The holiday season is a busy time for Boston's small businesses and artisans, but it can also be the most successful time with customers buying gifts for everyone on their list. Whether you have a brick & mortar or sell exclusively online, holiday markets give you the opportunity to meet new customers and showcase your products to the public. Given limited time and resources, our clients struggle to figure out which markets to attend that will place them in front of the right people while also returning enough sales to make the investment worthwhile.
Here is our guide to the 2016 holiday markets in Boston:
Image Source: SoWa Holiday Market
13th SoWa Holiday Market
Sat & Sun, December 10 & 11, 2016
Sat 11AM-6PM, Sun 11AM-5PM
Benjamin Franklin Institute
41 Berkeley Street, Boston
2016 Application Deadline: 7/5/16
Rates: $375-$800 per vendor per day
One of our favorite things about this market is the location. Anyone enjoying brunch in the South End Saturday or Sunday can stroll in afterwards to shop. They have a strict policy that vendors can only exhibit with original work, so you won't be competing with mass-produced products. That also means that the price point at this market is slightly higher than average since everything is handcrafted. There are some food producers, but most of the vendors are selling arts and crafts such as jewelry, linens, clothing & handbags, bath & body products, and others.
2015 CraftBoston Holiday Show
CraftBoston Holiday Show
Fri, Sat & Sun, December 2, 3 & 4 2016
Hynes Convention Center
900 Boylston Street, Boston
Fri & Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun 11AM-5PM
2017 Application Deadline: 9/12/16
Hosted by the Society of Arts + Crafts, CraftBoston is comprised of over 175 artists making it one of the largest holiday markets in Boston. The exhibitors are vetted on originality, design, technique and craftsmanship, and therefore features very high-end artists and crafters selling products well over $100. The attendees of the show are more mature, and since there is an entrance fee, the attendees tend to be more serious about taking their time to shop and admire.
2015 South Boston Holiday Market
South Boston Holiday Market
Saturday & Sunday, December 3-4, 2016
Sun 11AM-6PM
The Innovation & Design Building
21-25 Drydock Avenue, Boston
2016 Application Deadline: 8/10/16
Rate: $250 per vendor per day.
With it's initial launch in 2015, the organizers of South End Open Market planned this holiday market in the cool and industrial Innovation and Design building. Accessible by car, the silver line, or a long walk from South Station, this event packs a lot of visitors since it isn't spread across multiple days. Vendors included both food and crafts, with most items for sale well under $50. A huge benefit of this location is the container restaurants serving food during the event.
Ladies Night Out
Winchester: Wednesday, November 16; 2PM-9PM
Mahoney’s Garden Center: 242 Cambridge St, Winchester.
Falmouth: Thursday, November 17; 3PM-8PM
Mahoney’s Garden Center: 958 E. Falmouth Highway, Falmouth.
Vendors: Handmade products from local artisans, Christmas ornaments and decor.
Wellesley Marketplace
Saturday, November 19; 9AM-4PM
Wellesley High School: 50 Rice Street, Wellesley Hills
2016 Application Deadline: 5/1/16; non-refundable $25 fee.
Vendors: Handmade note cards, ornaments, food, treats, artwork.
Bust Craftacular 2016
Saturday & Sunday, December 17-18; 11AM-6PM
Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts
539 Tremont Street, Boston
2016 Application Deadline: 11/3/16, non-refundable $20 fee
Rates: $225-$1000 per vendor; shared booths are available.
Vendors: “Edible/wearable/loveable/handcrafted/one-of-a-kind items and foods."
Newton Holiday Craft Fair
Saturday, December 3; 10AM - 5PM
Newton City Hall
1000 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton
2016 Application Deadline: 11/6/16, non-refundable $10 fee
Rates: $75 per vendor; Newton resident rate $65.
Vendors: MUST be of original design and making; Clothes, jewelry, and accessories.
Boston City Hall Plaza
Open after Thanksgiving and continued through New Year’s Day 2017
1 City Hall Square, Boston
2016 Application Deadline: 10/3/16; $2000 deposit.
Rates: $4,000-$5,700; 20% discount if you apply before 9/22/16.
Vendors: Seasonal foods and a mix of local and international vendors in chalets.
Harvard Square Holiday Fair
December 10-11 (Sa 11-7, Su 12-6)
December 16-18 (Sa 10-7, Su 12-6)
December 21-24 (We, Th, Fr 11:30-7, Sa 10-7)
50 Church Street, Cambridge
2016 Application Deadline: 6/20/16
Rates: $96-$120 per vendor per day.
Vendors: International crafts, food
Contact
Is there a market you are interested in but it's not listed? Leave us a comment and we'll update the post/