If you’re hoping to skip the Black Friday and Cyber Monday hullabaloo in favor of gifts that are a little more unique, plan a visit to one of many local holiday markets.
Holiday markets around the Triangle feature locally made goods and crafts that even your hardest to shop for recipients aren’t likely to already own, and one-of-kind items you won’t be able to find anywhere else. This makes local markets the holy grail of shopping destinations for the have-it-all folks on your checklist.
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The Triangle is awash in holiday markets to help you find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Holiday shopping doesn’t have to be a chore, when coupled with food, music and maybe even a festive beverage, a visit to a local market can be a fun family (or a much-needed solo) activity.
2025 holiday markets in Raleigh
Holiday Market at NCMA takes place outside on Dec. 6 in the North Carolina Museum of Art’s plaza. The market will feature a selection of local artists and live music.
Jolly Raleigh Holiday Market presented by Shop Local Raleigh, comes alive on Saturday, Dec. 6 at Raleigh Iron Works. Come shop a variety of handcrafted items, enjoy a local beer, food trucks, and bring the family to participate in kids activities.
The St. Nicholas European Christmas Market will be held Friday evening, Dec. 12, and Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Kerr Scott Building at the North Carolina Fairgrounds. Enjoy song and dance entertainment and as taste of European traditional foods while you shop new and vintage gift and decorative items -- from Irish sweaters to specialty teas, from German Stollen to Eastern European ornaments. Admission is free but donations are greatly appreciated.
Merry & Bright, A North Pole Market is part artisan market, all family fun. A child-centric holiday market featuring holiday photos, crafts, music, and food at Mordecai Historic Park on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is free, but pre-registration is requested.
Also at Raleigh Ironworks, The Holiday Market on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 11 am to 4 pm, the monthly Triangle Pop-Up market gets a holiday glow-up!
The State Fairgrounds in Raleigh is one of the hottest spots for holiday shopping, as it plays host to numerous themed holiday markets throughout the season
“Candy Cane Lane” Vintage Market Days Christmas Market 2025 at the NC State Fairgrounds Nov. 14-16. A vintage and vintage inspired holiday market featuring, art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, home decor, upcycled, repurposed and architectural salvaged items. Tickets on sale, 2 for $20. VIP shopping hours available.
Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market Kicking off the shopping season after Thanksgiving, the Jim Graham Building at the NC State Fairground once again hosts the annual Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market from Friday, Nov. 28 through Sunday, Nov. 30. The market has been returning for over thirty years and features hundreds of handicraft, gift, floral, holiday decor, and food vendors. Tickets are $5 for children and $12 for adults with discounted tickets available for seniors and military.
18th Annual St. Nicholas European Christmas Market is a European-style Christmas market with vendors selling European specialty goods, German and Slavic foods, entertainment, and even a visit from St. Nicholas. Takes place on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, from 5 pm to 9 pm at the Kerr Scott Building at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. Sponsored by the Sts. Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Church. Admission is free.
Yet another holiday market at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds is the Handcrafted Holiday Market, with over 200 local crafters offering handmade goods, plus the added bonus of live entertainment, food trucks, and an appearance by a certain jolly gentleman in a red suit. It’s so big the market will take place over the course of two days on Saturday, Dec. 20 and Sunday, Dec. 21 in the Kerr Scott Building. Five dollars gets you access to both days.
2025 holiday markets in RTP
Holiday Pop-Up Market hosted by Pop-Up Raleigh in the large ballroom of the Sheraton Imperial in RTP on Sunday, Nov. 23. The market will feature art, vintage finds, handmade gifts and even a few festive adult beverage offerings. Admission and parking are free.
2025 holiday markets in Durham
Celebrate small business Saturday by visiting the 6th Annual Handcrafted DURM Holiday Market on Nov. 29 from 2 pm to 6 pm. Shop goods sold by local Mom and Pops and highlighting minority vendors, enjoy some holiday treats and, of course, partake in a beer from the host location Durty Bull Brewing Company.
2025 holiday markets in Cary
A holiday pop-up market in Waverly Place benefits the Athens Drive Band Program. Dewey's Holiday Store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. through Christmas Eve. Shop Dewey's Moravian cookies and cakes, Carolina Kettle chips and gourmet nuts from 1949 Nut Co. There is also a variety arts and crafts made by friends and family of the band. All purchases are tax-free and support the band.
Fenton’s recurring third Saturday of the month, Maker's Market, will receive a holiday “makeover” as the Fenton Holiday Maker's Market on both Nov. 15 and Dec. 20 from 11 am to 4pm in Fenton Square. Shop local artists and vendors while enjoying live music.
The Mayton Hotel opens its doors on Sunday, Dec. 21 for The Mayton Holiday Market with 20 exclusive vendors of bath and body products, art, candles, food gifts, clothing accessories, and more. The bar will be serving up signature cocktails for the event.
2025 holiday markets in Chapel Hill
Hankering for some homemade holiday baked goods? St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Chapel Hill hosts their annual Christmas Holiday Shoppe Craft Show on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 am to 3 pm. The event will feature 60 artisans and crafters, a raffle, a food truck, and perhaps most importantly, a bake sale.
Shop while making a positive social impact at the Inclusive Business Holiday Gift Market featuring products by disability-owned small businesses or disability-inclusive local employers. The market’s goal is to support businesses who are inclusive of low-income populations. Find candles, wreathes, pottery, knitted items, and more. The market takes place on Saturday, Dec. 6 at Blue Hill Event Center at Extraordinary Ventures from 10 am to 1pm.