Best Christmas & Holiday Markets in Austin (2026)
Art bazaars, the German-Texan market, free maker markets and nearby-town festivals, with 2026 dates, entry and a map.
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Austin does holiday shopping its own way. You can buy a painting with a band playing a few booths away, spend a Saturday at a free maker market in East Austin, or finish your list with a beer at a brewery pop-up. For the classic ornaments-and-Glühwein version, the German-Texan Christmas Market is the one to put on the calendar.
For most people we'd start with Blue Genie for an easy gift run, Armadillo for art and live music, or A Christmas Affair for a long list before Thanksgiving. Most of the markets below last a day or a weekend, so pick your date before you pick your route.
Austin Christmas Markets at a Glance
All 21 markets with 2026 dates and entry. Full hours are on each card below.
| Market | 2026 dates | Why go | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Genie Art Bazaar | Nov. 13–Dec. 24 | The easiest all-round gift stop | Free |
| Armadillo Christmas Bazaar | Dec. 12–21 | Art shopping with live music | $15 + tax |
| A Christmas Affair | Nov. 19–22 | A big gift haul before Thanksgiving | $25 |
| German-Texan Christmas Market | Dec. 5 | German ornaments and Glühwein | $8 advance, $10 door |
| The Front Market | Nov. 21–22 | Independent design before Thanksgiving | Free |
| Big Ole Queer Market: Holiday Villains | Nov. 28–29 | Gifts from LGBTQIA+ makers | $10 day, $15 weekend |
| Holiday Reuse Art Market | Nov. 28–29; Dec. 5–6 | Gifts made from reused materials | Free |
| Holiday Vibe Market Austin | Dec. 5–6 | A big free maker weekend, mostly indoors | Free |
| Markets for Makers: Austin Holiday | Dec. 12–13 | Design-minded gifts and DIY stations | $6–$12; $16 VIP |
| East Austin Market Christmas editions | Dec. 5, 12–13, 20 | Vintage and handmade at two venues | Free |
| Austin Flea holiday brewery markets | Dec. 5, 19, 20 | A few gifts and a pint | Free |
| The Holiday Market at ZACH | Nov. 21, 28; Dec. 12, 19 | A late-afternoon plaza market | Free |
| UMLAUF Holiday Market | Dec. 1 | An evening in the sculpture garden | About $15 |
| Festive Finds at Laguna Gloria | Dec. 3 | A weeknight market on the museum grounds | Free |
| Community First! Holiday Market | Dec. 4–5, 11–12 | Resident-made gifts and holiday lights | Free |
| Holiday Sing-Along & Stroll market | Dec. 5 | Downtown shopping and the tree lighting | Free |
| Georgetown Christmas Stroll | Dec. 4–6 | A full town-square day | Free |
| Budafest Craft & Art Market (Buda) | Dec. 5–6 | Crafts plus a family festival | Free |
| Old Town Leander Christmas Marketplace | Dec. 5 | Shopping into the evening | Free |
| Christmas on Mercer (Dripping Springs) | Dec. 5 | A Hill Country main-street afternoon | Free |
| Holiday in the Park & Craft Fair (Round Rock) | Dec. 12 | A short family afternoon | Free |
Christmas Markets in Austin
Seventeen markets inside the city, starting with the big ones worth building a day around, then the weekend maker markets, then the smaller evening markets. Armadillo, A Christmas Affair and Big Ole Queer Market all take place at Palmer Events Center, so they share one card. For a festive drink after, see our Austin Christmas bars and holiday pop-ups guide.
Blue Genie Art Bazaar
6100 Airport Blvd Ste C, Austin, TX 78752, USA
Blue Genie is the easy answer for thoughtful Austin gifts without building a whole day around a market. More than 200 regional artists fill the warehouse with jewelry, ceramics, prints and small presents, and you pay at one central checkout. The long run covers everyone from early planners to the person still shopping on December 23. Details: November 13–December 24, daily 10 a.m.–10 p.m.; Christmas Eve until 6 p.m.; open Thanksgiving. Free entry and parking. Enter from Dillard Circle; service animals only.
