Best Christmas Markets in Boston (2026)
From Snowport and SoWa to Back Bay mansions and Dorchester maker fairs, with 2026 dates, entry prices and indoor options
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Snowport is the place to start for a big, twinkly holiday night out. SoWa is the better choice when the forecast looks miserable and you actually want to come home with gifts. But some of the most appealing Christmas shopping around Boston happens in much smaller rooms: a Back Bay mansion, an Allston school, a North End trade school and neighborhood halls where the person behind the table made what you're buying.
The trick is picking the right kind of day, not fitting in the most markets. A sprawling outdoor browse with food and drinks feels very different from a one-day French or German celebration, and a focused makers' fair can beat another lap of familiar gift stalls.
Most of the smaller fairs last a day or a weekend, so choose your date before you plan a route. Saturday, December 5 is the busiest day of the season, with 11 of these markets open at once.
Use the map to compare neighborhoods, find indoor options and see which markets line up with your visit.
Best Boston Christmas Markets at a Glance
| Market | Area | 2026 dates | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Holiday Market at Snowport | Seaport | Nov 6–Dec 27 | Free |
| SoWa Christmas Market | South End | Nov 20–Dec 27; closed Mondays | $10; 12 and under free |
| Holiday Market at Faneuil Hall | Downtown | Selected dates Nov 20–Dec 24 | Not posted |
| Harvard Square Holiday Fair | Cambridge | Dec 11–13 and 18–20 | Free |
| Canal District Kendall Winter Market | Cambridge | Dec 12–13 | Free |
| Boston Women's Holiday Market at Warehouse XI | Somerville | Nov 22 | Free |
| Boston Women's Holiday Market at the Armory | Somerville | Nov 29 | Free |
| Codman Square Holiday Market & Craft Fair | Dorchester | Dec 4–5 | Free |
| North Bennet Street School Winter Market | North End | Dec 4–5 | Free |
| JP Holiday Craft Fair | Jamaica Plain | Dec 5 | Not posted |
| GISB Christkindlmarkt | Allston | Dec 5 | Not posted |
| French Library Marché de Noël | Back Bay | Dec 5 | $5; $3 early bird |
| Cultural Survival Winter Solstice Bazaar | South End | Dec 12–13 | $10 suggested; under 18 free |
| SWEA Swedish Yuletide | Wellesley (nearby) | Dec 5 | $10 |
| Norumbega Scandinavian Fair | Concord (day trip) | Nov 14 | $5 for adults over 16 |
| The Arsenal Holiday Bazaar | Watertown (nearby) | Nov 14–15 | Free |
| Kilroy Square Holiday Market | Quincy (nearby) | Nov 27–29 and Dec 4–6 | Not posted |
| Salem Holiday Market | Salem (day trip) | Dec 20 | $5 |
| Plymouth Holiday Market | Plymouth (day trip) | Dec 5 | $6; under 12 free |
The Biggest Christmas Markets in Boston
These five have the most to browse and the most going on around the shopping. Start here for a first holiday visit, then add a smaller fair if your dates line up. Our Boston holiday skating guide covers Snow Ballers near Snowport and the rink at Kendall.
The Holiday Market at Snowport
65 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210, USA
The closest thing Boston has to a full Christmas village. More than 130 small businesses set up on Seaport Boulevard, joined by 17 food vendors, four themed bars and a heated tent for warming up between stalls. Come late in the afternoon, shop first and then eat, because the evening is when it's at its best and its busiest. Dates: November 6–December 27; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Hours: Through December 6, Mon–Thu 3–8pm, Fri 11am–9pm, Sat 10am–9pm, Sun until 8pm. From December 7, Mon–Thu 11am–8pm, Fri 11am–9pm, Sat 10am–9pm, Sun 10am–8pm. Christmas Eve closes at 6pm. Admission: Free. Optional weekend timed entry through the Seaport Insider app is $15 for adults, $7 for veterans and ages 6–17, and free for 5 and under. Location: 100 Seaport Boulevard.
SoWa Christmas Market
550 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118, USA
Bring a real gift list and a bad forecast. More than 100 makers, artists and specialty food sellers fill the old Power Station in the South End, with jewelry, art, candles, pottery and plenty to bring to a holiday dinner. Finish shopping before you leave for dinner, because there's no re-entry. Dates: November 20–December 27; closed Mondays, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Hours: Through November 30, Tue–Thu 4–8pm, Fri 4–9pm, Sat 10am–9pm, Sun 10am–7pm. From December 1, Tue–Thu 4–9pm, Fri 4–10pm, Sat 10am–10pm, Sun 10am–7pm. November 27 runs 10am–7pm; Christmas Eve runs 10am–4pm. Admission: $10; 12 and under free. Parking: $10, cash only.
Holiday Market at Faneuil Hall Marketplace
206 S Market St, Boston, MA 02109, USA
Local vendors take over the second floor of Quincy Market, which makes this the easy gift stop on a downtown afternoon. Fit it around a meal or a walk, then head to Boston Public Market at 100 Hanover Street for New England food gifts and lunch. Dates: November 20–22, November 27–29, December 4–6, December 11–13 and December 18–24. Hours: 11am–7pm. Admission: Not posted. Location: Quincy Market, second floor.
