Shop Local For The Holidays: Small Business Saturday And Upcoming Holiday Markets

Looking to work off some Thanksgiving turkey and get some holiday shopping done? Instead of heading to the mall or a big-box store, why not shop local and support small businesses in Brooklyn?

As part of Small Business Saturday on November 24, several shops along 5th Avenue in Park Slope will be offering specials, tastings, treats and more from 8am to 4pm. Learn more at parkslopefifthavenuebid.com.

American Express launched Small Business Saturday in 2010 to support local small businesses and the business owners who make up our communities and to promote sales during the holiday shopping season.

When you’re done visiting your local small businesses, head over to the corner of 5th Avenue and 4th Street from 4pm to 6pm for Park Slope 5th Avenue BID’s Carnival & Christmas Tree Lighting where there will be live music, glitter tattoos, Bubbledad, Opera on Tap carolers, and a visit from Old Saint Nick. (Tree lighting at 6pm.)

Looking ahead, there are several Holiday Markets coming up. Check out our list below for markets featuring locally-made, unique gift ideas.

Winterfest at the Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights
Friday, November 23 through Monday, December 31
A 40,000-square-foot space between the Brooklyn Museum and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden will be transformed into a winter wonderland featuring shopping, entertainment, and activities. More than 50 artisans and vendors will sell their wares from wooden chalets, showcasing products ranging from holiday decorations and gifts to food. Learn more here.

Holiday Handmade Cavalcade, Cobble Hill & Brooklyn Heights
Saturday, Nov. 24 and Sunday, Nov. 25, 11am to 6pm at The Invisible Dog, 51 Bergen Street, Cobble Hill (Part of Small Business Saturday)
Saturday, Dec. 15 and Sunday, Dec. 16, 11am to 6pm at Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont Street, Brooklyn Heights
Made up of members from the NY Handmade Collective (formerly Etsy NY Team), this annual holiday market showcases a selection of goods handcrafted by NYC-based indie makers. See the list of participating vendors at handmadecavalcade.com.

Brooklyn Holiday Bazaar, 501 Union Street and The Green Building (452 Union Street), Gowanus
Saturday, Nov. 24 and Sunday, Nov. 25, 11am to 5pm
The 6th annual Brooklyn Holiday Bazaar is taking place in two locations—501 Union will feature 60 local crafters and makers while The Green Building will host food and beverage vendors as well as free activities including indoor tennis and kids’ crafts. There will also be a professional portrait booth and free gift wrapping.

SO Holiday Shoppe Object Marketplace, The Landing at Industry City, 274 36th Street, Sunset Park
Friday, Nov. 30, 4pm to 8pm; Saturday, Dec. 1 and Sunday, Dec. 2, 10am to 7pm
SHOPPE OBJECT will take over two floors of Industry City for the launch of SO HOLIDAY, a  shopping event featuring a variety of gift ideas including ceramics, jewelry, textiles, tabletop, stationery and more. Go to shoppeobject.com for a list of featured designers.

P.S. 8/M.S. 8 Holiday Market, 37 Hicks Street, Brooklyn Heights
Saturday, December 1, 12pm to 4pm
Find an assortment of hand-crafted items, great gift ideas, and treats.

Brooklyn Navy Yard Holiday Market, Building 77, 141 Flushing Avenue
Saturday, December 1 and Sunday, December 2, 12pm to 6pm
The Brooklyn Navy Yard is hosting its first-ever Holiday Market featuring more than 30 Navy Yard tenants and nearby small businesses offering a vast array of gift options including clothing, accessories, art, home décor, children’s toys, and culinary products. There will also be a gift-wrapping station, a toy drive, and a coat drive supporting New York Cares. Go to brooklynnavyyard.org to see the list of participating vendors.

Greenpointers Polar Vortex Holiday Market, The Greenpoint Loft, 67 West Street (at Noble Street), 5th Floor, Greenpoint
Sunday, December 2, 1pm to 7pm
This annual market showcasing local independent makers and small businesses welcomes thousands of visitors and features live music, free activities, and holiday cocktails.