LA's Best Holiday Markets and Events for Shopping Non-Lame Gifts

Hera Collective's holiday market, The Fullest's pop-up at Platform, and more.

Given the endless merry jingles and winter wonderland-inspired decor that have taken over LA since before Thanksgiving, 'tis clearly the season to buy all of the things for yourself and loved ones. If you prefer to break away from big box malls in favor of cult-cool boutiques and local designers, there are plenty of like-minded holiday retail therapy happenings to help you take care of the stylish folks on your Chrismakwanzakkah list.

That's why we've rounded up LA's coolest indie markets, pop-up bazaars, and shopping parties happening now until the end of the year. Whether you're looking for clothing for the style star in your fam, beauty products for your favorite wellness junkies, grooming products for the modern men in your life, or luxe leather goods for cool bag ladies, or one-of-a-kind art prints for interior design aficionados, these retail therapy wonderlands promises something for every type of person.

Keep your eyes peeled on this page as we'll be updating it as more holiday events are announced.

Ongoing

Highland Park Holiday Market (Highland Park): Shop minimalist-cool womenswear from Selva/Negra, knitwear from Maria Dora, and sustainable underpinnings from Botanica Workshop during the pop-up market and sample sale.
When: Every Friday through Sunday in December (12 to 6 p.m. daily)
Where: 6189 North Figueroa St., LA, 90042

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Poketo x Join Holiday Market (DTLA Arts District): Shop design-driven goods by creative collective Join's roster of independent creators from the Pacific Northwest and beyond at Poketo Project Space at Row DTLA. Expect to find something for everyone on your list with artfully crafted housewares, accessories, stationery, apparel, and more from 19 American studios.
When: Now through Tuesday, January 1, 2019 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Where: Poketo at Row DTLA, 777 South Alameda St., Suite 174, LA, 90021

DTLA IRL Holiday Pop-Up (DTLA): Part art gallery, visitor's center, event space, and retail shop, the DTLA concept store is showcasing a handful of LA-based brands during its holiday market. Expect to find labels like Handcrafted LA, Piece by Piece, Sub_Urban Riot, SkidRow Denim, Kent Woman, Pocket Square Clothing, and more.
When: Wednesday, December 12 through Friday, December 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily (closed Sundays)
Where: 437 West 7th St., LA, 90017

Weekend of December 15

The Fullest's Holiday Market (Culver City): Enthusiasts of wellness and design will want to swing by The Fullest's holiday market at Platform in Culver City, where conscious shoppers will find everything from non-toxic skincare products and crystal sex toys to oversized cashmere throws and affordable, ethically-made fine jewelry, to name just a few things. Love it? RSVP for the free event online here.
When: Saturday, December 15 (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Where: Platform, 8850 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 90232

Photo: Courtesy of Hera Collective

Hera Collective Holiday Fair (DTLA): Support women makers and entrepreneurs while picking up gifts for loved ones (and yourself) at Hera Collective's holiday marketplace, which boasts more than 25 local designers and creatives. Curated in collaboration with A Tribe Called Queer, the female-powered community's bazaar promises sustainable womenswear, vintage clothing, jewelry, accessories, skincare, decor, florals, and even tattoos. Plus, 10% of ticket sales go to ProjectQ.
Tickets: $8, available in advance online here
When: Sunday, December 16 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Where: Saturn Creative, 932 South San Pedro St., LA, 90015

Unique Market (Santa Monica): The massive independent marketplace's Westside installment will hold court on the iconic Santa Monica Pier. Over 200 vendors will participate in the seaside holiday pop-up, which costs $15 to attend and includes free photo booth seshes, relaxing lounges, free drinks and snacks, complimentary gift wrapping, and more perks. Into it? Get to know Unique founder Sonja Rasula here and check out the full list of participants here.
Tickets: $15, available at the door or in advance online here
When: Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Where: Santa Monica Pier, 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, 90401

Past Events

The Great Holiday Bazaar (West Hollywood): In honor of Giving Tuesday, Americana-cool LA label The Great is hosting its first-ever holiday bazaar at its Melrose boutique. In addition to enjoying vino tastings with Helen's Wines, shoppers can expect to pick up The Great.'s holiday collection and vintage finds alongside fine jewelry by Sarah Hendler, chic socks from Le Bon Shoppe, charming letter figurines by Mister Alphabet, florals by Moon Canyon, stationery from Paper Chase Press, beans on Canyon Coffee, and many more giftables from The Great's favorite local artisans. Plus, there'll be custom gift wrapping and 10% of all sales from the evening will be donated to the Phase One foundation for cancer research.
When: Tuesday, November 27 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Where: The Great, 8575 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 90069; (424) 302-0558

