Holiday Markets in Virginia
Virginia's holiday market season blends the Commonwealth's colonial heritage with a modern artisan economy that thrives in cities like Richmond, Alexandria, and Charlottesville. Historic sites like Colonial Williamsburg and Mount Vernon host holiday evening events, while Richmond's Carytown district and Northern Virginia's Old Town Alexandria offer contemporary craft shopping in walkable historic neighborhoods.
The Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge regions contribute mountain craft traditions to the holiday calendar, with shows featuring Appalachian woodwork, pottery, and fiber arts. Virginia's position between Washington, D.C., and the Carolina coast means its holiday markets draw visitors from a wide geographic area, and the state's mild mid-Atlantic winters allow many events to include outdoor market components through mid-December.
Top Holiday Market Events in Virginia
- Craftsmen's Christmas Classic — Richmond (Richmond Raceway Complex); juried art and craft festival, November 6–8 in 2026
- Bizarre Bazaar — Richmond (Richmond Raceway Complex); a juried holiday market held since 1975, with makers and exhibitors from across America over four days (December 3–6 in 2026)
- Colonial Williamsburg Grand Illumination — Williamsburg; December evenings of illuminations and fireworks in the restored colonial capital (December 5, 12, and 19 in 2026)
- Charlottesville City Market Holiday Market — Charlottesville; in its 2023 season, the Saturday City Market continued as a holiday market into December
- Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon — George Washington's estate; December 19–20 in 2026
What to Expect
Virginia holiday markets range from the Bizarre Bazaar in Richmond, held at the Richmond Raceway Complex, to intimate artisan pop-ups in Charlottesville galleries and Shenandoah Valley farm shops. Colonial Williamsburg's Grand Illumination fills December evenings with illuminations and fireworks in the historic area.
Expect to find handmade pottery, jewelry, woodwork, textiles, candles, specialty foods, and artisan spirits at most Virginia holiday markets. The state's wine and spirits industry adds a local flavor, with many markets featuring Virginia wines, ciders, and craft spirits. Admission is free at most outdoor markets and smaller events; larger shows like Bizarre Bazaar charge modest admission. Indoor venues host the majority of holiday events, though outdoor events such as Williamsburg's 2nd Sundays in December brave cooler temperatures.
Popular Cities for Holiday Markets in Virginia
- Richmond — Bizarre Bazaar and Carytown holiday pop-ups in Virginia's creative capital
- Alexandria — holiday shopping in historic Old Town; check local listings for current markets
- Williamsburg — Colonial Williamsburg Grand Illumination and the December 2nd Sundays street festival
- Charlottesville — Blue Ridge artisan markets and holiday events in the university town
See all craft events in Virginia.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do holiday markets start in Virginia?
Most Virginia holiday markets begin in early to mid-November. The Craftsmen's Christmas Classic in Richmond is in early November (November 6–8 in 2026), and the Bizarre Bazaar's Christmas Collection is a multi-day event in early December (December 3–6 in 2026). Colonial Williamsburg's Grand Illumination runs on December evenings (December 5, 12, and 19 in 2026).
Are Virginia holiday markets outdoors?
It varies. Colonial Williamsburg's Grand Illumination is outdoors, while the Bizarre Bazaar and Craftsmen's Christmas Classic are indoors. Virginia's mid-Atlantic climate allows outdoor shopping through much of December, especially in the Tidewater and Piedmont regions. Mountain markets in the Shenandoah Valley tend to be indoors.
What makes Virginia holiday markets unique?
Virginia's colonial and Civil War heritage gives many markets a historical dimension not found elsewhere. Colonial Williamsburg offers holiday shopping in an 18th-century setting, while Alexandria's Old Town provides colonial architecture as a backdrop. Virginia wines, ciders, and craft spirits are a common feature. The blend of Appalachian mountain craft and urban maker culture creates distinctive holiday shopping across the state.