One needn’t wait for Small Business Saturday to shop local this holiday season. Head to one of these holiday pop-ups or Christmas markets. Many are free to peruse. So make your list, check it twice, and soon you’ll be rivaling the big man in the red suit.
Texas Christkindl Market
FREE Arlington’s long-running Texas Christkindl Market, modeled after the German Christmas tradition, has returned for in-person shopping. This year, it’ll be at Choctaw Stadium (formerly Globe Life Park) — and it’ll be free to enter. The market will feature unique handmade gifts, including authentic German collectibles such as products from retailer Käthe Wohlfahrt. There will also be treats for sale and live holiday music to enjoy.
Texas Christkindl Market is open through Jan. 2, Tuesdays through Fridays from 4 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Choctaw Stadium, 1000 Ballpark Way, Arlington. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Käthe Wohlfahrt is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Enter at the third base side, across from Texas Live. Free admission. Paid (and occasionally free) parking available. txchristkindlmarket.com.
Chi Omega Christmas Market
More than 190 merchants selling gifts, jewelry, holiday decor, toys, women’s clothes, linens and original art will be at this fashionable event, which raises funds for local charities and college scholarships. Pictures with Santa will be available Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Chi Omega Christmas Market is Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Automobile Building at Fair Park, 1010 First Ave., Dallas. $15. Enter Fair Park at Gate 6 off Robert B. Cullum Boulevard. Parking in lots 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B is $10. chiomegaxmas.org.
Vintage Market Days: Candy Cane Wishes
This indoor upscale flea market will feature vintage and handmade holiday decor and gifts. Vendors will be spread across two buildings, selling antique, reproduction, country chic and rustic items. Think quirky cowgirl gear, steampunk accessories, original visual art, jewelry, furnishings and architectural salvage. There will also be live music and food and drinks.
Vintage Market Days: Candy Cane Wishes is Nov. 19-21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Myers Park and Event Center, 7117 County Road 166, McKinney. $15 on Nov. 19, $10 on Nov. 20-21; free for children under 12. vintagemarketdays.com.
Knox Street’s Holiday Celebration
FREE About two dozen shops and restaurants on Knox Street between the Katy Trail and North Central Expressway will have activities, promotions and tastings. More vendors will set up at the Pop-Up Park at Knox and Travis streets. In addition, there will be live reindeer from 10 a.m. to noon, performances by the Concert Truck and Pegasus Contemporary Ballet, and food for sale from Parlor’s Ice Cream Cart and the Salty Donut sweet shop and coffee bar.
Knox Street’s Holiday Celebration is Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Knox Street’s Pop-Up Park, 3311 Knox St. at Travis Street, Dallas. Free admission. knoxstreetdallas.com.
Funky Finds Holiday Shopping Experience
FREE This annual market boasts more than 150 local makers and pickers selling handmade, repurposed, upcycled and vintage items. Expect to find bath products, jewelry, holiday decor, ceramics, visual art, clothing and more. There will be photos with Santa, live music, charitable raffles and animal adoptions. This event is family- and pet-friendly.
Funky Finds Holiday Shopping Experience is Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Will Rogers Memorial Center, 3401 Burnett-Tandy Drive, Fort Worth. Free admission, $10 parking. funkyfinds.com.
CityLine Merry Market
FREE This Richardson hub of shops and dining will host an outdoor shopping event curated by Boho Market. There will be more than 70 local vendors of jewelry and other accessories, gift items, candles, bath products, clothing and more. Live music, free make-and-take crafts for kids, wreath-making workshops for $30, and a gift-wrapping station will be available.
CityLine Merry Market is Dec. 4 from 1 to 9 p.m. at CityLine Plaza, 1251 State St., Richardson. Free admission. citylinedfw.com.
Holiday Vendor Market
Shoppers can check out goods from local vendors on the Dallas Arboretum’s main entry plaza before heading to the gardens for the “12 Days of Christmas” exhibit and Christmas Village. More than two dozen booths will sell jewelry, ornaments, holiday treats and more.
Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road, Dallas. Included with arboretum admission: $17 for adults, $14 for seniors 65 and up, $12 for children 2-12, free for children younger than 2. $15 for parking or $10 if bought online in advance. dallasarboretum.org.
