Choose your Boston holiday market adventure

Plus: Cocktail recipes, and Bradley Cooper's "Maestro" has a Mass. tie [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  November 22, 2023 🎁 Friday is mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Saturday will be sunny, with a high near 34, and Sunday gets a little warmer with highs near 45. Good Morning Boston, It's Black Friday. And when it comes to holiday shopping, Boston has plenty of options for those who want to avoid the big-box stores and buy locally made gifts. But how do you decide which holiday market is best for you? Maybe you’re on the hunt for a handmade or vintage gift. Maybe your ideal holiday market experience involves exploring Boston, too. Or maybe you’re just in it for the delicious food. (I know I am.) If any of the above piques your interest, we’ve got you covered. Here is a list of holiday markets around Greater Boston and the ‘burbs. I’m looking for an all-day affair. So, you’re ready to make a day of shopping, eating and snapping photos at the holiday market — perfect. Here are two that fit the bill (and make for a lovely day out with out-of-town guests, too.) Snowport (Nov. 10 - Dec. 31) 100 Seaport Blvd. One of Boston’s largest holiday markets, Snowport, has returned for its third year on Seaport Boulevard. Snowport features over [120 vendors]( selling candles, home goods and art — as well as a heaping handful of food and drink booths, serving up everything from pasta swirled in a wheel of melted cheese to chocolate truffles. There’s also a 10-foot mistletoe archway, free iceless curling and an ornament crafting workshop. Last year, over 825,000 people visited Snowport. “We’re anticipating over a million visitors coming through the market this November and December,” Ariel Foxman, vice president of brand and experience for Seaport, told WBUR. Expect some crowds at this one, and be sure to wear warm clothes in case you're in a long line for your hot cocoa. [Find the full calendar of Snowport’s events here](. SoWa Winter Festival (Nov. 24 - Dec. 17) 550 Harrison Ave. You can visit [115 vendors]( inside of the SoWa Power Station at the SoWa Winter Festival, an annual tradition now in its eighth year. “We have everything, from specialty food vendors to arts [and] crafts,” community events manager Aleksis Melo told WBUR. There will also be stands from beloved local businesses like Blackbird Doughnuts and Polkadog Bakery, so bring your doughnut-loving friends and pick up something for your pup, too. (Just don’t forget to bring $10 for the cost of admission to the festival.) If the artisan goods, [food trucks]( and hot drinks offered at the SoWa Winter Festival aren’t enough of an attraction, the festival also hosts live music and entertainment at the upstairs [mezzanine bar](. Fewer crowds, please. These four community-run markets give vendors and hobbyists with smaller-scale business operations a chance to display their wares for the season. That means you’re likely to find something no one else has, without spending too much time snaking through stalls. Boston Women’s Market (Nov. 25 - 26, Dec.1 - Dec. 23) Faneuil Hall and other locations The Boston Women’s Market, which highlights women-founded small businesses, will be popping up at [various locations around the Boston area]( throughout the holiday season. The market will be stationed at Faneuil Hall every weekend from Dec. 1-23, but you’ll also be able to find them at the Somerville Armory this weekend (Nov. 25-26), Everett’s Night Shift Brewing Taproom on Dec. 3, Harpoon Brewery on Dec. 9, Time Out Market on Dec. 16 and The Speedway in Brighton on Dec. 17. The team behind the Boston Women’s Market has also put together a [handy gift guide]( to help you browse through what you might want to snag ahead of time — everything from jewelry to ceramics to artwork and even pet goods. Harvard Square Holiday Fair (Dec. 15-17, Dec. 21-23) One Brattle Square The Harvard Square Holiday Fair has been held in Cambridge since 1986 and is beloved by many locals. The fair is described as a “high energy marketplace” that features [both local and international vendors]( and importers selling candles, pottery, fine art, woodworking and jewelry. It’s a can’t-miss fair for art lovers. Old South Church Christmas Craft Fair (Dec. 2) 645 Boylston St. The [Old South Church Christmas Craft Fair]( invites 30 local artisans to show their crafts for one day within the 150-year-old walls of Copley Square's grand church. The two biggest draws for this smaller scale fair are its location — right in bustling Back Bay — and, of course, the church's historic ambiance. This year, the fair will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 2, so you’ve only got one chance to visit. Snowflake Crossing: Downtown Boston’s holiday market, tree lighting and more (Nov. 24 - Dec. 23) Downtown Crossing