Updated Nov. 12
The holiday season in San Francisco is almost here, and we’re keeping track of the festive markets around town where you can shop local, eat, and get into the holiday spirit. We’ll update this list every week.
We are using A.I. Claude to compile the list and fact checking it ourselves.
If we or Claude has missed one or made an error, email us at info@missionlocal.com with the subject heading MARKETS. Thank you and happy shopping!
November
Asian Art Museum Holiday Artisan Market
The museum’s Cha May Ching boutique hosts its yearly market of handmade goods from local makers, with jewelry, ceramics, specialty foods, ornaments and gifts for kids. You don’t need a museum ticket to shop the market.
When: Nov. 13-15, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Where: 200 Larkin St.
Admission: Free
More than 250 independent makers fill the Fort Mason Festival Pavilion for a weekend of holiday shopping, from ceramics and knitwear to snacks and outerwear. The fair is indoors, with food trucks outside.
When: Nov. 14-15, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion, 2 Marina Blvd.
Admission: Free, $5 suggested donation
Holiday Market at Embarcadero Center and 40th Annual Building Lighting
Shop local makers, listen to live music and grab seasonal drinks before Embarcadero Center switches on the 17,000 lights that outline its towers.
When: Nov. 18, 4 to 6 p.m.
Where: Urban Patio, Three Embarcadero Center
Admission: Free
One of the Bay Area’s best-known juried craft shows returns to Fort Mason with more than 275 artists and designers selling handmade goods.
When: Nov. 21-22, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion, 2 Marina Blvd.
Admission: Free
The Cow Palace’s exhibition halls become Christmas Eve in Victorian London for the fair’s 42nd season, with theater, music halls, pubs, dancing and holiday shopping. Tickets are sold online only, and the Cow Palace charges $20 to park.
When: Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 21-Dec. 20, plus Friday, Nov. 27, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Ave., Daly City
Admission: Tickets required, from $35.86
Chocolatiers and confectioners gather in Golden Gate Park for tastings and holiday gift shopping.
When: Nov. 22, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: San Francisco County Fair Building, 1199 Ninth Ave.
Admission: Tickets required, from $11.50
The Fairmont San Francisco turns its rooftop garden into an open-air holiday market of local artisans, with lights, music and city views. The faire runs over two weekends.
When: Nov. 27-29 and Dec. 18-20, 12 to 5 p.m.
Where: 950 Mason St.
Admission: Free
The Thanksgiving-weekend edition of the Crystal Fair brings mineral and crystal dealers, jewelry, readers and bodyworkers to Golden Gate Park.
When: Nov. 28-29, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Where: San Francisco County Fair Building, 1199 Ninth Ave.
Admission: $14
December
555 California Holiday Tree Lighting and Mercantile
Sunset Mercantile brings a daylong holiday market to the Financial District to go with the building’s annual tree lighting.
When: Dec. 1, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: A.P. Giannini Plaza, 555 California St.
Admission: Free
The San Francisco Bay Area chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners hosts a market of women-owned local businesses at a new venue this year.
When: Dec. 2, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Where: 111 Minna Gallery, 111 Minna St.
Admission: Free, RSVP requested
The Hayes Valley Merchants Council and Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association kick off the season with an evening stroll through the neighborhood’s shops, with snowfall and tap-dancing trees.
When: Dec. 4, 5 to 8 p.m.
Where: Hayes St. and Octavia St.
Admission: Free
The 11th annual Sunset Holiday Mercantile fills the County Fair Building with more than 100 makers and vendors over two days, plus live music, food trucks and activities.
When: Dec. 5-6, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: San Francisco County Fair Building, 1199 Ninth Ave.
Admission: Free
The Museo Italo Americano hosts its Italian-style Christmas market at Fort Mason.
When: Dec. 5-6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Museo Italo Americano, Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Blvd.
Admission: Free
The Swedish Women’s Educational Association’s San Francisco chapter holds its annual Christmas fair at St. Mary’s Cathedral.
When: Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1111 Gough St.
