Give friends and loved ones something special this holiday season: a slice of Philly spirit.
It’s easier than ever, because there are so many ways to shop local this year that it was hard to corral all the bazaars and markets and pop-ups into one post.
Love Park’s spectacular Christmas Village set-up isn’t the only game in town — though it’s definitely worth checking out. From Center City to Southwest Philly, stop by these free-to-enter spots to support artisans in your community and pick up one-of-a-kind presents for everyone on your list.
Crafty Balboa
Bok, 1901 S 9th St.
11 a.m. to 5 p.m Sunday, Dec. 8
The historic Bok building, a school-turned-makerspace, is home to a number of holiday bazaars. One is Crafty Balboa, a pop-up market celebrating more than 80 local artisans. Yona Yurwit Art will be selling hand-designed paper goods, Vellum Soap Company will be hawking soaps you can literally eat and Julia Max Designs serves “a very Philly Christmas” with Philly-themed prints, tees and hoodies.
Made @ BOK
Bok, 1901 S 9th St.
12 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14
South Philadelphia’s artist-centric coworking space is hosting a holiday market featuring the building’s tenants on Saturday, Dec. 14 starting at 12 p.m. In addition to shopping with local artisans like Stover Ceramics and The Tiny Jeweler, shoppers can have a bite at BOK’s new barbecue restaurant South Philly Smokhaus, enjoy snacks from other tenants and beer on tap.
Southeast by Southeast Sale
Bok, 1901 S. 9th St.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21
Last-minute shoppers, rejoice. Bok will host this benefit holiday sale just four days before Christmas. The Mural Arts Porch Light program is bringing a cash-only multicultural arts and crafts sale to the former school building. Handmade crafts and textiles made by people from around the world will be on tap, with proceeds going directly to the vendors, many of whom come from immigrant and refugee communities.
South Philly Handmade Brigade
1241 Carpenter Studios, 1241 Carpenter St.
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
Shopping local for the holidays isn’t hard with the diverse array of artisanal bazaars popping up around Philadelphia. South Philly Handmade Brigade is in its 14th year. Shoppers can find handmade glass, ceramics, jewelry and housewares. There will be a photobooth and snacks at the all day affair.
Greensgrow Holiday Bazaar
Greensgrow Farms, 2501 E. Cumberland St.
10 a.m. to 4p.m. Nov. 30 to Dec. 1, Dec. 7 to 8
Grab your Christmas tree and gifts to go under it at Greensgrow Farms’ two-weekend holiday bazaar. Greensgrow is an urban farm with locations near Kensington and West Philadelphia. After Thanksgiving, the farm puts away its veggies and other plants and busts out the Pennsylvania-grown Christmas trees. Also on tap for the bazaar are art and crafts gifts, jewelry and wood work.
Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
Dilworth Park, 1 S 15th St.
Various times, Nov. 23 to Jan. 1, 2020
Every Christmas the outdoor area around City Hall transforms into a winter wonderland complete with the glittering Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink, an intimate winter garden, and a pop-up lodge bar and restaurant. The Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market is one of the area’s biggest attractions. Featuring more than 50 local vendor tents selling everything from African folk art to soy candles in upcycled beer bottles, the Made in Philadelphia market opens on Saturday and will remain until New Year’s Day.
Christmas Village
LOVE Park, JFK Blvd and 15th St.
Various times, Nov. 28 to Dec. 24
From Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve, more than 80 wooden kiosks will dot the newly-designed LOVE Park to resemble a German Christmas market at Philadelphia’s long-standing holiday bazaar. New this year, shoppers overlook the city on a 65-foot Ferris wheel. The market offerings runs the gift gamut-there’ll be international presents at stands like the Moroccan Little Marrakesh Bazaar and Irish Donegal Importers, Eagles accessories, gift jams and coffees, soaps and lotions. Shoppers can also spread some cheer by shopping at stands like Abundantly Good, Philabundance’s high quality cheese brand whose sales benefit anti-hunger efforts.
Holidays at the Comcast Center
Comcast Technology Center, 1800 Arch St.
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 3 to 31
Philadelphia’s largest media conglomerate is getting in on the holiday cheer with a curated merchants market inside its Comcast Technology Center. In addition to vendors, the installation will feature pop-ups from Comcast NBCUniversal and Visit Philadelphia, with rotating live performances and other bits of community programming.
West Craft Fest
The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7-8
Head to the Rotunda in University City on the first full weekend of December for two days of holiday retail therapy. Different vendors will decorate the theater space each day, selling locally-made clothing, prints, greeting cards, toys, homewares and other gifts.
Handmade Holidays and Green Sale
Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
Bartram’s Garden wants to help holiday shoppers deck the halls, literally. At the 45-acre botanical garden, community farm and riverfront, outdoors lovers can browse a selection of decorated and undecorated wreaths and fresh centerpieces, ornamental greens and roping and plant-based stocking stuffers. There will also be free make and take workshops, children’s activities and chestnuts roasting by an open fire.
Mt. Airy Art Garage Annual Holiday Art Market
Mt. Airy Art Garage, 6622 Germantown Ave.
Various times, Dec. 14 to 15
Artists displaying at the Mt. Airy Art Garage Art Market retain all of their sales at this juried fine art and crafts fair. The 11th annual event will also include food and music for the fine art sale.
