Find Gifts for Everyone on Your List At These Holiday Craft Markets (2024)

A handmade gift is extra thoughtful—but no one said you have to do the crafting yourself!Instead, hit up one of the Midwest’s many holiday maker fairs, where you can stroll among booths and tables while sipping hot cocoa and perusing one-of-a-kind gifts. Whether you come back with blown-glass ornaments, spice blends, screen-printed tees, ceramic mugs or letterpress cards, you’re sure to have your yuletide cup filled. Here are our favorite Christmas markets and craft fairs across the Midwest.

re:Craft and Relic’s Holiday Market, Franklin, Wisconsin

Stay cozy at this indoor event in suburban Milwaukee that features some 160 makers, vintage curators, and pop-up boutiques (November 9–10, 2024). Shoppers enter the sports complex-turned-market through an elaborately themed lobby. Once inside, you can listen to live music, sample gourmet tater tots from Tots on the Street, customize a trucker hat at the Wild Lavender mobile boutique trailer, pick a pom-pom for a custom knit hat from Covered Bridge Crafts, or personalize Christmas decor with calligraphy done on-site by Rosie’s Craft Company. Need a last-minute gift? A second Handmade Holiday Mini Market features 50 vendors (December 21, 2024).

Holiday Market at Gideon Owen Wine Company, Port Clinton, Ohio

Wax Buffalo’s Winter Market, Lincoln, Nebraska

Hosted by a beloved local candle business that also runs a small cocktail bar, Wax Buffalo’s Winter Market brims with 130 local shops and makers (December 8, 2024). Don't miss Lulubee Artisanal Chocolates, Papi Churro or Wax Buffalo’s own Bubble Bar, which pours both spirited and nonalcoholic holiday beverages for sipping while meandering through the market. There are attractions for the littlest shoppers, too. Kids can visit with Santa, pen letters to send to the North Pole or check out Candy Cane Lane, a twist on trick-or-treating where kids can visit specific booths to fill a purchased stocking with candy and other goodies.

Curated. Crafted. Created. Holiday Market, Columbia, Missouri

Held early in the season for those folks who like to get a running start before Black Friday, the Curated. Crafted. Created. Makers Market features more than 80 artisans and makers (November 17, 2024). Highlights include Lovely Jubbly Ornaments (selling baubles for your tree) and Grandma’s Southern Eats (making local favorite gooey butter cake). If a new pup or cat is on your wish list this year, visit a pet adoption area hosted by two shelters, Little Ray of Sunshine and Central Missouri Humane Society. You can also send toys to the University of Missouri Children's Hospital via The Secret Elf Toy Drive.

Indiana Artisan Holiday Marketplace, Fort Wayne, Indiana

The Indiana Artisan Holiday Marketplace highlights the work of Hoosier potters, wood and glass artists, jewelry designers, painters, photographers, mixed-media artists, and and fiber or textile makers (November 22–23, 2024). Shoppers can connect personally with artists like Terry Armstrong, who’s painted her own unique watercolor version of the ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, or Carol Burt, a local ceramicist. And be sure to sample homemade caramels, stirred by hand in copper pots over an open flame, by Abbott’s Candy, a business that's been around for more than a century.

Winter Solstice Market, Winterset, Iowa

Offering a curated mix of handmade and local goods (including some nods to the nearby covered bridges of Madison County), the Winter Solstice Market is held in The Winterset Livery, where early settlers tied up their horses when they came to town. Befitting thatrural heritage, many vendors hail from the surrounding rolling countryside, like Lone Oaks Farm, known for farm-to-table dinners in the summer; Pepper Harrow, selling floral arrangements and lavender goods; and Rusty Stars Alpacas, which makes hats, socks, and the softest teddy bears you've ever felt (December 13–14, 2024).

One of a Kind Holiday Show, Chicago

While some of the fests on our list are relatively new, the ticketed One of a Kind Holiday Show has been happening for more than 20 years. And with 600 vendors, it more than lives up to its name, showcasing top-quality furniture, clothes, ceramics and edible gifts (December 5–8, 2024). Here are a few highlights: In the Fine Art Gallery, you can browse paintings and sculpture. A local nonprofit, Marwen, provides space to make crafts, like jewelry and gingerbread cookie ornaments. And the Winter Pine Market showcases beautiful seasonal arrangements and holiday wreath-making classes from show partner Flowerchild Chicago. A portion of ticket and tote bag proceeds from the show benefit the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

Cherokee Print Bazaar, St. Louis

As St. Louis’ largest holiday arts market, the Cherokee Print Bazaar is unique among Midwest holiday craft fairs because of its creative focus. The 150 vendors work exclusively in the realm of printed design—etchings, screen printings, wood-block prints, letterpress and more. Rather than lining a single event space or sidewalk, booths are tucked inside shops, bars and other businesses along historic Cherokee Street (December 7, 2024). Dress in layers, as you’ll be popping in and out of shops, browsing funky calendars, stationery, posters and tees.

Chicago Artisan Market, Chicago

The Chicago Artisan Market is more than just an annual or even semi-annual event; it’s a whole assortment of fairs held throughout the year in both the city and the suburbs. Of the hundreds of local and regional makers represented, some two-thirds are woman- or minority-owned businesses. For holiday shopping, check out a Small Business Saturday (and Sunday) event in Ravenswood (November 30–December 1, 2024) and two Flagship Sunday Markets in Fulton Market (November 17 and December 15, 2024).

Ship-Chic Holiday Show, Shipshewana, Indiana

In northern Indiana, Shipshewana is known for antiques and flea markets; a popular spin-off of those events is the three-times-a-year Ship-Chic Craft and Vintage Show (December 7, 2024). Some 120 booths offer a gamut of distinctive treasures, including jewelry, home decor and hand-poured candies. (A couple of favorites: Naomi's Candies for melt-in-your-mouth treats and Petal My Pretties, for accessories to deck Christmas tables.) After shopping, drive through the Lights of Joy display next door to see two million twinkling Christmas lights.

Oxford Community Arts Center Holiday Fest, Oxford, Ohio

For those wanting a cozier shopping experience, the Oxford Community Arts Center Holiday Fest hosts 23 talented crafters, showcasing wares like hand-stitched ornaments and beautiful pottery (December 7, 2024). In the Kids’ Korner, little ones can visit Santa Claus and participate in hands-on art activities or face painting. A 2-hour recital by Flowing Grace School of Dance caps off the day with select dances from The Nutcracker.