DC area Christmas Markets

[Anonymous]

Any of these worth going to? I’ve heard nothing but negative things about the one downtown (incredibly crowded, meh vendors). We went to the Mosaic one last year and it was just okay, seemed to be the same old same old vendors they have during every special fair - we live close by and go a lot).

Any others? Anyone have good things to say about the downtown DC market? Just contemplating taking the family there one upcoming weekend.

[Anonymous]

Haven't been, but there is a small new one opening this year on 19th st in Dupont Circle that may be worth checking out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Haven't been, but there is a small new one opening this year on 19th st in Dupont Circle that may be worth checking out.

The one at Dupont this year is the market that has previously been downtown. The downtown market will be something new that is run by a different company.

[Anonymous]

Union Market in NE advertised a holiday market, so I took my teen kids today. The holiday market consisted of two really lame vendors and some kind of food truck. We did have good food for lunch, but the so called holiday market was lame. Maybe they'll have more in coming weeks?

[Anonymous]

They all are awful.

[Anonymous]

I have yet to find a proper European-style Christmas market in the US, and not for lack of trying. Most of them are just generic craft fairs with some hot cider thrown in. You can go to a local craft fair in July and buy the same crap.

[Anonymous]

There are so many now! I’m a vendor who started this year and I’ve been to a few.

By far the best one was the MONA mom’s sip and share last week in Arlington. It’s not formally juried for handcrafted items, but it’s very bougie with a great selection. Today I went to one at the Line hotel in Adams Morgan. Great space, they needed more vendors though, it took me 10 min to walk through it.

Here’s some more options (sorry I’m not going to do links but you can google).

Next weekend there is one hosted by District Motherhued, which is the largest black community holiday market in the area I think. It might have some different things. It’s at Metrobar DC in NE.

Dec 7/8 there are a lot. The City of Falls Church has one. And Washington Liberty and the McLean craft show are that weekend. They are juried, which means they are picky about hand crafted items only. I’ll be at a DC venue in DuPont called Ipade on the 7th. It’s a black owned event space so will likely be a lot of black vendors. I’m excited bc I’ve heard the space itself is quite lovely. On yhe 8th I’ll be at St Rita’s Saint Nicholas market in Alexandria. No idea if it’s any good. I think the Swedish embassy has one on Dec 7 as well which I imagine is great simply due to the space.

The Crossing Clarendon has one on the 7/8 as well.

The Heurich has an entry fee but looks pretty awesome- it is curated to be artisan only and the venue looks very old European. I think it starts December 8 and goes for a week or so.

Dec 14/15 City of Fairfax has its market, as well as McLean HS and Wakefield HS on the 14th. Wakefield is supposedly the same organizers as Washington Liberty but it’s a much less established market. I’ll be there. Herndon has one on the 14th which is supposed to be quite good.

Alexandria old Town has several so google those.

Theres also a HUGE one at the Dulles Expi Center coming up that is very strictly curated, I think that would be cool, you’ll have to google the date.

The thing about markets and vendors is that vendors have to pay to attend them and we have to be selective. My rule is that if there is a lot of other stuff going on like kid stuff, I avoid it bc I know people are there to entertain their kids with shopping as an adjacent activity. I think markets like McLean and Wash/Liberty will be good bc they are shopping focused and not kid focused and they attract good vendors. For a good mix of shopping/kid I think Herndon will be pretty good. Ultimately though, there’s only so much one can create by hand. It will be soaps, candles, jewelry, chocolates, handbags, etc. I saw one lady doing polymer clay earrings at MONA and they were so cute. Haven’t seen anyone selling their crochet yet surprisingly.

For future reference there’s one at the world bank dealer in November. Google MMEG market and you can find their instagram.

I’ve heard nothing but bad things about the two DC ones. Hope you get to explore some of others!

[Anonymous]

What are you looking for in a Christmas market? I have been looking for one approximating a European market, and the closest I've found so far is the one in Herndon, which is modeled on a German market and sells mulled wine. But even it is still not great. I just don't understand why these don't catch on here - they're so much fun in Europe!

[Anonymous]

I've been all over the world and I have to say that DC is the most depressing place for anything unique like museums, Christmas markets and artistically inclined.

DMV prides itself on being a diverse, educated and interesting population. But really, this city is made up of lobbyists, lawyers and fed employees/contractors. I mean how creative is this lot gonna be???!!!!!

You must go to Chicago, NYC or even Boston for anything seriously cool.

[Anonymous]

Thanks OP, but could you please try to use the more inclusion term Holiday market, instead of “christmas market?”

TIA !

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks OP, but could you please try to use the more inclusion term Holiday market, instead of “christmas market?”

TIA !

[Anonymous]

DP - It's not a holiday market though. It is a Christmas Market. Europeans have the traditional markets and yes, they in fact, celebrating the spirit of Christmas. Sorry, the PC term may be holiday and I do holiday cards v Christmas cards personally but in the context and spirit of these markets - it is wrong to call them holiday markets! They are what they are, it's not like they're trying to disrespect someone who doesn't believe in Christ but the reality is that these are about Christmas!!!

[Anonymous]

My favorite is the Holiday Market at the Dulles Expo Center the first weekend in November. It is indoors and during the day, but it's festive and fun. It costs $8 to enter but we always look forward to the hot sauce, fudge, woodworking, and other venders.

I really enjoy the Washington-Liberty HS Holiday Bazaar. Dec 7th year. No mulled wine, but lots of treats, coffee roaster, pottery and Christmas ornaments, etc. The student tables have some great Chinese food, cookies, and fudge. I love it.

The following Saturday is the McLean HS holiday market--again, the student tables have some fun treats. Last year, the Vietnamese club had all kinds of spring rolls. A knitting lady sells beautiful hats and scarves. That's what I remember anyway.

[Anonymous]

I want to try the Annapolis Holiday Market this year. Has anyone been?

[Anonymous]

The only good one I've been to is the one in Baltimore. We went last year and really enjoyed it. I hope to go back this year if we can make some time.

IIRC, the one that USED to be near the CapOne Arena/Portrait Gallery is now the one in Dupont Circle and there's a brand new one with new vendors near CapOne Arena/Portrait Gallery.

The one near CapOne got really bad over the last few years, IMO. Last year's had several vendors selling straight up Temu/Ali Express crap.

Also, if you want one that has a European-ish feel, there's one in Herndon (I think it's 12/14 this year) that is quite nice! I went the year before last and it did give me European-vibes. Is it an exact replica? No, and it's very, very hard to replicate those found in Germany, etc. I went the year before last and ended up finding some very nice gifts, which is something I had not done at the DC market for many years.