‘Tis the season to shop unique, handmade, and most of all, local.
Santa Cruz businesses and organizations are making it easy with a full slate of holiday shopping fairs, makers markets, and boutiques.
Be sure to check back often, as new pop-up shopping events are added throughout the holiday season.
Here’s a roundup of some of the best opportunities to buy some awesome gifts and help support the local economy and arts culture at the same time.
November 3 – 4
10th Annual Santa Cruz Sea Glass & Ocean Art Festival
Calling all sea glass lovers and ocean enthusiasts! Shop for one-of-a-kind gifts featuring authentic sea glass and coastal art from over 40 artists. Your entry fee includes a chance to win a gift basket filled with sea-inspired goodies, and a portion is donated to ocean conservation through the Monterey Bay Sanctuary.
Click here for more information.
- When: November 3 & 4 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Where: Cocoanut Grove
- Cost: $5, Kids Free
Zinnia’s Holiday Open House
Zinnia’s Home & Garden kicks off the holiday season with their annual Open House. Start your holiday shopping early and enjoy beautiful decor, appetizers, and amazing raffle items.
Click here for more information.
- When: November 3 from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
- Where: Zinnia’s Gift Boutique in Scotts Valley
Bumblebees by the Sea Holiday Open House
You’ll find unique gifts, home decor, and jewelry at Bumblebees by the Sea’s 6th Annual Holiday Open House. Enjoy refreshments while you shop and get inspired by the many beautifully decorated trees and decorations. This year, Flour and Love Bakery will be on-site serving amazing goodies.
Click here for more information.
- When: November 3 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Where: Bumblebees by the Sea in Scotts Valley
Scotts Valley Holiday Craft Fair
25 years of hand-crafted and home-baked goods—now that’s a holiday shopping tradition! And all for a good cause because proceeds benefit programs and resources at the Senior & Community centers.
- When: November 3 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Where: Scotts Valley Senior Center & Community Center
Watsonville Taiko’s Holiday Boutique
Support Watsonville Taiko and get a jump start on your holiday shopping! This family-friendly boutique features something for everyone—unique and creative holiday gifts from arts & crafts to themed baskets to gift certificates, and more. Try your luck at numerous raffle prizes, including the grand prize, an original, handmade Japanese Motif Quilt. Enjoy baked goods and snacks for purchase while you shop.
Click here for more information.
- When: November 4 from Noon to 5:00 pm
- Where: Kizuka Hall in Watsonville
Downtown Makers Market
There’s a new Makers Market in town, Downtown Santa Cruz that is, and it’s happening on the first Sunday of every month. Don’t miss the debut of this new holiday shopping tradition—come shop local with over 40 Santa Cruz County artists and makers, and enjoy live music by Wild Iris , Sugar by the Pound and the Crooked Branches Band!
Click here for more information.
- When: November 4 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Where: Pacific Ave., Downtown
November 10 – 11
Goat Hill Fair
After attending Goat Hill for ourselves, all we can say is wow! This unique antiques and artisan fair features over 100 vendors showcasing vintage treasures, up-cycled junk, antiques, collectibles, and artisan food. It’s fun, nostalgic, and full of DIY inspiration. Plus, you’re sure to cross a few folks off your shopping list.
Click here for more information.
- When: Nov. 10 from 10am to 4pm & Nov. 11 from 10am to 3pm
- Where: Santa Cruz Fairgrounds
- Cost: $10 General Admission
Bonny Doon Craft Fair
Go for the fabulous local vendors including Fish Princess Farm, Sarah’s Succulents, and Bonny Doon Lavender Farm; stay for the annual chili cook off and bake sale!
Click here for more information.
- When: November 10 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Where: Bonny Doon Church
Pop-up Makers Market at Tipsy Gypsy
Santa Cruz Mountains Makers Market brings us another great opportunity to support local artists during the holiday season. Enjoy live music and complimentary snacks and champagne, while you get your shopping done with 10 local artists and crafters.
Click here for more information.
- When: November 11 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Where: Tipsy Gypsy in Capitola
November 17 – 18
UCSC Arboretum Gift & Wreath Sale
A visit to the arboretum is always a treat, so why not get some holiday shopping out of the way while there? You’ll find carefully crafted dried flower works of art, as well as traditional and one-of-a-kind wreaths. If you’d rather go the DIY route, get inspired with a selection of plants, dried flowers, frames, wreath kits and wreath demonstrations.
Click here for more information.
