’Tis the season to wander vendor booths: to pick up various objects, make small talk with makers, and put a buncha money directly into your community’s pockets. Got a friend who loves hand-sculpted mugs? An aunt who craves first-edition hardcovers? Or maybe you just want to find a quirky little morsel for your own dang self? (Self-care means buying for yourself, right?) While online retailers and chain stores promise ease of access, holiday markets offer cool pieces from myriad product genres – often made right here in Austin. Open your heart – and your pocketbook – to these local vendor variety hours popping up all over town.
The Classics
Blue Genie Art Bazaar
Through December 24 | 6100 Airport Blvd.
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
December 14-23 | Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd.
Print Posse
Humanities Texas 14th Annual Holiday Book Fair
December 7 | Byrne-Reed House, 1410 Rio Grande St.
The Hyde Park Printer’s Market & Open House
December 7 | The Press Room, 3908 Avenue B
Austin (Used) Book Collective Holiday Market
December 7 | Flitch Coffee, 641 Tillery St.
Seasonal Sweeties
Winter Wanderland
Through December 22 | Austin Motel, 1220 S. Congress
bunkhousehotels.com/austin-motel
HoliGAY Market
December 8 | Distribution Hall, 1500 E. Fourth
Hotel Saint Cecelia Holiday Market
December 8 | Hotel Saint Cecilia, 112 Academy Dr.
bunkhousehotels.com/hotel-saint-cecilia
Artistic Ambitions
Catty Bat Art Market
December 7 | Dragon’s Lair, 2438 W. Anderson
The Art of Gifting Art Holiday Market
December 15 | The Cathedral, 2403 E. 16th
A Charlie Brown Christmas Art Show
December 18 | Yellow Jacket Social Club, 1704 E. Fifth
This article appears in December 6 • 2024.
