15 Art Markets This Holiday Season

Shopping that support local artists

By Ross Boissoneau | Nov. 1, 2025

’Tis the season already? Well, yes, at least when it comes to the multitude of holiday-themed arts and craft shows. From local churches and town halls to behemoths like Grand Traverse Resort and Castle Farms in Charlevoix, venues across the region welcome artists, crafters, bakers, and makers who showcase their wares to throngs of holiday shoppers.

In It for the Long Haul

Unlike the majority of shows, which are one- or two-day events, the Winter Market at Oliver Art Center is almost two months long.

“I think it’s the coolest place to shop for gifts in Benzie County,” says an admittedly biased Tamara Hoffbauer. The executive director of the Frankfort gallery says the market opens Nov. 7 and runs through Dec. 24, giving shoppers plenty of time to peruse the gallery and shop, pick out their favorites, then come back and do it again.

“As things change, artists restock, bring in new works—it’s constantly updating,” continues Hoffbauer. She says there are works in all media and gifts of all sorts, including jewelry, prints, wood, ornaments, and various art and crafts.

Between 50 and 100 different artists will be participating. When making the lineup, Hoffbauer asks the artists to think in terms of holiday gifting, rather than expansive (and potentially expensive) works of art. “We encourage artists to think gift pricing,” she says, noting that the sale is meant to complement the artworks on display at the gallery, rather than compete with them. “It expands the gift shop footprint.”

Indeed, the market is set up as an extension of the gift shop, with OAC staff overseeing the sale, rather than having artists at individual booths. “We’ll have gifts for ages five and up, [including] children’s art books, art projects, children’s books. A lot of things reasonably priced—wooden bowls, hand-painted mugs, art, cards, ornaments.”

The market will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm and Sundays noon to 4pm. The gallery is closed Mondays.

Hoffbauer says OAC will also be participating in Frankfort’s Community Christmas on Dec. 6. She believes the more ways in which the art center can take part in community events, the more people may venture to the art center. It is sequestered at the end of Coast Guard Road, jutting out into the Betsie River, separating Frankfort and Elberta. As people aren’t likely to stumble upon it on the way to anywhere else, she says it’s important to make the Oliver Art Center a destination.

Two Days Only

Nicole Zeiler, the store manager at the Dennos Museum Center, says one of the things that makes the museum’s Nov. 7 and 8 Holiday Market distinctive is the fact that despite spilling out into the Sculpture Court and Milliken Auditorium entryway, it remains relatively small and intimate.

“One of the things that makes it so special and gets so much great feedback from artists, customers, and museum members is we have a unique, small space,” Zeiler says.

That means attendees at the market, which runs 10am to 4pm each day, can interact directly with the presenting artists. “We can only accommodate 20 to 30 artists. People feel they get to engage with artists.” Zeiler says that lends to an atmosphere that’s welcoming but not overwhelming. “It’s festive and friendly,” she adds.

She says artists are invited to present based on recommendations from a jury committee of Northwestern Michigan College staff and faculty, Dennos staff, and members of the artist and art-related community. She selects new committee members each year to maintain a fresh and balanced perspective. That means there are always new artists showcasing their wares each year.

Zeiler says while the majority of artists are from the region, the show attracts some from elsewhere. “This year we have some from as far away as Detroit and Kalamazoo,” she says.

The committee also strives to ensure a variety of mediums and items for sale, like jewelry, fiber, glass, metal, illustration/drawing, pottery, and many more. “We want the customers to come back year after year,” says Zeiler.

That must be working, as she says the number of attendees continues to increase yearly. When it first started, the market was held in a small room. “It grew and grew,” says Zeiler. Its success also benefits the museum: “It might be their first time at the Dennos,” she says of some of the shoppers, who stay to wander the exhibits.

Ready, Set, Shop!

Those are just a couple examples of the art and gift shows that place across the region. In fact, there are so many we can’t list them all here. What follows is a sampling of the many such events taking place this year. Ho, ho, ho!

Crooked Tree Merry Marketplace
Nov. 8–Dec. 13, Tuesday-Friday 11am-5pm, Saturday 10am-4pm. Shop hundreds of unique handmade gifts and works of art from artists all over the state. Crooked Tree Art Center, 322 Sixth Street, Traverse City. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-traverse-city/merry-marketplace

Crooked Tree Holiday Bazaar
Nov. 14–Dec. 18, Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm. Original art available for purchase during the winter holiday shopping season. Crooked Tree Art Center, 461 E. Mitchell St., Petoskey. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/2025-holiday-bazaar-petoskey

Charlevoix Circle mARkeT
Nov. 15–Dec. 30, 11am-4pm daily, 109 Clinton Street, Charlevoix. More than 30 local artists, crafters and makers. charlevoixcircle.org/circle-market

Harbor Springs Holiday Craft/Vendor Show
Nov. 15, 9am-3pm. The third annual show features a variety of gift items. VFW Emmett County Post 2051, 599 W. Conway Road, Harbor Springs. Look up 4 Seasons Craft & Vendor Shows on Facebook for details.

Lake City Holiday Artisan Craft Market
Nov. 22, 9am-3pm. Crafts, bake sale, photos with Santa. Lake City Elementary, 710 East Mitchell St. Lake City. facebook.com/LCHACM/

Brother Dan’s Handmade Holiday Craft Show
Nov. 22, 9am-4pm, Emmet County Fairgrounds, 1129 Charlevoix Avenue, Petoskey. Admission ($2 or a non-perishable food item) and concession sales benefit Brother Dan’s Food Pantry.

Glen Arbor Holiday Marketplace
Nov. 28, 6:30-8pm, Nov. 29, 10am-4pm. Glen Arbor Town Hall. Dozens of artisans and crafters. facebook.com/glenarborholidaymarketplace

Jingle Mingle Holiday Market, Marion
Dec. 5, 4-8pm, Dec. 6 10am-3pm. Holiday sip and shop bi ack for its sixth year at Olde Mill Venue, 314 N Mill St, Marion, MI. tinyurl.com/y7452r5m

Inaugural Holiday Craft and Vendor Market
Dec. 5 4-7pm, Dec. 6 10am-4pm. Gifts, food, drinks, music, door prizes. Proceeds benefit Foster Closet of MI Wexford/Missaukee. Revival Center Church, 5676 E. M-55, Cadillac.

Christmas Craft Bazaar, Manistee
Dec. 6, 9am-3pm. Part of the annual Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend features crafts and gifts from local artisans at Wagoner Senior Center, 260 St. Mary’s Parkway. manisteesleighbellparade.com

Traverse City Shop and Sip
Dec. 6, 2-7pm. (VIP 1-2pm). Home décor, art, live music, bar. Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, Acme. traversecityshopandsip.com

The Christmas Shop Vendor & Craft Show
Dec. 13, 9am-3pm. Crafts, food, jewelry and more. Ellison Place, 150 Dale Drive, Gaylord. gaylordmichigan.net/event/holiday-craft-vendor-show-at-the-ellison-place

Holiday Market at Castle Farms
Dec. 13 & 14, 10am-4pm each day. Unique gifts, handmade crafts, holiday décor, treats, and more. 5052 M66 North, Charlevoix. castlefarms.com/events/holiday-market-vendor-information