- When: November 17 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Where: UC Santa Cruz Arboretum
La Selva Beach Holiday Fair
Enjoy holiday shopping with a side of family-friendly activities, live music, hot food, and baked goods. This event features over 50 vendors showcasing their unique handcrafted goods and a huge, multi-genre book sale. Enjoy lunch from two local food trucks: Rogue Pye and G’s Tacos.
Click here for more information.
- When: November 17 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Where: La Selve Beach Clubhouse
November 24 – 25
Santa Cruz Mountains Holiday Makers Market
Shop the art, music, and tastes of the Santa Cruz Mountains community. This free public event is held indoors and features live local music while you discover treasures and gifts from over 40 local artists and crafters. Best of all, your shopping dollars help benefit a local non-profit, Mountain Community Resources.
Click here for more information.
- When: November 24 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Where: Felton Community Hall
Holiday Glass Gift Market
Shop fabulous hand-blown glass ornaments, unique paperweights and other home decor items, drinking vessels, and more—all locally handmade in the Hot Glass Studio of Santa Cruz artist Chris Johnson.
Click here for more information.
When: November 24 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Live Oak Grange
Sip & Shop at Humble Sea
Drink beer. Get your holiday shopping done. Be happy. It’s that simple! So grab a humbly delicious brew and check out the variety of high quality wares from local makers, including Santa Cruz Engraving (those awesome wooden maps), Upcycled Skate Art (functional art made from broken skateboards), and Mountainside Handmade Jewelry.
Click here for more information.
When: November 24 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Where: Humble Sea Brewing Co.
Small Business Saturday
Forget Black Friday. Small business Saturday is an annual shopping tradition that encourages the community to support their favorite small businesses. Shop local!
Click here for more information.
November 30 – December 2
Heritage Holiday & Gift Fair
Don’t let the Gizdich pie, model trains, and Mister and Ms. Claus sightings distract you from all the one-of-a-kind holiday gifts. With three big buildings filled with handmade crafts, antiques, collectibles, and toys, you’re bound to cross everyone off your list and earn that slice of pie.
Click here for more information.
When: November 30 – December 2
Where: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
Cost: $6; Children 5 and under Free
Alladin Nursery 14th Annual Christmas Open House
Alladin Nursery & Gift Shop will transform into a Christmas wonderland, full of gifts for everyone on your list. Enjoy live music, hot apple cider, wine, and homemade pastries while you shop. Bring in a bag full of non-perishable or canned groceries to donate to the Second Harvest Food Bank and receive 10% off your purchase. Bring 2 bags and receive 20% off!
Click here for more information.
When: November 30 – December 2 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Alladin Nursery in Watsonville
ParkStore Holiday Sale
Shop thoughtful holiday gifts while supporting our state parks and beaches. The annual ParkStore Holiday Sale includes a preview sale on Friday at Natural Bridges and last chance shopping on Sunday, so don’t miss your chance to enjoy holiday discounts: 30% off for members and 20% off for non-members. Other ParkStore locations include Santa Cruz Mission SHP, Seacliff State Beach, and Wilder Ranch State Park.
Click here for more information.
When: November 30 – December 2
Where: 4 ParkStore locations: Natural Bridges, Santa Cruz Mission, Wilder Ranch and Seacliff
Annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Sale
Shop handmade and inspirational holiday gifts from featured artists Jessica Alaimo, Sondra Bitonti, Rachel Harper, Scottie Johnson, Annette Nemes, and Adam Spickler.
Click here for more information.
When: December 1 & 2 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: 721 Cayuga Street, Midtown Santa Cruz
Winter Open House
For all the nature lovers on your shopping list, take advantage of the museum’s store-wide sale throughout the weekend. Admission is free! Enjoy complimentary hot cider and cookies, crafts and activities, plus the chance to explore the museum’s latest exhibits.
Click here for more information.
When: December 1 & 2 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Watsonville Holiday Factory Sale
It’s time for the annual Holiday Factory Sale featuring products grown, manufactured, or produced right in Watsonville. Participating merchants include S. Martinelli & Company, Annieglass, Roche Leather Company, and American Hatmakers / Head’n Home Hats. Not only will you finish your holiday shopping early, you’ll save money while supporting local businesses.
Click here for more information.
When: December 1 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: View list of participating vendors
Boys & Girls Club Kids Craft Fair
Support young entrepreneurs and find adorable, unique gifts at the Annual Kids Craft Fair, which takes place immediately following the Annual Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade. Admission is free and open to the public.
Click here for more information.