West 3rd Street Holiday Party (Beverly Grove): Over 50 boutiques, beauty salons, fitness studios, and eateries will be offering festive deals, free drinks and bites, giveaways, and more during West 3rd Street's block party; get more details on the discounts and participating retailers here and see our gift guides featuring finds from the stylish stretch's cool boutiques here.
When: Saturday, December 1 from 2 to 6 p.m.
Where: West 3rd Street between La Cienega and Fairfax, LA, 90048

District La Brea Holiday Shop & Stroll (La Brea): Brands like Arc'teryx, Aether Apparel, Best Made Co., Nudie Jeans, Bonobos, and more will be offering deals, free food and drinks, and gifts with purchase during the festive retail therapy event. There'll also be a holiday parklet, plenty of selfie stations, live DJ sets, and more; get more details here.
When: Saturday, December from 12 to 4 p.m.
Where: South La Brea Avenue between West 1st and 2nd Streets; LA, 90036

Photo: Grand Central Market

Grand Central Market's Fifth Annual Holiday Marketplace (DTLA): The historic food destination will transform into a pop-up village filled with cool local designers and boutiques, like Bad Pickle Tees, felt artist Billy Kheel, fashionable florist Birch & BoneBrown Bag BooksDTLA Gift Shop, urban stationery brand Ink + Smog Editions, Los Angeles County StoreMade by DWCM.Greenwood Jams, and globally-inspired home goods and accessories brand YA Living. GCM's eateries will also offer seasonal specials, while Kheel, Birch & Bone's Amelia Posada, Roofless Painters' Julio Panisello, and Little Junebugs will each lead hands-on crafting workshops. A full schedule of entertainment promises plenty of festive music from around the world, from Mexican bolero trio Tres Souls and Afro Cuban ensemble Sitara Son to swing band HiFi Honeydroms and more; plus, there'll be meet-and-greets with Santa from 1 to 3 p.m. both days. The event is free; get more deets and find out how to buy tickets to workshops here.
When: Saturday, December 1 and Sunday, December 2 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily)
Where: Grand Central Market, 317 South Broadway, LA, 90013; (213) 624-2378


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Striiike Holiday Market (Beverly Hills): The oh-so-cool Streicher sisters are inviting a handful of their fashion and beauty friends for a holiday gift market at their Beverly Hills studio, Striiike. The free and festive party will feature safe skincare and cosmetics from Beautycounter, chic party supplies from Bonjour Fête, accessories and luxe leather essentials from Cuyana, cannabis pens and accessories from Dosist, fine jewelry from  Iconery and Gabriela Artigas, home decor from Lulu & Georgia, candles from Le Feu de L'eau, womenswear from Mille, handmade wooden goods from The Wooden Palate, and much more. That's not all: There'll be free coffee, complimentary treatments by Facile, free manis from Olive + June, cocktail happy hours, ear piercing, and custom art seshes with @cartorialist; see the full schedule and RSVP here.
When: Saturday, December 1 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday, December 2 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Where: Striiike, 9278 Civic Center Dr., Beverly Hills, 90210


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Union Station Holiday Festival & Market (DTLA): The iconic transit hub's second annual free holiday bazaar takes over the south patio for a full day of merry retail therapy, entertainment, and more. Over 30 vendors will offer vintage and new clothing, accessories, jewelry, art, home decor, candles, stationery, and more, while a craft beer garden and food trucks will ensure that shoppers can fuel up on artisanal drinks and bites from a host of food trucks and Union Station's own Traxx Bar. Hip hop musical outfit Top Shelf Brass Band and retro singers The Beverly Belles will provide festive sounds, The Bob Baker Marionette Theater will perform a special show, and kids and grown-ups alike can swing by the Christmas wish list station and the Little Elves Workshop to get into the cheery spirit. Last but not least, the jolly man of the season (a.k.a. Santa) will also make a cameo.
When: Saturday, December 1 (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Where: Union Station, 800 North Alameda St., LA, 90012


