A local gifting guide: 18 holiday markets in Pierce County for family-friendly shopping
Is it too early for holiday decor? That’s debatable, but what should be a no-brainer is holiday shopping at locally owned and operated businesses over big-box stores.
Fortunately for Pierce County, there are a dozen upcoming holiday markets to support small businesses, all under one roof — or in at least two cases, under twinkle lights on a farm.
Farmers markets including Proctor, Tacoma and Puyallup are hosting special holiday editions. Stock up on local produce for your celebratory meal and find unique gifts — from heirloom cider to wildflower honey. (Note that the Tacoma Farmers Market is moving indoors to Courthouse Square for its two December dates. Find the other farmers markets in their usual locations.)
Also on the holiday circuit are pop-up markets that have built a loyal audience this year, including Tacoma’s Black Night Market and the Rain or Shine Community Market, both of which strive to highlight BIPOC business owners.
A few taprooms have also joined the communal spirit, from the beautiful Mill Haus Cider Co. in Eatonville to the waterfront Beer Vault in Purdy.
Whether it’s a handcrafted mug, funky earrings, an unusual gift for the foodie in your life or a one-of-a-kind sweater, these markets are an easy avenue to support local. With food trucks, music, photo shoots and games, they also have the makings of a fun family-friendly outing.
Supporting local business carries an economic impact, too.
Small Business Saturday began in 2010, as a marketing campaign sponsored by American Express, but it quickly blossomed into a nationwide initiative to support your community in busy shopping days post-Thanksgiving. On average, two-thirds of every dollar spent at a local business stays in the local community, according to the payment company.
Here’s a look at a baker’s dozen markets in Pierce County to visit for all your holiday shopping needs. Note that a few have multiple dates.
Puyallup Night Market
▪ Pioneer Park Pavilion, 330 S. Meridian, Puyallup, instagram.com/puyallupnightmarket
▪ Dec. 1 and 15, 5-8 p.m.
▪ Local craft vendors, holiday photo booth, food trucks and drinks
Red Barn Market & Nursery
▪ 14407 94th Ave. E., Puyallup, facebook.com/puyallupredbarnmarket
▪ Nov. 25-27; Dec. 2-4, 9-11 and 16-18, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
▪ Every Friday-Sunday through Dec. 18: Local craft vendors, Christmas trees, photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus at beloved market and plant nursery
Proctor Farmers Market
▪ N. 27th and N. Proctor St., Tacoma, proctorfarmersmarket.com
▪ Nov. 26, Dec. 3 and 10 and 17, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
▪ Local produce, flowers, food, drinks and more, plus gifts at year-round farmers market
Black Night Market
▪ Edison Square, 5415 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, instagram.com/blacknightmarket
▪ Nov. 25, 4-9 p.m.
▪ Holiday edition of monthly market with art, jewelry, food, drink, music and more
Waterfront Market
▪ 5101 Yacht Club Rd., Ruston, waterfrontmarketatruston.com
▪ Nov. 25-27, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
▪ Winter Wonderland Holiday Market features a tree lighting and special vendors, in addition to permanent stalls with cookies, tacos, tea, Ukrainian pastries, jewelry, home decor, kitchenwares and more
The Traveling Happy Market
▪ The Barn at Wilson Farm, 1425 210th Ave. E., Lake Tapps, facebook.com/thetravelinghappymarketoffical
▪ Nov. 26-27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
▪ Roving makers market with local gifts, food and drink, plus lawn games and more on farm and vineyard
Tacoma Night Market
▪ Foss Waterway Seaport, 705 Dock St., Tacoma, tacomanightmarket.com
▪ Nov. 26 and Dec. 17, 5-10 p.m.; Nov. 27 and Dec. 18, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
▪ Local art, jewelry, food and drink, plus music and more; Sunday daytime event features drag brunch
Farm 12 Holiday Market
▪ 3308 8th Ave. SE, Puyallup, farm12.org
▪ Nov. 27, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
▪ Holiday market with local vendors, plus food trucks and family fun; Farm 12 restaurant and new bakery/cafe fika will also be open for service
Puyallup Farmers Market
▪ Pioneer Park Pavilion, 330 S Meridian, Puyallup, puyallupmainstreet.com/puyallup-farmers-market
▪ Dec. 3, 12-7 p.m.
▪ Local produce, flowers, food and baked goods, plus art, jewelry and more gift-worthy crafts at holiday edition of weekly farmers market
Pierce County Crafter’s Holiday Market
▪ piercecountywa.gov/7066/Holiday-Markets
▪ Dec. 3, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Frontier Park Lodge, 21714 Meridian E., Graham
▪ Dec. 10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Meridian Habitat Park, 14422 Meridian E., Puyallup
▪ Local arts and crafts with music, complimentary photos and snacks from Tin Hut BBQ
Rain or Shine Market
▪ L’Arche Farm, 11716 Vickery Ave. E, Tacoma, instagram.com/rainorshinemarket
▪ Dec. 3-4, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
▪ Local pottery, art, jewelry, clothing, photos with Santa and more, all with focus on BIPOC creatives
The Beer Vault
▪ 14004 Purdy Dr., Gig Harbor, thebeervault.net
▪ Dec. 3, 4-8 p.m.
▪ Local arts and crafts, plus regular bar service, at indoor-outdoor taproom
Mill Haus Cider Co.
▪ 303 Center St. E., Eatonville, drinkmillhaus.com
▪ Dec. 4, 12-4 p.m.
▪ Holiday market with local vendors, wreaths and warm drinks at vast outdoor cider taproom
Tacoma Sunday Market
▪ Courthouse Square, 1102 A St., Tacoma, tacomasundaymarket.com
▪ Dec. 4, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
▪ Vintage clothing and gifts plus food trucks, drinks, a pop-up nail bar, toy drive and photos with Black Santa at market that centers BIPOC entrepreneurs
Tacoma Santa Parade
▪ South Tacoma Way between 50th and 56th St., Tacoma, tacomasantaparade.com
▪ Dec. 4, festivities begin at 12 p.m., parade at 4:30 p.m.
▪ Outdoor festival in the heart of STW, with street vendors, specials at local restaurants and bars, live music and performances, plus parade with floats and Santa
Arts at the Armory
▪ Tacoma Armory, 1001 S Yakima Ave., tacomaartsmonth.org/arts-at-the-armory
▪ Dec. 10-11, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
▪ Interactive art market with artists on-site and pieces for sale, plus music and food by Dawg Eat Dogs and VeGo Eatz
Tacoma Art Market
▪ Dystopian State, 611 S Baker St., Tacoma, instagram.com/tacomaartmarket
▪ Dec. 11, 12-6 p.m.
▪ Deck the Halls market with local makers, live music, plus beer, holiday drinks and food trucks; winners of the Festive Sweater contest (announced at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.) will win $50 to spend with vendors
Tacoma Farmers Market
▪ Courthouse Square, 1102 A St., Tacoma, tacomafarmersmarket.com
▪ Dec. 11 and 18, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
▪ Holiday market edition with local food, flowers, gifts and more
This story was originally published November 17, 2022 at 5:00 AM.