The Local Gift Guide: Annual holiday markets

Seasonal markets, Triad-wide, are loaded with local, craft goods.

Black Friday

• Really, Really Free Market @ Grove Street and Glenwood Avenue (GSO), 11 a.m.
  While everybody else braves the Black Friday crowds to spend their cash as fast as they can, the crew in Glenwood is giving it all away. The Really, Really Free Market is exactly as it sounds: Everything is for the taking. And if you’ve got any good stuff lying around, they’ll take that too. Get there early for the best pickings; it’s all over by 3 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 28

• Handmade for the Holidays @ Deep Roots Market (GSO), 10 a.m.
  Local craft market season kicks off with this parking-lot affair at Deep Roots, featuring jewelry, art, fiber crafts, baked goods and more. It runs until 3 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 4

• First Friday (GSO/W-S)
  It’s First Friday in the Triad’s two biggest cities, with action centering around — but not limited to — Elm Street in Greensboro and Sixth and Trade streets in Winston-Salem. It’s a fantastic opportunity to buy local goods, support local artisans and schmooze on the streets. Galleries, shops, restaurants, venues and even the sidewalks will have special holiday offerings.
• Winter Indie Market @ South Elm Street and MLK Jr. Drive (GSO), 5 p.m.
  Greensboro’s long-running Indie Market sets up in the parking lot along MLK with a quarter-acre of locally made goods.
• Holiday Bazaar @ Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts (W-S), reception at 5 p.m.
  Hopping on Winston-Salem’s First Friday is an amalgamation of three markets from last year put on by Sawtooth, Bookmarks and the Milton Rhodes Center. This year will feature an opening reception, a book talk form author Charlie Lovett and a performance on the upstairs stage to go along with a literary holiday offering.

Saturday, Dec. 5

• Harmony Marketplace @ Arcadia Lodge (HP), 9 a.m.
  The first in a series of pop-up markets at the farm, B&B and co-op that is Arcadia Lodge. The local and cruelty-free market includes memberships to the food-buyers club, vintage and handmade crafts, performances, demos and whatever else they can bring together. Find the Harmony Marketplace Facebook page for more.
• Cobblestone Pop-Up @ Mary’s Gourmet Diner (W-S), 9 a.m.
  The famed farmers market group hosts a pop-up on the patio at Mary’s with an eye towards high gifting season. All the usual fare will be on hand, plus some seasonal goodies in time for the holidays.
• Holiday Craft Bazaar @ Oakview Recreation Center (HP), 9 a.m.
  It’s an old-school country Christmas craft fair in High Point, with pottery, woodcraft, handmade clothes, toys and, possibly, pinecone wreaths.
• Uptowne Holiday Stroll @ N. Main St. (HP), 10 a.m.
  The annual Christmas promenade brings out most of the city, and has even been known to lure people in from other urban centers. The street fair features holiday open houses along the thoroughfare, carolers, carriage rides and performances. It ends at 4 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 6

• Made 4 Market @ Greensboro Farmers Curb Market (GSO), 8 a.m.
  A special one-off from the GFCM gets so crowded that early-bird VIP passes are available at gsofarmersmarket.org.

Friday-Saturday, Dec. 12-13

• Pokez Holiday Market @ 874 N. Liberty St. (W-S), 11 a.m.
  The crew from Hoots Flea Market brings you this indoor holiday extravaganza that runs all weekend with performances, beer, photos with Santa and a live auction.

Sunday, Dec. 13

• Second Annual Record Show @ the Blind Tiger (GSO), noon
  More than 30 vendors ply their vinyl wares at this second annual paean to recorded sound. All ages are invited but never fear: the bar will be open.

Swag

Books

Spa treatments

Music

Crafts

Food

Drink