Holiday Markets in Texas

Texas holiday markets emerge heavily in November and December across every major metro, drawing from a deep tradition of trade days, artisan markets, and handmade vendor fairs. The state's population of 30 million and its sprawling metro areas — Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Austin — generate some of the largest holiday craft events in the South.

The Hill Country corridor between San Antonio and Fredericksburg adds a distinctive layer to the Texas holiday market scene. Monthly markets like Fredericksburg Trade Days and Old Gruene Market Days shift into holiday mode in November and December, while standalone Christmas markets fill historic town squares and convention centers statewide. Southwest craft heritage — pottery, silverwork, leather goods, turquoise jewelry — shows up alongside contemporary handmade goods at events across the state.

Top Holiday Market Events in Texas

• Fredericksburg Trade Days (Holiday Edition) — Fredericksburg, the weekend of the third Saturday in November and December, plus a special show the weekend after Thanksgiving. Over 350 vendors across seven barns, with a holiday gift focus during the November and December markets.
• Old Gruene Market Days (Holiday) — New Braunfels, historic Gruene district. Nearly 100 vendors in an open-air setting, with November and December editions carrying a strong holiday gift emphasis.
• Cottonwood Art Festival — Richardson (Dallas metro), early October. While technically a fall event, the October edition at Cottonwood Park with 180+ artists serves as a major pre-holiday art and craft shopping destination.
• Bayou City Art Festival (Fall) — Memorial Park, Houston, mid-October. Over 250 artists in 19 disciplines, a pre-holiday stop for fine art and craft purchasing.
• Redbud Artisan Market — Fredericksburg, multiple dates. A curated all-handmade market in the heart of the Hill Country featuring Texas artists, with a late-summer show on the Marktplatz on September 5, 2026.

What to Expect

Texas holiday markets run the full range from large convention center shows with hundreds of booths to intimate Hill Country town square pop-ups. In the DFW Metroplex, expect multi-day indoor events at convention centers and suburban event halls, such as the Hollydays Market at the Plano Event Center. Houston's market scene blends fine art festivals with neighborhood artisan pop-ups in The Heights, Montrose, and the Museum District.

Southwest craft traditions are visible across the state — leather goods, tooled leather work, turquoise and silver jewelry, hand-thrown pottery, and wood carving are common alongside contemporary handmade candles, textiles, and specialty food items. Austin's indie maker scene brings a younger, design-forward aesthetic to its holiday markets. The Hill Country's tourist-artisan overlap means holiday markets in Fredericksburg, Boerne, and New Braunfels draw visitors from across the state.

Popular Cities for Holiday Markets in Texas

• Dallas — Cottonwood Art Festival in Richardson and numerous indoor holiday vendor fairs across the Metroplex
• Houston — Bayou City Art Festival anchors the fall calendar, with holiday craft markets throughout The Woodlands, Sugar Land, and inner-city neighborhoods
• Austin — Nationally recognized indie maker scene producing curated holiday markets with a design-forward sensibility
• San Antonio — River Walk Artisan Shows and Hill Country proximity make San Antonio a holiday market hub
• Fredericksburg — Trade Days holiday editions and boutique artisan markets in the heart of wine country and the Hill Country tourist corridor

For a full overview of craft events across the state, visit our Texas craft shows page.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do holiday markets start in Texas?

Holiday markets in Texas typically begin in late October with pre-holiday art festivals, with the heaviest concentration in November and December. The fall art festival circuit (Cottonwood, Bayou City) serves as a bridge into the dedicated holiday market season that runs through Christmas week.

What is Fredericksburg Trade Days?

Fredericksburg Trade Days is a monthly market held the third weekend of each month in Fredericksburg, Texas, with over 350 vendors spread across seven barns. The November and December editions take on a holiday gift focus, making it one of the most popular seasonal shopping destinations in the Texas Hill Country.

Are Texas holiday markets free to attend?

Many are. Old Gruene Market Days is free to attend. Smaller pop-up and neighborhood markets are typically free. Larger events may charge admission or parking; Fredericksburg Trade Days charges $5 for weekend parking. Check individual event listings for current pricing.