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!
Ongoing and Upcoming Markets
Santa Sale
Empire State Plaza
Every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 10 AM to 3 PM, December 5 to December 21
Find a holiday gift for everyone on your list at the 3-week, Empire State Plaza Santa Sale. The sale features everything from unique, handmade gifts, to fine arts and crafts, to clothing and accessories, to delicious holiday treats.
Fort Orange General Store Holiday Pop-Up Shops
Fort Orange General Store
December 9, December 16, December 17, and December 22
Find lovely, locally made gifts for everyone on your list during one of Fort Orange General Store's holiday pop up shops. On Saturday, December 9, stop in to find beautifully designed sugar cookies made by The Vintage Oven. During the weekend of the 16th and 17th, browse lovely floral arrangements by Ivy Oaks Floral to display during your holiday gatherings. Then, pop-in for some last-minute holiday shopping on December 22 when 17 & Orchards will be selling sustainably sourced candles. Fort Orange Store sells handmade products and gifts every day with extended holiday hours through December 23 so be sure to stop in this gift-giving season.
Colonie Center Shop Til You Drop Vendor Markets
Colonie Center Mall
December 23 and December 24
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 Trojan Horns Brass Band and the Sharon Fellowship Church.
Past Markets
Museum Store Sunday 2023
Albany Pine Bush Preserve
November 26 from 10 AM to 4 PM
Kick off 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 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: Holiday Market 2023
Albany Barn
December 1 from 6 PM to 8:30 PM & December 2 from 10 AM to 1 PM
Join Albany Barn for this annual two-day holiday shopping event starting on December's First Friday. Friday night kicks off with open studios, over 20 local vendors, a DJ, and the opening reception of Albany Barn Flash Bash featuring work of local tattoo artists. Saturday morning will feature open studios, a coffee bar, and the opportunity to purchase ornaments and create mini works of art.
First Friday Holiday Makers Market
Lark Street BID
December 1 from 6 PM to 9 PM
Celebrate First Friday and the start of the season at the Lark Street BID's Holiday Makers Market. Support local and shop handcrafted candles, soaps, jewelry and art made by regional artisans.
Annual Italian Christmas Market
American Italian Heritage Museum & Cultural Center
December 1 to December 3, 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.
Photo by Relentless Awareness
Winter Bazaar
John Boyd Thacher State Park
December 2 and December 3 from 10 AM to 4 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 The Kenmore Ballroom
The Kenmore Ballroom
December 2 from 11 AM to 4 PM
The Downtown Albany BID is teaming up with The Kenmore Ballroom for a holiday market on December 2. 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 Kenmore Ballroom 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.
Irish American Heritage Museum's Annual Christmas Market
Celtic Hall
December 3 from 10 AM to 4 PM
The Irish American Heritage Museum's annual Christmas Market returns on December 3. Held at Celtic Hall at 430 New Karner Road in Colonie, browse over 25 vendors and enjoy Irish food, raffles, and entertainment. Plus, there will be the annual visit from Santa Claus!
Christmas Shop and Bake Sale
Albany Rural Cemetery
December 3 from 10 AM to 4 PM
Visit the historic Albany Rural Cemetery for their second annual holiday shopping event. Peruse their unique holiday gifts, Christmas decorations, and ARC merchandise. Plus, stop by the bake sale for delicious festive treats.
Ten Broeck Mansion Museum Shop
Ten Broeck Mansion
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, 12 PM to 3 PM from December 1 to December 17
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, Ten Broeck Mansion themed gifts, history books and even custom wreaths!
2023 Shaker Holiday Market
Shaker Heritage Society
Weekly, Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 4 PM until December 17
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.
