Your guide to Greater Boston's holiday markets, from the Seaport to Somerville

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When it comes to holiday shopping, Boston has plenty of options for those who want to avoid the big-box stores and buy locally made gifts.

But how do you decide which holiday market is best for you?

Maybe you’re on the hunt for a handmade or vintage gift. Maybe your ideal holiday market experience involves exploring Boston, too. Or maybe you’re just in it for the delicious food. (I know I am.)

If any of the above piques your interest, we’ve got you covered. Here is a list of holiday markets around Greater Boston and the ‘burbs.

So, you’re ready to make a day of shopping, eating and snapping photos at the holiday market — perfect. Here are two that fit the bill (and make for a lovely day out with out-of-town guests, too.)

Snowport (Nov. 10 – Dec. 31) 100 Seaport Blvd.

One of Boston’s largest holiday markets, Snowport, has returned for its third year on Seaport Boulevard. Snowport features over 120 vendors selling candles, home goods and art — as well as a heaping handful of food and drink booths, serving up everything from pasta swirled in a wheel of melted cheese to chocolate truffles. There’s also a 10-foot mistletoe archway, free iceless curling and an ornament crafting workshop.

Last year, over 825,000 people visited Snowport. “We’re anticipating over a million visitors coming through the market this November and December,” Ariel Foxman, vice president of brand and experience for Seaport, told WBUR. Expect some crowds at this one, and be sure to wear warm clothes in case you’re in a long line for your hot cocoa. Find the full calendar of Snowport’s events here.

SoWa Winter Festival (Nov. 24 – Dec. 17) 550 Harrison Ave.

You can visit 115 vendors inside of the SoWa Power Station at the SoWa Winter Festival, an annual tradition now in its eighth year. “We have everything, from specialty food vendors to arts [and] crafts,” community events manager Aleksis Melo told WBUR. There will also be stands from beloved local businesses like Blackbird Doughnuts and Polkadog Bakery, so bring your doughnut-loving friends and pick up something for your pup, too. (Just don’t forget to bring $10 for the cost of admission to the festival.)

If the artisan goods, food trucks and hot drinks offered at the SoWa Winter Festival aren’t enough of an attraction, the festival also hosts live music and entertainment at the upstairs mezzanine bar.

These four community-run markets give vendors and hobbyists with smaller-scale business operations a chance to display their wares for the season. That means you’re likely to find something no one else has, without spending too much time snaking through stalls.

Boston Women’s Market (Nov. 25 – 26, Dec.1 – Dec. 23) Faneuil Hall and other locations

The Boston Women’s Market, which highlights women-founded small businesses, will be popping up at various locations around the Boston area throughout the holiday season.

The market will be stationed at Faneuil Hall every weekend from Dec. 1-23, but you’ll also be able to find them at the Somerville Armory this weekend (Nov. 25-26), Everett’s Night Shift Brewing Taproom on Dec. 3, Harpoon Brewery on Dec. 9, Time Out Market on Dec. 16 and The Speedway in Brighton on Dec. 17.

The team behind the Boston Women’s Market has also put together a handy gift guide to help you browse through what you might want to snag ahead of time — everything from jewelry to ceramics to artwork and even pet goods.

Harvard Square Holiday Fair (Dec. 15-17, Dec. 21-23) One Brattle Square

The Harvard Square Holiday Fair has been held in Cambridge since 1986 and is beloved by many locals.

The fair is described as a “high energy marketplace” that features both local and international vendors and importers selling candles, pottery, fine art, woodworking and jewelry. It’s a can’t-miss fair for art lovers.

Old South Church Christmas Craft Fair (Dec. 2) 645 Boylston St.

The Old South Church Christmas Craft Fair invites 30 local artisans to show their crafts for one day within the 150-year-old walls of Copley Square’s grand church. The two biggest draws for this smaller scale fair are its location — right in bustling Back Bay — and, of course, the church’s historic ambiance. This year, the fair will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 2, so you’ve only got one chance to visit.

Snowflake Crossing: Downtown Boston’s holiday market, tree lighting and more (Nov. 24 – Dec. 23) Downtown Crossing

Downtown is home to Boston’s most iconic Christmas celebrations, including the Boston Common Christmas tree lighting (Nov. 30), Boston Tuba Christmas (it’s exactly what you think), and a musical performance by the singing nuns of the St. Paul Choir. But did you know DTX has a weekend holiday market, too?

This year at “Snowflake Crossing,” The Holiday Market will be held at Summer Street Plaza every Friday and Saturday from Nov. 24 to Dec. 23 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (as long as the weather holds up).

There’s no shortage of vintage stores in Boston if you’re looking for a gift with a little history attached to it. But this year, two of Greater Boston’s favorite flea markets — Somerville Flea and Fenway Flea — will host holiday markets, too.

The Somerville Flea Holiday Markets (Dec. 3 and Dec. 17) 191 Highland Ave.

Expect to hunt for trinkets, furniture, and clothes that will make the perfect gift for the old soul in your life at this market, located in the Somerville Armory.

Fenway Flea (Nov. 25-26 and Dec. 2-10) 401 Park Drive

Apart from the racks of clothes and gear to thrift, there’s also an ice rink right outside at 401 Park and a bevy of food options at Time Out Market inside.

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