Palmer Events Center: Armadillo, A Christmas Affair & Big Ole Queer Market
900 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704, USA
Three of the season's biggest markets take turns at Palmer. Armadillo Christmas Bazaar (December 12–21) has been Austin's winter arts fest since 1976: nearly 200 artists, two or three bands a day and full bars, so give it real time. A Christmas Affair (November 19–22) is the Junior League of Austin's fundraiser, with more than 200 merchants for a serious pre-Thanksgiving haul. Big Ole Queer Market's Holiday Villains weekend (November 28–29, Hall 1) brings LGBTQIA+ artists and small businesses. Details: Armadillo opens 11 a.m. daily, closing 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 and 18–20 and 8 p.m. otherwise; $15 plus tax, kids 12 and under free, VIP hour from 10 a.m. on Dec. 12 for $25 plus tax. A Christmas Affair: Nov. 19 noon–8 p.m., Nov. 20–21 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Nov. 22 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; $25, ages 5 and under free; no strollers, wagons, rolling bags or carts. Big Ole Queer Market: Nov. 28 noon–6 p.m., Nov. 29 noon–5 p.m.; $10 day or $15 weekend plus fees, 17 and under free. The Palmer garage is $12.
German-Texan Christmas Market
507 E 10th St, Austin, TX 78701, USA
Austin's classic Christmas market happens on one Saturday, when the 1857 German Free School and its terraced gardens fill with imported ornaments, nutcrackers, wooden gifts and German holiday food. Pick up a keepsake you'll bring out every December, then go find the Glühwein. Details: Saturday, December 5, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $8 advance, $10 at the door. Mostly outdoors with stairs and uneven ground, so wear comfortable shoes.
The Front Market at Waterloo Park
1401 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78701, USA
It's billed as a fall craft fair, but the timing makes it one of the best early gift runs of the season. Independent designers and makers fill Waterloo Park with wearable gifts and pieces for the home, and it's a good place to find a small business you'll keep following after Christmas. Details: November 21–22, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. at Moody Amphitheater. Free with RSVP. Rain or shine; families and dogs welcome; nearby garages charge.
Holiday Reuse Art Market
2005 Wheless Ln, Austin, TX 78723, USA
Every vendor here works with reused, thrifted or scavenged materials, which gives the 50-plus stalls a different feel from a standard craft fair. Food trucks and family activities make it an easy Saturday stop in Windsor Park. Details: November 28–29 and December 5–6, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Free. Outdoors in the center's parking lot.
Holiday Vibe Market Austin
1500 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78702, USA
More than 110 makers a day, a mostly indoor room and no admission fee make Vibe the best value for a long gift list. Coffee, cocktails and vinyl DJ sets keep it social, so bring a friend and compare finds. Details: December 5–6, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. at Distribution Hall. Free. Families and well-behaved pets welcome; read street parking signs carefully.
Markets for Makers: Austin Holiday
1100 E 5th St., Austin, TX 78702, USA
A tidy one-stop browse for jewelry, ceramics, home goods and art from independent makers. Your ticket includes a tote and the DIY stations, which give you something to do between purchases. The cheaper late tickets leave a short window, so go earlier if you want to explore. Details: December 12–13, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday VIP from 10 a.m. $12 from 11 a.m., $10 from 1 p.m., then $8 Saturday or $6 Sunday from 3 p.m.; weekend VIP $16; under 12 free. No dedicated lot; leashed pets welcome.
East Austin Market at Central Machine Works
4824 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702, USA
This rotating market mixes vintage finds with art, handmade goods and independent shops, and the lineup changes each time. Central Machine Works makes it a brewery afternoon. Details: December 5 and 20, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Free.
East Austin Market at The Domain
11310 Domain Dr Ste 100, Austin, TX 78758, USA
East Austin Market's indoor North Austin weekend, despite the name, and easy to fit around other Domain shopping. Details: December 12–13, noon–4 p.m. at Punch Bowl Social. Free.
Austin Flea at The Brewtorium
6015 Dillard Cir A, Austin, TX 78752, USA
Austin Flea's smaller holiday markets are for a handful of local gifts and a seat afterward, with art, jewelry, textiles, candles and vintage. The Brewtorium is around the corner from Blue Genie, so the two pair easily. Details: December 5, noon–5 p.m. Free; indoor and outdoor booths.
Austin Flea at Zilker Brewing
1701 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702, USA
Austin Flea's holiday edition on East Sixth (not by Zilker Park), handy for last-minute gifts. Details: December 19, noon–5 p.m. Free; outdoors.
Austin Flea at Meanwhile Brewing
3901 Promontory Point Dr, Austin, TX 78744, USA
The last Austin Flea holiday market of the season, in Southeast Austin. Details: December 20, noon–5 p.m. Free; outdoors.
The Holiday Market at ZACH
202 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704, USA
ZACH's plaza market turns a couple of errands into a late-afternoon outing by the river. It makes the most sense before a show, but local makers and a relaxed setting are reason enough on their own. Come for a small present rather than a long list. Details: November 21 and 28, December 12 and 19, 3–7 p.m. Free; RSVP recommended. Outdoors; show tickets sold separately.