Admission: From $5
UICC Holiday Boutique and Artisan Craft Fair
The United Irish Cultural Center fills indoor and outdoor booths with handmade gifts, Irish goods, chocolates, jewelry, soaps and holiday decor.
When: Dec. 5, 12 to 5 p.m.
Where: United Irish Cultural Center, 2700 45th Ave.
Admission: Free
Madrone Art Bar Holiday Market
The Divisadero bar hosts a curated mix of handmade, independently designed and vintage goods from local artists and makers.
When: Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: 500 Divisadero St.
Admission: Free, must be over 21 to enter bar
1890 Bryant Street Studios Holiday Market
Artists in the former mayonnaise factory on the Mission’s industrial edge sell fine art, ceramics, jewelry, stationery, wearable art and baked goods.
When: Dec. 5-6, 12 to 5 p.m.
Where: 1890 Bryant St.
Admission: Free
This adults-only market of leather, kink and queer vendors returns to SOMArts with a gear swap, entertainment and a pizza truck. Proceeds support the Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District.
When: Dec. 5, 12 to 5 p.m.
Where: SOMArts Cultural Center, 934 Brannan St.
Admission: Free, $5-10 suggested donation; adults only
West Coast Craft WAVES Vintage Market
West Coast Craft’s smaller vintage-focused market takes over Fort Mason’s Gateway Pavilion for one day.
When: Dec. 5, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Gateway Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Blvd.
Admission: Free
Bay Area artists and makers set up inside the museum for a one-day market of prints, jewelry, ceramics and other gifts.
When: Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 151 Third St., Helen and Charles Schwab Hall
Admission: Free
Head West Marketplace at the Ferry Building
The traveling makers’ market sets up at the Ferry Building for its December edition.
When: Dec. 6, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Ferry Building, 1 Ferry Building
Admission: Free
Winter Walk and Patchwork Show in Union Square
Union Square’s Winter Walk returns with a holiday marketplace run by the Patchwork Show, along with food and festivities.
When: Dec. 8-27, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday-Sunday
Where: Union Square
Admission: Free
Cole Valley’s neighborhood street fair takes a holiday turn, with local businesses, eateries, live music and activities.
When: Dec. 10, 4 to 9 p.m.
Where: Cole St. between Carl St. and Parnassus Ave.
Admission: Free
People of Parkside Sunset and the Sunset Night Market throw a block party with a tree lighting, holiday shopping and music.
When: Dec. 11, 4 to 8 p.m.
Where: McCoppin Square, Taraval St.
Admission: Free
Local makers, artists and businesses line 22nd Street with art, gifts and handcrafted goods, plus food and holiday activities.
When: Dec. 12, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 22nd St. between Illinois St. and Indiana St.
Admission: Free
Pop-Ups on the Plaza: Black Holiday Market
Foodwise hosts a holiday market of Black-owned businesses at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.
When: Dec. 12, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, 1 Ferry Building
Admission: Free
Japanese Vintage Holiday Mini Pop-up Market
A holiday sale of community-donated vintage and antique Japanese ceramics, tea sets, lacquerware, books, clothing and hand-dyed indigo goods.
When: Dec. 12, starting at 10 a.m.
Where: 1840 Sutter St.
Admission: Free
A weekend holiday art and gift market on the waterfront at Pier 27.
When: Dec. 12-13, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Pier 27, The Embarcadero
Admission: Free
Harvey Milk Center for the Arts Holiday Craft Fair
The Rec and Park arts center’s ninth annual craft fair features local artists selling handmade gifts, family craft activities and free hot cider.
When: Dec. 13, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: 50 Scott St.
Admission: Free
West Coast Craft Fort Mason Night Market
West Coast Craft’s outdoor night market sets up in the Fort Mason parking lot for a holiday edition.
When: Dec. 18, 5 to 10 p.m.
Where: Fort Mason Center parking lot, 2 Marina Blvd.
Admission: Free
Ocean Avenue Winter Wonderland
The OMI Cultural Participation Project throws a holiday celebration for families and neighbors along Ocean Avenue.
When: Dec. 19, 12 to 3 p.m.
Where: Unity Plaza, Ocean Ave.
Admission: Free