When: December 1 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz, Downtown Clubhouse
Pleasure Point’s Countdown to Christmas Event
Join all of Pleasure Point for a holiday makers market! Local artisans, makers and bakers will be showcasing their goods at different shops around Pleasure Point. Find the perfect handmade gifts and support local!
Click here for more information.
When: December 1 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Various shops at Pleasure Point
Holiday Art & Craft Faire
Shop one-of-a-kind at the annual Holiday Art & Craft Faire at Simpkins Swim Center. Wares from local artists include jewelry, textiles, ornaments, soaps, wreaths, mosaics, chocolates, hand-made bags and wallets, and more.
Click here for more information.
When: December 1 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Simpkins Swim Center
Annual Holiday Sale at Santa Cruz Mountains Arts Center
Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center makes it easy to give the gift of handcrafted, unique art. Don’t miss their annual holiday sale to find beautiful jewelry, ceramics, scarves, sculpture, paintings, photography, and more. If you can’t make the sale, check out their “Little Treasures” exhibit during gallery hours for smaller, affordable pieces of artwork and new items added every week.
Click here for more information.
When: December 1 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center, Ben Lomond
Artisans Holiday Gift Sale 2018
The 11th Annual Artisans Gift Sale features a wide variety of gift items, all of which are handcrafted locally and $25 or less. Check out this portfolio showcasing a selection of the unique gifts that await.
When: December 1 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where:The Santa Cruz County Veterans Memorial Building
Bargetto Winery Annual Art in the Cellars
Wine and local art is a great pairing, and one you’ll find at Bargetto Winery, along with artisan food products and more. Admission is free, and you can taste Bargetto’s selection with the purchase of a $10 commemorative glass. Sip, shop, and stroll the historic cellars!
Click here for more information.
When: December 1 & 2 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Bargetto Winery
Cost: Free admission; Wine tasting festival glass $10
Winter Art Market at the Tannery
Here’s a chance to buy direct from over 20 Tannery Studio and Loft artists. While you’re busy crossing loved ones off your gift list, you might also enjoy stopping to try a new craft activity or watch an artist demo. Bring your appetite too, because Bistro 112 will be open for breakfast, lunch, espresso drinks, beer and wine.
Click here for more information.
When: December 1 & 2
Where: Tannery Arts Center
Holiday Gift Show 2018
Head on over to the Westside for handmade artisan goods and plenty of holiday spirit. Plus, a percentage of sales will be donated to Westside Parent Education Nursery School- WPENS. Shop ceramics, gourds/basketry, prints, fabric designs, vintage kimono scarves, jewelry, and more. Enjoy live music and tasty eats from the Shockwave Food Truck.
Click here for more information.
When: December 2 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: 111 Errett Circle (Circle Church gym)
Downtown Makers Market
There’s a new Makers Market in town, Downtown Santa Cruz that is, and it’s happening on the first Sunday of every month. Don’t miss this new holiday shopping tradition—come shop local with over 40 Santa Cruz County artists and makers, and enjoy live music by Jasmine Bailey Apple City Slough Band & Taylor Rae!
Click here for more information.
When: December 2 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz
Holiday Pop Up Sale at Equinox
There’s holiday shopping, and then there’s local holiday shopping with a glass of bubbly and fried chicken (Kickin Chicken in the house!). This holiday pop up features gift-able crafts by local artists, including candles, leather, textile prints and jewelry.
Click here for more information.
When: December 1 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: Equinox Winery
December 7 – 9
Westlake Winter Artisan Fair
The whole family is invited to this celebration of fine art and handcrafted items. Over 30 artists and craftspeople will offer jewelry, art, leather goods, photography, pottery, soaps, plants, knit, woodworking and edible goodies for everyone on your holiday list. Enjoy lunch, baked goods and coffee, a gift wrapping station, and a chance to win curated baskets of the artists’ creations in a raffle.
Click here for more information.
When: December 8 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Westlake Elementary
Swanton Artisan Annual Holiday Fair
A trip to Swanton Berry Farm is a treat all year round. For the 18th year in a row, the farm will team up with local artists and crafters to create a unique and cozy holiday shopping fair. Shop sea glass jewelry, local landscape paintings, ceramics, ornaments, organic coffees and teas, eclectic jewelry, tea towels, prints—just to name a few. In addition to great gifts, you’ll be able to partake in pies, fruitcake, cobbler, hot cider, and soup!