UMLAUF Holiday Market
605 Azie Morton Rd, Austin, TX 78704, USA
An evening in the sculpture garden, with live harp music, seasonal drinks and art and handmade goods from local makers. The selection is smaller than the big bazaars, which is part of the appeal: it's a good date or an unhurried night with a friend. Details: Tuesday, December 1, 6–9 p.m. About $15; book the Holiday Market event ticket, not daytime museum admission. On-site parking is limited.
Festive Finds at Laguna Gloria
3808 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703, USA
Festive Finds gathers makers from the museum's creative community on the Laguna Gloria grounds, with ceramics, jewelry, books and edible gifts. Live music and seasonal food make it a pleasant weeknight even if you've only got a couple of names left on the list. Details: Thursday, December 3, 5–8 p.m. Free; reserve through the event page. At Laguna Gloria on West 35th Street, not the Jones Center downtown.
Community First! Holiday Market
9116 Hog Eye Rd Building 3401, Austin, TX 78724, USA
Everything at this market is handmade by artists and makers who live at Community First! Village, so your gift money goes straight to them. Shop first, then walk the Village of Lights with the family. Details: December 4–5 and 11–12, 5:30–9 p.m. Free; RSVP offered. Most visitors park at Travis County Expo Center, Gate 3 off Decker Lake Road, and take the shuttle; accessible parking is at the Village. No pets.
Holiday Sing-Along & Stroll Market
Congress Ave & E 10th St, Austin, TX 78701, USA
Downtown's holiday kickoff puts an artisan market on Congress, with food, the KUT and KUTX sing-along at 6 p.m. and the Capitol tree lighting at 7. Shop first, then stay for the crowd. The German-Texan market closes at 5 a few blocks east, so the two fit into one day. Details: Saturday, December 5, 5–8 p.m., Congress Avenue between 10th and 11th Streets. Free. Expect street closures and tight parking.
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Christmas Markets Near Austin
Pick one town and give it the day. Holiday traffic and parade closures make a multi-town circuit more work than it's worth.
Georgetown Christmas Stroll
710 S Main St, Georgetown, TX 78626, USA
Our first choice when you want a whole day out of town. More than 200 artisan and boutique vendors join the shops around the Square, with food and entertainment into the evening, and the three-day run gives more flexibility than the one-day festivals that weekend. Details: December 4, 4–9:30 p.m.; December 5, 10 a.m.–9:30 p.m.; December 6, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free. Saturday's parade brings street closures, so check the event parking map.
Budafest Craft & Art Market
319 Main St, Buda, TX 78610, USA
South of Austin, Budafest pairs a craft and art market on the Downtown Greenbelt with food, kids' activities and holiday entertainment. Friday is the opening night with a smaller ornament market; for the full selection, go Saturday or Sunday. Details: Full market December 5, noon–9 p.m., and December 6, noon–5 p.m.; ornament market Friday, December 4, 6–9 p.m. Free. Lighted parade Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
Old Town Leander Christmas Marketplace
100 N Brushy St, Leander, TX 78641, USA
Northwest of the city, Old Town Leander keeps its marketplace going after dark, with a 1 p.m. parade and a 6:30 p.m. tree lighting to plan the day around. It's the one for a group that wants a festival as much as a shopping stop. Details: Saturday, December 5, marketplace 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Free admission and parking.
Christmas on Mercer
Mercer St, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, USA
Gift vendors and downtown businesses share Mercer Street with food, Santa and kids' activities. It's a slower, small-town day in Dripping Springs, with the permanent shops worth browsing between the stalls. Details: Saturday, December 5, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Free. The city's tree lighting is separate, on November 28.
Holiday in the Park & Craft Fair
8320 O'Connor Dr, Round Rock, TX 78681, USA
A neighborhood craft fair north of Austin, with local artisans, Santa, music and kids' activities in Cat Hollow Park. The three-hour window suits a lighter family afternoon when a big town festival feels like too much. Details: Saturday, December 12, noon–3 p.m., at Cat Hollow Park, 8320 O'Connor Drive, Round Rock. Free for all ages. Arrive near noon to fit in both the vendors and the activities.
Before You Go
- Use the shopping hours. Festivals, galas and tree lightings often run on different schedules from their markets. Times in this guide are public shopping hours.
- Budget beyond admission. Free entry doesn't cover parking, food or drinks, and timed tickets get cheaper (and shorter) later in the day.
- Check the event link on the day. Outdoor markets can change for weather. For Community First!, follow the shuttle directions rather than driving to the market pin.
Round out the day. Santa is at A Christmas Affair and several of the town festivals; times are in our where to see Santa in Austin guide. After dark, pick a display from our Austin Christmas lights guide, and if the tree is still on the list, see where to buy a Christmas tree in Austin.
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