This time of year is filled with holiday cheer, sparkling lights and tons of shopping, of course! Shop local this holiday season for handcrafted goods from local makers at festive holiday markets. Not only are these markets stocked with unique gifts, but they are a great way to support Albany County's small businesses, museums and local heritage sites. Make plans to shop local at one of the following seasonal markets this holiday season!
Deck the Hall-bany Holiday Market & Festival
Clinton Market Collective & Quackenbush Square
November 22, 29, December 6, 13 from 11 AM to 4 PM
Deck the Hall-bany is downtown Albany's weekly holiday market and festival co-produced by ParkAlbany and the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District! Stay warm under heated tents as you shop gift ideas for everyone on your list with local independent businesses and creators, enjoy live music and entertainment, free hot chocolate samples, and holiday cheer in the core of our Capital Region community.
2025 Shaker Holiday Market
Shaker Heritage Society
Weekly, Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 4 PM until December 14
Handcrafted holiday cheer awaits at the Shaker Heritage Holiday Market! Held in the historic 1848 Meeting House at Shaker Heritage Society, the holiday market features one-of-a-kind gifts from regional artisans. Find a variety of handmade ornaments, pottery, jams, soaps, jewelry, artisan foods and more.
Annual Christkindlmarkt
German American Club of Albany
November 22 from 11 AM to 4 PM
Shop homemade baked goods, German Christmas decorations, holiday items, advent calendars, and more! Kids can enjoy a woodworking activity. Brats, sauerkraut, spaetzle and pretzels will be available for dining in or take out.
Voorheesville Dollars for Scholars Craft & Vendor Fair
Voorheesville High School
November 23 from 10 AM to 3 PM
Shop over 100 booths from a variety of wonderful crafters and vendors!
Christmas Shop and Bake Sale
Albany Rural Cemetery
November 29 from 10 AM to 4 PM
Visit the historic Albany Rural Cemetery for their third annual holiday shopping event. Peruse their unique holiday gifts, Christmas decorations, and ARC merchandise. Plus, stop by the bake sale for delicious festive treats.
Nine Pin Holiday Makers Market
Nine Pin Cider
November 29 from 11 AM to 4 PM
This Small Business Saturday, make sure to stop by Nine Pin Cider for their Holiday Makers Market! Do your holiday shopping with local vendors while enjoying a crisp cider.
Shop Small Stroll at Stuyvesant Plaza
Stuyvesant Plaza
November 29 from 11 AM to 2 PM
Support your favorite locally owned shops and boutiques while enjoying a delightful stroll through the Plaza. Upon arrival, check in on The Lawn to receive your Stroll Card and a special welcome gift to kick off your day. As you explore participating retailers, collect stamps from each stop. Collect four or more stamps along your journey to be entered into a Holiday Gift Basket Giveaway, valued at over $250!
Gifted: Winter Market 2025
Albany Barn
December 5 from 6 PM to 9 PM
Join Albany Barn for this annual holiday shopping event on December's First Friday. Friday night offers open studios, local vendors, a DJ, and an opening reception in their gallery!
A Very FAIRy Christmas Village
Altamont Fairgrounds
December 5-6, 12-13, 19-20 from 6 PM to 8:30 PM
Celebrate the magic of the season at the inaugural A Very FAIRy Christmas Village, a festive holiday experience held over three weekends in December at the Altamont Fairgrounds! Enjoy a charming holiday market with handmade craft vendors, a country store, and a hot cocoa bar with snacks available for purchase. Families can enjoy a variety of optional holiday activities for a small fee, including horse and wagon rides, ornament making, cookie decorating, s'more roasting, and visits with Santa Claus, complete with photo opportunities.
Annual Italian Christmas Market
American Italian Heritage Museum & Cultural Center
December 6-7, Friday & Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM, Sunday 11 AM to 3 PM
Visit the American Italian Heritage Museum & Cultural Center for the annual Italian Christmas Market from December 6 to December 7. The exhibit rooms are transformed into festive marketplaces featuring traditional Italian products. Purchase gifts such as Italian language greeting cards, hand-crafted ceppi (Italian Christmas trees), Buon Natale ornaments and more! The museum's spectacular room-sized Italian Nativity Special Exhibit, created by local artist Joseph Anastasio, will also be back on display in the Special Exhibit room.
Conkling Hall Holiday Market
Conkling Hall
December 6 from 10 AM to 3 PM
Enjoy a variety of talented artisans offering handcrafted gifts, festive décor, locally sourced foods, gourmet treats, and one-of-a-kind treasures.
Photo by Relentless Awareness
Winter Bazaar
John Boyd Thacher State Park
December 6 from 10 AM to 3 PM and December 7 from 11 AM to 3 PM
Thacher Park's annual holiday shopping event is back at the Visitors Center! Shop for unique hand-crafted gifts made by local artisans and crafters including jewelry, woodwork, soaps, basketry, and more.
A Big Gay Market
December 7 from 10 AM to 4 PM
A Big Gay Market is a queer-affirming market filling the Washington Park Lakehouse with LGBTQIA+ makers, artists, and small businesses, plus music, community resources, and cozy winter vibes. Expect a joyful, gender-expansive space to shop local, support queer and trans vendors, and celebrate the season together!
A Big Gay Market Holiday Pop-Up
Common Roots Brewing Company
December 13 from 12 PM to 4 PM
Haven't had enough of A Big Gay Market? They're popping up again at Common Roots Brewing Company's Albany Outpost for the holiday season! Grab gifts for everyone on your list from numerous vendors. This market will feature 30 queer, gender expansive, and allies from across the 518 all to support the Albany Rock Project!
Holiday Market at Emack & Bolio's
Emack & Bolio's Ice Cream
December 9 from 6 PM to 9 PM
Find something sweet for everyone on your list at this year-round ice cream shop's annual holiday market! Browse handmade gifts from local vendors.
Albany Twilight Market
Washington Park Lakehouse
December 13 from 5 PM to 9 PM
Conjure up some Christmas spirit at Albany Twilight Market's final event of the year! Shop for those on your list with an interest in the strange and unusual. The Twilight Market hosts alternate vendors selling oddities, macabre items, curated antiques, gothic apparel and more.
International Makers & Flavors Market
Albany Institute of History & Art
December 13 from 12 PM to 4 PM
International vendors, artisans, and makers will showcase and sell their handmade goods, sharing their craftsmanship, heritage, and cultural traditions. Guests can also enjoy delicious food reflecting the diverse cultures represented at the event!
Shop Til' You Drop Vendor Fair
December 19-21 from 11 AM to 6 PM
Gotta get some last-minute shopping done? Drop in to Colonie Center the weekend before Christmas and peruse the vendor market on top of the mall's retail stores. While shopping, enjoy some live music and performances!
