Illustration of a christmas market scene (Holiday Festival of the Arts)
Christmas Markets

Holiday Festival of the Arts

Visitors can browse vendor booths filled with locally produced fine art and handmade crafts from over 100 regional artisans. The indoor festival also features live music, artist demonstrations, and hands-on workshops and activities for children.

What to Expect

Indoor festival featuring over 100 regional artisans, live music, and kids' activities.

Event Details

Duration

5 week-long.

Ages

All ages

Timed Entry

No

Organizer

Allied Arts of Whatcom County

Local Insight & Ratings

Family Friendly

🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 ⚪ (4/5)

Best For

Families and holiday shoppers who enjoy handmade arts and crafts

Vibe

Festive and creative

Energy Level

Moderate

Photo Friendly

Moderate

Weather Sensitivity

None

Know Before You Go

  • Hours: 10AM–6PM; closes at 3PM on December 24.
  • Parking: Parking is dependent on the location of the Festival and local parking laws.

Tips & Advice

  • Visit on a Saturday or Sunday if you want live music and free kids' activities alongside the artisan booths.
  • Watch for the location announcement in November, since the festival moves to a new spot every year and parking depends on where it lands.
  • Out-of-town visitors can book a discounted stay at Hotel Leo through the festival's offer, good for the whole run of the festival.
  • Take your finds to the main checkout area to pay, because Allied Arts staff handle every sale instead of the individual artists.
  • If you're saving your shopping for the last minute, plan around the Thanksgiving closure and the early close on Christmas Eve.

Special Events & Promotions

  • Live music and free kids' activities on Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Out-of-town visitors get a discount on Hotel Leo stays for the length of the festival when they book through the festival's offer.

Quick Actions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is there to see and do?

It's an indoor festival with booths from over 100 regional artisans, plus live music, workshops for children and artists demonstrating their craft.

Is there anything for kids?

Yes. There are workshops for children, and free kids' activities and live music on Saturdays and Sundays.

Is everything handmade?

Yes. All products must be handmade, and the festival focuses on locally produced fine art and craft.

Do I pay at each booth?

No. Like a store, the festival has a main checkout area, and Allied Arts staff handle every transaction.

How can musicians or teaching artists perform at the festival?

Allied Arts reaches out to musicians and teaching artists to book the weekend entertainment. If you're interested, email holidayfestival@alliedarts.org.

Tags

holiday marketfamily friendlyhandmade craftsartisanal productsSanta visitsfestive foodholiday shoppingcommunity celebrationlive musicchildrens activities

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Always check the official website for the most current information.

We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.

Contributors & Updates

Last Updated: Oct 20, 2026
Original Submitter: Sep 17, 2025 The Christmas Events Near Me editorial team