Between parties, school performances and other end-of-the-year traditions, the holidays can leave you feeling a bit frazzled. One way to stay on top of things this winter? Get a head start on your shopping.
Rather than ordering online from a big box store, consider supporting local, small businesses this year. You’re sure to find something unique for everyone on your list when you shop some (or all!) of these Colorado holiday markets in 2023.
Cherry Creek Holiday Market
Back for its fourth year, the Cherry Creek Holiday Market opens Nov. 16 and offers a whopping 36 days of shopping—plenty of time to find everything you need for gift-giving. (The market’s last day is Christmas Eve!)
You’ll be able to peruse more than 40 vendor booths in Fillmore Plaza, with an emphasis on Colorado-based makers and companies like Charlie’s Bouquet Bar and SoCo Gift Co.
There’s also a new “Mistletoe Lounge” at the market, complete with live music, holiday crafts and interactive activities, and a full bar.
Colorado Makers Holiday Market
Use Thanksgiving weekend to your advantage and head up to Fort Collins to shop the Colorado Makers Holiday Market on Nov. 25. Here, you’ll find tons of locally made products from 130 vendors from noon to 5 p.m. at the Aztlan Community Center. Admission is free.
Dairy Block Mistletoe Market
You have lots of chances to shop the Dairy Block Mistletoe market, which will feature more than a dozen local vendors and live music. It’s happening over the course of several weekends in the Dairy Block’s heated alleyway from noon to 5 p.m. on Nov. 25-26, Dec. 2-3, Dec. 9-10 and Dec. 16-17. On several of the market days, you can also enjoy live carols performed by the Jingle Belles, too, which will really help you get into the holiday spirit.
A snapshot of some of the vendors who are participating includes: Pardon My French, Maddie Rae Vintage, B Fresh Gear, Ollie & Iggy Kids, Big Ass Maps, Resourceful Threads, Moe Gram, Adults and Crafts, Parrott Paints and Hey, Alissandra.
Holiday Art Market
The beloved annual Holiday Art Market—which has been going strong at the Foothills Art Center in Golden for 48 years—takes place for nearly the entire month of December. Visit anytime between Dec. 1 and Dec. 29 to find the perfect gifts for all the art lovers in your life. Snag ceramics, photography, woodworking, paintings, glasswork jewelry and so much more.
Boulder County Farmers Markets Winter Market
You can check a few things off your to-do list at once when you shop the Boulder County Farmers Markets Winter Market on Dec. 2-3. Located at the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont, the winter market features tasty storage crops—think: potatoes, onions, apples and winter squash—from local farmers, as well as tons of products made by local artisans. Some are food-focused, like fancy jams and gourmet chocolates, while others are
Artisan Holiday Craft Fair
Mark your calendar for the Artisan Holiday Craft Fair at the Museum of Boulder on Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $15, which gets you a warm beverage, access to all of the museum’s exhibits and the chance to shop local vendors like Sanitas Designs and Silver Fox Apothecary, to name a few. Carolers from Opera on Tap Colorado will also be on hand for a little extra holiday cheer, and there’s a gift-wrapping station on-site.
Firefly Handmade — Boulder and Denver
Get a head start on your holiday shopping by visiting the Firefly Handmade Holiday Market in Boulder on the Pearl Street Mall on Nov. 11-12. Then, if you’re still not done buying gifts, head down to Old South Gaylord Street in Denver’s Wash Park neighborhood for another Firefly Handmade Holiday Market on Dec. 9-10. Both locations will have live music, plus more than 80 makers and artisans specializing in everything from skincare and home goods to outdoor gear.
WinterFest Market
Chautauqua is once again hosting its annual WinterFest, which includes festive activities like horse-drawn carriage rides, visits to Santa’s Cottage, a holiday concert by Jeff and Paige and so much more. One of the many free activities at the festival is the WinterFest Market, which is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 9-10. You’ll find Chautauqua-branded merchandise, plus cool gifts from local vendors and artists.
