2025 Local Holiday Market Guide
Get in the Christmas spirit with a local market experience!
Shopping small is statistically one of the most impactful ways to support your local economy. But it also makes you feel good. It gives you the opportunity to discover local artists, craftmakers, and business owners—real people who want to create and share with their communities.
With thousands of local businesses, Kansas City makes gift-buying from the heartland easy. To make it even easier, we’ve rounded up our list of holiday pop-up markets that help you shop small beyond Small Business Saturday and make new memories that will last well past the winter snow.
Photos by Anna Petrow
Christkindlmarkt
Ready to wrap and buy? The Campground, home to one of the coziest corners in the West Bottoms, welcomes its sixth annual Christkindlmarkt. An authentic indoor-and-outdoor market transports you back to Medieval Germany, featuring hot drinks, festive foods, a Letters to Santa Station, and local makers like The Object Enthusiast, Jack’s Daughters, Second Bite Shop, Distinguished Beard Co., and more.
When: December 4th-6th from 5 to 9 PM, December 7th from 12 to 3 PM
Where: 1531 Genessee Street
Post Friday Art Faire
Over 180 makers, live artist pop-ups like tattoo artist Paige Hinshaw, ready-to-wrap gifts, DIY craft stations, and food from Ish Bagels & Deli will take over 12th Street Post for the fourth year in a row. Not only will it be a hot spot to grab gifts, it’s also an opportunity to support local artists all year round with this year’s raffle will benefitting Charlotte Street Foundation, a nonprofit directly impacting Kansas City artists with funding and professional development opportunities. And of course, you can browse the ever growing collection of plants from resident West Bottoms Plant Co!
When: December 12th from 4 to 8 PM, December 13th from 11 AM to 5 PM
Where: 1501 W 12th Street
Westport Christmas Market
From the fresh scents of Oak and Spring Soapery and Java Clay’s handmade polymer clay jewelry to Gunk’s Games woodworking, the third annual Westport Christmas Market is the perfect opportunity to cross off your gift list, sip warm winter beverages, and swing to Christmas cheer. In addition to the maker’s market, more active members of the family can sign up for the Santa Dash 5K, Reindeer Trot, or kid-friendly Elf Dash.
When: December 13th from 10 AM to 5 PM
Where: 3300 Pennsylvania Avenue
Holiday Market and Shopping Stroll
Two words: live reindeer. For the first time, the Country Club Plaza presents its first annual Holiday Market and Shopping Stroll. With local artisan vendors like Lucky Gal and Scout Embroidery, exclusive in-store promotions from Indochino, Rye, Perch, and more, seasonal tastings, wreaths and bouquets, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities like ornament decorating with KC Style Haus, pictures with Santa and, yes, those real life reindeer, it’s sure to be an event to remember.
When: December 13th from 11 AM to 5 PM
Where: 111 Nichols Road
Merry Market at City Market
Since 1857, Kansas Citians have come to City Market to trade and purchase local fare, making the River Market a staple hub to shop locally. This year, the tradition will continue every weekend through December 21st, while local vendors line pavilions and street spaces with tables, trucks, and trolleys full of holiday goodness. Stop and grab fresh-baked breads and jams, ornaments, handmade pottery, jewelry, and art, and be sure to look out for special guests, Santa Claus and the Grinch.
When: Saturdays and Sundays through December 21st from 10 AM to 4 PM
Where: 20 E 5th Street
Saint Nic’s
Imagine the North Pole. Now, go visit Saint Nic’s and see how the winter wonderland has come to life on the Plaza. Where the spirit of Christmas is high and the goers are jolly, this is the perfect for families, children, and pups looking to meet Santa Claus. Each ticket ($15) earns visitors a magical moment for wishes, pictures, and a treat from Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen. Four-legged friends will receive a sweet treat from Three Dog Bakery.
When: Through December 23, see hours of operation here
Where: 515 Nichols Road
