The best kind of holiday gift is a local holiday gift. Lucky for us, this Island is crawling with locations to stock up. Up-Island or down-Island, from now through December, there are plenty of shows, shops, bazaars, and markets, so you can start checking boxes off that holiday to-do list. Whether or not you’re a shopper, it may be hard to walk away from these spots empty-handed.
The Vineyard Holiday Shop will set up on Main Street, Vineyard Haven, this year, right next to Mocha Mott’s. It features more than 20 local artists and crafters, carrying everything from jewelry to leather goods, candles, wool, holiday decor, and much more. The shop opens on Nov. 24 and stays open through Dec. 24.
Get your affordable handmade goods at the Holiday Gift Show at Featherstone. Stock up on apparel, scarves, cards, jewelry, pottery, paintings, ornaments, and more. They’re open every day from 12 to 4 through Dec. 18, excluding Thanksgiving Day.
The Vineyard Artisans will hold their 20th annual Thanksgiving Weekend Festival on
Nov. 25 and 26 from 10 am to 4 pm indoors at the Ag Hall in West Tisbury. This huge show features one-of-a-kind winter handmade sweaters, soaps, Island lavender, and fine crafts including leather and vintage material bags, wood butcher block cutting boards, and more. There will also be food for sale, and live music. A $2 parking fee benefits the Vineyard Artisans Scholarship Fund.
Get in the spirit this Black Friday at the Holiday Cheer Oak Bluffs Open Market. On Nov. 25 from 10 am to 3 pm, head over to the Ocean View restaurant in Oak Bluffs for local gifts, crafts, and food. Bring your kids, family, and pets for lunch and Santa photo ops from 12 to 3 pm. John O’Toole will perform from 12 to 2 pm. Busy on Black Friday? You can also catch the Open Market on Nov. 27 and Dec. 3, same time, same place. Interested vendors should call 508-939-1076.
You can never hit too many Holiday Bazaars, and the P.A. Club is hosting its own on Saturday, Nov. 26, from 9 am to 4 pm. Celebrate the holidays with food, gifts, and another excuse to gather with friends and get ahead on some shopping. For more information, call 508-637-8955.
The First General Congregational Church in West Tisbury is hosting a Christmas Faire on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Browse through fresh, handmade wreaths, table arrangements, and decorated table trees. Enjoy coffee and doughnuts while checking out vintage jewelry, framed Island photographs, baked goods, and more giftable items. Lunch will be served between 11:30 and 1:30 pm in the Parish Hall.
How about another holiday bazaar? Legion Auxiliary 257 in Vineyard Haven will host its Christmas Bazaar from 10 am to 1 pm on Saturday, Dec. 12. Gather for raffles, door prizes, food, local gifts, crafts, and more.
The Chilmark Holiday Flea Market is also back by popular demand. On Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10 am to 3 pm, make your way up-Island to the Chilmark Community Center for hot lunches, homemade goods, and of course, holiday gifts.
Looking to warm up? Drop by Island Alpaca’s open houses on Thanksgiving Weekend, Thursday to Sunday, Nov. 24 to 27, from 10 am to 5 pm, or Dec. 9-11 and 16-18 from 12 to 4 pm. The gift shop is filled with locally grown garments, and they also offer self-guided walking tours, an opportunity to meet the new babies, treats, and hot cider.
Stay tuned for Christmas in Edgartown events and other holiday specials. Happy shopping!
This article by Brittany Bowker originally appeared on mvtimes.com.
