KUSA — One of the best ways to get into the Christmas spirit is to check out one of the many markets that pop up during the holiday season.
Holiday Guide 2018 | Everything you need to know about celebrating the holidays in Colorado
Unique, local and often handmade gifts and goodies can be found, making them a perfect place to cross some things off your holiday shopping list.
Here's a guide to some of the markets coming this year:
Dates: Nov. 9 - Dec. 30
Location: Foothills Art Center, 809 15th St, Golden, CO 80401
What makes it unique: The Holiday Art Market in Golden feature local handmade gifts from more than 100 artists. You can find everything from ceramics to glasswork to painting to photography. Admission to the market, which has been running for 43 years, is free.
Dates: Nov. 11 - Dec. 24
Location: The Source, 3350 Brighton Blvd, Denver, CO 80216
What makes it unique: Hygge Life is a Scandinavian home decor shop in Vail, and this holiday season they're bringing a pop-up shop to Denver. Pronounced hoo-ga, hygee is "the Danish art of creating joy & coziness in life's everyday moments" and their collection of Nordic-designed holiday goods seeks to capture that idea. Plus, they're having a launch party on Nov. 15 with Nordic-inspired food and winter cocktails.
Dates: Nov. 15 - 17
Location: Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St, Denver, CO 80206
What makes it unique: Find handcrafted holiday items, bath and body items, pottery, jewelry, specialty foods, clothing, antiques, herbal vinegars, seasonings and more at this annual market. Garden members get 10 percent off all purchases. During the market, visitors also get free admission into the gardens.
Dates: Nov. 16 - Dec. 23
Location: 1515 Arapahoe Street, Denver, CO 80202 (On 16th St. Mall, across from the Clock Tower )
What makes it unique: Skyline Park near 16th Street Mall is transformed into a German village full of music, food and gifts. Here, you can find handmade jewelry, toys, clothes, ornaments, food and more. Bavarian musicians also provide live entertainment to go along with the fresh, traditional German food and warm spiced Gluhwein, served in adorable keepsake mugs. The Denver Christkindl Market has regularly been recognized as one of the best holiday festivals in the country.
Dates: Nov. 16 - 18
Location: National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St, Denver, CO 80216
What makes it unique: This is one of the largest holiday markets in the area. Shoppers can find hundreds of booths filled with art, jewelry, Christmas decor, wood, music, photography, toys and more. There is also a specific gourmet foods section with plenty of samples. Santa Claus will be at the festival every day as well.
Date: Nov. 17, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: Stanley Hotel, 333 E Wonderview Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
What makes it unique: Local artisans from Estes Park and around the area will gather at the Stanley Hotel for this festive event. There will also be food and drinks available, provided by the Stanley Hotel and the Colorado Cherry Company.
Dates: Nov. 17 - 18
Location: First Plymouth Congressional Church, 3501 S. Colorado Blvd, Englewood, Colorado 80113
What makes it unique: By shopping at this holiday market, you're also giving back. Unique fair-trade, eco-friendly gifts made by artisans in extreme poverty around the world are displayed for sale. Your purchases help to support them.
Dates: Nov. 23 - 25, Nov. 30 - Dec. 2, Dec. 7 - 9, Dec. 14 - 16
Location: Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80202
What makes it unique: Featuring more than 100 of Denver's best crafters and artisan brands, Denver Flea will take over Union Station's plaza for four weekends leading up to Christmas. They dub themselves a "reinvented retail experience for those who want it all" and promise one-of-a-kind gifts. There will also be food trucks, live music and drinks available. Tickets are $5 and are good for one weekend.
Dates: Nov. 23 - 24
Location: McNichols Building, 144 West Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80202
What makes it unique: This market features handmade items from small, independent businesses around the United States.
Dates: November 24 & 25, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: Highlands Masonic Temple, 3550 Federal Boulevard, Denver CO 80211
What makes it unique: More than 100 local artists, jewelers, designers, antique collectors and food vendors will selling their work at this indoor holiday market in North Denver. Admission is free, but they will be collecting donations for the Children's Hospital Art Therapy program.
