Your Chicago Vacation Market Guide
CHICAGO – Grab some spiced wine and your wallet – it’s time to visit Chicago’s holiday markets.
The Block Club features more than 130 small businesses in its neighborhood gift guides. But if that’s not enough for those of you with very long gift lists, you can also stop by the city’s holiday markets to shop from local vendors.
Here are the markets in Chicago:
Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St. website.
Christkindlmarket is Chicago’s most famous — and largest — holiday market, with two locations — but downtown is the original. It recreates classic German Christmas markets.
Vendors set up their wares inside small log cabins, offering everything from glass ornaments to light-up paper stars, candles, gloves and German gingerbread hearts. You can also eat delicious foods, such as pastries, sausages, and warm drinks to keep you going. Plus, you can purchase one of their signature collectible mugs.
Be prepared for large crowds, especially if you stop by the downtown location after work or on weekends. Submission is free.
Open 11am-8pm Sunday-Thursday and 11am-9pm Friday-Saturday 17 November-December. 24. It is only open from 11am to 4pm on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.
Winter Wonderland is on Gallagher Road, 3635 N. Clark Street.
If you’re a fan of Christkindlmarket but don’t want to brave the huge crowds, check out the smaller version on Gallagher Way by Wrigley Field.
This version of the market still features plenty of vendors in log cabins, gifts to buy, and snacks.
But there’s more to Winter Wonderland than the small Christkindlmarket – you can also visit Santa’s Workshop and skate on a rink inside Wrigley Field. There are rides and games. Admission to Wrigley Field starts at $5.
Open 3-9pm Monday-Thursday, 11am-10pm Friday-Saturday and 11am-7pm Sundays November 21-January. 7. It is only open from 11am-4pm on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, and from 11am-9pm on November 21-22 and December 26-28. Christmas is closed.
Holiday Market at The Planet, 1400 W. 46th St., website.
The factory hosts a food and craft market for gifts for the holidays. Local vendors Mez Foods, Urban Eden and Tinyshop will be among those in attendance.
Submission is free.
Open 11am-3pm on December 10th.
Holiday pop-up at Pilsen Arts & Community House, 1637 W. 18th St. website.
Local craftsmen will sell their goods at this holiday market in Pilsen.
Submission is free.
Open noon-6pm November 25-26.
Community Roots Botanical Holiday Bazaar at 18th Street Cases de Cultura, 2057 W. 18th Street website.
You can shop from local vendors selling food, clothing, and more at this holiday market.
Open noon-5pm December 2.
Uprising Holiday Market at Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., website.
Makers and artisans will sell their wares at the Holiday Uprising Market on the Far South Side, and there will be drinks.
Open noon-4pm December 9th.
Pre-Kwanzaa Market at Harris Park, 6200 S. Drexel Street.
The pre-Kwanzaa market will feature food, dancing, raffles, and live music — and of course, you’ll be able to shop.
Submission is free.
Open 11am-8pm December 1-2.
Winter Market at Plant Chicago, 4459 S. Marshfield Ave. website.
This winter market will focus on sustainable shopping and will include a free cooking demonstration.
Submission is free.
Open 11am-3pm December 9th.
One of a kind at Merchandise Mart, 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza. website.
Works by more than 500 artists, makers and designers will be available at the market’s unique holiday gallery, formerly known as the Merchandise Mart.
You can get furniture, jewelry, photography, pet products, and more. Admission starts at $15.
Open 10am-7pm December 7th-9th and 10am-5pm December 10th.
Craft Market and Festival, 5211 Clark Street website.
This Scandinavian market is held at the American Swedish Institute and features handcrafted goods from more than 60 makers. You can get jewelry, ceramics, artisanal glass, and more.
Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for children.
Open December 2-3.
ShopColumbia Holiday Market, 619 S. Wabash Ave. website.
You can get jewelry, fashion, art, housewares, and more made by Columbia employees and students. Submission is free.
Open from 4 to 20 December.
Holiday Market Catalog at Willis Tower, 233 S. Wacker Drive. website.
You can search for gifts from vendors at this market located in the Willis Tower. Submission is free.
