Want to support local artists, designers and shops this holiday season? Check out New Jersey’s festive markets and bazaars. (And once you’ve found something for everyone on your list, check out a light show or pop-up bar!)
NORTH JERSEY
Handmade Holiday Market in Layton
📅: Now through Tuesday, December 31 (10 am-6 pm)
📍: Peters Valley School of Craft (19 Kuhn Road)
ℹ️: More than 200 artists showcase their works, from unique jewelry pieces to home-decor items.
💸: Free admission
German Christmas Market of New Jersey in Augusta
📅: Friday, December 6 (10 am-9 pm); Saturday, December 7 (10 am-9 pm); Sunday, December 8 (10 am-5 pm)
📍: Sussex County Fairgrounds (37 Plains Road)
ℹ️: This annual event, inspired by Germany’s traditional Weihnachtsmarkts, showcases handcrafted goods and unique holiday gifts by local/regional makers and small businesses. Additional activities include a carousel, pony and wagon rides, a free petting zoo and more. Proceeds benefit Sussex County charities. Open rain or shine.
💸: $5-$10. Veterans, as well as children 12 and under, enter free.
Holiday CraftMorristown
📅: Friday, December 13 (4-8 pm); Saturday, December 14 (10 am-6 pm); Sunday, December 15 (10 am-5 pm)
📍: Morristown Armory (430 Western Avenue)
ℹ️: Find uncommon, one-of-a-kind gifts for every age, taste and budget from 175 craft artists. A cafe will be on site.
💸: $11, cash or check only. $9 for seniors ages 62+; free for those under 16.
Handmade Holiday at the Woodland in Maplewood
📅: Sunday, December 15 (10 am-4 pm)
📍: The Woodland (60 Woodland Road)
ℹ️: Get your holiday shopping done while supporting local makers.
💸: Free admission
Kwanzaa Family Festival & Marketplace in Newark
📅: Saturday, December 21 (noon-7 pm)
📍: NJPAC (1 Center Street)
ℹ️: The marketplace—coinciding with a family festival of uplifting programs based on the seven principles of Kwanzaa—offers a full day of shopping. Local crafters and artisans will be selling one-of-a-kind items: clothing, stationery, natural beauty products, artwork, pet products and more.
💸: Free
CENTRAL JERSEY
Winter Village at the Red Mill Museum Village in Clinton
📅: Friday, November 29-Saturday, November 30; Sunday, December 1; Friday December 6-Sunday, December 8 (10 am-6 pm)
📍: 56 Main Street
ℹ️: Head to Clinton—one of NJM’s favorite small towns—for a heated tented market of more than 50 craft artisans selling unique gifts. Grab some grub from food trucks and check out the annual Festival of Trees, too,
💸: $10 for seniors and children ages 6-12; $12 for general admission; $45 for family membership
Holiday Bazaar in Asbury Park
📅: At the Grand Arcade of Convention Hall: Fridays (3-8 pm), Saturdays and Sundays (noon-5 pm) from Friday, November 29 (Black Friday) through Sunday, December 22; at the Asbury Hotel: Sundays (noon-5 pm) from December 1-15
ℹ️: Shop for gifts from local and regional makers and small businesses. Food, music and more are also on hand.
💸: Free admission
SOUTH JERSEY
Cape May’s Vendor Village
📅: Friday, November 24-Monday, January 1 (Thursdays and Fridays, 4-9 pm; Saturdays, 11 am-9 pm; Sundays, 11 am-8 pm)
📍: Congress Hall (200 Congress Place) • Cape May
ℹ️: Find local gifts, souvenirs and curiosities for everyone on your list at 17 specialty stores, housed in festive, candy cane-striped tents.
💸: Free admission
Holiday Crafts & Collectibles Show in Cape May
📅: Friday, November 29-Saturday, November 30 (10 am-4 pm)
📍: Cape May Convention Hall (714 Beach Avenue)
ℹ️: Spend Black Friday and Small Business Saturday finding unique goods from vendors and crafters from all over the Northeast.
💸: $2 admission
Holiday Studio Sale at WheatonArts in Millville
📅: Friday, November 29-Sunday, December 8 (10 am-4 pm)
📍: WheatonArts Event Center (1000 Village Drive)
ℹ️: Enjoy discounted prices on a wide selection of handcrafted glass and ceramic items. Glassmaking demonstrations will take place Friday through Sunday of the opening weekend. Proceeds support individual artists as well as arts programming at WheatonArts.
💸: Free admission
Dickens Festival in Medford
📅: Saturday, December 7 (4:30-9 pm)
📍: 95 South Main Street
ℹ️: Bring friends and family to this old-fashioned Christmas fest, featuring horse and carriage rides, food trucks, meetings with Santa and more.
💸: Free admission and parking
Holiday Bazaar in Wildwood
📅: Saturday, December 14 (9 am-4:30 pm)
📍: Wildwoods Convention Center (4501 Boardwalk)
ℹ️: Browse dozens of vendors, take pictures with Santa, make crafts, get your face painted and more. The day concludes with a tree lighting.
💸: Free admission
No one knows New Jersey like we do. Sign up for one of our free newsletters here. Want a print magazine mailed to you? Purchase an issue from our online store.