Shop Local: Holiday Gift Fair Round-Up

The season ‘tis upon us, and that means lots of opportunities to visit favorite local businesses and small batch artisans, and even discover new makers, craftspeople, and artists. Here’s a round-up of ideas to help you tap into the many creative alternatives to any mad-dash commercialism or stress of the holiday season and, instead, sink into inspired holiday gifting.

November 17-18: Christkindlmarkt (German Christmas Market) is hosted by Germania of Poughkeepsie at 37 Old Degarmo Road in Poughkeepsie. From 4-8p on Friday, November 17th, and 10a-4p on Saturday, November 18th, celebrate a German Christmas Tradition: shopping for crafts, confections, and Christmas gifts, while enjoying German foods and beverages, including Glühwein, a spiced hot wine.

November 18: Home for the Holidays Shopping Event at Ulster County Habitat for Humanity at the Old Dutch Church's Bethany Hall, 272 Wall Street in Kingston. From 5-8p on Saturday, Ulster County Habitat for Humanity is hosting its first Holiday Shoppe ever with gift items and crafts available from local vendors. Proceeds help to support the organization’s mission to build safe, decent, and affordable housing for local families. Don’t miss their raffles, 50/50, and snacks!

November 18-19: The Hudson Valley Hullabaloo is back at the Andy Murphy Midtown Neighborhood Center at 467 Broadway in Kingston! From 10a-5p on Saturday, November 18th, and 11a-5p on Sunday, November 19th, shop the area’s only handmade market. With a curated list of 70+ vendors offering a variety of handmade items, plus a holiday photo booth, a vintage photo portrait studio, $1 portraits with Will Lytle of Thorneater Comics, and food from local caterers like Grounded, it’s the family-friendly shopping event where arty meets party. Just $2 admission for the weekend, and kids 14 and under are free.

November 19: The Annual Sinterklaas! Artisan Craft Fair at Rhinebeck’s Town Hall, 80 East Market Street in Rhinebeck. From 10a-4p on Sunday, November 19th, shop works for sale by local artists and craft artisans including framed art, pottery, glass, woodworking, jewelry, photography, and more. Wrap all your presents before Thanksgiving and support the magic of Sinterklaas at the same time!

November 24-26: It’s the 5th annual Basilica Farm & Flea Holiday Market at 110 South Front Street in Hudson. From 12-9p on Friday, November 24th, 10a-6p on Saturday, November 25th, and 10a-5p on Sunday, November 26th, shop, browse, and eat over 100 vendors of handmade and vintage goods, locally-made products, and farm-fresh food. Just $5 for the whole weekend and kids under 12 are free. Don’t miss their Black Friday Antidote Soiree from 6-9p on Friday the 24th where there will be craft demonstrations, live music, cocktails, food, and free portraits in the Afghan Photo Booth.

November 24-26: Hudson Valley Artisan Marketplace at Locust Grove Estate, 2683 South Road in Poughkeepsie. From 11a-6p Friday and Saturday, November 24th and 25th, and 11a-4p on Sunday, November 26th, shop local artists, artisans, small batch, and fair trade merchants and makers in the beautiful historic Locust Grove estate.

December 2: Holiday Arts Market at Roxbury Arts Group, 5025 Vega Mountain Road in Roxbury. From 11a-5p on Saturday, December 2nd, shop a wide variety of local vendors, from art to artisan and all crafts in-between. Santa will be there from 1-2p to hear kids’ wish lists and pose for photos. There will also be a holiday scavenger hunt to find the elves hidden throughout Hilt & Stella Kelly Hall. You can also bring your unwrapped gift donations to be delivered to the Roxbury Community Christmas Project for boys and girls, ages newborn to 15. And don’t miss the small works exhibit on display from dozens of local and regional artists.

December 7: Made in Kingston at 2 South Prospect Street in Kingston. From 4-8:30p, it’s the 5th annual expo of all things made in Kingston, featuring more than four dozen local artists, local food and beverage vendors, live entertainment, and a raffle. This year, there’s also a new pop-up fine art market hosted by Midtown Arts District (MAD).

Also, check out your local public school! Many area elementary schools (like in Kingston, Woodstock, and Marlboro, for example) are hosting holiday market places and gift and crafts fairs, which fundraise for graduating classes, the school’s PTO efforts, and other support systems that directly benefit the kids in your community. And don’t miss Small Business Saturday events in Rhinebeck, Cornwall-on-Hudson, and lots of towns, for a neighborhood shopping experience that supports the local economy.