Shop Small, Sacramento • 10 Events to Do Your Holiday Shopping This Year

Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show • Nov. 16 – 18

This traveling show hits cities all over the west, bringing with it hundreds of artisans selling everything from photography, to fine jewelry, specialty food, blown glass, wood art, metalwork and more. Live music and performances, too! Takes place at Cal Expo Pavilion (1600 Exposition Way) starting at 10 a.m. each day. General admission is $9, kids 13–17 are $4, with 12 and under free. Check out Harvestfestival.com/sacramento.html for more information.

River City Marketplace: Holiday Edition • Nov. 17

The folks from River City Marketplace are throwing their first ever holiday night market, taking over The Urban Hive (1601 Alhambra Blvd.) on Nov. 17 with tons of popular local makers, artists and small businesses, along with two bars, a silent disco, DIY workshops, food trucks, kids activities and more. Runs from 4–9 p.m. Free and family friendly. Check out Rivercitymarketplace916.com for more.

District 1 Holiday Craft Fair • Nov. 17

Come for the crafts, stay for the hot chocolate. The event, put on by Councilmember Angelique Ashby, runs from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at North Natomas Regional Park (2501 New Market Drive). Check out Angeliqueashby.com for more. [Editor’s Note: This event has unfortunately been cancelled due to the poor air quality.]

Crocker Holiday Artisan Market • Nov. 23 – 25

Crocker Art Museum and Creative Arts League of Sacramento have teamed up for this three-day holiday artisan market taking place at Scottish Rite Center (6151 H St.) featuring more than 100 artists and vendors selling glass, textiles, wood, ceramics, paper, photography, sculpture, jewelry and more. Take photos with Santa, get your face painted, enjoy food by Ambrosia Café, and listen to local live music. Friday runs noon to 5 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Broad Room Flea Vintage-Only Market • Nov. 24

Broad Room (2311 S St. #3) is a recently opened community space with a mission to promote women’s creative wellness through art and expression. On Nov. 24 they are throwing their first vintage-only flea market to help you find gifts that come with a side of history. The event is free and runs from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Check out Broadroomsac.org to learn more about what they do.

Global Local Mercado • Nov. 24

Peruse through global and local artisan goods while enjoying food and music at Sol Collective (2574 21st St.) during this annual event held on Small Business Saturday. Runs from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and features goods from Popoxcihuatl Creations, The Fig and Wasp, Khaos Crafts, Cru Chocolate, Retrospect Vintage Fashion and many others. Look up Facebook.com/SolCollective for more info.

Barrio Maker’s Market • Dec. 1

Barrio Cafe (1188 35th Ave.) invites you to shop local handmade goods at their annual Maker’s Market on Dec. 1 from noon–7 p.m. Learn more about this cool spot by looking up Facebook.com/BarrioSacramento.

Upcycle Pop Spark – Eco Holiday Market • Dec. 2

This interactive event will have it all, including an art exhibit, eco-friendly repurposed art, furniture, fashion, home design and inventions, along with live music from local bands. Sip on kombucha, beer or wine while checking out panel discussions and “art cars” from Burning Man on display! Free, and all ages are welcome. Runs from noon–6 p.m. at 7300 Folsom Blvd. Check out Facebook.com/upcyclepop or Facebook.com/sacramentospark for more info.

Makers Mart • Dec. 8

This popular annual event is going big this year and moving to the Sacramento Convention Center (1400 J St.), bringing with them a well curated list of some of the best local makers and artisans including Akela Designs, Public Land, Hadas Kol Collection, Ship Shape, Tenderly by Katie Seybold and many others. This will also be the launch of the Sac-Made brand and resource directory that was awarded a grant through the city’s Creative Economy Pilot Project. This event is free and family friendly. Hours are noon–6 p.m. Hit up Sacmakersmart.com and keep an eye on their Instagram (@makers_mart) for details.

Nevada City Victorian Christmas • Dec. 9 – 23

The historic, quaint Gold Rush town of Nevada City is hosting their annual Victorian Christmas events on Sundays (Dec. 9, 16 and 23) from 1:30–6 p.m. and on Wednesdays (Dec 12 and 19) from 5–9 p.m. The picturesque streets come alive with vendors galore selling hand-crafted candy, jewelry, pottery, perfume and so much more, plus music, performances, horse-drawn carriage rides and lots of Christmas cheer. Their website, Nevadacitychamber.com, absolutely nails it when they describe Victorian Christmas as “a genuine Christmas card come to life.”

**This piece first appeared in print on page 6 of issue #278 (Nov. 7 – 21, 2018)**

Jonathan Carabba
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Find me at the bowling alley. Co-founder + Advertising Director + Marketing at Submerge. Contact: jonathan@submergemag.com