Sadly, we’ve become a point-and-click society. Sure, it's fast. But it takes all the joy and community out of gift shopping for friends and loved ones. Remember walking out into the sunshine, talking to people — stuff like that? Buck technology at these markets and shops, and enjoy a shop-a-palooza that supports your local small businesses.
Here are 25 of the best options:
Stapleton Holiday Bazaar
The Shops at Northfield Stapleton, 8340 Northfield Boulevard
Sunday, December 1, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
General Admission: Free
The Denver Bazaar comes to Stapleton for the first of three holiday markets this season. This edition's conveniently located near 47th Avenue and Main Street at the Shops at Northfield, where parking is plentiful and it’s easy to duck inside to warm up and maybe peruse Black Friday deals. The market boasts sixty eclectic vendors, food trucks and lots of booze bargains.
Westwood Holiday Market, Art Show & Tamale-Thon
Re:Vision, 3738 Morrison Road
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, through December 15, times vary.
Tamale orders in advance, starting at $18 (tamale pickup, December 18 through 20 only); Tamale-Making Workshops, December 6, 7, 13 and 14, $20 each.
The Re:Vision Westwood Food Cooperative’s new RISE Westwood space on Morrison Road is ready for the season with a community-minded holiday event in three parts, beginning on Black Friday: First, hit the holiday market, chock-full of handmade goods with a Mexicano vibe, then catch The Lady of the Stars: A Tribute to Our Lady of Guadalupe, an art show of Guadalupe imagery curated by Mari Plaza-Munet and including local artists. It’s also an opportunity to order fresh platters of homemade tamales – in person or online, to be picked up at the co-op on December 18, 19 or 20. Or learn to make your own: A series of four different workshops will be offered in December for $20 each. Register in advance at the link above.
Black Friday Artists BaZaar
Visions West Contemporary, 2605 Walnut Street
Through December 28
Shun the big boxes and load up on the gift of art at Visions West on Black Friday, where hundreds of small works by more than forty artists will be ready for holiday shoppers. The affordable-art show hangs through December 28, but shopping early for the best selection might be your best plan.
Bibelot Show 2019
Kanon Collective, Pasternack’s Art Hub, 6851 West Colfax Avenue
Through Sunday, December 15
Closing Reception: Friday, December 13, 6 to 10 p.m.
Affordable art is also the focus at Kanon Collective, where the annual Bibelot Show is back for its first go at Kanon’s new home at Pasternack’s Art Hub in Lakewood. The juried selection of art offers something for everyone in just about any medium under the sun.
Horseshoe Holiday Market 2019
Highlands Masonic Temple, 3550 Federal Boulevard
Sunday, December 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
The Horseshoe once again reimagines the nooks and crannies of the Highlands Masonic Temple for its cheery annual post-Thanksgiving holiday market, ready and waiting indoors and out with 100 hand-picked artisan, vintage and craft vendors, free admission and food trucks. It’s elbow-to-elbow at this one, a Westword Best of Denver favorite, and worth every minute. New this year, but not on the premises: An indoor Horseshoe Market retail shop with forty vendors is currently open through the end of December at the newly opened Edgewater Public Market.
Fetch Holiday Market
Denver Sports Castle, 1000 Broadway
Through December 15
Fridays, 6 to 10 p.m.
Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
$5 weekend passes, $10 for all three weekends
Fetch Market, formerly known as the Denver Flea, has embraced a higher level of sophistication. This year it will throw vendor markets at the Denver Sports Castle on three consecutive weekends, beginning on Small Business Saturday, with a new three-weekend pass for $10 to appease the most thorough shopaholics. The selection of rotating vendors will change weekly for a fresh look. Looking for something more leisurely? Drop by the year-round retail Fetch Shop at the Dairy Block downtown.
Small Biz Pop-Up: Womxn of the Future
Ivywild School, 1604 South Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs
Saturday, November 30, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Womxn of Future’s Pop-Up might seem far afield in Colorado Springs, but its woman-centric premise supports diverse Colorado communities, including LGBTQ people, women of color, women with disabilities, single mothers and allies. Everything for sale or perusal, from artisan and vintage wares to design, health and counseling services, is from a local woman-owned business. Women ARE the future, you know.
Holiday Craftstravaganza
River North Brewery, 6021 Washington Street
Sunday, December 1, 1 to 4 p.m.
Crafted Art Emporium joins forces with Modern Which-Craft to blend another handmade holiday vendor market in a brewery with a DIY ornament-making workshop. Kids and dogs are more than welcome at the taproom — and of course, for you, there’s beer. Can’t make it this time? River North’s Blake Street Taproom will host another Craftstravaganza on December 15.
Do you have an event you want included in a Westword list? Send the details to [email protected].