Open 10am-2pm December 5-7 and December 12-14.
Millennium Park Holiday Arts Market at Chase Promenade North, 201 E. Randolph Street Website.
Vendors will sell pottery, paintings and more, and there will be live music.
Submission is free.
Open noon-8pm November 17-18, and noon-5pm November 19.
Chicago Art Department Holiday Market, 1926 Halsted Street location.
Shop from small businesses and makers in Pilsen at this holiday market. There will be more than 30 vendors. Submission is free.
Open 6-10pm December 8th.
Renegade Chicago, 401 N. Morgan Street Website.
The Renegade Craft Fair returns with a winter market featuring more than 170 artists who will offer creative, handcrafted products.
Submission is free.
Open 11am-5pm December 16-17.
Refine Collective’s Maker Mall at salonlb, 1010 W. 35th St. location.
This market will feature small businesses of women and creative people of color. There will be a bar with non-alcoholic drinks.
Submission is free.
Open noon-6pm November 18-19.
Refine Collective’s Maker Mall at the Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave. website.
This market will feature small businesses of women and creative people of color.
Submission is free.
Open noon-6pm December 3.
Randolph Street Market, 1341 W. Randolph Street location.
There will be 125 vendors at the market, plus cocktails, food, DJs and more.
General admission is $12 for both days.
Open 10am-5pm December 18-19.
Holy Jolly Holiday Market, 4100 N. Damen Ave. website.
This North Center Market will provide you with opportunities to shop, eat, drink and listen to live music.
Open noon-6pm December 9th.
Lumberland’s Remodeling Market, 1740 W. Webster Ave.
One-of-a-kind crafts from local vendors will be available during the Lumberland Market.
Admission starts at $15.
Open 6:30-9:30pm on December 9th.
Underground Art Market at Salonlb, 1010 West 35th Street. Website.
You’ll find all kinds of gifts available for purchase at Underground Art Market, including recycled artwork, home decor, and music.
Submission is free.
Open 2-8pm on December 2 and noon-4pm on December 3.
Chicago Artisan Market, two locations. website.
The Chicago Artisan Market features unique home goods, art, fashion and more from across the Midwest.
Admission is $8 online or $10 at the door.
Ravenswood Market is open 10am-4pm November 25-26 at 4325 N. Ravenswood Ave. Fulton Market is open Dec. 13 at 401 N. Morgan St.
Mindful Market at Wildlight Yoga, 4041 N. Milwaukee Ave., No. 301. Website.
Wildlight hosts a Mindful Market with local artists, makers and healers, as well as small business refreshments on Saturdays. Submission is free.
Open 9am-3pm on 25 November.
Thrifty Vintage Pop-Up Market at Second Suites, 3323 W. Diversey Ave. website.
This market will feature local artists creating handmade goods, including food, jewelry and art. Submission is free.
Open 11am-7pm November 17-19.
Gnarly or Gnice Holiday Sale at Drama Club, 2241 S. Oakley Ave. website.
This market will feature artwork from over 20 artists for purchase. There will also be a musical performance. Submission is free.
Open 2-6pm December 16th.
Jack Frost Holiday Pop-up Market, 170 Greene St. Website.
This two-acre pop-up vacation features winter snowmobiles, ice skating, ax throwing, and more.
Tickets start at $15.
Open 4-10pm Monday-Friday and 2-10pm Saturday-Sunday 25 November-January. 5.
Pre-Christmas Saltine Night Market at the Chicago Athletic Association, 12 S. Michigan Ave. website.
You can support small businesses by purchasing from local vendors at this market. There will be food, drinks and music from DJ Johnnie Walker. There will be more than 40 vendors.
Submission is free.
Open 5-10pm December 8-9.
Windy City Made at Stan’s Mansion, 2408 N. Kedzie Blvd. website.
This market will feature art and vintage items from over 70 local vendors.
Tickets are $10-$15 online.
Open 11am-5pm December 3rd.
Know a Chicago vacation market not shown here? Email Kelly@BlockClubChi.org and we’ll add it!
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