This is the time where holiday markets pop up everywhere around Utah, all with the same goal: To keep people from buying gift cards.
People who say they want a gift card, and those who give them, are surrendering in the face of too many past disappointments. Holiday markets provide a spark of optimism, one that says there’s something out there that speaks to the thoughtfulness of the giver and the good taste of the recipient.
Here’s a list of holiday markets opening between now and Christmas around Utah.
Utah’s Own Holiday Shoppes • Millcreek Common has partnered with the Utah’s Own campaign for a pop-up market of made-in-Utah goods — including cheeses, sweets, sauces, snacks, and more. • Now through Dec. 24, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Millcreek Common, 1354 E. Chambers Ave., Millcreek. Free admission. (The Shoppes also will offer free photos with The Grinch, and storytime every hour with Cindy Lou Who, Saturday, Dec. 13, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.)
Glass in the Garden • The annual holiday show and sale for the Glass Art Guild of Utah will feature art glass bowls, vases, paintings, sculpture, holiday ornaments and jewelry from Utah glass artists. • Now through Dec. 20, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Red Butte Garden, 300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City. Free admission.
(Glass Artist Guild of Utah) "Inward Focus Yantra," a fine-line fused glass piece by Lori Scharf, one of the members of the Glass Art Guild of Utah, whose works are on display and for sale at the Glass in the Garden market at Red Butte Garden, through Dec. 20, 2025.
Crazy Daisy Holiday Show • More than 200 small businesses sell their goods in a market that includes entertainment, treats and giveaways. • Friday, Nov. 21, 1-6 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Mountain America Expo Center, 9575 S. State, Sandy. Admission is $7 for adults, free for children 10 and under ($12 for early bird tickets, which allow access one hour early).
Herriman Holiday Marketplace • More than 90 vendors will take part in this market, with food trucks, kids activities, a giving tree, and free grab bags for the first 50 people to arrive each day. • Friday, Nov. 21, 4-8 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Salt Lake Academy, 12309 Mustang Trail Way, Herriman.
BDAC Winter Art Market • The Bountiful/Davis Art Center on Bountiful’s Main Street will contain 50 booths of fine art and gifts, made by local artists. • Open Friday, Nov. 21, through Saturday, Dec. 20, Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. (Closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 27-28, to observe Thanksgiving); Bountiful/Davis Art Center, 90 N. Main St., Bountiful. Free admission.
Create PC Holiday Makers Market • This pop-up retail space will offer what organizers call “a creative marketplace celebrating local makers.” • Wednesday-Sunday, noon-6 p.m., from Friday, Nov. 21, through Feb. 1; 1500 Kearns Blvd., space F110, Park City. Free admission.
Holiday Boutique • Vendors and food are available at this market, which features a fair amount of Japanese-inspired merchandise. • Saturday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 23, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Salt Lake Buddhist Temple, 211 W. 100 South, Salt Lake City.
Wheeler Farm Holiday Market • This is an annual gathering of “artists, makers and bakers” at Wheeler Historic Farm. • Friday, Nov. 28, 5-8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 29-30, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wheeler Historic Farm, 6351 S. 900 East, Murray. Free admission.
Central City Gift Exchange • Independent businesses — including MOMU, Books & Supply, Eats Bakery, Soleil Nail Studio, Eminent Ink Tattoos and Friendship Sign Co. — will be joined by some 20 local artists and makers offering a range of handmade gifts. • Saturday, Nov. 29, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; The Film Exchange Building, 250 E. 100 South, Salt Lake City. Free admission.
Small Business Saturday Holiday Maker’s Market • Junction Commons will host artists and makers for a one-day event. • Saturday, Nov. 29, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Junction Commons, 6699 N. Landmark Dr., Park City. Free admission.
Hazy Days Craft Market • Two dozen artisans will be selling their goods in this craft market for shoppers 21 and older, with beer and a food menu from 2 Row Brewing. • Saturday, Nov. 29, and Saturday, Dec. 20, noon-5 p.m.; 2 Row Brewing, 73 W. 7200 South, Midvale.
SLC Creatures & Features Market • A craft market with a spooky edge, with more than 20 “alternative” vendors — followed by a screening of the movie “Donnie Darko.” • Saturday, Nov. 29, noon-6 p.m., followed by movie screening at 7:30 p.m.; Murray Armory, 246 E. Myrtle Ave., Murray. Free admission.
Festival of Trees • Hundreds of decorated Christmas trees, in a variety of themes, go on display and up for auction in Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital 55th annual fundraiser. The event also features wreaths and gingerbread houses, quilts and playhouses, Nativity scenes and centerpieces — as well as the ELF Emporium and Gift Boutique. Silent auction on FestivalofTreesUtah.org, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 4:30-9 p.m. • Tuesday, Dec. 2, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, Dec. 3-5, 10 a.m-9 p.m, Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Mountain America Expo Center, 9575 S. State, Sandy. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for children 2-11, free for children under 2, at FestivalofTreesUtah.org.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Festival of Trees, in Sandy, on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.