Harvard Square Holiday Fair
57 John F. Kennedy St, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
Running since 1986, this juried fair mixes regional craftspeople with importers who travel the world for their stock, so it's a broader mix than a strictly local makers' market. Pair it with a Harvard Square bookstore and a coffee when the stalls start to blur together. Dates: December 11–13 and 18–20. Hours: Fri noon–7pm, Sat 11am–7pm, Sun noon–6pm. Admission: Free. Location: Galeria building, lower level, corner of JFK Street and Winthrop Street.
Canal District Kendall Winter Market
300 Athenaeum St, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
The best market here for families who want more than shopping. Admission to the Kendall rink is free both days, with a roughly 45-minute ice show at 2pm, plus Santa photos, seasonal treats and local vendors alongside. Skate rentals cost the usual price. Dates: December 12–13. Admission: Free. Take the Red Line to Kendall/MIT and walk 5–10 minutes.
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Smaller Boston Markets, From Maker Fairs to German and French Christmas
These are mostly one- or two-day events, so set the date first. You'll often be buying directly from the person who made the thing, and most cost little or nothing to enter. Boston doesn't have a European-style Christkindlmarkt that runs for weeks, but GISB and the French Library come closest to the real thing.
Boston Women's Holiday Market at Warehouse XI
11 Sanborn Ct, Somerville, MA 02143, USA
Get ahead of Thanksgiving here. More than 30 New England women makers and founders fill Warehouse XI with jewelry, candles, small-batch ceramics, art and gourmet treats. Show up at 11am for the golden ticket hunt: five tickets hidden around the venue are each worth a $50 market gift card. Bow Market is the natural next stop for food and more independent shops. Dates: Sunday, November 22. Hours: 11am–4pm. Admission: Free. The venue is accessible and a five-minute walk from Union Square on the Green Line.
Boston Women's Holiday Market at the Armory
191 Highland Ave #1c, Somerville, MA 02143, USA
The Sunday after Small Business Saturday, more than 30 women makers spread across both floors of the Armory, with art, jewelry, skincare, apparel, home decor and treats. Free entry makes it an easy outing for a group on different budgets: split up, then regroup when someone finds something good. Dates: Sunday, November 29. Hours: 11am–4pm. Admission: Free. The venue is accessible, with a free lot behind the building. Gilman Square on the Green Line is a 10-minute walk.
Codman Square Holiday Market & Craft Fair
6 Norfolk St #3520, Boston, MA 02124, USA
Now in its fourth year, this community fair brings local artisans, crafters and small businesses to Dorchester's Great Hall, with music, photo ops and food vendors. Friday evening works for a quick after-work browse, and Saturday suits a slower family visit. Dates: Friday, December 4, 4–8pm, and Saturday, December 5, 11am–5pm. Admission: Free. Refreshments cost extra. Parking is limited, so take the T: it's a 7-minute walk from Shawmut on the Red Line or 8 minutes from Talbot Avenue on the commuter rail.
North Bennet Street School Winter Market
150 North St, Boston, MA 02109, USA
America's first trade school opens its doors for two days, and the market is only half the reason to go. Students and alumni sell handmade goods, while live demonstrations and program tours let you see how the craft actually happens. It's a short walk from Faneuil Hall and the rest of the North End. Dates: Friday, December 4 and Saturday, December 5. Hours: 10am–2pm. Admission: Free.
JP Holiday Craft Fair
6 Eliot St, Boston, MA 02130, USA
First Church hosts this neighborhood craft fair three times a year, and the holiday edition lands on the first Saturday in December. The June edition featured more than 30 local artists and makers. Vendors keep all of their sales, so your money goes straight to them. Dates: Saturday, December 5.
GISB Christkindlmarkt
57 Holton St, Allston, MA 02134, USA
For one afternoon, this Allston school turns its campus into a German holiday market, with artisan stalls, traditional decorations from Germany's Erzgebirge region, bratwurst, waffles and cakes. Kids get craft rooms, a toddler play area and a petting zoo. Stay until 6pm, when students lead carols in the garden. Dates: Saturday, December 5. Hours: 3–7pm. Admission: Not posted.
French Library Marché de Noël
53 Marlborough St, Boston, MA 02116, USA
A Back Bay mansion, fresh crêpes and raclette make this the most delicious shopping stop on the list. Now in its 23rd year, the market sells French-inspired jewelry, housewares, books and gourmet treats, from silk scarves to Brittany sea salt. Your ticket comes with warm spiced cider, and kids get craft tables and story time. Dates: Saturday, December 5. Hours: 10am–4pm. Admission: $5; $3 early bird through December 1. Members and children under 14 are free, and members must register online.