Photo: Unique LA

Unique LA (DTLA): LA's favorite (and locally-bred) maker's two-day market is headed to California Market Center's penthouse with over 300 independent designers, artists, and other creative craftsters in tow. All attendees can enjoy a free limited edition tote bags, free drinks, hands-on DIY workshops, festive photo booths, free gift-wrapping, music, and more with their $15 general admission ticket; if you prefer a VIP experience, a $35 ticket will get you free wine, a VIP-only bar, free bag valet, a dedicated lounge, and a special edition of Unique magazine.
Tickets: $15 to $35, available at the door or online here
When: Saturday, December 1 and Sunday, December 2 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily)
Where:
California Market Center, 110 East Ninth St., LA, 90079


Photos: Howl & Rose/Fashion Mamas

Kids Fashion Fair (Glendale): If you've got a ton of cool tots to tweens on your list, then make your way to Kids Fashion Fair at Americana at Brand. Presented by creative mom network Fashion Mamas, the holiday market promises kids clothing, accessories, toys, and other giftables. That's not all: It'll also feature a fashion show starring IG-famous kids like @zooeyinthecityMila & Emma, and more of LA's most stylish little ones, all styled by celebrity stylists (and mothers) Abby Arad and Ashley North. There'll also be an Art Camp crafting table, a hot cocoa station, and even a Ladurée macaron ice cream sandwich bar. The family-friendly fair is free; RSVP online here.
When:
Sunday, December 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Americana at Brand, 889 Americana Way, Glendale, 91210

Weekend of December 8

Ban.do's The Mall (Hollywood): The fun-loving LA brand is opening the doors to its Hollywood HQ, where shoppers can score up to 30% off their entire purchase. Actress Busy Phillips will also be on hand Saturday to sign her new book, This Will Only Hurt A Little, while both days will feature mini manicures from Color Camp, a vintage photo booth, pretzels from Auntie Anne's, and custom airbrushed tees by Gentle Thrills. Of course, friends of Ban.do will also be shoppable: Expect to find clothing, jewelry, accessories, cosmetics, skincare, stationery, treats, and more from Benefit, Bijou Karman, By Smells, Girlfriend Collective, The Good Twin, Jess Diam, Nooworks,, Richer Poorer, Sugarfina, and more.
When: Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 9 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily)
Where: 1110 North Beachwood Dr., Hollywood, 90038


Photo: Renegade Craft

Renegade Craft (DTLA): The Chicago-founded handmade-focused market once again takes over Los Angeles State Historic Park, where it'll bring over 300 vendors offering women's, men's, and kids clothing, footwear, accessories, and jewelry; home decor; art; beauty and wellness products; artisanal foods; stationery; and plenty more. Expect to hear live DJ sets, get colorful aura portraits, chow down on food truck grub, and more during the free, two-day bazaar.
When: Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 9 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily)
Where: Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 North Spring St., LA, 90012


Photo: Echo Park Craft Fair

Echo Park Craft Fair (Silver Lake): LA's beloved bohemian-modern bazaar outgrew its original Echo Park backyard location long ago, and it's returning to the historic Mack Sennett Studios in Silver Lake once again. The kid- and dog-friendly community gathering promises over 120 designers, artists, and creators who are shining examples of the "thriving Makers Movement." Expect to shop clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry, art, books, toys, ceramics, home decor, beauty and skincare products, and more while enjoying music by Dublab DJs. There'll also be artisanal food and coffee on offer alongside snacks and drinks from Moon Juice and a specialty cocktail bar.
Tickets: $30 for the VIP preview night on Friday, December 7; $12 for single-day tickets; and $20 for weekend passes; buy online in advance here (service fees applicable)
When: Friday, December 7 (6 to 9 p.m.) and Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 9 (11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily)
Where: Mack Sennett Studios, 1215 Bates Ave., LA, 90026

Self Help Graphics & Art's Holiday Marketplace (Boyle Heights): The Eastside gallery's annual mercadito promises thoughtful handmade gifts, food, and fine art from local artists as well as hands-on workshops and print-making demos led by LA talents.
When: Saturday, December 8 from 12 to 5 p.m.
Where: Self Help Graphics & Arts, 1300 East 1st St., Boyle Heights, 90033

This story was originally published November 27 and updated with new events.

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