Snowport may be the best-known Christmas market in Boston, but it isn't the only place to discover handmade gifts, independent makers, and festive shopping this holiday season.
Beyond Snowport: Discover Boston's holiday markets, independent makers, handmade gifts, and neighborhood shopping destinations for Christmas 2026. Illustration by GoBoston.
Snowport gets the headlines. And deservedly so.
Its holiday market has become one of Boston's signature Christmas attractions, with chalet-style shops, festive lights, seasonal food, and thousands of visitors drawn to the Seaport.
But Boston's Christmas shopping story doesn't begin and end at Snowport.
Inside a former power station in the South End, artists and designers are preparing to welcome holiday shoppers. In historic Quincy Market, local vendors will gather upstairs from one of Boston's busiest food halls. Across the river in Somerville, independent women-owned businesses are organizing smaller markets where visitors can meet the people who actually make what they're buying.
And at Boston Public Market, New England food producers and makers offer gifts that reflect the region itself.
Some markets are free. Others charge admission. Some operate for weeks, while others appear for just a weekend.
Here's where to go, what makes each market different, and how to turn Christmas shopping into a memorable Boston outing.
SoWa Christmas Market: Handmade Gifts Inside a Historic Power Station
November 20–December 27, 2026 | South End | $10 admission
If Snowport is Boston's outdoor Christmas village, SoWa offers something quite different.
The SoWa Christmas Market takes place inside the historic SoWa Power Station at 550 Harrison Avenue, where more than 100 artists, designers, independent makers, and specialty food vendors gather beneath one enormous roof.
The building is part of the experience. Its soaring industrial interior provides a dramatic setting for handcrafted jewelry, original artwork, clothing, home accessories, gourmet foods, and gifts you probably won't find at a typical shopping mall.
And because it's indoors, SoWa offers a welcome alternative when December weather turns cold, wet, or windy.
The market opens Friday, November 20, from 4–9 PM, and continues through December 27.
Admission: $10; children 12 and under free.
November hours: Tuesday–Thursday, 4–8 PM; Friday, 4–9 PM; Saturday, 10 AM–9 PM; Sunday, 10 AM–7 PM.
December hours: Tuesday–Thursday, 4–9 PM; Friday, 4–10 PM; Saturday, 10 AM–10 PM; Sunday, 10 AM–7 PM.
The market is closed Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Special hours apply on Black Friday and Christmas Eve.
SoWa Christmas Market — Official Schedule, Vendors, and Admission
Make an afternoon of it: The surrounding SoWa Arts District is known for its galleries, artist studios, design shops, and restaurants. You don't have to limit your visit to the market itself.
Faneuil Hall Holiday Market: Christmas Shopping in Historic Boston
November 20–December 24, selected dates | Downtown Boston
There's something appealing about Christmas shopping in a place where Boston has been gathering, trading, and doing business for generations.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace is hosting an indoor Holiday Market on the second floor of Quincy Market, featuring local vendors and seasonal gifts.
The market returns on selected weekends and additional dates leading up to Christmas.
2026 dates:
November 20–22
November 27–29
December 4–6
December 11–13
December 18–24
Hours: 11 AM–7 PM on scheduled market days.
The location makes it especially convenient for visitors who want to combine shopping with sightseeing.
Faneuil Hall sits along Boston's Freedom Trail, within walking distance of the North End, Government Center, the waterfront, and several historic attractions.
You can browse the market, stop for lunch, and spend the rest of the afternoon exploring one of the oldest parts of the city.
Faneuil Hall Holiday Market — Official Dates and Details
Make an afternoon of it: Walk through the North End, visit the nearby waterfront, or explore the historic streets surrounding Quincy Market.
Boston Women's Market: Meet the Makers in Somerville
November 22 and 29 | Free admission
Some of the most interesting Christmas gifts come from businesses that don't have permanent storefronts.
Boston Women's Market brings independent women-owned businesses together for shopping events where visitors can meet the makers, learn about their work, and discover original products.
Two holiday markets are scheduled in Somerville this November.
Sunday, November 22 — Warehouse XI
11 AM–4 PM
11 Sanborn Court, Union Square, Somerville
More than 30 New England women makers, artists, and entrepreneurs will offer handmade jewelry, candles, ceramics, apparel, artwork, skincare, and specialty gifts.
Sunday, November 29 — Arts at the Armory
11 AM–4 PM
191 Highland Avenue, Somerville
The historic Armory will host another market featuring more than 30 independent vendors across two floors.
Both events offer free admission and are family-friendly.
These markets are particularly appealing if you'd rather spend your holiday shopping money directly with independent businesses than on admission fees.
November 22 — Warehouse XI Holiday Market
November 29 — Arts at the Armory Holiday Market
Make an afternoon of it: Somerville's Union Square has independent restaurants, cafés, and shops worth exploring. Arts at the Armory is another opportunity to discover a neighborhood beyond the usual downtown Boston attractions.
Boston Public Market: Give Someone a Taste of New England
Holiday events beginning November 22 | Downtown Boston
Christmas gifts don't have to be things that sit on a shelf.
Sometimes the most memorable presents are foods people can share, ingredients they can cook with, or something unusual they wouldn't ordinarily buy for themselves.
