By Kennedy Sam
Director of Marketing and Communications

‘Tis the season for gift giving and shopping locally!

Can you believe holiday season is here?! No really, where has this year gone. The holidays might look a little different this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate! One thing this year has taught us is the importance of appreciating the people around us and supporting our community. Waco is home to an array of talented artists, creatives and makers who unfortunately have been hit hard this year. Don’t wait until the last minute to start thinking about gifts for your loved ones and get caught in the game of “Express Shipping: Will It Be Here Time?”

Make this holiday season extra special with a unique, personalized or commissioned locally made item and support a small business in the process. Markets are a great way to shop a collection of goods by various vendors, connecting directly with the creator and enjoying the community. Lucky for you, there’s a collection of markets on the docket leading up to the holidays. Grab your calendar and keep reading!

8 Local Markets to Shop This Holiday Season

This list has been updated to reflect upcoming November and December markets. This is not a comprehensive list of every market happening around town this holiday weekend. If you know of one that should be added to the list please contact us!

 1.     Waco Downtown Farmers Market – Every Saturday from 9AM – 1PM | Washington Ave. & 5th St.

Need we say more? The Waco Downtown Farmers Market is a downtown weekend staple featuring local vendors from Central Texas and surrounding areas. This week’s market will also welcome a special guest — the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile! The market will also be celebrating their 9th anniversary on Nov. 21 and featuring its handmade market. Visit their Facebook to enter the raffle for a basket of goodies!

2.     Skellington Curiosities and Oddities Market – Sunday, November 22 from 12 – 4PM | Skellington Curiosities

Who says “Spooky Season” can’t last all year? Shop the collection of oddities and curiosities with the Skellingtons. This month’s market features 20 local vendors, food trucks and sideshow performances. For the Nightmare Before Christmas fans out there, snap a photo with Jack and Sally! This event is free and family-friendly.

3. Yuletide Holiday Gift Market – December 5 -6 from 10am – 4pm | Brazos Theatre

Presented by the Cen-Tex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Brazos Theatre of Waco, The Yuletide Holiday Gift Market is two days of holiday cheer! Free admission to some of the best holiday shopping in central Texas at the corner of Hwy 6 & Bosque, at the Bosque Square Shopping Center!

Applications are now being accepted for vendors and food trucks here:
https://www.cognitoforms.com/…/YuletideHolidayMarketVen…

 4.     Cultivate Christmas Market – December 12 from 12 – 7:00PM | Cultivate 7twelve

Cultivate 7twelve is hosting its second Christmas market of the season featuring an array of local vendors. Get in the holiday feels with festive snacks, drinks, and mulled wine on the back patio.

5.     Uptown Art Walk – December 12 from 11am – 3pm | Uptown Waco, Washington Ave.

MC Art Supplies and the Kieran-Sistrunk Fine Art Gallery launched the Uptown Art Walk in summer 2020 as a way for local artist, creatives, and makers to sell their goods and safely connect with the community in person. Hop around from lawn to lawn on Washington Ave. and visit all of the vendors on display. Keep a look out on MC Art Supplies and the Kieran-Sistrunk Fine Art Gallery’s socials for the announcement of the next one.

6.     Eastside Market – December 19 from 12 – 5PM | Brotherwell Brewing

Live music is back and the beer garden is open at the Eastside Market! The November Market will focus on handmade and artisanal vendors who pour their passion into creating beautiful and unique items. As usual, every third Sunday you’ll find dozens of vendors, food trucks, and a live graffiti art installation.

7.     Make It In Waco – Online Marketplace

Shop and Do Good this holiday season on MakeItInWaco.com. Surprise your loved ones with a unique handcrafted item or a commissioned artwork. You can shop at your leisure and from the convenience of your home! A small portion of each purchase is donated to the Make It Through Corona fund ran by Creative Waco to support local creatives through the pandemic. You can find a few Make It In Waco vendors at the Cultivate Christmas Market and Eastside Market as well!

8.     Floating Mercado – TBA | Centex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

The Centex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce hosts a one-day, monthly market featuring food, drinks and culture through local businesses. Follow their page for updates on the December market!