Your Definitive Austin-Made Shopping Guide For Christmas 2016

0 comments

From traditional Christmas markets and bazaars that celebrate Central Texas heritage, to Pinterest-worthy maker fairs and open studios highlighting local modern artists, there’s a shopping event happening somewhere in Austin this season for everyone — and for everyone on your gift-giving lists.

There’s also never been a better time to “shop local” either: this year’s election cycle has been particularly hard on Austin’s creative economy, with many makers, artists, and nonprofits reporting historically low retail sales and donations this summer and fall. Do your part to stimulate the local economy and have a ton of fun doing it by taking advantage of one of these more than 50+ shopping events, organized by type of gift type so it’s easy to find what you’re looking for. Or just plan your weekends between now & the holidays by plotting a few on your calendar—find a market close to home or one that doubles as a day trip adventure somewhere in the Hill Country, because these happenings are everywhere from Georgetown to San Marcos!

#AChristmasAffair has a NEW event this year – check out our Saturday ‘Sunrise Sip and Shop’. Beat the crowds, shop early this year! #JLAustin

A post shared by The Junior League of Austin (@thejuniorleagueofaustin) on


NICE LIST // CHARITY FUNDRAISERS + SILENT AUCTION GIFTS

Fine Art + Fine Friends EAST Pre-Show Benefit
At The Room Gallery
November 11th, 2016
6 to 9 p.m.
2712 Willow St
More info
10% of all sales directly benefit Friends of Austin Animal Center

2nd Annual Laura’s Library Artisan’s Market  + Silent Auction
at Westbank Community Library
November 12th, 2016
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
9411 Bee Cave Rd
More info
Benefiting Friends of the Westbank Library

14th Annual Rockin Around the Holidays Bazaar Arts & Crafts Show
At Clay Madsen Recreation Center
November 12th, 2016
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1600 Gattis School Rd, Round Rock TX
More info
Bring a box of canned food item or box of band-aids for the Children’s Hospital

Junior League of Austin – A Christmas Affair: Merry & Bright
At Palmer Events Center
November 16th to 20th, 2016
Various events/times
900 Barton Springs Road
Lineup, Schedule + Tickets
Annual benefit raising funds for FIT – Food in Tummies + Coats for Kids

Art from the Streets Annual Show + Sale
At Austin Convention Center – Ballroom A
November 19th + 20th
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
600 E. Cesar Chavez St
More info
Proceeds benefit local homeless artists and underwrite the community art space

KUTX Holiday Sing-Along & Downtown Shopping Stroll
At Texas Capitol
December 3rd, 2016
6 to 10 p.m.
Congress Avenue
More info
Bring food or cash donations to the Capitol Christmas tree for the Capital Area Food Bank

1st Annual Community First! Village Advent Market
At Mobile Loaves & Fishes Community First! Village
December 3rd + December 10th, 2016
5 to 9 p.m.
9301 Hog Eye Rd
More info
Provide dignified income by buying unique, handcrafted gifts made by local homeless artisans

Grey Friday Silent Auction
For Greyhound Rescue Austin
November 25th to November 28th, 2016
Black Friday to Cyber Monday
Midnight to midnight
On Facebook
More info
100% of all sales of all silent auction items benefit Greyhound Rescue + Pet Food Bank of Austin

AfroGypsy’s Black Market Holiday Bazaar
At Kenny Dorham’s Backyard
November 26th, 2016
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
1106 E 11th St
More info
Connect with, support, and shop from Austin’s black owned businesses and artists


SOCIAL GOOD // ETHICAL SHOPPING + FAIR TRADE GIFTS

Artreach Fair Trade Gift Fair
At Westover Hills Church
November 12th, 2016
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
8332 Mesa Dr
More info

Market of Hope: Round Rock
At Main Street Plaza
November 12th, 2016
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
221 E Main St, Round Rock
More info

Hops for HOPE 2016
At Fair Market
November 20th, 2016
4 to 10 p.m.
1100 E 5th St
More info

7th Annual Allies Market – Allies Against Slavery
At Fair Market
December 4th, 2016
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
1100 E 5th St
More info

Market of Hope: Lubbock
At Aldersgate Church
December 3rd, 2016
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
10306 Indiana Ave, Lubbock
More info


MODERN CLAUS // PINTERESTING GIFTS

Holiday Trunk Show with Chesley Mae Designs
At HACIENDA
November 12th, 2016
12:30 to 5 p.m.
204 Colorado St
More info

Renegade Craft Fair
At Fair Market
November 26th + 27th, 2016
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
1100 E 5th St
Lineup

Small Biz Saturday
At Second Street IBIZ District
November 26th, 2016
10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
W 2nd St
More info

The Fine Goods Pop-Up
At Paper + Craft Pantry
December 7th, 2016
6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
E 6th St + Pedernales

More info

Origin Designer Holiday Market 2016
At Browning Hangar at Mueller
December 17th
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
4550 Mueller Blvd
More info

Check out the East Austin Studio Tour as this month's art pick in @tribeza! #east16

A post shared by Big Medium (@bigmediumaustin) on


LOCAL ORIGINALS // FINE ART GIFTS

The Dreaming Group Art Show
At SprATX
November 11th, 2016
6 to 10 p.m.
2400 E Cesar Chavez St Suite 316B
More info

EAST Austin Studio Tour
November 12th + 13th, 19th + 20th, 2016
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Various studios in East Austin
Lineup, Schedule + Map

