If you’re in search of the perfect gift, skip the search bar and buy presents in real life at D.C. bars and restaurants. A number are hosting pop-up holiday markets. Sip on something while you browse through wares from local artisans and businesses. You might find jewelry, ceramics, books, vinyls, vintage collectibles, or artwork. Some are spicing things up with tarot readings, s’mores kits, and boozy hot beverages.

Victura Park at The REACH
2700 F St. NW, victuraparkdc.com/holiday-market

The venue: Victura Park is the Kennedy Center’s outdoor food and wine garden. Located at the River Pavilion at The REACH, the venue offers a variety of coffee and pastries with a lunch menu from Chef Erik Bruner-Yang. The Steven Holl-inspired space first opened in July of 2020 and has since been a family- and dog-friendly destination.

Dates: Dec. 10–12 and Dec. 17–19. On Fridays the market is open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays the market operates from noon to 6 p.m.

Inside or outside: Outside

Details: For two weekends, Victura Park is transforming into a holiday market with more than 15 local artists, craftspersons, and other specialized vendors. Along with gift-worthy items from Hive City Tribe, Painting Stones, Pink House Pottery, and Solace Brewing Co., visitors can order food off the grill and hot beverages like hot chocolate and spiked hot cider. There will also be a s’mores station to add to the festive atmosphere. 

Bad Saint
3226 11th St. NW, badsaintdc.com

The venue: Since opening in 2015, Bad Saint in Columbia Heights has been known as one of the best restaurants worth waiting for thanks to its Filipino food and hospitality.  

Dates: Dec. 4 and 18 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Inside or outside: Outside

Details: In partnership with Lost City Books and The Record Deal of Chocolate City Rocks, Bad Saint is putting on a two-day holiday market at the restaurant. Shop for vinyl, vintage collectibles, and books, and hear some live music from Head-Roc. Passersby will also be able to purchase merchandise from Bad Saint. To keep shoppers warm, the cozy restaurant will serve hot ginger tea. 

Zinnia
201 Colesville Rd. #1657, Silver Spring, (301) 704-6653, eatzinnia.com

The venue: Located in the space formerly occupied by longtime neighborhood fixture Mrs. K.’s Tollhouse in Silver Spring, Zinnia is headed by the same team behind Takoma Bev Co. in Takoma Park. The multi-concept restaurant started opening in phases in October.

Dates: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until Christmas from around 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

Inside or outside: Predominantly outside on an upper patio

Details: Zinnia is putting on a pop-up craft market featuring gifts from local artisans. There are activities beyond shopping like s’mores-making kits, warm and boozy beverages, and family-friendly activities like ornament decorating. If you come between 3 and 5 p.m. on Fridays, you will also be able to take advantage of happy hour prices at the venue’s tavern.

Hook Hall
3400 Georgia Ave. NW, (202) 629-4339, hookhall.com

The venue: In D.C.’s Park View neighborhood, Hook Hall operates as a weekend morning cafe, beer garden, and tavern. It has a subtle pirate theme and spans an immense 13,500 square feet. Owner Anna Valero used Hook Hall as a staging ground to feed laid off hospitality workers during the early phases of the pandemic.

Dates: Dec. 4, 11, and 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Inside or outside: Inside

Details: The Park View Holiday Market has returned for its second year. The three-day event features more than 60 local makers, artisans, and producers. Each day has a different line-up so you can come more than once if you strike out. Find glam jewelry and artistic prints from Machee Creates, coffee blends from Bold and Beautiful Coffee Bar, CBD-infused candles from H.O.M.E. by C. Freeman, and local plants from PLNTR on Dec. 4. Expect Persian simmer sauces from Spice of Life, vegan and gluten-free baked goods from Teff & Co., and handmade wellness journals from Zenit Journals on Dec. 11.

3 Stars Brewing Co.
6400 Chillum Pl. NW, (202) 847-3755, 3starsbrewing.com

The venue: This local brewery has been open since 2012 and has released more than 200 beers since. Its tap room and event hall often hosts food trucks and events like plant swaps and movie nights.

Date: Dec. 11 from 1 to 8 p.m.

Inside or outside: Inside

Details: The annual Artists & Artisans Winter Vendor Village is back. In between shopping, fuel up with bites from eat170, Nordic Provisions, Nomad Dumplings, and JB Humble Pies. The shopping soundtrack comes to you from Mundy Musik and DJ PAE. A collaboration beer with Sankofa Beer Company, Birds of a Feather, will make its debut at the event. The fruited sour beer tastes of passionfruit and mango and is brewed with millet from Grouse Malt House. Tickets will go on sale soon.

Jackie Lee’s
116 Kennedy St. NW, (202) 882-4000, jackieleesdc.com

The venue: This neighborhood watering hole serves beer,  $7 daiquiris, ribs, and vegan dishes in a laid back atmosphere. Lately they’ve become known for hosting a Kennedy Street Tacos pop-up on Tuesdays with Chef Jaren Morrow. The bar is headed by owners Jason Crafton, Amanda Kelsey, and Nick Schieber.

Date: Dec. 18 from 5 to 10 p.m.

Inside or outside: Inside

Details: Look for about 12 vendors at the fourth annual Jackie Lee’s Holiday Market. On the upper level of the neighborhood bar, vendors from D.C. and Baltimore will sell booze-infused cupcakes from Crunkcakes, beverages from Tortuga Kombucha, fiber and ceramic artworks from A Wild Offering, as well as prints and paintings from artist Julia Schrecengost. 

Maydan
1346 Florida Ave. NW, maydandc.com

The venue: Maydan, tucked down an alley, has been open since 2017 serving food inspired by the cuisines of wide-ranging countries like Lebanon, Iran, Morocco, and Georgia. A live hearth at the center of the first floor dining room is an attention-stealing design. 

Date: Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Inside or outside: Outside

Details: Maydan, which translates to a “square” or an “open space,” is meant to be a place for gathering, selling goods, and trading stories. In that spirit, the restaurant is launching its first ever holiday market. Find it in the outdoor alley and look for products from Pax Apothecary, Dolcezza Gelato, and Crisol Record Club. Other vendors include boho chic jewelry maker Petit Mélange and Persian-influenced Kuzeh Pottery. 

Palette 22
4053 Campbell Ave., Arlington, (703) 746-9007, palette22.com

The venue: Palette 22 is a small-plates restaurant in Shirlington. It opened in 2016 and is modeled after Cafe Tu Tu Tango in Orlando, Florida, another restaurant from Alexandria Restaurant Partners.

Inside or outside: Both

Date: Dec. 8 from 5 to 9 p.m.

Details: On one day only, Palette 22 will celebrate small businesses and makers with their first annual Artists’ Holiday Market. The event will feature gifts from painters, stained glass makers, and mosaic artists. While you’re there you can sign up for tarot card readings. You can also visit on Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. to paint holiday ornaments alongside local artist Milley Ourada. For the Art & Sip event, tickets cost $49 per person on Eventbrite.

(Editor’s note: This reporter has previously worked as a freelance photographer for Alexandria Restaurant Partners.)