Christmas is getting closer! As you’re finalizing your gift lists and determining what items on your kids’ wish lists you’ll indeed grant, we wanted to highlight a few fabulous local markets where you can shop local from DFW-area makers and businesses. Pair your shopping to-do list with family fun activities at these five Christmas markets around Dallas-Fort Worth below.
Looking for more ways to shop local? Check out our guide to farmers markets for shopping local foods and gifts year-round.
Texas Christkindl Market
North Plaza at Globe Life Field, Arlington
Daily through December 23, 11am–8pm
Considering that many of our Christmas traditions originated in Germany: nutcrackers, advent calendars, pickles hidden inside the Christmas tree (well, the pickle is debatable), there’s no better place to shop for traditional gifts and toys straight than from the source. Come browse local and national vendors at this market styled after Germany’s Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Village. Here you can shop for all sorts of gifts, including (my favorite) collectables by Käthe Wohlfahrt. Bring the kids to meet with St. Nikolaus, and enjoy the live music (see their entertainment schedule) and—most magical for children—the snow falls. Free admission; fees may apply for parking. Learn more
Victorian Christmas Market
Historic Brown House, Downtown Wylie
Saturday, December 16, 10am–2pm
The gorgeous Thomas and Mattie Brown House—built in 1905, that now houses the city of Wylie’s Welcome Center—is the site of its first “European-style” Christmas market. Come stroll around the property, check out the house’s nine decorated Christmas trees inside the house and visit with the Santa inside his workshop. During the market, visitors can shop handmade crafts and gifts from local vendors, listen to carolers and more live music. Kids activities include a free craft station and lawn games. Free admission. Learn more
Jingle and Mingle
Lake Highlands Neighborhood, Dallas
Saturday, December 16, 3:30–6:30pm
The Old Lake Highlands Neighborhood Association throws its second annual Christmas festival at the 400 block of Parkhurst, and this year has added a holiday market. So between visiting Santa and letting the kids bounce in the bounce houses and getting a face painting, you can browse through the booths hosted by local artisans and support their small businesses. Free admission.
Also, this neighborhood association is also collecting nutritious canned goods, so bring your donations of peanut butter jars, canned tune, trail mix, etc. to donate to the food drive benefiting the North Texas Food Bank. Learn more
Merry Marketplace Pop-Up
Grandscape, The Colony
Saturday, December 16, 6–10pm
Grandscape entertainment complex has loads of holiday fun in order this weekend. (See here for their full event list, including their Very Merry Holiday Rewind with live music on Saturday.) And at this Saturday evening market, you can head out to Grandscape’s Topo Chico Hard Seltzer Stage & Lawn where holiday vendors are set up to set up to show off their handcrafted goods and homemade treats—and from 7–9pm, dance with your kids to boy band hits. Let’s do it! Free admission. Learn more
Santa’s Sleighin’ Holiday Event and Market
The Boardwalk at Granite Park, Plano
Sunday, December 17, 11am–4pm
The boardwalk’s regular third Sunday market series with Lively Local Markets gets the holiday treatment the week. And in addition to the gift and food vendors, you can expect photos with Santa on the pavilion, enjoy balloon arts made by elves, a strolling Frosty the Snowman, and more entertainment for the kids, like a cotton candy cart, snowflake crafts and a Crayon activity. Free admission. Learn more
RELATED: Where to See Santa in Dallas-Fort Worth
Top photo courtesy of Texas Christkindl Market