Boston Public Market, at 100 Hanover Street, brings together New England farmers, food producers, and independent businesses in a year-round indoor marketplace.
For the holiday season, the market is adding special shopping events.
Sunday, November 22: Holiday Maker Market
From 2–5 PM, Marzae Cellar + Provisions hosts a free Holiday Maker Market featuring New England producers.
Participating makers include Wicked Bess of Revere, known for handcrafted cocktail and mocktail mixers; Red Kettle Kimchi of Belfast, Maine; and Maine Garum Co., which produces specialty sauces.
It's an opportunity to discover unusual gifts for food lovers and holiday hosts.
November 28–December 24: Holiday Pop-Up Market
Beginning Thanksgiving weekend, Boston Public Market will welcome rotating local vendors on Saturdays and Sundays, followed by additional shopping dates during the final two weeks before Christmas.
Look for locally produced foods, handmade gifts, seasonal groceries, and entertaining essentials.
Holiday Maker Market — November 22
Boston Public Market Holiday Pop-Up Dates
Make an afternoon of it: The market is close to Haymarket, the North End, the Rose Kennedy Greenway, and the Freedom Trail. It's an easy stop while exploring historic downtown Boston.
Snowport: Boston's Outdoor Christmas Market
November 6–December 27 | Seaport | Free general admission
Of course, there's a reason Snowport has become one of Boston's most recognizable holiday attractions.
The outdoor market brings together more than 130 small businesses selling gifts, clothing, artwork, home goods, and seasonal treats.
Visitors can enjoy festive decorations, food and drink vendors, entertainment, and the atmosphere of a Christmas village beside Boston Harbor.
General admission is free, although optional paid fast passes are available during busy periods.
Snowport is a particularly good choice for visitors who want the complete holiday-market atmosphere, even if they aren't planning to do much shopping.
But it's worth remembering that Snowport isn't the only option, especially if you're looking for indoor shopping, smaller markets, or a particular kind of handmade gift.
We've already put together a separate guide covering the market's hours, attractions, transportation, parking, and visitor tips.
Read Our Complete Snowport Holiday Market 2026 Guide
Don't Overlook Boston's Shopping Neighborhoods
Holiday markets are fun, but some of Boston's most interesting Christmas shopping happens in the neighborhoods themselves.
Newbury Street, Back Bay
Known for its boutiques, galleries, and specialty shops, Newbury Street is especially appealing during the holiday season.
On Sunday, December 6, the Open Newbury Holiday Stroll transforms eight blocks into a pedestrian-friendly shopping destination from 10 AM–6 PM.
Charles Street, Beacon Hill
With its historic storefronts, independent boutiques, antique shops, and neighborhood atmosphere, Charles Street offers a quieter alternative to larger shopping districts.
The gas lamps, brick sidewalks, and nearby Boston Common make it a particularly attractive place to explore during the Christmas season.
SoWa and the South End
Beyond the Christmas Market, the South End is home to galleries, design businesses, independent retailers, and restaurants.
Harvard Square, Cambridge
Bookstores, independent shops, cafés, and specialty retailers make Harvard Square an enjoyable place to spend an afternoon browsing.
Sometimes the most interesting gift is the one you discover while exploring a neighborhood without a particular shopping list.
Which Boston Holiday Market Should You Visit?
If you only have time for one or two markets, think about what kind of experience you're looking for.
For the classic outdoor Christmas market: Snowport offers festive decorations, seasonal food, entertainment, and holiday shopping.
For a large indoor market: SoWa brings more than 100 makers and independent businesses together inside a historic power station.
For shopping in historic downtown Boston: Faneuil Hall combines local vendors with easy access to the Freedom Trail, waterfront, and North End.
For smaller, free community markets: Boston Women's Market offers opportunities to meet independent makers in Somerville.
For New England foods and specialty gifts: Boston Public Market is a natural place to explore local products and seasonal shopping.
And if you'd rather wander without a plan, Boston's historic neighborhoods offer plenty of opportunities to discover something unexpected.
Turn Christmas Shopping into a Boston Getaway
One of the pleasures of visiting Boston during the Christmas season is that shopping can be just one part of the trip.
Spend an afternoon browsing handmade gifts, then enjoy a holiday performance, explore the Freedom Trail, visit a museum, or see the city's Christmas lights.
If you're traveling from outside Greater Boston, consider making a weekend of it.
Our Christmas in Boston 2026: The Complete Holiday Guide brings together holiday traditions, seasonal entertainment, attractions, and ideas for planning your visit.
For current performances, special exhibitions, neighborhood celebrations, and other events, check our regularly updated What's Happening in Boston calendar.
And if you're deciding where to stay, our Where to Stay in Boston for Christmas 2026 guide can help you choose a neighborhood that fits your plans.
The Best Gifts Come with a Story
Boston's holiday markets offer more than a place to cross names off a Christmas shopping list.
They're an opportunity to meet artists, discover independent businesses, explore neighborhoods, and bring home something connected to the place where you found it.
You might discover a handmade ornament, a locally produced food, an unusual book, or a piece of art that becomes a lasting reminder of your visit.
And sometimes, the best thing you bring home isn't something you bought at all.
It's the memory of a December afternoon spent exploring Boston.
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