9 unique craft fairs where you can shop local this holiday
Looking to add unique and local dimensions to your holiday shopping? We’ve rounded up some of the region’s biggest, best and coolest seasonal design and craft fairs to help you load up on gifts both big and small while supporting local businesses this fall.
Noel: A Vintage Holiday Market
Nov. 21-22 Funky accessory maker Bombshell Betty, doodler Lindsay Ostrom and former pro snowboarder-turned-artisan Tina Haller are among more than three dozen merchants scheduled to sell their holiday wares at this market created by Roseville crafts collective The Olive & Rose. The market also promises live carolers, as well as catering from Wander Food Truck. $5-$10. Prices and times vary by day. Placer County Fairgrounds. 800 All America City Blvd. Roseville. 206-9144. theoliveandrose.com
Handmade Holidays Craft and Food Swap
Nov. 23 Looking to get out of the holiday spending craze? Drop by downtown’s Shine Cafe for a fresh spin on the traditional craft fair: the Craft and Food Swap. Led by Amanda Branham of the website From House Parties to Housewife, local food enthusiasts and artisans are asked to bring either handmade goods or fashion (worth around $20) to trade or food samples to be ordered or swapped on the spot. $5. 4–7 p.m. 1400 E St. eventbrite.com
Square Tomatoes Craft Fair
Nov. 30 & Dec. 14 Organized largely by instructors at the UC Davis Craft Center, the Square Tomatoes Craft Fair in Davis’ Central Park offers an eclectic mix of more than 40 vendors including silversmiths, wool spinners, knitters, jewelers, bronze sculptors and wax casters. Tunes from the nine-piece New Harmony Jazz Band will help make spirits bright, while hungry shoppers can feast on seasonal desserts like the Red Velvet Peppermint cake by Claudia Maria Designs. Free. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Central Park. Davis. squaretomatoescrafts.com
Black Friday Celebration
Nov. 28 Commemorate the year’s most famous shopping day at East Sacramento Mercantile’s third annual Black Friday Celebration, which features a Holiday Shoppe of goods from local artists and merchants in addition to the year-round market’s usual apparel, jewelry and craft stores. The first 100 shoppers to drop by on the day after Thanksgiving will receive special discounts at the market’s boutiques, and all customers will be entered in a drawing for a two-hour “Limo Lights” tour for eight people to view holiday decorations around the Fab 40s. Free. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. 3257 Folsom Blvd. 718-7153. eastsacmercantile.com
Crocker Holiday Artisan Market 2014
Nov. 28–30 Together with the Creative Arts League of Sacramento, the Crocker Art Museum will bring over 100 artists to Scottish Rite Center in River Park for its annual Holiday Artisan Market. While kids can have their photos snapped with a Victorian-era Santa Claus, shoppers will have the opportunity to browse through everything from glassware to textiles, but also to meet the artists themselves. Ambrosia Café will serve food throughout the three-day holiday extravaganza. $6. Times vary by day. 6151 H St. 808-7000. crockerartmuseum.org
Good: Holiday Edition
Dec. 6–7 The monthly Good Street Food + Design Market returns for its final event of 2014, a two-day holiday hangout bringing local merchants, live music and great food to Del Paso Boulevard. Shoppers can browse festive offerings from the market’s artisans and designers, nosh at the Slightly Skewed and El Matador food trucks, and get their holiday pictures taken by local photographer Jenn Bartell. Meanwhile, Capitol Public Radio will host DJ Shaun Slaughter and DJ Epik on the decks while attendees decide between the hot chocolate bar and the cocktail demos. Free. 12–4 p.m. 1409 Del Paso Blvd. gooddesignmarket.com
Create in Cal
Dec. 9 Hot Italian is cooking up its fifth annual Create in Cal event, where pizza (and gelato) lovers can come eat, drink and shop for unique finds from Maya Kini Jewelry, masking tape artist Tapigami, Zen Threads T-shirts, and an array of other local designers and retailers showcasing regional creativity this Christmas season. Free. Hot Italian. 1627 16th St. 6–9 p.m. 444-3000. facebook.com/hotitalian
Handmade Holiday Pop-Up
Dec. 13 Part seasonal marketplace, part festive neighborhood holiday bash, this pop-up in the heart of midtown will feature vendors like the kids' clothing designer Ana Apple, the hand-illustrated stationery artists Semi-Sweet Press, the skincare team at Sudz by Studz, the calligraphers at Pigment and Parchment, the designers of Revitalized Vintage, and others whom attendees can visit while sipping egg nog, hot chocolate or coffee from Nicaraguan producer Finca Los Congos. Free. K St. Collective. 2319 K St. 1-4 p.m. 276-8737. kstcollective.com
Handmade Holidays Market
Dec. 20 For the sixth year running, nearly three dozen local artisans will gather downtown at Beatnik Studios, where last-minute holiday shoppers can browse an array of handmade goods—from clothing to toys to body products. In addition to rounding up gifts for others, attendees can treat themselves to delectable and drinkable offerings from Mama Kim Cooks and Insight Coffee while local dance company Aerial Evolution performs throughout the day. $2. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. 732 S St. 400-4281. beatnik-studios.com
Related Links
–Local coffee pioneers at Pachamama launch Kickstarter for new roaster
–Sticky Gator opens in midtown with spotlight on soul food and barbecue
–First look at Iron Horse Tavern, the next big eatery on the R Street corridor
