Need the perfect present? Here are 10 specialty shopping events for holiday gift-givers
Ready to complete holiday shopping? Looking for that one-of-a-kind gift for a special someone? There are numerous holiday specialty markets in the Oklahoma City metro area and beyond to tempt one's shopping taste. Here are several market events to consider. Admission is free, unless otherwise noted.
Gifts with a Native American flair
The second annual Winter Holiday Art Market continues 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 4 at the First Americans Museum, 659 First Americans Blvd. The museum will host more than 50 premier artists during the market. It is free to the public and will include artist demonstrations, musical performances, children’s book readings and community partner booths. James Pepper Henry, the museum's executive director and chief executive officer, said most of the artists are descendants from at least one of the 39 tribal nations currently in Oklahoma. In addition to artist vendors, the market will include a visit from Indigenous Santa and Storytime with Sarah Brown. Also, First Americans Museum cultural ambassadors will offer free loom beadwork classes. Matriarch Oklahoma will be on-site to gift-wrap vendor purchases throughout the weekend. Proceeds will benefit Sovereign Community School in Oklahoma City. The market is free; visitors must purchase tickets to explore the museum gallery. Get the full event schedule at https://famok.org/winter-holiday-art-market/.
Ring-a-ling! This specialty shop rings all the bells
Sleigh Bells Farmers Market will be noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 4, at the OKC Farmers Market, 311 S Klein. The market will feature boutique vendors selling vintage, handmade, food and other gift items on two floors of the farmers market event venue. For more information, check out the market's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/924736418249170/.
Buy gifts with an Oklahoma touch
The Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department's Holiday Pop-Up shop opens Dec. 5 in the Strata Tower lobby at 123 S Kerr Ave. The store featuring Oklahoma-themed products and local goods will be open through Dec. 9 and from Dec. 19 through 23. Hours are 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. For more information, go to https://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.31984/33335.
More bells ring for gifts
It's another Sleigh Bells Market — this time in Shawnee. The Sleigh Bells Market-Shawnee event will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 10. at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center, 1700 W Independence. Find more information on the event's Facebook page.
Visit a Well of a holiday market
Norman's Twilight Market will present Holidays at the Well from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 11 at The Well, 210 James Garner Ave., Norman. Activities will include a children's crafts corner, photos with Santa or the Grinch, a yard game zone, a hot cocoa bar, vaccination clinic and a Norman Animal Welfare animal adoption event. Live music will be on hand in addition to ballet performances by the Norman School of Ballet at 1 p.m. and Premiere Dance Company at 3 p.m. Visitors may purchase food from an assortment of food trucks and 405 Brewing Co. will be running a brew bar for guests who are 21 and older. Check out the event's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NormanTwilightMarket/.
Experience Midtown retailers at one site
The Midtown Holiday Pop-Up Shops will be open on weekends through Dec. 18 at 399 NW 10. Many Midtown retail outlets will rotate through the pop-up shops, offering shoppers an eclectic mix of items for purchase. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Plan on popping in to the pop-up shops. Find more details about this annual retail experience.
For the person with a penchant for global gift giving
Pambe Ghana's Global Market continues through Dec. 24 at the Shoppes at Northpark (north end), 12100 N May. Elementary students at the La'Angum Learning Center in Ghana and international artisans benefit from purchases made at the shop. The learning center was founded by Oklahoma City University graduate Alice Azumi Iddi-Gubbels. Pambe Ghana has brought fair trade items to the state for 15 years. The shop will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Find out more information, by going to https://pambeghana.org/.
Shopping outside the Oklahoma City metro area? Consider visiting these markets.
Tulsa
Visit the Tulsa Christkindlmarkt through Dec. 4 at the German-American Society of Tulsa Center, 1429 Terrace Drive in Tulsa. This event in Tulsa's midtown area will feature 24 local artisans and vendors offering handmade gifts, steins, candles, wine, books, nutcrackers and other items. A children's area will be available and a Bethlehem village will also be on display. This market wouldn't be complete without German cuisine like bratwurst, schnitzel sandwiches and beef goulash soup plus apple strudel and black forest trifle. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. To check out all the details, go to https://gastulsa.org/christkindlmarkt/.
Broken Arrow
The New Orleans Square Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival will be Dec. 10 at New Orleans Square, 701 E 101 in Broken Arrow. An estimated 50 vendors will be on hand offering items for purchase. Inflatables for children's enjoyment will also be featured. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Santa set to visit from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the festival located just south of Kum and Go. For more details, go to https://www.visitbrokenarrowok.com/christmas.
Muskogee
Visit The Big Christmas Expo set for Dec. 10 and 11 at the Hatbox Events Center, 640 S 40th St. in Muskogee. This event will include more than 100 vendors and exhibitors, plus the Parade of Angels Christmas Show, Christmas carolers, a Christmas village, pictures with Santa and story time with Mrs. Claus. Tickets are $10 per person. For tickets or more information, go to Eventbrite.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: From Santa to crafts and decor, here are 10 Oklahoma holiday markets
