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 "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

• Junior League of Indianapolis Holiday Mart — Indianapolis (Indiana State Fairgrounds); multi-day holiday shopping fundraiser, with the 55th edition set for November 19–21, 2026
• Ship-Chic Holiday Craft Show — Shipshewana (Trading Place Antique & Misc. Building); December 5, 2026; gifts, home décor, crafts, jewelry, and baked goods from sellers across the Midwest
• Winter Artisan Market — Indianapolis (Harrison Center); the former INDIEana Handicraft Exchange, held as a December First Friday market of handmade goods in 2024
• Brown County Christkindl Market — Nashville (Brown County); a holiday-season tradition in the historic artists' colony, alongside gallery and shop holiday shopping
• Bloomington Handmade Market — Bloomington (Monroe Convention Center); indie craft show with 100+ Midwest makers (November 21–22 in 2026)

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 Winter Artisan Market (formerly 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 — Junior League Holiday Mart, the Winter Artisan Market (formerly INDIEana Handicraft Exchange), and Mass Ave arts district pop-ups
• Shipshewana — the Ship-Chic Holiday Craft Show and Amish-country shops with quilts, furniture, and baked goods
• Bloomington — university-town holiday craft markets and gallery events
• Nashville — Brown County artists' colony Christkindl Market 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 Junior League of Indianapolis Holiday Mart is a multi-day event in November (November 19–21 in 2026). Shipshewana holiday events run through the season, and Nashville's Brown County galleries maintain holiday hours throughout November and December.

What happened to the INDIEana Handicraft Exchange?

The INDIEana Handicraft Exchange was a long-running Indianapolis maker market of handmade goods, most recently holding summer shows at the Harrison Center. In 2024 it was renamed the Winter Artisan Market and held as a December First Friday event at the Harrison Center.

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.