Where to (pop-up) shop: Your guide to KC holiday markets featuring local makers
November 27, 2024 | Tommy Felts
The impact of shopping local from Kansas City makers — especially during the holiday season — can be distilled down to one simple word, said Katie Mabry van Dieren: joy.
Shoppers browse vendors during a recent Strawberry Swing event at J. Rieger & Co.; photo courtesy of Strawberry Swing
“The look on the faces of the makers when someone finds the most special gift to give their loved one — a gift that the maker spent their time and talent making — is why I love my job,” said Mabry van Dieren, founder of the Holiday Swing handmade holidays maker’s market, calling the true return on investment “immeasurable.”
“Sure, we can determine how much Kansas City will come out and spend but the real impact is so great, it’s not quantifiable,” she continued.
The Holiday Swing — now in its 14th year — returns this weekend to its new home at J. Rieger & Co., the iconic East Bottoms distillery, where shoppers can find more than 45 of Kansas Citys’ most talented, highly curated makers.
The market runs 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays, each weekend through Dec. 22.
Click here for more details on the Holiday Swing.
“We have left our former outdoor venues for the warmth and comfort of the indoors and will be inside J. Rieger as well as outside in enclosed, heated tent structures decorated for the festive season,” said Mabry van Dieren, who also founded and organized the Strawberry Swing indie craft fair, as well as the local-first Shop Local KC brick-and-mortar brand.
Shop Local KC’s stores in Brookside and Crown Center will also be open throughout the holidays.
Click here to see hours and offerings from Shop Local KC.
Shoppers check out locally made goods during a recent Strawberry Swing event at J. Rieger & Co.; photo courtesy of Strawberry Swing
“Gifting friends and family members locally created gifts starts a relationship that becomes a special memory for the gift giver and receiver,” said Mabry van Dieren. “We have had people send us emails after receiving a special, handmade gift from the fair asking how to get in touch with the artists so they can get more and gift them to others.”
“The maker does a happy dance and there’s nothing better than that,” she added.
Keep reading for a roundup of holiday maker markets and pop-ups. Is an event missing from this list? Email Startland News at news@startlandnews.com
10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Nov. 30
Union Station, Haverty Family Yards, 30 West Pershing Road
All-aboard the small business celebration as Union Station welcomes 20-plus vendors, alongside the venue’s other outdoor holiday pop-up festivities, including all-day live music and the arrival of the CPKC Holiday Train. Click here to see the full event schedule.
Custom fabrication by Dimensional Innovations helps create a “town square” filled with local makers at the Hallmark Christmas Experience; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Hallmark Christmas Experience: Christmas Market
10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays
Nov. 29 to Dec. 22
Crown Center, 2405 Grand Blvd.
Shop from a variety of home goods to clothing to artisan gifts. You’ll find unique items for everyone on your nice list. Vendors include Annie Austen, Brown Suga, The Modest Mallow, and Made Mobb, among others. Click here for more about the Hallmark Christmas Experience.
Small Bizz Pop Up with Smoke’d Burnt Ends Biscuits N Gravy
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nov. 30
Kinship Cafe, 719 N. 6th St.
Explore local vendors alongside live music, Kinship Cafe coffee and a scratch-made white gravy with molasses and rosemary from neighboring Slap’s BBQ.
Shoppers explore vendors at the Merry Market at City Market in 2023; photo courtShoppers browse vendors at the Merry Market at City Market in 2023; photo courtesy of City Market
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
Nov. 30 to Dec. 22
City Market, 20 East 5th St.
City Market’s open-air holiday shopping event, curated by Art Garden KC, returns with more than 75 local artisans, offering unique, handcrafted gifts, seasonal food and drinks, and live entertainment.
Shoppers browse vendors during a recent Strawberry Swing event at J. Rieger & Co.; photo courtesy of Strawberry Swing
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays
Nov. 30 to Dec. 22
J. Rieger & Co., 2700 Guinotte Ave.
Indoors and all-ages welcome. This curated maker market offers goods from 45-plus entrepreneurs within J. Rieger’s East Bottoms distillery and in heated tents.
Kansas City GIFT Small Business Saturday
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Nov. 30
Kansas City GIFT, 5008 Prospect Ave.
Come out and support local Black-owned vendors for the perfect holiday shopping experience. Entry is free, and you’ll find unique and meaningful gifts for everyone on your list!
Noon to 6 p.m.
Nov. 30
Farewell Coffee and Booze, 6515 Stadium Dr.
