Dupont Circle: The sweet smells of cinnamon roasted pecans and toasted marshmallow hot chocolate waft through the air as people shop around Dupont Circle. This small holiday market lies a short trip away in one of D.C.’s most famous historic districts. Each year, from mid-November all the way to late December, dozens of stalls line New Hampshire Avenue as vendors set up their goods for sale. Inside these booths, attendees find hand-designed posters, winter clothing items, jewelry and seasonal food items. In a food stall at the end of the street, a line wrapped around, as people waited for warm mini donuts, intricate hot chocolates and chocolate-covered strawberries. Each stall had a unique cause. For example, a jewelry stall run by victims of human trafficking sold pieces with inspirational messages on them.
The Dupont Circle Holiday Market is a cheerful way to support small businesses in the Northern Virginia area and brings tourists into the city. It is convenient for Vienna residents, as Dupont Circle is easily accessible through the Metro. If there is some free time over the next few weeks, it is a great way to spend time with friends and family and maybe buy a few gifts.
7th Street: Live music flows through the street from Thursday to Sunday to accompany visitors as they shop and discover sweet treats. The Downtown D.C. Holiday Market is a great spot to check out this holiday season and will be running until late December. The market features a variety of different vendors featuring handmade art, jewelry and other unique gifts for the holiday season. It also has delicious spots to get a quick bite along the way. Each booth possesses its own speciality, ranging from humorous Christmas ornaments to handmade animal sculptures crafted from cans. One of the highlights of this market is S’more N’ More, which features an array of desserts, including the viral hot chocolate, adding a twist to the drink with a toasted marshmallow and a variety of other toppings that can be added. The market also offers many activities and photo opportunities, making the experience even more memorable. Visiting the Downtown DC Holiday Market is a great way to celebrate the holiday season while also supporting local vendors and small businesses.
City of Fairfax:
Even though the holiday season is just getting started, some markets are coming to an end. On the first two weekends of December, Downtown Fairfax City held a holiday market that community members were sure not to miss! It offered many opportunities to enjoy the holiday season, such as locally made crafts, s’mores, petting zoos, performances and countless festive photo opportunities. Each day featured a different fun way to spend the holiday season.
Mosaic:
On December 13th and 14th, the Mosaic Holiday Village took place a 15 min car ride from Madison, in the Mosaic district. Offering holiday treats from a variety of vendors, the festive croissants from Sweets by Caroline were a must have. There were plenty of opportunities to shop for gifts from local vendors and support small businesses. As people walked around, holiday music jingled throughout the streets, putting everyone in the holiday spirit.