Dates: Nov. 30 - Dec. 1
Location: 1400 – 1500 blocks S. Pearl St, Denver CO 80210
What makes it unique: Enjoy horse and wagon rides, a holiday market with gift and food vendors, local merchant open houses, live music and a visit from Santa at the South Pearl Street Winterfest. There will be hot adult beverages for the grown-ups and hot chocolate and cider for the kids. The outdoor market will also feature a Christmas tree lot, holiday greenery and a farmer's market.
Dates: Dec. 1, 2, 8 and 9
Location: 6th Street, Georgetown, CO 80444
What makes it unique: The historic mountain town turns into an old-fashioned Christmas scene with a European marketplace, roasted chestnuts, horse-drawn carriage rides, museum tours, music, visits from a traditionally-dressed St. Nicholas, Victorian carolers and a daily procession of the Santa Lucia.
Dates: Dec. 1 & 2, Dec. 8 & 9, Dec. 15 & 16, Dec. 22 & 23
Location: Belmar Plaza, 7244 W. Bonfils Ln., Lakewood, CO 80226
What makes it unique: Every weekend in December, the Horseshoe Market is bringing a pop-up retail shop to the Belmar shopping center. Each weekend will feature more than 70 Colorado-based vendors in the massive indoor space. There will also be visit from Santa, food, drinks and ice skating.
Dates: Dec. 1 - 2, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont 80501
What makes it unique: This is the holiday market for foodies to attend. There will be more than 100 local food vendors serving specialty produces like fresh produce, specialty meats, baked good, preserves, cheese, sauces, wine, coffee, kombucha and wine. There will also be jewelry, woodwork and home goods for sale, as well as live music and free kids' activities.
Dates: Dec. 1 & 8, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location: Main St, Minturn, CO 81645
What makes it unique: Visitors can purchase gourmet foods, gifts, clothing, jewelry, handmade crafts, fine art and more. There will also be carolers, visits by Santa, s'mores and more.
Dates: Dec. 7 - 9
Location: Walnut Street between 28th and 29th St, Denver, CO 80205
What makes it unique: This holiday shopping party will take over the streets of RiNo for one weekend leading up to Christmas. It will feature local shops, food trucks and craft cocktails. Admission is free for the first two hours each night, then $5 after that (good for the whole weekend). Drinks can be purchased with tokens or via several packages available online.
Date: Dec. 8, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: Cripple Creek Parks & Recreation, 128 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813
What makes it unique: Visitors can buy items made by local crafts and enter to win some amazing door prizes. Decorated Christmas trees, which are available to buy via an auction, will also be on display. Kids can make their own handmade gifts, crafts, participate in a scavenger hunt, decorate gingerbread ornaments, ice skate and get their wishes into Santa.
Dates: Dec. 8 - 9, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: 3851 Steele St, Denver CO 80205
What makes it unique: This indoor market features unique gifts from around 100 trendy Denver-area "makers." It's free and food will be available. You can also be entered to win prizes by RSVPing to their Facebook event.
Dates: Dec. 8 - 9, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: McNichols Building, 144 West Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80202
What makes it unique: This popular artisan market features more than 150 local artisans, crafters and DIY enthusiasts. Admission is free, but they will be collecting donations for the Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies. There are also lots of workshops (like Calligraphy 101, DIY wrapping paper and holiday embroidery) that attendees can sign up for and a scavenger hunt for a grab bag.
Date: Dec. 9, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: Aztlan Community Center, 112 E. Willow St, Fort Collins, CO 80524
What makes it unique: This holiday market has been connecting the Fort Collins community to the creative people making unique goods since for the past two years. They focus on bringing shoppers a selection of products that are both high-quality and diverse.
Did we miss your favorite market? Let us know! E-mail amanda.kesting@9news.com.