Check out local creatives in a unique space “built by friends out of piles of junk” in Kansas City’s Leeds neighborhood.
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Nov. 30
The Black Box, 1060 Union Ave.
Experience Small Business Saturday at The Black Box! Stop in to enjoy a cocktail and shop local vendors!
Waldo Crawl Shop Small Sip and Stroll
3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Dec. 5
Various business locations throughout Waldo, including Ampersand Design Studio, Co-Work Waldo, Goofball Sk8boards, Kansas City Bier Co., and StratFit; click here for a full listing.
Sip and stroll through Waldo with special treats, sips, and pop-ups at participating businesses. Look for the Waldo holiday lights as you stroll through the neighborhood.
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Dec. 7
Lenexa Public Market, 8750 Penrose Lane, Second floor
Spread the joy with local vendors, festive cheer, special drinks and photos with Mrs. Claus.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dec. 7
The Brookside Art House
Shop handmade goods, enjoy festive treats and take a peek into the studios at the beautiful Brookside Art House. They’ll be selling ceramics, handmade ornaments, watercolors, kid’s accessories, puzzles, children’s books, pillows, art prints, pins, stickers and more!
Noon to 5 p.m.
Dec. 7
Big RIP Brewery, 216 E 9th Ave.
Enjoy a holiday shopping experience with the best vendors in Kansas City and snap a photo with Krampus!
12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Dec. 8
Boulevard Brewing Co.
Check out this holiday makers market featuring local vendors; cheery drinks and treats including delicious seasonal beers, Quirk Hard Seltzers, and shareable snacks; plus Honky Tonk holiday tunes with True Lions.
5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday; noon to 6 p.m. Saturday
Dec. 13 to Dec. 14
The 12th Street Post, 1501 W. 12th St.
Join 150-plus local artisans, vendors, and makers in the historic West Bottoms for a market experience that highlights the importance of supporting the local creative community this holiday season. Attendees will have the opportunity to discover a wide variety of unique products, from handcrafted goods to delicious locally sourced food, thousands of plants and holiday themed goods.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dec. 14
Westport, Kansas City
Wander between maker vendors in Kansas City’s oldest business district, get in the spirit with sounds of Christmas cheer performed by local Kansas City musicians, take photos with Santa, enjoy a special appearance from Buddy the Elf, write letters to Santa and mail them to the North Pole.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dec.14
Kansas City GIFT, 5008 Prospect Ave.
Celebrate the holiday season while enjoying shopping, holiday cheer, and even a photo with Black Santa. Entry is free, and it’s sure to be a festive day for all. Just added: Chef Jenette Williams from Loaded With Flavor.
Whoville Holiday Market with Super Flea
Noon to 3 p.m.
Dec. 14
6200 St John Ave.
Browse a variety of unique vendors offering everything from handmade crafts to vintage treasures. Expect family fun activities, food, prizes, character appearances, and more!
Is an event missing from this list? Email Startland News at news@startlandnews.com
Featured Business
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Topeka recruited dozens of Filipino teachers for local classrooms; at year’s end, the district hopes they’ll stay
Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. TOPEKA — Although international educators are not new to the state’s capital city, Topeka welcomed about 50 teachers from the Philippines this past school year to address shortages within the…
Startup ideas are here, but does Kansas have the risk capital to get them to the next level?
Eight early-stage Kansas entrepreneurs sat across from Midwest-based investors this week at Aspiria NOW in Overland Park, engaging in rapid-fire, “speed dating” style meetings aimed at moving their ventures closer to real investment. “We’re seeing just a great inflow of companies, especially at the early stage, come in just high levels of sophistication and awareness…
‘Buy, buy, buy while we can’: This KC toy store is stockpiling Christmas gifts now as tariff reality unwraps
Brett Goodwin and Alan Tipton are feeling even more thankful right now for the large, dry basement at The Learning Tree — the independent toy store they own in Prairie Village — amid worries over tariffs on Chinese imports and how they’ll impact prices from toy manufacturers. The best they can do to prepare: stockpile…
KC’s pro pickleball team getting new $6.5M home near Arrowhead, Kauffman Stadium
A long-awaited redevelopment project in Kansas City’s stadium corridor is transforming the former CoCo Key Water resort into a vibrant destination pickleball facility with eight indoor courts, a full-service bar and restaurant, a coffee shop, and event spaces. It also will be home to the Kansas City Stingers, a professional team in the National Pickleball…