Chicago is known for its vibrant and bustling holiday markets offering unique shopping experiences, delicious food, and festive activities. From the iconic Christkindlmarket to the lesser-known ShopColumbia, there’s something for everyone in the Windy City.

Here’s our current running list of local holiday markets and I’m sure more will be announced soon! No matter which market you choose, you will find something special to help make your holiday season even more memorable.

November

Renegade Chicago at Morgan Manufacturing – November 9-10. A curated market featuring local and national small businesses.

Holiday Open House at Gethsemane – November 16-17. Gethsemane is one of my favorite garden and gift centers. Don’t miss their fantastic displays! They’ll have a live jazz trio and a gift certificate raffle.

Christkindlmarket – November 22-Dec 24. Our most famous winter market has two locations this year – Loop and Aurora. This is one of my favorite holiday events of the season!

Navidad En El Barrio: Puerto Rican Artisan Holiday Market – November 23, Dec 7, Dec 14, Dec 21. Discover unique gifts that can’t be found in stores and support small Puerto Rican/Latino-owned businesses in Chicago.

Markets for Makers at Artifact Events – Featuring over 100 makers who mostly call Illinois or the Midwest home, this Ravenswood event will feel like Etsy IRL! November 23-24, tickets start at $8. My tip: if you don’t like crowds while shopping, spring for the VIP ticket and get in early for the preview.

Millennium Park Holiday Art Market – This market is meant to coincide with the official tree lighting ceremony the weekend of November 22-24. The Art Market, in the Chase Promenade North tent, will feature local artists selling various items, including jewelry, pottery, drawings, paintings, and more. Admission is free.

Chicago Artisan Holiday Market at Artifact Events – November 30-Dec 1. Featuring over 200 artisans, this market has two buildings, two floors, and three bars! General Admission is $8 in advance.

Logan Square Winter Bazaar – November 29. In the former Extraordinarium retail space! The Winter Bazaar will be open every Saturday through March 29, 2025.

Logan Square Makers Market & Bar Hop – November 30 – Celebrate Small Business Saturday with Revolution Brewing, Navigator Taproom, and Pilot Project Brewing.

Small Business Saturday in Lincoln Square – On November 30, Small Business Saturday will be celebrated in Lincoln Square. Local businesses will offer special discounts and promotions, while various festive events will occur throughout the day. Start your day by taking pictures with Santa, enjoy holiday tunes performed by Victorian Carolers, and end the day with the annual Tree Lighting ceremony.

December

Holiday Gift Market at the Salt Shed – December 1. Love this location! Free to attend.

Holiday Market at The Gwen – December 1. This curated holiday market is free to attend!

Marche De Noel at Pioneer Court – December 3-21. This European market will be in the courtyard across from the Wrigley Building.

ShopColumbia’s 16th Annual Holiday Market – December 4-20. ShopColumbia is a year-round boutique in Columbia’s South Loop Campus. It sells the best creations of Columbia artists and serves as a learning laboratory for emerging artists. The shop offers students a professional setting to enhance their skills in presenting, marketing, and selling their work to the public.

Damen at Night Holiday Shopping Event – December 5,12, & 19. Participating Ravenswood businesses will be open late with refreshments, specials, pop-up vendors, and more to add a little holiday cheer to your evening. 

One of a Kind Holiday Show at The Mart – Running December 5-8 at the Chicago Mart, this market hosts 500 artists, designers, and makers. Tickets are $15 and are valid for entry all four days of the show. Children under 12 are free. A portion of all ticket sales will benefit the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

Southport Holiday Stroll & Cocktail Crawl – December 6. The stroll is free to attend and lots of fun!

Winter Wonderland Craft & Vendor Market at Gallagher Way – December 6-8. Winterland is always a good idea!

Pre-Kwanzaa Holiday Celebration and Marketplace at Africa International House – December 6-7

Holiday Native Market at the American Indian Center in Albany Park – December 7

Ravenswood Light Up Nights Festival and Holiday Market – December 7.

Wonderful West Town Sip & Shop – December 7

Northwest Side Holiday Trolley – December 7. Four trolleys will travel through Jefferson Park, Portage Park, 6 Corners, and Irving-Austin, stopping at participating local businesses. You can ride the trolley and swing into the neighborhood shops to take advantage of their deals and sales.

Rudolph’s Holiday Market at Zhou B Art Center – December 7-8

Drie-cember Holiday Market at The Driehaus Museum – December 7-15

Holiday Glow: Black Joy Market at The Avenue in Bridgeport – December 8

Albany Park’s 2nd Annual Sip, Shop & Trolley Hop – December 12

Hyde Park Holiday Market at The Promontory – Presented by the Hyde Park Farmers Market, this event is on December 14 from 9 am – 2 pm.

Logan Square Cocoa Crawl – December 14

Randolph Street Holiday Market Festival – This market has a ton of stuff! It runs December 14-15 in the Plumbers Hall Building in the West Loop. Tickets start at $12.

Chicago Artisan Holiday Market in Fulton Market – December 15. Over 115 artisans in the historic Morgan Manufacturing building. General Admission is $8 in advance.

Thanks for reading! Check out more Holiday content here!

Happy Holiday Shopping!

Christine