Black Friday is upon us and big box stores are calling. Ignore their pleas and give your friends and family something truly unique: a handmade gift. Whether your loved ones adore pottery, jewelry, ornaments or paintings, you’re sure to find a little bit of everything at local holiday craft fairs. Why settle for just one afternoon of handmade fun? We dare you to go to all 25. And if you know of any other markets, leave the info as a comment.
(Want more Black Friday shopping options? Check out these deals at local, independent businesses.)
Friday, Nov. 23
10am-5pm – The Hard Candy Christmas arts and crafts show will feature handmade gifts by 110 regional artists. Held in WCU’s Ramsey Center. $4/children under 12 free. Info: www.MountainArtisans.net. Continues Saturday, Nov. 24 from 10am-5pm.
Friday, Nov. 30
4-7pm – The UNCA Holiday Ceramics and Art Sale will be held in the university’s S. Tucker Cooke Gallery. Free to attend; art starting at $5. Info: 2551-6559. Continues Saturday, Dec. 1 from 9am-2pm.
Saturday, Dec. 1
9am-2pm – The Christmas Greens Market, sponsored by the French Broad River Garden Club Foundation, will feature fresh wreaths and garlands, handmade gifts and flowers. Held at Clem’s Cabin, 1000 Hendersonville Road. Free to attend. Info: www.fbrgc.org or info@fbrgc.org. Continues Saturday, Dec. 1 from 9am-2pm.
noon-4pm – The Claxton Holiday Craft Fair will include upcycled clothing, photography, painting, jewelry, wood carving, holiday ornaments, art prints and more. Held in the Claxton Elementary gym, 241 Merrimon Ave. Ten percent of sales benefit the Claxton PTO. Info: http://avl.mx/na or golfingmom42@yahoo.com.
10am-3pm – The Francine Delany New School for Children, 119 Brevard Road, will host a craft show featuring art, jewelry, pottery, ornaments and more. Free to attend. Info: www.fdnsc.net or 236-9441.
9am-3pm – The Rugby Craft Fair will feature crafters from throughout the Southeast, along with free admission and parking. Held at Rugby Middle School, 3345 Haywood Road, Hendersonville. Info: http://avl.mx/nb.
10am-5pm – Shepardson Studios and Black Mountain Iron Works, 208 and 203 Padgettown Road, Black Mountain, will host a open studios and an art sale featuring kiln-fired glass and forged iron sculpture. Free to attend. Info: www.shepardsonstudios.com or 664-9071.
11am-4pm – The Spruce Pine Holiday Farmers Market will feature produce, soaps, jam and candles. Held at 297 Oak Ave., Spruce Pine. Free to attend. Info: www.asapconnections.org.
10am-5pm – The Sapphire Valley Resort Christmas Arts and Crafts Show will feature local, handmade mountain crafts. Held in the community center, 127 Cherokee Trail. Info: www.sapphirevalleyresort.com or 743-7663. Continues Dec. 2 from 10am-5pm.
Sunday, Dec. 2
noon-6pm – The Big Crafty will feature 75 independent craft artisans and their wares, including jewelry, painting, clothing, prints and sculpture. Held at the Asheville Art Museum, 2 N. Pack Square. Free to attend. Info: thebigcrafty.com.
11am-4:30pm – The Alternative Market will feature jewelry, purses, scarves, musical instruments, chocolate and more. Donations will be accepted for international relief organizations. Held at Long’s Chapel United Methodist Church, 175 Old Clyde Road, Waynesville. Free to attend. Info: 456-3993.
Saturday, Dec. 8
10am-4pm – C.D. Owen Middle School, 730 Old U.S. 70, Swannanoa, will host a craft show featuring pottery, metalwork, fabric and jewelry, as well as music, a raffle and crafts for children. Free to attend; lunch and baked goods available. Info: 686-7917.
2-5pm – The Flat Rock Tailgate Holiday Market will feature gifts, baked goods and dairy. Held behind Little Rainbow Row, Flat Rock. Free to attend. Info: www.flatrockonline.com.
11am-4pm – Riverside Studios, 174 W. Haywood St., will host a holiday celebration and art sale featuring mosaics, prints, ceramics, paintings, sculpture and gift cards. Free to attend. Info: 551-5045.
10am-5pm – The Madison County Arts Council holiday sale will feature local art, crafts and food. Held at the Madison County Arts Center, 90 S. Main St., Marshall. Info: www.madisoncountyarts.com or 649-1301.
Sunday, Dec. 9
1-5pm – The Asheville Art Museum will host a holiday market reception and silent auction featuring locally-made crafts and gifts. Held at 2 N. Pack Square. Free to attend. Info: www.ashevilleart.org or 253-3227.
Friday, Dec. 14
5-8pm – A preview party for the The Cool Craft Market invites the public to have their first choice of handcrafted goods while enjoying food and drink. Please bring an item to donate to Homeward Bound of Asheville. Held at HandMade in America. $10. Info and list of items: www.handmadeinamerica.org.
Saturday, Dec. 15
10am-5pm – The Cool Craft Market, hosted by HandMade in America, will feature 25 regional vendors selling clothing, accessories, pottery, kitchenware and ornaments. Held at 125 S. Lexington Ave., Suite 101. Free to attend. Info: www.handmadeinamerica.org. Continues Sunday, Dec. 16 from 10am-4pm.
Ongoing
Tuesday, Dec. 4 through Sunday, Dec. 9 – The Asheville Art Museum, 2 S. Pack Square, presents its annual holiday market during regular museum hours with jewelry, art and home decor. Free to attend. Info: www.ashevilleart.org.
Through Monday Dec. 31 – Desert Moon Designs Studios and Gallery, 372 Depot St., presents a juried selection of “affordable, giftable items by local artisans.” Mon.-Sat., 11am-5pm; Sun., noon-4pm. Info: www.desertmoondesigns-studios.com.
Through Saturday, Dec. 22 – The Tryon Painters and Sculptors’ holiday art show, featuring scarves, earrings, cards, sculpture and more, will be held at 26 Maple St., Tryon. Thurs.-Sat., 11am-5pm. Info: www.tryonpaintersandsculptors.com.
Saturday, Dec. 1 through Monday, Dec. 31 – Mora Designer Jewelry, 9 W. Walnut St., Suite 2A, will present a handmade jewelry sale for the holidays. Mon.-Sat., 10am-6pm; Sun., noon-5pm. Prices vary. Info: www.moracollection.com or 575-2294. A reception will be held on Friday, Dec. 7 from 5-8pm.
Saturdays Dec. 1 through Dec., 22, 10am-3pm – The Madison County Farmers and Artisans Holiday Market will feature jewelry, knitted items and artisan soaps. Held at Fiddlestix, 37 Library St., Mars Hill. Free to attend. Info: www.marshillmarket.org.
Saturdays Dec. 1 through Dec. 22, 10am-1pm – The Grow Down Home Market, 105 Richardson Ave., Black Mountain, will feature jams, pickles, meats and herbs. Free to attend. Info: www.fromhere.org.
Wednesdays Dec. 5 through Dec. 19, 2:30-6:30pm – The Weaverville Tailgate Holiday Market will feature jewelry, scarves, purses, soaps and jam. Held behind Weaverville Community Center, 60 Lakeshore Drive. Free to attend. Info: www.weavervilletailgate.org.
Happy Shopping!
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