3rd Thursday Gallery Night
At The Square Downtown
November 17th, 2016
6 to 9 p.m.
111 E San Antonio St, San Marcos TX
More info

Pancakes & Booze Art Show
At Elysium
November 19th, 2016
8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
705 Red River St
Lineup, Schedule + Tickets

Small Business Saturday Art on Tap
At Live Oak Brewing
November 26th, 2016
2 to 8 p.m.
1615 Crozier Ln, Del Valle
More info

Mini Holiday Pop Up Art Market
At The Butterfly Bar Austin
December 22nd, 2016
5 to 11 p.m.
2307 Manor Rd
More info

#gruenechristmas

A post shared by May (@aguirre.m) on


TRADITIONAL MARKETS // TEXAS HERITAGE GIFTS

Holiday Arts & Crafts Trail
At Round Rock Market Days
November 10th to 12th, 2016
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
3205 Mayfield Ranch Cv, Round Rock TX
More info

A Woodland Christmas
At First Baptist Church
November 10th to 12th, 2016
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (3 p.m. on Saturday)
1333 W University Ave, Georgetown TX
More info

Christmas Bazaar + Silent Auction
At St. Thomas More Catholic Church
November 12th + 13th, 2016
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Saturday), 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday
10205 FM 620 N
More info

Weihnachtsmarkt German Christmas Market
At New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center
November 18th to 20th
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
375 S Castell Ave, New Braunfels TX
More info

Nutcracker Market & Holiday Open House
At the Conservatory at Wells Branch
November 16th, 2016
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
14320 Tandem Blvd
More info

Austin German Christmas Market
At German Free School
December 3rd, 2016
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
507 East 10th Street
More info

Gruene Christmas Market Days
At the Water Tower
December 3rd + 4th, 2016
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
1281 Gruene Rd, New Braunfels
More info

Hutto Downtown Christmas Fair
December 10th, 2016
At the Co-Op
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
420 US 79 (follow signs)
More info

Another day another dumpling ? #austinpierogi

A post shared by Austin Pierogi Co. (@austinpierogi) on


HOLIDAY EATS // GOURMET FOOD GIFTS

Holiday Art Markets
At HOPE Farmers Market
November 20th + December 11th, 2016
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Plaza Saltillo (412 Comal St)
More info

4th Flea Community Market
At Price Center
November 26th, 2016
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
222 W San Antonio St, San Marcos TX
More info

East Side Friday Food Truck Fest + Local Holiday Fair
At Whole Foods Market Catering
November 18th, 2016
11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
6201 Bolm Rd, Suite 101
More info

Boys had fun on the North Pole Flyer via the Austin Stream Train 🙂 ????#NotAStreamTrain

A post shared by Lloyd W Armbrust (@lloydarmbrust) on


SANTA’S LITTLE HELPERS // KID-FRIENDLY  EVENTS + GIFTS

Capital City Market North Pole Flyer
Via the Austin Steam Train
November 20th, 2016
Boards at 11 a.m.
401 E Whitestone Blvd, Cedar Park
More info + tickets

Mistletoe Madness
At Frank Fickett Scout Training & Service Center
November 26th, 2016
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
12500 N Interstate 35
More info

Wimberley Market Days
At Wimberley Lions Club
December 3rd, 2016
7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
601 FM 2325, Wimberley TX
More info

Creative Ladies Holiday Bazaar
At Wee Warhols
December 3rd, 2016
4 to 8 p.m.
606 Terrell Hill Drive
More info

Blanco Market Day
At Old Blanco County Courthouse
December 10th, 2016
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
300 Main St, Blanco TX
More info


KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD // HANDMADE HOLIDAY FAVES

The Austin Flea
At Various Locations
November 12th to December 18th, 2016
12 to 5/6 p.m.
Beer gardens around Austin
More info

E.A.S.T.side Pop Up Turns 2
At The Grackle
November 13th, 2016
12 to 6 p.m.
1700 E 6th St
More info

Blue Genie Art Bazaar
November 25th to December 24th, 2016
(Black Friday to Christmas Eve)
10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
6100 Airport Blvd
Lineup + Gift Guide

Black Friday Mini Pop Up Art Market
At The Butterfly Bar Austin
November 25th, 2016
5 to 11 p.m.
2307 Manor Rd
More info

City-Wide Garage Sale
At Palmer Events Center
November 26th + 27th
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
900 Barton Springs Road
Tickets

Arts @ The Y Holiday Art Market
At Stubbs B-B-Q at Graceland Grocery
December 3rd, 2016
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
8600 290 West
More info

Hyde Park Holiday Market
December 3rd, 2016
Corner of 43rd St + Guadalupe (4301 Guadalupe St)
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
More info

PopUp Holiday Market
At Arthouse Austin
December 3rd, 2016
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
11505 Anderson Mill Rd
More info

Pop-Up Austin Holiday Market
December 3rd, 2016
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
1900 E MLK Blvd
More info

Violet Crown Arts Festival
At Brentwood Elementary
December 3rd + 4th, 2016
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
6700 Yates Ave
More info

Vintage Market Days of Hill Country Presents Joy to the World
At Dripping Springs Ranch Park
December 9th to 11th, 2016
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Off RR 12N just north of 290W
More info

Cherrywood Art Fair
At Maplewood Elementary
December 10th + 11th, 2016
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
E 38 1/2th St + Maplewood Ave
More info

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
December 15th to 24th, 2016
10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Palmer Events Center
Lineup: Artists + Music


Featured photo from Renegade Craft Fair’s Facebook page