Six holiday markets in the Twin Cities to shop this season
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The European Christmas Market at Union Depot. Photo: Union Depot
It's holiday market season across the Twin Cities.
What's happening: Dozens of pop-up holidays shopping events, featuring local makers and plenty of festive fun.
State of play: While Holidazzle is taking a break this year, some of the marquee markets celebrating the winter season are bigger than ever, Twin Cities Business Magazine reports.
- The Winter Maker's Market at The Dayton's Project in downtown Minneapolis features 78 brands — up from 33 during its 2021 debut — and the European Christmas Market at Union Depot in St. Paul added 9,000 square feet of holiday cheer this year.
What they're saying: "People crave good old fashioned holiday shopping, the way we used to do it at department stores," Mich Berthiaume, curator of pop-ups at Dayton's, the Four Seasons, and Viking Lakes in Eagan, told the magazine.
Between the lines: The events are good for retailers, too, since guests come ready to shop and often buy on the spot. Berthiaume says a business can make $2,000 to $3,000 a weekend — some at Dayton's make up to $200,000 over its six-week run.
Zoom in: Here are six markets to start your holiday shopping.
Winter Maker's Market at The Dayton's Project: Get all your holiday shopping done at the site of the former department store with dozens of vendors, 25 "giftable gourmet foods" and a flower market. Be sure to step outside to see the classic window displays. Daily through Dec. 30.
Winter SKOLstice Market: Viking Lakes in Eagan hosts this free traditional holiday market with 16 rotating vendors, live music, themed cocktails, and more. The final market is Feb. 25. Fridays-Sundays now through Feb. 25; closed December 24 & January 1-4.
Union Depot European Christmas Market: The annual outdoor event in St. Paul "encapsulates the essence of traditional old-world Christmas markets," with 70 wooden kiosks offering an "eclectic mix" of gifts. New this year: a Santa's Village with additional vendors, crafts, and Santa's Post Office. Fridays-Sundays through Dec. 17.
Julmarknad: The popular Scandinavian marketplace with over 60 regional artists takes over the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. Expect pop-up musical performances, family crafts, take-home projects, and more seasonal activities. Dec. 1-3; Early access on Dec. 1 is $30, regular entry on Dec. 2-3 is $18.
Palace Theatre Holiday Market: Created by the team behind Minnehaha Falls Art Fair, the inaugural event has over 50 vendors throughout the St. Paul performing arts venue, including on stage. Dec 9-10.
Minni Dazzle: Fulton Brewing in North Loop lined up some of the vendors and performers from Holidazzle to appear at its taproom. The themed entertainment includes a capella, trapeze artists, and carolers alongside several local makers. Dec. 14-17.