Holiday Markets in Indiana
Indiana's holiday market season brings together the state's Amish craft traditions, Midwestern maker culture, and a growing urban artisan scene centered in Indianapolis and Bloomington. Shipshewana's Amish community in northern Indiana produces handmade furniture, quilts, and baked goods that draw holiday shoppers from across the Midwest, while Indianapolis' Mass Ave arts district and Fountain Square neighborhood host contemporary craft markets that reflect the city's creative energy.
Brown County's Nashville, Indiana — the "Little Art Colony of the Midwest" — has been a craft destination since the early 1900s, and its holiday season fills the town's galleries and studios with seasonal work and gift-ready pieces. From the Indiana State Fairgrounds' large holiday markets to intimate gallery pop-ups in college towns like Bloomington, Indiana offers holiday craft shopping rooted in genuine making traditions.
Top Holiday Market Events in Indiana
- Indianapolis Holiday Mart — Indianapolis (Indiana State Fairgrounds); one of Indiana's largest holiday shopping events with hundreds of vendors over multiple days
- Shipshewana Holiday Market — Shipshewana (Trading Place); Amish-country holiday market featuring handmade quilts, furniture, baked goods, and artisan crafts from the northern Indiana Amish community
- INDIEana Handicraft Exchange — Indianapolis (various venues); curated market featuring Indiana makers selling handmade goods, from ceramics and candles to jewelry and textiles
- Nashville Indiana Holiday Art Walk — Nashville (Brown County); holiday open studio and gallery walk through the historic artists' colony, featuring pottery, paintings, woodwork, and seasonal pieces
- Bloomington Handmade Market — Bloomington (Convention Center or Buskirk-Chumley Theater); annual holiday craft market featuring south-central Indiana artisans and university-town makers
What to Expect
Indiana holiday markets reflect the state's mix of heritage craft and contemporary making. Shipshewana's markets feature Amish-made quilts, handcrafted wooden furniture, and traditional baked goods that have drawn buyers for decades. Indianapolis markets like the INDIEana Handicraft Exchange showcase the city's growing indie maker scene with curated handmade goods — ceramics, screen prints, leather accessories, candles, and jewelry. Nashville's Brown County galleries offer fine art and craft in a wooded hillside setting.
Most large Indiana holiday markets are indoors, held at fairgrounds, convention centers, and event halls given the state's cold winters. Admission ranges from free at smaller events to modest fees at larger shows. Expect food vendors, live music, and seasonal refreshments at most markets. Bloomington brings a university-town energy to its holiday events, with younger makers offering contemporary designs alongside established artisans from the region.
Popular Cities for Holiday Markets in Indiana
- Indianapolis — Holiday Mart, INDIEana Handicraft Exchange, and Mass Ave arts district pop-ups
- Shipshewana — Amish-country holiday market with handmade quilts, furniture, and traditional baked goods
- Bloomington — university-town holiday craft markets and gallery events
- Nashville — Brown County artists' colony holiday art walks and gallery shopping
See all craft events in Indiana.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do holiday markets start in Indiana?
Most Indiana holiday markets begin in early to mid-November and run through Christmas Eve. The Indianapolis Holiday Mart is typically a multi-day event in November. Shipshewana holiday events run through the season, and Nashville's Brown County galleries maintain holiday hours throughout November and December.
What is the INDIEana Handicraft Exchange?
The INDIEana Handicraft Exchange is a curated maker market held in Indianapolis that focuses on Indiana-made handmade goods. It features artisans selling ceramics, jewelry, textiles, candles, prints, and other handcrafted items. It is one of the most popular indie craft events in the state and draws a strong following from the Indianapolis creative community.
Is Shipshewana worth visiting for holiday shopping?
For those interested in Amish-made crafts, yes. Shipshewana's Trading Place and surrounding shops offer handmade quilts, wooden furniture, hand-dipped candles, and traditional baked goods. The holiday season adds a festive atmosphere to the Amish-country experience, and the quality of handmade goods is consistently high. It is about two and a half hours north of Indianapolis.