The countdown to Christmas is on. Get out from behind the screen and have some good old-fashioned holiday fun. Holiday shopping events are popping up all over the region. These experiences can be so much fun and can really help you get into the holiday spirit—and some even help a good cause at the same time. You’ll find unique, locally created gifts and often get to meet the makers. Here are seven pop-ups coming up to put on your list this season.
PHOTO COURTESY BORO BAZAAR
1. The Boro Bazaar
With a small entry donation, you can check out the 5th annual Boro Bazaar on a bucolic Lancaster County farm in Washington Boro. This outdoor pop-up market features skilled makers and artists with items that will be perfect for the start of your holiday shopping. This will be a low-waste event, where bringing your own mug for discounted coffee is highly encouraged. The most exciting part of this event is that 10 percent of the day’s sales and 100 percent of entry ticket donations will go to a local family who needs some extra love. Since 2011, this event has raised $10,000, which has gone to help five local families. This pop-up has all the feels you won’t want to miss. New this year, The Velveteen Rabbit, a curated twice-loved toy shop, will offer donated quality toys, hardcover books, games, and more for sale to benefit this year’s sponsored family. There will also be an up-cycled gift wrap station hosted by James Street Mennonite Church.
WHEN: Nov 23
WHERE: 3909 Blue Rock Road
TOWN: Washington Boro, PA
INFO: @theborobazaar
2. Kids Only Christmas Shop
Are your children eager to surprise you and their friends with their own gifts for the holidays? Then the perfect spot for them is the Kids Only Christmas Shop event in Harrisburg, where kids 12 and younger can freely shop with the assistance of helper elves. All available gifts will be no more than $10 each, and there will be items suited for everyone. All presents can then be wrapped and tagged by the helper elves. Your children will leave with smiles on their faces and secrets in their gift bags!
WHEN: Nov 30, Dec 1, 7, 8, 14, 15
WHERE: 5300 N. Front St.
CITY: Harrisburg, PA
PHONE: 717-599-5751
INFO: forthunter.org/events
3. Holiday Makers Market
Creatively Lancaster is swarming the Park City mall with handmade goods for everyone on your Christmas list. This is a great opportunity to shop small, to support the local community and to get all of your holiday shopping done in one place. The vendors will be set up in the former Sears store and in the center aisle with over 80 vendors present. The market will be running for four Saturdays in a row from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., so there’s plenty of time to swing by and check out some of the amazing gift ideas available.
WHEN: Nov 30, DEC 7, 14, 21
WHERE: 142 Park City Center
CITY: Lancaster, PA
INFO: creativelylancaster.com
PHOTO BARKERY FARMS, THE ATTIC STAIRS
4. Merry Market At The Bond
The Parliament Arts Organization is hosting their first-ever holiday collaboration at The Bond in York. This six-hour indoor event will be focused on celebrating local artists and curators. The attractions that will be showcased include a dozen artisan vendors, children’s activities, and of course a few food trucks for comfort cuisine. This is a great opportunity to see the creatively crafted wares of local artists and an easy way to find some more presents and decorations just in time for the holidays. You may also just be tempted to treat yourself with some of the unique merchandise.
WHEN: Nov 30
WHERE: The Bond, 134 E. King St.
CITY: York, PA
PHONE: 717-467-1731
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PHOTOS COURTESY FENNEC DESIGN, TARA CHICKEY
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PHOTOS COURTESY FENNEC DESIGN, TARA CHICKEY
5. Odd Ones Holiday Bazaar
While “odd” might be a bit of a misnomer, make no mistake that the finds from the Odd Ones Holiday Bizarre will be unique. For 15 years the event has been going on in Harrisburg, and for five years it’s been at the Millworks. Shoppers can look forward to milling about looking at the wares from 19 vendors in addition to 40 in-house artists who will also be showcasing their goods. One thing attendees can count on is finding handcrafted, locally sourced items for themselves or others for the upcoming holiday season.
WHEN: Nov 30
WHERE: The Millworks, 340 Verbeke St.
CITY: Harrisburg, PA
PHONE: 717-695-4888
INFO : millworksharrisburg.com
6. Forty Elephants
With a whopping 85 vendors presenting all kinds of exceptional vintage and handmade gifts, many that are crafted using vintage elements or vintage inspiration, the Forty Elephants event will most definitely give you a chance to get a head start on your holiday shopping. The vendors will be on the first and second floors of the Center on Small Business Saturday and Sunday. To add to the fun, exclusive goodie bags for the first 100 families will be given. There will be extra excitement because there will even be four different food trucks on site, including Taylor Chip Co., Walko Taco, Sugar Whipped Bakery, and Mad Dash Concessions.
WHEN: Nov 30, DEC 1
WHERE: Masonic Center, 213 W. Chestnut St.
CITY: Lancaster, PA
INFO: @fortyelephantsmarket
7. Christkindmart
Christkindlmarkt is a free, old- fashioned event held on Friday evening and Saturday in the Thomas R. Brendle Museum’s lower level, where shoppers can enjoy discovering handmade period gifts created by a few skilled local artists. Proceeds benefit Historic Schaefferstown, Inc., which is a non-profit educational organization that is dedicated to preserving the rich Pennsylvania German culture and history of the area.