Holiday Utah Art Market • Vendors will sell handmade gifts at this market. • Wednesday-Friday, Dec. 3-5, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Town and Country Plaza, 3330 S. 1300 East, Millcreek.
Christkindlmarkt • The annual German-style holiday market returns to This Is the Place Heritage Park, with dozens of vendor booths, St. Nikolaus Haus, storytelling, a lantern parade, a live Nativity, food sellers, music and dance. • Wednesday, Dec. 3, through Saturday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. each day; This Is the Place Heritage Park, 2601 S. Sunnyside Ave., Salt Lake City. Free admission; shuttles run to nearby parking lots.
Craft Lake City Holiday Market • The seventh annual event promises more than 150 Utah-based artisans, vintage vendors, performers and STEM exhibitors. Food trucks and beer and cocktails from local breweries and distilleries will be on the premises. So will Santa Claus, offering families a chance to take free pictures with their own cameras. • Friday, Dec. 5, 5-9 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Ogden Union Station, 2501 Wall Ave., Ogden. Advance tickets are $7 per day, day-of admission is $10 per day; kids 12 and under admitted free.
Draper Holiday Market • Draper’s market will include vendors selling holiday gifts, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, free hot chocolate and food vendors selling their wares. • Friday, Dec. 5, 5-8 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 6, noon-8 p.m.; Draper City Park, 12500 S. 1300 East, Draper. Free admission.
Love Local Holiday Market • Wasatch Community Gardens’ annual outdoor holiday market is slated to feature more than 30 local vendors, farmers and artisans — with food and drink available for purchase, including mulled wine and hot tea from Tea Zaanti, and hot chocolate for kids. It also includes photo opportunities with the gardens’ tomato mascot and kids’ activities. • Saturday, Dec. 6, noon-6 p.m.; Wasatch Community Gardens campus, 629 E. 800 South, Salt Lake City. Admission is $5 at the gate; children 5 and under get in free.
Holiday Open House & Art Fair • Red Butte Garden’s fair will feature 18 local artists, selling handmade art in a variety of media. Guests can get a 10% discount at the Garden Gift Shop. • Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6-7, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Red Butte Garden, 300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City. Free admission.
UMFA Holiday Market • The Utah Museum of Fine Arts’ annual market gathers dozens of local artists to sell handmade creations: jewelry, textiles, candles, paintings, ceramics, prints, artisan toffee, handbound books, fiber art, soaps and more. • Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6-7, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Utah Museum of Fine Arts, 410 Campus Center Drive, Salt Lake City. Free admission.
HawkWatch Holiday Market • Local artisans sell their works at this market, with proceeds going to support small businesses and the conservation of raptor species. HawkWatch International will also let people meet its “raptor ambassadors.” • Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; HawkWatch International, 2240 S. 900East, Salt Lake City.
ACE Holiday Art Market • Alta Community Enrichment organizes this event, where local artists sell handmade holiday gifts. • Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 11-13, 2-7 p.m.; Our Lady of the Snows, 10189 E. Highway 210, Alta. Free admission.
Yuletide at the Village Holiday Market • The Other Side Village presents its annual holiday market, with local vendors, hot cocoa and music. • Thursday and Friday, Dec. 11-12, 4-8 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; The Other Side Village, 1882 W. Indiana Ave., Salt Lake City.
Daybreak Winter Market • Vendors and music at this indoor market in the Daybreak community. • Friday, Dec. 12, 4-9 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Daybreak Community Center, 4544 W. Harvest Moon Dr., South Jordan. Free admission.
Sandy City Winter Market • Handcrafted gifts, food and free photos with Santa at this market. Swag bags for the first 100 guests each day. • Friday, Dec. 12, 4-8 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Union Middle School, 615 E. 8000 South, Sandy. Free admission.
Christmas Maker’s Market • With more than 40 vendors, this event at Orem’s SCERA Center for the Arts features food trucks, smokeless fire pits, kids’ activities, a visit from Santa, and a ceramic Christmas House display. • Friday, Dec. 12, 5-8 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 13, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; SCERA Center for the Arts, 745 S. State St., Orem. Free admission.
Christkindlmarkt • Different from the all-ages version at This Is the Place Heritage Park, this take on a German holiday market will feature more than 20 local artists, food trucks, and a heated tent (Saturday only) with a Glühwein and beer bar, a coffee bar and stroopwafels. Must be 21 or older. • Saturday, Dec. 13, 1-9 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 14, 2-6 p.m.; Templin Family Brewing, 936 S. 300 West, Salt Lake City.
Wild Winter Art Market • The Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter will play host to local artists, whose creations highlight the beauty of the natural world. • Friday, Dec. 19, 5-8 p.m.; Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter, 1258 Center Dr., Park City. Free admission.
Winter Solstice Bazaar • Procrastinators, take a breath — this event at Millcreek Common has holiday gifts, vintage items and handmade artisan food. • Saturday, Dec. 20, 5-9 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 21, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Millcreek Common, 1354 E. Chambers Ave., Millcreek. Free admission.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Stroopwafels from AmsterDam Delicious! sit on a table at the Utah's Own Holiday Shoppes at Millcreek Common in Millcreek on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024.
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