Holiday in the Garden
FREE Dozens of vendors will have booths at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden’s Holiday Sip and Shop event. Expect to find visual art, jewelry and other accessories, clothing, candles, soap, pottery, plants, hot cocoa bombs, tamales, baked goods and more. There will also be food trucks, carols performed by Fort Worth Opera singers and visits with Santa from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., Fort Worth. Free event admission does not include garden admission, but garden admission is free from 2 to 4 p.m. brit.org/events/holiday-in-the-garden.
Fan Expo Dallas Holiday Market
The sci-fi, comics and fantasy fest hosts a one-day shopping and holiday event. More than 100 artists, crafters and other retailers will have comics, artwork, toys, collectibles, T-shirts and other memorabilia for sale. There will also be a holiday-themed cosplay contest, visits with Santa and his elf, trivia, a snowball play area and craft-making activities.
Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Irving Convention Center, 500 W. Las Colinas Blvd., Irving. $10 cash at the door, free for children under 12. Parking is $10. fanexpohq.com/fanexpodallas.
Christmas Music Under the Dome and Marketplace
FREE Local Black artisans, makers and other vendors will sell their works inside the African American Museum in Fair Park. The selection will include clothing, jewelry, accessories, incense, soaps, teas and natural body products. There will also be musical performances. The galleries will be open to view current exhibits and the permanent collection.
Dec. 11-12 from noon to 4 p.m. at the African American Museum (in Fair Park), 3536 Grand Ave., Dallas. Free admission. facebook.com/africanamericanmuseumdallas.
White Rock Holiday Market
FREE In addition to its usual farmers market vendors, Good Local Market’s final East Dallas market of the season will include people selling locally crafted gifts and items for holiday meals. Expect to find tamales, seasonings, baked goods, coffee, pottery, candles, jewelry and visual art.
Dec. 18 from 8 a.m. to noon at Lake Pointe Church White Rock, 9150 Garland Road, Dallas. Free admission. facebook.com/goodlocalmarkets.
Boho Market
FREE Small business support system Boho Market will have Etsy-style artists, makers and vendors at both Main Street Garden in downtown Dallas and Collin County’s Frisco Square. Both locations will be festive. Main Street Garden is the home base of the Downtown Stocking Stroll, and Frisco Square has a light display set to music, an ice skating rink, visits with Santa, a carnival and carriage rides.
Dec. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Main Street Garden, 1902 Main St., Dallas, and Dec. 18 from noon to 6 p.m. at Frisco Square, 8874 Coleman Blvd., Frisco. Free admission. facebook.com/thebohomarketplace/events.
Dallas Farmers Market Holiday Market
FREE The regular Shed vendors will be selling their wares, including regionally grown produce, herbs, local honey and other gourmet ingredients, plus local small businesses and artists will have booths outside with gift items such as jewelry, clothing, home decor and visual art.
Dec. 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Dallas Farmers Market, 920 S. Harwood St., Dallas. Free admission. dallasfarmersmarket.org.
Oak Cliff Makers Market Holiday Pop Up
FREE Atomic Home Supply will have about 20 other local small businesses selling their wares in the store’s loft area. There will be antiques and handmade items such as home decor, jewelry, wood and fiber crafts, ceramics, flower arrangements, succulent displays, soaps and baked goods.
Dec. 19 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Atomic Home Supply, 336 Jefferson Blvd., Dallas. Free admission. facebook.com/AtomicHomeSupply/events.
Dallas Millennial Holiday Market
FREE About 60 small businesses will sell last-minute gifts at Four Corners Brewing Co. in the Cedars. Enjoy a complimentary mimosa or purchase a pint while shopping booths inside the taproom and outside in the beer garden. Kids and pets are welcome; must be 21 or older to drink alcohol.
Dallas Millennial Holiday Market is Dec. 19 from 1 to 6 p.m. at Four Corners Brewing Co., 1311 S. Ervay St., Dallas. Free admission. dallasmillennialmarket.com.
The Market at Legacy North
FREE The Shops at Legacy North will host block parties with artisan markets in November and December. More than 30 local artists, makers and retailers will have booths, plus there will be live music, art installations, photo ops, and food and drinks from on-site restaurants and food trucks.
The Market at Legacy North is Nov. 21 and Dec. 19 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Shops at Legacy North, 7401 Lone Star Drive, Plano. Free admission. facebook.com/ShopsAtLegacy/events.
