Shop small, shop local: Fall River-area craft fairs, markets a go-to for unique gifts
Holiday shopping season is underway and so is the hunt for that perfect gift.
Looking to avoid mall crowds, chain stores, product delays and shipping uncertainty in favor of specially made gifts for the loved ones on your list? Why not shop local?
Creative people around the SouthCoast are organizing craft fairs and pop-up events with unique offerings you won't find in any big-box store. Shop small and find fun gift options while supporting small businesses, independent artisans and, in some cases, benefitting a good cause. It's a win-win.
Here is a list of some fairs and markets that are coming up around Greater Fall River (and beyond). Have one to add to this list? Email news@heraldnews.com.
Parade a go, lights aglow and fair fun: Holiday happenings across Greater Fall River
THIS WEEKEND, NOV. 26-28:
Relay For Life Holiday Craft Fair (Westport)
Relay For Life of Greater Fall River will host its fifth annual Relay For Life Holiday Craft Fair at White's of Westport on Saturday, Nov. 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
It'll be a great time to get some holiday shopping done while supporting over 50 local artisans on Small Business Saturday.
There will also be a Relay for Life information table set up for anyone interested in starting a team, joining the survivor reception or volunteering.
White's of Westport is located at 66 State Road, Westport.
SOAM outdoor holiday market (Swansea)
Southcoast Open Air Market will host SNOW, an outdoor holiday market on Saturday, Nov. 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Brought to you by the organizers of SOAM, this one-day market event will be full of local gift shopping, food, entertainment, and nostalgic highlights sure to leave you with unforgettable memories and filled with the spirit of the season.
The SOAM market will be set up at the Swansea YMCA, 271 Sharps Lot Road, Swansea.
Holiday specialty farmers market (Tiverton)
Food vendors, makers and artisan handmade products will be featured at a holiday specialty farmers market on Saturday, Nov. 27, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Sandywoods Center for the Arts.
With over 40 local vendors and makers, shoppers will be sure to find something for everyone on their holiday shopping list from vegan pasta and vegan donuts, to local honey and fresh biscotti.
Visit with alpacas from Kave Rock Farm, snag a Kane's Salsa Sampler Box and don't miss the assortment of seasonal gifts. Vendors will be spaced out in the main community hall, outside on the farmers porch, around the lawn areas and in the adjacent yellow building.
Come support your local independent makers and entrepreneurs. Event is free and open to the public. Extra parking is available in the Bulgarmarsh Recreation lot and the Tiverton Library lot.
A Christmas Pop-Up Market is also planned at the same location on Saturday, Dec. 18, from noon to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.TivertonFarmersMarket.com
Sandywoods Center for the Arts is located at 43 Muse Way, Tiverton.
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Christmas Bazaar (Westport)
Join the fun and festivities at Our Lady of Grace Parish as it hosts its 34th annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The bazaar will feature a variety of craft tables with handmade children's clothing, homemade jellies and honey, candles, Christmas items of all sorts, wreaths, paintings, teachers gifts, doll clothing, soaps, lotions, jewelry, crocheted and knitted items, healing oils and lip balm and more.
Visitors will have a chance to win one of the cash prizes - $500, $300 or $200 - plus beautiful gift baskets and gift certificates.
There will be a craft table set up for kids, and youngsters are also encouraged to bring letters to put in Santa's mailbox. St. Nicholas will make an appearance from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to visit and take pictures with the kids.
Enjoy Christmas music performed by a live band and bring your appetite because there will be plenty of food. The kitchen is open both days serving a breakfast and a lunch menu.
Our Lady of Grace Parish is located at 569 Sanford Road, Westport.
Dartmouth Mall Holiday Market (N. Dartmouth)
Usher in the Christmas shopping season at the Dartmouth Mall Holiday Market this Friday, Nov. 26 and Saturday, Nov. 27, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 28, from noon to 6 p.m.
Join Massachusetts Shoppers Market for a full day of holiday shopping with 30 local vendors, giveaways, holiday music, and more.