Downtown is home to Boston’s most [iconic Christmas celebrations]( including the Boston Common Christmas tree lighting ([Nov. 30]( Boston Tuba Christmas ([it’s exactly what you think]( and a musical performance by the singing nuns of the St. Paul Choir. But did you know DTX has a weekend holiday market, too? This year at “Snowflake Crossing,” [The Holiday Market]( will be held at Summer Street Plaza every Friday and Saturday from Nov. 24 to Dec. 23 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (as long as the weather holds up). I’d like to find something vintage, antique or rare. There’s no shortage of [vintage stores in Boston]( if you’re looking for a gift with a little history attached to it. But this year, two of Greater Boston’s favorite flea markets — Somerville Flea and Fenway Flea — will host holiday markets, too. The Somerville Flea Holiday Markets (Dec. 3 and Dec. 17) 191 Highland Ave. Expect to hunt for [trinkets, furniture, and clothes]( that will make the perfect gift for the old soul in your life at this market, located in the Somerville Armory. Fenway Flea (Nov. 25-26 and Dec. 2-10) 401 Park Drive Apart from the racks of clothes and gear to thrift, [there’s also an ice rink]( right outside at 401 Park and a bevy of food options at Time Out Market inside. P.S.— Beyond visiting the many magnificent markets, there's plenty more to see, hear and enjoy in Boston over the next few days. Check out the arts and culture desk's [full list of things to do this weekend]( Hanna Ali Associate Producer, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  This Week's Must Reads [Was it love at first sight or a slow burn? Your love letters to Boston]( We set out to understand from our readers and contributors what it means to live in Boston and find your place in it. 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[Read more.]( [New Hampshire man had no car or furniture, but died with a big secret, leaving his town millions]( Geoffrey Holt died this year with a secret: He was a multimillionaire. And he gave it all away to this community of 4,200 people. [Read more.]( 👋 We want to get to know you better We have a [super short end-of-year survey]( that will help us better personalize our newsletters to your interests. Please help us out — it will only take 60 seconds or less. Anything Else? - Perhaps the frenzy of Black Friday isn't for you. Fret not, [here are four alternatives]( to shopping that will get you outside, living and learning instead. - Staff from the hot new Boston global soul food restaurant Comfort Kitchen joined The Common this week to craft two stunning and simple additions to your next meal: [Crispy star okra with a yogurt dip]( (a signature snack from the restaurant's menu) and Dream Street, a [creamy orange-coconut cocktail]( perfect for brunch or dessert. - Headed to the movies over the holidays? Film critic Sean Burns writes that Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” and Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro” make for [a fascinatingly mismatched pair](. It also turns out that “Maestro” has a local Massachusetts connection: [Tanglewood's Hollywood debut](. - Feeling a little tired of turkey sandwiches? Shake up your leftover game with [these recipes]( from Here & Now resident chef Kathy Gunst, using turkey in everything from warm pot pies to flavorful ramen.  What We're Reading 📚 - Gift Wrapping That Doesn't Create Waste ([The New York Times]( - In Massachusetts, Problem Gambling Meets Public Health ([Undark Magazine]( - How science can help hack tasty side dishes for your next holiday meal ([PBS NewsHour](  A Feast For Your Ears [These are the podcasts WBUR journalists are listening to]( We're taking stock of some of our favorite new podcasts this year, as well as old shows rediscovered. [Read more.]( [These are the podcasts WBUR journalists are listening to]( We're taking stock of some of our favorite new podcasts this year, as well as old shows rediscovered. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common is sharing a story from the newsroom today about a [group of entrepreneurs using EV chargers to highlight historic Black landmarks.]( Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [Stay alert.]( 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 🔎 Explore [WBUR's Field Guide]( stories, events and more. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📧 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. [Check out all of our newsletter offerings.]( Support the news   Want to change how you receive these emails? Stop getting this newsletter by [updating your preferences.](  I don't want to hear from WBUR anymore. Unsubscribe from all WBUR editorial newsletters [here](.  Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? [Click here.]( Copyright © 2023 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.