Holiday Markets in Tennessee
Tennessee's holiday market season draws on the state's rich Appalachian craft heritage and a booming maker economy centered in Nashville, Knoxville, and the Smoky Mountain towns. Gatlinburg's Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, which calls itself the largest independent organization of artisans in the United States, hosts Thanksgiving and Christmas arts and crafts shows (November 24–29 and November 30–December 6 in 2026) along with studios and galleries on the eight-mile loop.
Upcoming events in Tennessee
Live listings with their sources. Always confirm details with the organizer.
Nashville's growth as a creative city has produced a vibrant holiday market scene, led by curated maker events such as the Porter Flea Holiday Market. Franklin's charming Main Street hosts holiday markets that draw on the town's antebellum architecture and small-town appeal. From the mountains to the music cities, Tennessee offers holiday shopping that combines Southern hospitality with genuine handmade craft.
Top Holiday Market Events in Tennessee
- Porter Flea Holiday Market — Nashville; juried indoor holiday market with 200+ vendors (December 11–12, 2026)
- Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community holiday shows — Gatlinburg; Thanksgiving show (November 24–29, 2026) and Great Smoky Christmas Arts & Craft Show (November 30–December 6, 2026)
- Made Around Here Market — Jonesborough; annual November craft show at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center (November 6–7, 2026)
- Franklin Makers Market — Franklin (The Lake at Westhaven); free holiday market with over 150 curated craft and artisan vendors (November 14, 2026)
- Dickens of a Christmas — Franklin (Historic Downtown); Victorian-themed holiday festival with arts and crafts vendors on Main Street (December 12–13, 2026)
What to Expect
Tennessee holiday markets run the spectrum from Nashville's indie-craft-focused events, where you will find screen-printed band posters, handmade leather goods, and artisan candles, to Gatlinburg's Arts & Crafts Community holiday shows. Franklin's Dickens of a Christmas transforms the historic downtown into a Victorian holiday scene with artisan vendors mixed into the festival atmosphere.
Gatlinburg's Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community operates year-round, but the holiday season brings Thanksgiving and Christmas arts and crafts shows and seasonal work from the 80+ artists and craftsmen along the loop. Knoxville's Market Square hosts holiday events with a mix of East Tennessee makers and food vendors. Most Tennessee holiday markets are free to attend, with food trucks, live music, and seasonal beverages as standard accompaniments. Indoor venues handle the majority of events, though outdoor markets are common in Nashville and Franklin through mid-December.
Popular Cities for Holiday Markets in Tennessee
- Nashville — Porter Flea Holiday Market and curated maker events across Music City
- Gatlinburg — Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community Thanksgiving and Christmas arts and crafts shows
- Knoxville — East Tennessee artisan events and nearby Gatlinburg and Jonesborough holiday craft shows
- Franklin — Dickens of a Christmas and holiday shopping along the historic Main Street
See all craft events in Tennessee.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do holiday markets start in Tennessee?
Most Tennessee holiday markets begin in early November and run through Christmas Eve. Gatlinburg's Arts & Crafts Community holiday shows run from Thanksgiving week into early December. Nashville and Franklin markets are concentrated in November and December, with the heaviest event weekends in late November and the first two weekends of December.
What crafts are typical at Tennessee holiday markets?
Mountain craft traditions bring handmade pottery, woodwork, woven baskets, and dulcimers to Gatlinburg and Knoxville shows. Nashville markets feature contemporary maker goods like leather journals, artisan candles, screen prints, jewelry, and ceramics. Franklin markets mix Southern-style home goods with artisan food products. Across the state, expect handmade items that reflect both Appalachian heritage and modern design.
Is Gatlinburg worth visiting for holiday craft shopping?
For craft enthusiasts, yes. The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community calls itself the largest independent organization of artisans in the United States, with studios and galleries along an eight-mile loop. During the holiday season, its Thanksgiving and Christmas arts and crafts shows make it a destination for finding unique handmade gifts directly from the artisans who create them. Combine it with Smoky Mountain scenery for a memorable holiday trip.