One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Southern California's best winter craft fairs, bazaars and markets
Shoppers look at Christmas items at a store in New Delhi, India on December 24, 2007.
(
MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images
)
Indian craftswoman Bhawana prepares clay lamps ahead of the Hindu festival of Diwali in Amritsar on October 17, 2011.
(
NARINDER NANU/AFP/Getty Images
)
The Christmas decorations are coming out, and with the holidays comes holiday shopping. Want to support local SoCal vendors, shop owners and craftspeople while you check the boxes on your gift list? Take your pick from these winter bazaars, craft fairs and gifting events. And have a holly jolly holiday shopping season.
Artists & Fleas
WHEN: Saturday Nov. 11, Saturday Nov. 25, Saturday Dec. 9
WHERE: 1010 Abbot Kinney, Venice
COST: Free
This boho market, founded in hipster haven Williamsburg, Brooklyn, happens the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. The offerings include soy candles, vintage-inspired pin-up dresses, housewares handmade in Africa, one-of-a-kind jewelry and several fashion boutiques.
Patchwork Show Long Beach
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 12
WHERE: Appian Way at Bayshore, Long Beach
COST: Free
Once a small, parking lot affair, Patchwork now hosts multiple events including street festivals and large indoor marketplaces. The one in Long Beach is the largest, with more than 200 Southern California vendors selling diverse handmade goods. The DIY emphasis is strong at crafting stations where you can create your own gifts. This is also a very pet-friendly event.
Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair
WHEN: Saturday - Sunday, Nov. 18-19
WHERE: Old Pasadena
COST: Free
Stationary, candles, lotions, planters, housewares, baby gear, pet items, purses, jewelry, sunglasses, shoes and original artworks are among the goods on offer at this Denver and Pasadena holiday market. Locally made and sourced edibles such as hot sauces, jams, honey, coffee, pickles and popsicles will also be available for purchase.
Sponsored message
Patchwork Show Santa Ana
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 26
WHERE: East 4th at Spurgeon St., Santa Ana
COST: Free
Santa Ana is where Patchwork started, seven years ago. This large event draws thousands of customers for a unique shopping experience that spans three different streets and incorporates local galleries, museums and even a few restaurants and bars.
Unique LA Holiday 2017
WHEN: Saturday - Sunday, Dec. 2-3
WHERE: California Market Center, downtown L.A.
COST: $15-35 (kids 12 and under get in free)
Approximately 400 independent designers, artists and emerging brands show off their clothes, housewares, art, baby gifts, jewelry, beauty and apothecary goods. You can also grab a free drink or cocktail, explore augmented reality art installations, get a holiday portrait or make your own crafty projects.
Mosaic Craft Fair
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 3
WHERE: The Alhambra, Alhambra
COST: Free
About 80 local artisans will be selling everything from Bundt cakes and bandanas to hammered metal necklaces and hand-sewn handbags. You can nosh at food trucks, have a brew in the beer garden and keep the little ones amused in the Kids Zone.
Sponsored message
Artisanal LA City of Arcadia Holiday Market
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 9
WHERE: South 1st Street, Arcadia
COST: TBD
Artisanal LA showcases more than 100 makers of edible treats and handmade products from around the country. Many of them focus on healthy, local and sustainable ingredients — and aren’t yet accessible through retail stores or farmers markets. All vendors’ products are made in the United States by independent crafters and chefs.
Renegade Craft Fair
WHEN: Saturday - Sunday, Dec. 9-10
WHERE: Los Angeles State Historic Park, downtown
COST: TBD
Tote bags, t-shirts, cheeky vases, hand-stitched leather wallets, raw lumber cutting boards, one-of-a-kind glass sun catchers and locally fired ceramics are among the goods for sale at a "renegade" market that mixes emerging and established craftspeople. This event is held outdoors, rain or shine.
Echo Park Craft Fair
WHEN: Saturday - Sunday, Dec. 9-10
WHERE: Mack Sennett Studios, Silver Lake
COST: $10-16
This two-day art and design event features work by more than 120 artists working in ceramics, jewelry, perfume, clothing, woodworking, textiles and more. Over nearly a decade, the Echo Park Craft Fair has evolved from a backyard pop-up to a popular community gathering spreading across two soundstages and an outdoor block. The fair also offers artisan foods and coffees from the local eateries and a specialty cocktail bar hosted by The Spare Room.
Alpine Village Christmas Faire
WHEN: Dec. 9-10
WHERE: Alpine Village, Torrance
COST: Free
Describing itself as "a little slice of Bavaria in sunny Southern California," German-themed Alpine Village dresses itself up every year in its Christmas finery to celebrate a Germanic holiday. The market features an array of German food and products, including sausages and baked goods.
Sponsored message
Artisanal LA Bunker Hill Holiday Market
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 15
WHERE: Bank of America Plaza, downtown L.A.
COST: TBD
This scaled-down version of a holiday fair lets downtown denizens squeeze in holiday shopping during their work day. The more than 25 indie makers, crafters and chefs will be alongside a farmers' market where you can grab a bite.
Crafted
WHEN: every Friday - Sunday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
WHERE: Port of L.A., San Pedro
COST: Free
This year-round marketplace features handmade works by SoCal artisans and craftspeople. Those include teapots, ceramics, crocheted baby clothes, hats, tiki mugs, mineral makeup and more. Each weekend also features free workshops, many with holiday themes like designing fall wreaths, making glitter ornaments and making scented soy candles. On Saturday, Nov. 11, Global Gifts will host an art show with 100 nativity scenes from around the world.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
