If you’re looking for something local and unique to give as a gift this holiday season, Cincinnati has plenty of artisan and maker pop-up markets for you to peruse. Bonus: Many also offer warm drinks for double the cozy spirit.
The City Flea Holiday Market City Flea turns Washington Park into one big shopping cart with local makers, crafters and artisans plus festive refreshments. It’s a great place to do last-minute shopping or pick up something for yourself — you’ve been good this year, too. 4-9 p.m. Dec. 15. Free admission. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, thecityflea.com. Photo via thecityflea.com/photos
Events: Market BLEU Shop the winter quarter Market BLEU event at the Contemporary Arts Center to find handmade artisan products from vendors in an opulent setting.6-10 p.m. Free admission. Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown, marketbleu.com. Photo via Facebook.com/MarketBleu
Pleasant Ridge Shop Hop Check out what’s new in Pleasant Ridge during the second-annual holiday shop hop. Neighborhood businesses will be open to sell their wares while you walk from shop to shop for food, drinks, fun and caroling. Noon-4 p.m. Dec. 8. Pleasant Ridge, facebook.com/prbiz. Photo via Facebook.com/ShareCheesebar
Ohio Explored Holiday Maker Mart Weekend Ohio-centric website Ohio Explored takes over Urban Artifact for its second-annual Holiday Maker Mart this weekend. With over 80 vendors split between the two days, there will be plenty of opportunities to check off gifts from your list while supporting local artists. The vendors include jewelry artists like Chertova and Four Eyes Ceramics, accessory designers like SEA and SALT and Nerd Made Knits, candle makers like Manitou Candle Co. and Ginger Bee Limited and artisan food vendors like Macaron Bar and Fat T’s Cookies. Noon-6 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9. Free admission. Urban Artifact, 1660 Blue Rock St., Northside, ohioexplored.com. Photo via Facebook.com/OhioExploredHolidayMakerMartWeekendEventPage
Visionaries + Voices’ Holly Dazed Visionaries+Voices’ annual end-of-year art show Holly Dazed takes over Oakley’s Visionarium for an exhibit and sale of original, deeply discounted holiday art. Pieces from more than 130 V+V artists will be for sale along with individual wares from other local artisans and vendors. Stop by the opening reception to shop or visit any time through Jan. 25 to see the exhibit on display. Opening reception 6-8 p.m. Dec. 7. Show through Jan. 25. Free admission. V+V Visionarium, 3054 Madison Road, Oakley, visionariumcincy.com. Photo: V+V
Art on Vine Holiday Gifts Sale A fast, fun and easy way to buy gifts for your loved ones, handmade by local artists. Noon-7 p.m. Dec. 16. Free admission. Rhinegeist, 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, artonvinecincy.com Photo via Facebook.com/ArtonVineHolidayGiftSaleEventPage
Second Sunday on Main: Winter Edition The summer block party moves into the winter season with a special edition for holiday shopping and holiday cheer. Revel OTR will host a pop-up bar, Mr. Young’s Christmas trees and wreaths will be for sale and there will be live entertainment from the likes of the Queen City Sisters. Noon-5 p.m. Dec. 9. Free admission. Main Street between 12th and Liberty streets, Over-the-Rhine, facebook.com/OTRSSOM. Photo via Facebook.com/OTRSSOM
Essex Studios Holiday Art Walk For the final time in 2018, Essex Studios artists will open their space to the public as their workplace morphs into a gallery showcasing their art. The event takes guests through spaces filled with oil paintings, photography, sculptures, blown glass, wood carvings, ceramics and more Ñ all splayed out in 150,000 square feet. Since the holidays are upon us, you can check off your shopping list here, too (or buy a rad art piece for yourself; we won’t judge). Grab grub via local food trucks and listen to live music while you peruse. 6-10 p.m. Dec. 7 and 8. Free admission. Essex Studios, 2511 Essex Place, Walnut Hills, theessexstudios.weebly.com. Photo: Essex Studios
Craft Menagerie at Arnold’s Arnold’s bar will be taken over by a curated arts and crafts show for some holiday shopping. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 15. Free admission. Arnold’s Bar and Grill, 210 E. Eighth St., Downtown, facebook.com/craftmenagerie13. Photo via Facebook.com/CraftMenagerieatArnolds