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!
Holiday Market at Emack & Bolio's
Emack & Bolio's
November 19 from 5 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.
2024 Shaker Holiday Market
Shaker Heritage Society
Weekly, Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 4 PM until December 15
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.
Colonie Center Vendor Markets
27th Annual Craft Fair
November 23 from 10 AM to 7 PM
Kick off your holiday shopping with Christian Brothers Academy's 27th Annual Craft Fair! Colonie Center will host over 100 vendors selling unique handmade crafts. There's sure to be something for everyone on your list!
Holiday Express Gift Show
November 30 and December 1 from 11 AM to 6 PM
The weekend right after Thanksgiving, stop by Colonie Center to peruse vendors along with the mall's retail stores. Live entertainment includes Kevin Sokal on the acoustic guitar, WCAA-LP "The Voice," and World of Dance!
Deck the Halls Holiday Show
December 7 and December 8 from 11 AM to 6 PM
The best holiday shopping opportunities continue on throughout December at Colonie Center. Peruse vendors, shop the mall's retail stores, and enjoy live entertainment! Enjoy a meet and greet with author Julie Chapman and enjoy a performance by Dance Dimensions. North Country Wildlife Care Rescue will also be present the whole weekend.
Rudolph's Runway Holiday Show
December 14 and December 15 from 11 AM to 6 PM
As the holidays draws closer, run to Colonie Center for their second to last vendor fair! Live entertainment includes Lennox and Four Star Entertainment.
Shop Til' You Drop Vendor Fair
December 20 through December 22 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 performed by the Colonie Village Singers and dance performed by Triple Threat Athletic Cheer & Dance. Kevin Sokal closes out the weekend with a performance on the acoustic guitar, Sunday.
Nine Pin Holiday Makers Market
Nine Pin Cider
November 30 from 11 AM to 4 PM
This Small Business Saturday, make sure to stop by Nine Pin Cider for their Holiday Makers Market! Featured vendors include Rise & Pine Candle Co, Lara Kelley Pottery, Queer Snail Studio, Lemelin Creations - Handmade Goods and more.
Museum Store Sunday 2024
Albany Pine Bush Preserve
December 1 from 10 AM to 4 PM
Start your holiday shopping on this annual day that celebrates cultural institutions and their stores. The Pine Bush Preserve will offer unique gifts with proceeds supporting the Pine Bush and the artisans who create the items found throughout the store. Find clothing, toys, books and more inspired by the fascinating ecosystem of the Pine Bush.
Gifted: Winter Marker 2024
Albany Barn
December 6 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 the opening reception for Metamorphosis, a local art exhibit on view through the end of the year.
First Friday Winter Wonders Market
Discover Albany Visitors Center | Common Roots Brewing Company | Albany City Hall | The Eleven at Lark Hall | Washington Avenue Armory
December 6 from 5 PM to 9 PM
Celebrate First Friday and the start of the season at the Lark Street BID's Winter Wonders Market. Support local and shop handcrafted gifts made by regional artisans. This community market is spread out throughout various small businesses and organizations in Albany. Each location offers a free tote! After your done with the market, explore downtown Albany and Lark Street's many restaurants and unique shops!
Annual Italian Christmas Market
American Italian Heritage Museum & Cultural Center
December 6 to December 8, 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 1 to December 3. 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.
A Big Gay Market Holiday Pop-Up
Common Roots Brewing Company
December 7 from 11 AM to 3 PM
The popular A Big Gay Market is popping up at Common Roots Brewing Company for the holiday season! Grab gifts for everyone on your list from numerous vendors. A portion of proceeds will go towards Free Food Fridge Albany. Stop by and learn how you can help support the Free Food Fridge Albany project!
Photo by Relentless Awareness
Winter Bazaar
John Boyd Thacher State Park
December 7 from 10 AM to 3 PM and December 8 from 11 AM to 3 PM
Thacher Park's annual holiday shopping event just got bigger and better filling both The Visitors Center and Nature Center. Shop for unique hand-crafted gifts made by local artisans and crafters including jewelry, woodwork, soaps, basketry, and more.
Photo provided by the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District
Holiday Market at Union Station
Union Station
December 6 from 4 PM to 7 PM and December 7 from 11 AM to 3 PM
The Downtown Albany BID is teaming up with newly re-imagined Union Station for a holiday market on December 6 & 7. Find the perfect gift for everyone on your holiday shopping list from local artisans, markers, artists and small businesses. If you have not had a chance to admire the stunning Union Station in-person this is the perfect opportunity to admire the venue while shopping small.
This holiday market runs in conjunction with Downtown Albany BID's Hot Chocolate Stroll. Tickets are available to stroll downtown sampling hot cocoas from a variety of businesses and vote for your favorite.
Ten Broeck Mansion Museum Shop
Ten Broeck Mansion
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, 12 PM to 3 PM from December 6 to December 22
Stop by the Ten Broeck Mansion Museum Shop after exploring the festively decorated historic site for their annual Holiday House. The Museum Shop features an array of treasures from locally-made goods to Ten Broeck Mansion themed gifts to history books to custom-made wreaths!
Christmas Shop and Bake Sale
Albany Rural Cemetery
December 8 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.
Albany Twilight Market
Washington Park Lakehouse
December 14 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.
BONUS
Holiday Shop & Hop
Crossgates Mall
November 23 from 11 AM to 5 PM
Get a gift for everyone on your list with this fun-filled holiday shopping tour! Park your car at Crossgates and climb aboard a festive shuttle taking you to many of Albany County's favorite shopping destinations. The luxury bus is decked out in festive decor and stocked with hot cocoa and holiday-themed goodies. Plus enjoy games, sing-alongs and more!