When: December 8 & 9 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Swanton Berry Farm
Westside Artists’ Holiday Tour
With so much gorgeous scenery surrounding us here in Santa Cruz, it is no wonder that many talented artists reside here producing objects that reflect that beauty. A consortium of nine Westside artists will hold an open studios event to display their work. From studio and plein air paintings, batik birds to Hawaiian wood boxes, one-of-a-kind jewelry to ceramic and bronze sculptures, these artists have captured the essence of the Central Coast. Stop by their studios and see how the art is made.
Click here for more information.
When: 12/8 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Westside Santa Cruz
Norrie’s Gift & Garden Shop Holiday Open House
Shop green, support a good cause and find treasures at Norrie’s annual open house. Entirely run by volunteers, this quaint and elegant gift shop abounds with locally made items, as well as books, jewelry, toys, etc. All proceeds benefit the Arboretum’s conservation, education, research and horticulture programs. Light refreshments will be served, and artists and makers will be creating their wares to make your holiday shopping easy and ecological.
Click here for more information.
When: 12/8 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Jingle Shells Arts and Crafts Festival
You’ve heard of holiday tree lightings, but are you ready for a whale lighting? After an afternoon of shopping ocean and nature-inspired gifts, gather ’round Ms. Blue, the largest displayed whale skeleton in the world, for a group sing along of Jingle Shells.
Click here for more information.
When: 12/9 from 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Where: Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Cost: Public: Adult $7 | Senior, Student, Child $5 | Children 2 and under FREE | Members: FREE (Proceeds benefit the Seymour Center’s education programs.)
LoOk Collective
Drive up the coast to an old farmhouse and meet some of our fabulous local artists. Working in a variety of media, LoOk Collective artists will show off and discuss their printmaking, metal, clay, textile and paper works in a wide price range to suit the needs of the holiday shopper all the way to the art connoisseur.
Click here for more information.
When: 12/9 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: 5221 Coast Rd Santa Cruz CA
Midtown Craft Crawl
Get it all done with one stop during the annual Midtown Holiday Craft Crawl. Stroll Soquel Ave from Pine Street thru Seabright Avenue and stop into your favorite shops for great deals and to peruse local vendor pop-ups. Twelve businesses and 30+ vendors!
Click here for more information.
When: 12/9 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Soquel Ave. from Pine thru Seabright
December 15 – 16
2018 Westside Santa Cruz Holiday Bazaar
It’s time for this 2nd annual Pop-Up Market in the Old Wrigley Building. Are you looking to buy some unique gifts for the holiday season? Maybe you’ll even find a fabulous gift for yourself! Fab Labs and The Art Cave invite you to a day of art, gifts, music and celebration from local businesses and artists.
Click here for more information.
When: 12/15 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: The Old Wrigley Building, 2801 Mission St.
Made In The Mountains
The third Saturday of the month brings an afternoon of local arts, crafts and live music in Boulder Creek. Take advantage of this opportunity to buy some unique holiday gifts while taking a relaxing stroll downtown. Spend $50 and you can enter to win $100 in Boulder Bucks!
Click here for more information.
When: 12/15 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: Downtown Boulder Creek
Holiday Artisan Food and Gift Market
Food Lounge is hosting their annual Holiday Market with unique gifts and holiday food items. Over 20 local vendors will be on site. Come out and support our local artisans and small businesses!
Click here for more information.
When: 12/15 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Food Lounge, Santa Cruz Art Center
We Are California Grown Warehouse Sale & Toy Drive
Bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Cruz and shop the warehouse sale at We Are California Grown. Enjoy live music by 3UpFront, food featuring El Salchichero, and beer poured by Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing.
Click here for more information.
When: 12/15 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: 111 Dubois St., Santa Cruz
Homemade Holiday Craft Fair
Support this local homeschooling collaborative fundraiser while shopping for unique handcrafted items by local children and professional artists. Purchase a wristband to participate in holiday arts and crafts and/or sign up for an evergreen wreath making workshop! Listen to live music and enjoy food and drinks available for purchase.
Click here for more information.
When: 12/16 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: The Discovery Learning Center, Scotts Valley
Cost: Free entry, $12 activity armband ($25 family) $30 Wreath Workshop
Christmas Market at Felton Covered Bridge
Head to the mountains for the annual Christmas Market at the historic Felton Covered Bridge. Enjoy local wine, food, and shopping from a variety of local makers and artists.
Click here for more information.
When: 12/16 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Felton Covered Bridge Park
More December Events Coming Soon!
Submit your craft fair event here and be sure to check back often, as new pop-up shopping events are added throughout the holiday season.
