Start Your Holiday Shopping With 8 Pop-Up Markets

For your next holiday shopping spree, consider one of these pop-up markets across Ohio. Each features vendors with a range of wares, spanning from handcrafted Christmas tree ornaments to decorative tableware to vintage clothing. Each pop-up shop and market offers a range of unique goods that make for thoughtful gifts for friends. Plus, a visit adds a little extra cheer to your holiday shopping experience this season. 

Lebanon Christmas Market | Nov. 14-16
Get into the holiday spirt during this festive, three-day market at the Warren County Fairgrounds in Lebanon. The Lebanon Christmas Market, put on by The City Mercantile, offers a modern maker market brimming with goods from local businesses, vendors and artisans. Santa appears at the market for visits with kids on Saturday, while live tunes from Aaron Trincado Music fills the air on Friday and Saturday. The little ones will love the animal petting zoo, and a DIY gift-tagging station lets you put the final, handmade touch on locally purchased gifts.  

Athens Christmas Shoppe | Nov. 15-16
The college town of Athens is known for its eclectic collection of shops, and this season it’s also the perfect place to find handmade treasures for everyone on your gift list. The annual Athens Christmas Shoppe, put together by the nonprofit Athens Art Guild, returns this year with more than 40 local artisans displaying their wares at the Athens Community Center. Browse handmade gifts and goods, and enter an art raffle or bid in the silent auction to take home great prizes.

Christmas Connection | Nov. 21-23
This holiday shopping experience kicks off Nov. 21 at the I-X Center in Cleveland, and over three days visitors can get a jump on their holiday gift list, while enjoying gift-wrapping assistance and getting a photo with the the 30-foot-tall Santa. Throughout the I-X Center, hundreds of holiday vendors sell handmade decor, treats and gifts perfect for every festive occasion on your calendar. Bring the family to explore places like SantaLand and take a ride on the Tinseltown Trains on the way to the kid-favorite Sugar Plum Shoppe, where pre-wrapped small gifts allow kids to shop for their loved ones. 

Columbus Christmas Fair | Nov. 22-23
Celebrate the 39th annual Columbus Christmas Fair at the Ohio Expo Center’s Lausche Building. This year’s show features 150 artisans and crafters selling handmade pottery, one-of-a-kind jewelry, woodworks, stained glass, folk art, photographs and paintings among other finds. Enjoy community-made art across two days, and come Sunday for door prizes and a chance to win holiday decor and maybe even a few gifts for yourself.

Sandusky Christmas Market | Nov. 28-30; Dec. 5-7; Dec. 12-13
Returning for its second year after a popular debut in 2024, the Sandusky Christmas Market is back at Schade-Mylander Plaza in downtown Sandusky. Bundle up and browse a lineup of over 25 vendors, snap a photo in front of the glowing Christmas tree, and enjoy a festive fireworks show at the conclusion of the market’s run. In addition to shopping, shoppers can find tasty treats, beautifully decorated trees and live entertainment from a DJ.  

Magical Medina Christmas Expo | Nov. 29
The Medina County Fairgrounds bustles with holiday cheer during this daylong market that hosts over 150 new and returning vendors and local craftsmen. During this heartwarming celebration of all things handmade (appropriately hosted on Small Business Saturday), visitors can enjoy live holiday tunes, get a photo with Santa Claus, chow down on great eats and enter into raffles. Admission is just $1, or a canned food donation benefitting Feeding Medina County.

Hamilton Christkindlmarkt | Dec. 5-6
Embrace the spirit of Old World Europe at the Hamilton Christkindlmarkt. Celebrate the 13th year of this holiday tradition at the Butler County Fairgrounds that features handmade gifts from more than 50 artisans. Enjoy live music from groups like The Bergstrasse Boys, Butler Philharmonic String Quartet and The Klaberheads. Plus, enjoy festive dancing, authentic German beer and classic fare like brats, and sauerkraut, as well as strudel and other sweets from Servatii’s.

Mohican Christkindlmarkt | Dec. 5-6; Dec. 12-13
The Cleo Redd Fisher Museum has spent 50 years telling local stories in Loudonville, and this year it debuts the Mohican Christkindlmarkt in the village’s downtown. Take in the wooden vendor stalls and the scent of mulled wine — or Glüwein — under twinkling holiday lights that complete the scene. This event is meant to gather the community for a celebration of craftsmanship and German heritage through oven-baked treats, chocolates and ciders. Choose from beautiful holiday artisan gifts like wreaths and textiles, soaps and candles, and more timeless goods reminiscent of Old World European markets.

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