Cultural Survival Winter Solstice Bazaar
539 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116, USA
Indigenous artists from around the world sell their work here, and you can learn how it's made through live demonstrations, music and dance. You can also make an Indigenous craft or bring a gently used Indigenous book to swap. Vendors share one central checkout, grocery-store style, so one trip through the line covers everything. Dates: December 12–13. Hours: 10am–6pm. Admission: $10 suggested; under 18 free. Bring a friend on day two with your day-one ticket and you both get in free. There's an elevator on site.
Christmas Markets Near Boston Worth the Trip
These are outings of their own, so don't try to squeeze them into a day downtown. Watertown, Quincy and Wellesley are the easiest to reach, while Concord, Salem and Plymouth deserve more of a day.
SWEA Swedish Yuletide
207 Washington St, Wellesley, MA 02481, USA
Traditional Swedish food, baked goods and handmade gifts share the day with a Lucia procession by Swedish schoolchildren. It's a good pick for a family that cares as much about the tradition as the shopping. Dates: Saturday, December 5. Hours: 11am–3pm. Admission: $10 per person at the door.
Norumbega Scandinavian Fair
923 Old Marlboro Rd, Concord, MA 01742, USA
The Sons of Norway run this early Nordic fair, with Scandinavian food and Christmas goods alongside handmade items, carvings, books and children's things. Stop at the Nordic Café for open-faced sandwiches and waffles. Dates: Saturday, November 14. Hours: 10am–3pm. Admission: $5 for adults over 16. Location: Concord Middle School.
The Arsenal Holiday Bazaar
130 Arsenal Yards Blvd, Watertown, MA 02472, USA
The Brighton Bazaar's first market at Arsenal Yards brings more than 50 small businesses selling art, vintage and vinyl, with vinyl DJs playing outside. With more than 20 restaurants on site, it's easy to make lunch part of the plan, and free parking keeps it simple. Dates: November 14–15. Hours: 11am–5pm. Admission: Free. It's outdoors in Bond Square, rain or shine, though severe weather may shorten it. The 70 bus stops out front.
Kilroy Square Holiday Market
25 Cottage Ave, Quincy, MA 02169, USA
This two-weekend market is a short walk from the Red Line, so readers south of Boston don't need a car to get to it. Shop first, then make an evening of Quincy Center if you come on a Friday. Dates: November 27–29 and December 4–6. Hours: Fri 2–8pm; Sat–Sun 11am–5pm. Take the Red Line toward Braintree to Quincy Center. The on-site Hancock garage is $1 an hour.
Salem Holiday Market
32 Derby Square, Salem, MA 01970, USA
More than 60 makers, artists and collectors fill two floors of Old Town Hall on the last Sunday before Christmas. It's a good late-gift plan with a walk and a meal attached. Dates: Sunday, December 20. Hours: 11am–4pm. Admission: $5 at the door.
Plymouth Holiday Market
83 Court St, Plymouth, MA 02360, USA
The biggest of the day trips, with more than 90 makers, artists and specialty food sellers in Memorial Hall. That range makes it a practical choice for a long, varied gift list. Dates: Saturday, December 5. Hours: 11am–5pm. Admission: $6; under 12 free.
Pick Your Weekend
Snowport and SoWa cover most of the season, so the short-run fairs are what make one weekend different from another.
| Dates | What's on besides Snowport and SoWa |
|---|---|
| Nov 14–15 | Arsenal Holiday Bazaar; Concord's Scandinavian Fair on Saturday |
| Nov 20–22 | SoWa opens; Faneuil Hall's first weekend; Warehouse XI on Sunday |
| Nov 27–29 | Kilroy Square's first weekend; Faneuil Hall; the Armory on Sunday |
| Dec 4–6 | Codman Square and North Bennet Street on Friday and Saturday; French Library, GISB, JP, SWEA and Plymouth on Saturday; Faneuil Hall; Kilroy Square's last weekend |
| Dec 11–13 | Harvard Square's first weekend; Faneuil Hall; Kendall and Cultural Survival on Saturday and Sunday |
| Dec 18–20 | Harvard Square's last weekend; Faneuil Hall; Salem on Sunday |
| Dec 24 | Snowport closes at 6pm, SoWa at 4pm; Faneuil Hall's last day |
| Dec 26–27 | Last weekend for Snowport and SoWa |
A few favorites are still to announce 2026 details, including the Somerville Flea holiday markets, HollyGay Market and the JP Holiday Market. We'll add them as dates are posted. For gift shops beyond the markets, see our Boston holiday shopping guide, and Snowport's four themed bars are in the Christmas bars guide.
A downtown Friday or Saturday. On December 4 or 5, start at North Bennet Street School before it closes at 2pm, then walk to Faneuil Hall for the upstairs market. Finish with food gifts at Boston Public Market.
A South End art-and-gifts afternoon. On December 12 or 13, start at Cultural Survival at the Cyclorama, then continue to SoWa at the Power Station. They're separate events with separate admission.
Union Square before Thanksgiving. Visit Warehouse XI on November 22, then keep going to Bow Market for food and more shops.
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