These days, you may not have to travel very far to find good Christmas markets. On the Upper East Side of Manhattan, for example, you can find the famous Plaza Hotel’s quaint outdoor market, where harpist Oliver Schneidermaier plays. Elsewhere in New York, the city’s iconic holiday district teems with vendors offering fake snow, pastries, hand-painted jewelry, handmade scarves and more.
Meanwhile, there are plenty of Christmas markets still going in our area. Here are two good examples:
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The D.C. Artisans Christmas Market, which began in 2014, takes place this year in Dupont Circle’s Pennsylvania Avenue from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. It’s one of the many locations in the city where you can find handmade holiday gifts (we suggest the Ace Hotel’s merchandise), art and craft items, plus a wide selection of gifts for kids. There are workshops for kids on gift-making and holiday decorating, plus music by national and local performers, as well as a Children’s Music Theatre theater series. Admission is free; for information, go to carnegie.edu/dccm.
And if you’re looking for a more unusual holiday experience, you can go to the Christmas Market in the Rockville Metro station. At the exhibit there, visitors can make ornaments, get manicures, check out stationery and relax under the trees. There will also be a large Christmas tree selling craft ornaments and greeting cards, and a DJ spin on the intercom. The market will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Wurtele R & F parking lot at the station, on Rockville Pike in Rockville. For information, go to wurtele.com.
Here’s a quick guide to some of our local markets, where you can find handmade gifts:
CHARLES HUDSON DISTRICT
The Holiday Antique and Antique Market is taking place in the outdoor space outside the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 2 and 9. The center is at the end of a long drive, in a space that also accommodates the Y’s Sculpture Show, an exhibit of sculptural works by artists from around the world. On Dec. 3, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Centennial Cupcake Bakery in the Garden District will be hosting its 4th annual Cookie Boutique for community members. The event will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and includes many prizes and local artisans. For information on the stone barns holiday market, go to stonebarnscountryroad.org.
MARYLAND
The Bethesda, MD Botanic Garden Holiday Market will be held at the garden from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 11. Admission is free. For more information, go to babyloneconnection.org.
LOUISVILLE
Christmas Town Louisville will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 10 and 11. Admission is free. For more information, go to christmastownlouisville.com.
McLEAN
The Candlelight Christmas Market will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10 at the Wile Corp. from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 14. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children under 12. For more information, go to candlelightchristmasmarket.org.
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
The
New York Candlelight Christmas Market in Woodbridge, VA will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10. Admission is free. For more information, go to nychotocolatemarket.com.
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