Seasonal shopping + charming scenes = great local holiday markets

In Hallmark holiday movies, the shopping scenes always have the same vibe: Cute, cozy, outdoorsy with lots of places for characters to get toasty. There’s rarely a mall, seldom a big box store and almost never a tablet screen for the shopping center.

Luckily, we can find that in real-life.

Welcome to the holiday market set up, a concept that’s taken on a myriad of interpretations. Across the Bay State, you’ll find all kinds of great holiday markets, from seaside and quaint to bustling in the big city.

They all share this in common: You’ll not only find your Hallmark holiday shopping bliss, you’ll find unique gifts as well. Consider these options, a few of the many holiday markets out there this season.

The Holiday Market at Snowport: If you were lucky enough to catch the great scene at Cisco Brewer’s pop-up brewery smack in the middle of the vibrant Seaport District this summer, it’s time to head there again.

This time, you’ll find the space reimagined as an adorable holiday village. The Holiday Market at Snowport (https://www.bostonseaport.xyz/holidaymarket/) sits like a little North Pole-ish village of small shops offering all kinds of cool gifts, food and more.

You’ll find 120 small, local businesses, 30% of which are new to the market and 71% of which are female and/or minority owned.

There’s food and drink – both to nosh there and to pack away for gifts, and even four bars including  a ringing “Jingle Bar” adorned in hundreds of bells and “The Dizzy Dreidel” decked with spinning dreidels.

You can be hands on too: The Crafting Corner by The Maker’s Club will host creative workshops for both kids and adults to make holiday-themed crafts like mason jar snowglobes, wreaths and ornaments.

The Seaport is easy to access and has lots of parking as well as easy train access. Should you want to make an overnight of it, check into the lovely nearby Omni Hotel at the Seaport (https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/boston-seaport), the affordable and comfy Element Boston  (https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/bosel-element-boston-seaport-district/) or the unique and lovely Envoy Hotel (https://www.theenvoyhotel.com/).

The Snowport is open seven days a week with varying hours through the end of the calendar year.

Harvard Square Holiday Fair: A tradition since 1986, the Harvard Square Holiday Fair (https://www.harvardsquareholidayfair.com/) takes place this year Dec. 15-17 and Dec. 21-23.

The fair, as always, leans into its motto of “peace, love and holiday shopping,” and features all kinds of local and global arts, crafts and products. You’ll  find pottery, jewelry, photography, upcycled clothing, hand wrought iron work, original art and prints, knitted hats, scarves, and sweaters and more.

While there are no food vendors in the fair itself, Harvard Square has endless dining and snacking choices, so you’re never more than a few steps away from a bite.

This year, the fair moves to One Brattle Square, on the corner of Brattle and Mt. Auburn Streets, at street level, an easy walk from the Harvard Square T stop.

Overnight stays are easy with lots of choices. For a great holiday vibe, check into the Charles Hotel Boston (https://www.charleshotel.com/), or the Kimpton Marlowe (https://www.hotelmarlowe.com/), where the annual “Miracle at Kimpton Marlowe” is in full swing with amazing decor and special holiday cocktails and treats.

The Canteen Holiday Market: Smaller but huge in vibe, Provincetown’s Canteen Holiday Market (http://canteenholidaymarket.com/) offers a truly seaside holiday scene, with 25 local artists from painters and herbalists to leather harness makers and jewelers  showing – and selling –  their work.

There’s a Backyard Bar where you can sip warm (or cold) concoctions in a cozy setting (think fresh baked holiday treats), and even a Canteen Winter Lodge where you can dine on classic winter fare.

The Canteen Holiday market is open varied dates as listed on their website.

Staying in Provincetown in the winter is extra special: Fewer crowds and quieter inns mean you’ll have a chance to get to know your innkeepers, and the beautiful winter colors of the water are breathtaking.

The Canteen Holiday Market:in Provincetown offers great shopping and food in a seaside setting. (Photo courtesy The Canteen)

 

Local holiday markets are known for items made by area artists. Here, winged blessing holders from Raelinda Woad’s Storyteller Jewelry at the Harvard Square Holiday Fair. (Photo courtesy Raelinda Woad)

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