown. But the neighborhood markets have a different feel, a holiday block party with games, snacks, refreshments —and the chance to do a little holiday shopping.
At many of these holiday market events, you can party with friends and family, do crafts, get photos with Santa and get merry as you check out items by many of the local vendors and creatives that are usually only available online.
Check out this line up of some of the Holiday Markets below:
Issa Ugly Sweater Party & Market | Congress Heights Arts and Cultural Center (CHCC, 3200 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE) | Friday, Dec. 10 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. | $5 online, $10 door
Presented at CHCC in collaboration with artist J. Monroe, ‘88 Sweaters’ is a holiday party for creatives and guests created to connect, support + inspire local artists during the holiday season!
“Stay out the Stores and Support Yours!” Wear your ugliest holiday sweater and come out to support hard working creatives and vendors this Friday.
Shop for your last minute holiday gifts and enjoy the LIVE sounds of music artists Blaquestone and YML and Friends
Learn more: www.CHACC.org/events
BZB Shop Til Ya Drop Gallery & Holiday Artists Marketplace | Anacostia Art Gallery & Boutique (119 Raleigh St. SE) | Dec. 3 to 5, 10 to 12 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 15 til Dec. 24 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Daily in December through Christmas Eve, the Anacostia Art Gallery transforms into a holiday marketplace. You’l find unique and gorgeous gifts here: fine art, textiles and home decor; wearable art, collectible dolls, antique African Artifacts, jewelry, books for children and adults and original works of art from the African Diaspora.
Every week features different guest artisans and merchants as well as complimentary spirits. The market is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays til Dec. 12 and then daily Dec. 15 through Christmas Eve. Learn more: anacostiaartgallery.com
Soul of the City Market Congress Heights | Saturday, Dec. 11 & Dec. 18 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Historic Horse Barn on St. Elizabeth East Campus (2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE.) | free
Every Saturday since June, Destination Congress Heights has transformed the Historic Horse Barn into a fresh produce market that also features local vendors. Now, they’ve added some holiday spirit. The Soul of the City holiday market offers affordable gift options from small business owners for your holiday shopping while musical guests such as vocalist JusPaul (Black Byrds, Jogo Project) provide great entertainment —including a Karoake kick-off.
There’s also free gift wrapping and complimentary Tito’s Vodka libations for shoppers. It’s a great chance to do some holiday ‘cheers’ with friends and dance your way into the holidays —the weekend market includes celebrity guest Jus Paul and The Experience Band.
The market gives small business owners the opportunity to tap into the billion dollar spending during the holiday season that big businesses capitalize on. It activates the historic horse barn and provides community members affordable gift options from jewelry, clothes, toys, ornaments, shoes, purses, bookbags and so much more this holiday season.
Completely free to market goers there is sure to be something for everyone! Learn more: www.eventbrite.com/e/soul-of-the-city-market-at-the-barn-holiday-bazaar-tickets
Umoja Holiday Market | Maple View Flats (2228 Martin Luther King Jr. Av. SE) Sat, Dec 18, 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sun, Dec 19 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. | free
The principle of Umoja (unity) speaks to a need to develop and sustain a sense of oneness in our relationships and communities, a need especially strong this season. As the holiday season roars on, join families and local businesses at Anacostia Arts Center’s Umoja market to make new memories! It will be a weekend full of holiday fun including a socially distanced holiday market, Selfies with Santa and more. More info: eventbrite.com/e/umoja-holiday-market-tickets
Roving Ward 7 Holiday Market | free
Minnesota Ave SE: 4020 Minnesota Ave. SE | Saturday, Dec. 11 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Pennsylvania Avenue SE | DC Dream Center (2826 Q St SE) | Friday Dec. 17 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. & Saturday Dec. 18 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The Roving Holiday Market is spreading holiday cheer throughout Ward 7! Urban Village Markets is working with the three Ward 7 Main Streets (Deanwood Heights Main Street, Minnesota Avenue Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue East Main Street) to bring market to you.
Each is a great forum to get together, have a few drinks and listen to great entertainment. There’s a chance to visit the Make-A-Wish tree and experience the actual wares offered by the great local merchants who do so much of their selling online. Come enjoy warm beverages, holiday music, photo op with Santa/Elf, make a wish holiday tree and spend some quality time with your neighbors while shopping for unique gifts for your loved ones!
The market kicked off in Deanwood Dec. 5 with fun with the Deanwood Heights Main Street. Join the fun as on Saturday, Dec. 11, the market heads to Minnesota Avenue, where the Main Street staff will transform the old American kids store at 4020 Minnesota Ave. SE into a wonderland.
The next weekend, it’s off to Pennsylvania Avenue East at the DC Dream Center (2826 Q St. SE) Friday, December 17th (4 p.m. to 8 p.m.) and Saturday, Dec. 18th (Noon to 4 p.m.). The Friday night market is a night out, with free photos with Santa, Ugly Sweater Prizes, DJ & Dancing, Free refreshments and more.
Saturday’s Pennsylvania Ave. SE market at the Dream Center will feature family friendly activities for everyone, arts and crafts for the kids, a daytime dance party for the kids, photos with Santa and refreshments.
Vendors include:
- Travel Deeper Inc. (African clothing/accessories) IG @traveldeeperinc.
- District Arts & Crafts (Ceramics, Batiks, etc.) IG @district_art_and_crafts
- With Love Dija (Home/body oils/scents, apparel) IG @withlovedija
- Eclectically Yours Works of Art (Art, holiday decor)
- Xotic Accessories (Jewelry) IG @xotic_accessoriespipo
- Brian Americus (Clothing) IG @brianamericus
- Autumn & Aura (Candles) IG @autumnandaura
- Bahr (Non alcoholic mixers) IG @favoritebword
- Goddess Werks (Self Defense Tools) IG @goddesswerks_
- Eyewear Enthusiast (Eyewear) IG @eyewear_enthusiast
Learn more: www.eventbrite.com/e/roving-holiday-market-tickets