The holiday market, located in the blue building off Faunce Corner Road, will be held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 19. Check their Facebook event page for times, as they vary from week to week: https://bit.ly/3rbB3po
Holiday ArtMart (Providence)
WaterFire Providence has planned a Holiday ArtMart Artist Marketplace at the WaterFire Arts Center in Providence on Saturday, Nov. 27, from 11 a.m. to p.m.
The Holiday ArtMart will feature over 60 artists and makers from around Rhode Island and Southern New England.
Stop by this Small Business Saturday and get unique, locally made gifts sure to make everyone on your list feel special. Enjoy live music while you shop and tasty bites from local food trucks. Visitors are welcome to bring an unwrapped toy for the WaterFire Holiday Toy Drive as well.
Masks will be required for all visitors while inside the WFAC.
There will be food and soft drinks from local food trucks Poco Loco Tacos (tacos and mexi-cali favorites), Red’s Rhode Island (cheesesteaks and chicken sandwiches), and The Village Greek (classic Greek sandwiches and sides).
The WaterFire Arts Center will have live music throughout the day from Of Lions And Giants, Morgan Piatek, Hollow Turtle and Devin Bender. A Silent Soapbox will be bringing art to life with their living statue characters.
For more details on the Holiday ArtMart and a list of vendors, visit https://waterfire.org/artmart/
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DECEMBER 4-5
Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair (Fall River)
One of the largest craft fairs in the region returns in-person to Durfee High School for a holiday shopping extravaganza. The event was held virtually last year due to COVID.
The Durfee Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair, now in its 45th year, will be held Saturday, Dec. 4, and Sunday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The two-day event attracts thousands of visitors each year and features the handmade work of over 200 artisans from throughout New England.
Sponsored by the Fall River Scholarship Foundation, the goal of the fair is to recognize the talents of local and regional crafters, as well as support city students.
The fair is the primary fundraiser for the foundation, which provides financial resources for students from Fall River so that they may attend a college of their choice.
Durfee High School is located at 460 Elsbree St., Fall River. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/ChristmasFairFallRiver
Holiday Fair (Westport)
The WES-MAC PTO's seventh annual Holiday Fair is back to offer holiday fun for the whole family on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visitors will be treated to over 35 local vendors, a Kids Holiday Shoppe, holiday wreaths and evergreens, food and sweet treats, a Lucky Draw Raffle, kids crafts, holiday photo opportunities and more.
Families can also try their crafty hands at a gingerbread house decorating contest.
Admission to the holiday fair, which will be held at the former Westport High School, 19 Main Road, is free with a donation of canned goods to benefit the Westport Food Pantry.
All proceeds from the event will benefit the students at Westport Elementary and Alice A. Macomber School in Westport.
For more information, visit their Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/wes.mac.pto.holiday.fair/ or https://www.wesmacpto.org/holiday-fair-2021. You can also email ptowesmac@gmail.com.
Christmas Craft and Vendor Sale (Fall River)
The Fall River Lodge of Elks Lounge will host a Christmas Craft and Vendor Sale on Sunday, Dec. 5, from noon to 4 p.m., at its 4500 N. Main St. location.
Craft and Thrift Christmas Bazaar (Fall River)
Relentlessly InC. will host a Craft and Thrift Christmas Bazaar fundraiser on Sunday, Dec. 5, from noon to 5 p.m.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Relentlessly InC., a Christian-based 501(3)C nonprofit community ministry center.
Head to 620 Jefferson St, Fall River, for an array of delicious baked goods, craft vendors selling unique items for all those on your Christmas gift list, a poinsettia plant sale, raffles and Second Chance Treasures. Search their thrift rooms for gently used
Christmas decorations, home decor, gift items and more.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/RelentlesslyinC
DECEMBER 11-12
Holiday Crafters' Market (North Attleboro)
Attleboro Farms will host a juried Holiday Crafters' Market on Saturday, Dec. 11, and Sunday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The free event will feature 37 vendors, food and more. Shop local for the holidays in the farm's festive, spacious greenhouse setting.
Attleboro Farms is located at 491 Hickory Road, North Attleboro.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Holiday shopping: Fall River-area craft fairs, markets a go-to for unique gifts
