Everyone has that one person in their lives who’s difficult to shop for — someone who won’t make a wish list, doesn’t want anyone buying clothes for them, and doesn’t have a specified hobby that you can add to (like, say, Lego sets or a video game that’s updated every year).
Often, the giver throws up their hands and buys a gift card — which may be practical, but can feel like a form of surrender.
To offer unusual alternatives for those hard-to-shop-for friends and family members, artisan markets will pop up in Utah this holiday season for a short time — sometimes just a few hours on one day. Vendors will display one-of-a-kind artworks, handmade crafts, and upcycled and vintage items. For browsers who enjoy the pursuit of unique gifts, these markets are fertile hunting grounds.
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 to create a two-month pop-up market, selling made-in-Utah goods that include 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. (Utah’s Own vendors also will be on hand for a special event, “A Grateful Get Together,” on Friday, Nov. 15, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., to open Millcreek Common’s skate loop for the season.)
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. 21, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Red Butte Garden, 300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City. Free admission.
(Glass Art Guild of Utah) Artist Suzanne Larson's "Cheval Espirit" is among the glass art works scheduled to be displayed at the Glass Art Guild of Utah’s 22nd Glass in the Garden Show at Red Butte Garden in Salt Lake City, Nov. 7 to Dec. 21, 2024.
Salt Lake Family Christmas Gift Show • One of the largest pop-up markets in Utah, this event features more than 400 vendors — offering apparel, art, toys, books, beauty products, home decor, jewelry, food and more — along with entertainment, a Santa’s village and gift wrapping. • Thursday and Friday, Nov. 14-15, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 16, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Mountain America Expo Center, 9575 S. State St., Sandy. Tickets are $14.50 in advance online (at familychristmasgiftshow.com), $15.50 at the door; free for children 13 and under.
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. • Opens Friday, Nov. 22, 5 to 8 p.m.; then open through Dec. 21, Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. (Closed Nov. 28 and 29 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.” • Launch party on Friday, Nov. 22, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., then Wednesday-Sunday, noon-6 p.m., through the holiday season, 1500 Kearns Blvd., space F110, Park City. Free admission.
Wheeler Farm Holiday Market • This is an annual gathering of “artists, makers and bakers” at Wheeler Historic Farm. • Friday, Nov. 29, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wheeler Historic Farm, 6351 S. 900 East, Murray. Free admission.
Craft Sabbath Small Business Holiday Markets • The markets at Church & State boast arts and crafts, handmade goods, curated and upcycled vintage items from more than 20 vendors. • Saturday, Nov. 30, and Saturday, Dec. 14, noon to 5 p.m. both days, Church & State, 370 S. 300 East, Salt Lake City. Free admission.
Christkindlmarkt • The annual German-style holiday market returns to This Is the Place Heritage Park, with more than 90 vendor booths, St. Nikolaus Haus, storytelling, a petting zoo, a scavenger hunt, food sellers, music and dance. • Wednesday, Dec. 4, through Saturday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. This Is the Place Heritage Park, 2601 S. Sunnyside Ave., Salt Lake City. Free admission; parking is limited.
Craft Lake City Holiday Market • The sixth annual event offers more than 140 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. 6, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 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 • This market will include vendors selling holiday gifts, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, free hot chocolate and food vendors selling their wares. • Friday, Dec. 6, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 7, noon to 8 p.m., Draper City Park, 12500 S. 1300 East, Draper. Free admission.
Love Local Holiday Market • Wasatch Community Gardens’ annual outdoor holiday market will have 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 a silent auction of pine trees decorated by community groups and families, a DIY upcycled gift wrap station, photo opportunities with the gardens’ tomato mascot, and kids’ activities. • Saturday, Dec. 7, noon to 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.
Winter Dreams Festival • Promising more than 30 vendors, this “day-to-night merchant market” carries a fantasy theme and “an immersive storyline quest.” • Saturday, Dec. 7, noon to 8 p.m., Grove Station, 272 S. 2000 West, Pleasant Grove. Tickets are $10 each, or $32 for a group of four, free for kids 12 and under; tickets available at lunargalas.com.
Holiday Open House & Art Fair • Red Butte Garden’s fair will feature 18 local artists, selling jewelry, pottery, fiber art and other handmade art. Guests can get a 10% discount at the Garden Gift Shop. • Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 and 8, 9 a.m. to 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 jewelry, textiles, candles, paintings, ceramics, prints, artisan toffee, handbound books, fiber art, soaps and more. • Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 and 8, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Utah Museum of Fine Arts, 410 Campus Center Drive, Salt Lake City. Free admission.
ACE Holiday Art Market • Alta Community Enrichment organizes this event, where local artists sell handmade holiday gifts. • Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 12 to 14, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Our Lady of the Snows, 10189 E. Highway 210, Alta. Free admission.
Wild Winter Art Market • The Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter will play host to local artists, whose creations highlight the beauty of the natural world. • Thursday, Dec. 12, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter, 1258 Center Dr., Park City. 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 — where attendees can vote on the winning entry. • Friday, Dec. 13, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 14, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., SCERA Center for the Arts, 745 S. State St., Orem. Free admission.
Winter Solstice Bazaar • If you’ve procrastinated to the last week before Christmas, this event at Millcreek Common has you covered — with holiday gifts, vintage items and handmade artisan food. • Saturday, Dec. 21, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 22, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Millcreek Common, 1354 E. Chambers Ave., Millcreek. Free admission.
