Shop Local: A guide to Pierce County’s many holiday markets for unique gifts

‘Tis the season for shopping local!

Tacoma has no shortage of events packed with local artists and makers with one-of-a-kind stocking stuffers and gifts big and small. Most kick off the weekend after Thanksgiving, starting with the Native Max event on Friday and Small Business Saturday Nov. 29.

Also on Saturday, Simple Goodness Soda Shop gives you all the reasons to visit Wilkeson, including a tree yard with snow, activities for kids and drinks for mom and dad. The fun continues each weekend in December, too.

Another place that really decks the halls: Busy Body on Tacoma’s Sixth Avenue, which again hosts its Miracle holiday pop-up running from just after Thanksgiving through the New Year.

We’ve rounded up holiday markets happening from downtown Tacoma to Puyallup, Eatonville and elsewhere in Pierce County for all your locally sourced, gift-giving needs. Did we miss one? Email TNT Diner and we’ll add it to the list.

Native Max Takes the Northwest Fashion Show & Market

• Tacoma Armory, 1001 S. Yakima Ave., tacomaartslive.org
• Nov. 28, 5-8 p.m.

Coinciding with Native American Heritage Day, the Native Max fashion show and market returns to Tacoma for a third time. The market starts at 5 p.m., featuring pieces for sale by indigenous artists from across the region, the runway at 6 p.m. General admission tickets start at $39.50.

Winterfest Arts & Crafts Show

• Peninsula High School, 14105 Purdy Dr. NW, www.phswinterfest.com/
• Nov. 29, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Nov. 30, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

This arts and crafts show doubles as a school fundraiser, supporting Peninsula High School’s clubs, athletics and other needs. This year, over 150 vendors from across the state will spread out across the school’s commons, north gym and south gym to sell everything from macarons to soap to jewelry. The event is organized annually by students and staff as part of the school’s leadership class, dating back to 1992. A selection of food trucks including Puget Sound Pizza, The Pony Espresso and Tin Hut BBQ round out the event.

Admission is $6.15, and you can buy tickets through a QR code on the event website. Note that purchases this year are cashless.

11th Street Business District - Small Business Saturday

• South 11th Street at Fawcett Avenue, Tacoma
• Nov. 29, 10 a.m.-dusk

The small businesses on this stretch of downtown have coined their turf as The Unofficial South 11th Street Business District. Get your holiday shopping done early on Small Business Saturday. Each shop will have specials and giveaways. Find Tacoma Knife Sharpening & Mercantile, a trove of culinary delights with a premier knife selection for all the cooks in your life, on the corner, with a record-shop pop-up outside. Pick up stationery and other cute gifts at Lauda, kids-centric stuff at McCoy Kids, coffee and snacks from Civic Roasters, and a free tote bag (while supplies last, printed at The TSM Shop up the hill). More details on Instagram.

Holiday Hootenanny at Simple Goodness Soda Shop

• Simple Goodness Soda Shop, 533 Church St., Wilkeson, simplegoodnesssodashop.com
• Nov. 29-30; Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 — 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (until 8 p.m. Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13 & 20)

The destination-worthy, super family-friendly Simple Goodness Soda Shop in Wilkeson truly decks the halls for the holiday season. Swing by every Saturday and Sunday from the weekend after Thanksgiving until just before Christmas for hot drinks, festive cocktails, lunch and other treats. Activities include “Kids Crafternoon” starting at 11 a.m. each Saturday, then soak in the “snow.” At 3 p.m. on Sundays, they’ll play a holiday movie in the main lodge.

On Nov. 29, visit for the kickoff holiday market. Check out open mic Dec. 6, family game night Dec. 13, and a Great British Bakeoff-inspired gingerbread contest Dec. 20. Last but certainly not least, the shop doubles as a tree farm — all trees are just $49, while supplies last.

Holiday SUPER Market - Tacoma Sunday Market

• Tacoma Armory, 1001 S. Yakima Ave., Tacoma, tacomasundaymarket.com
• Nov. 30, 11-4 p.m.

Over 75 vendors will crowd the Tacoma Armory on Nov. 30 selling holiday gifts, vintage clothing, sneakers, handmade jewelry and other local finds. Visitors can also skate an indoor half pipe, take photos with Black Santa and participate in craft workshops at this free family-friendly event.

The Coaster - Holiday Bar-zaar

• 120 S. Meridian, Puyallup, sipthecoaster.com
• Nov. 30, 12-5 p.m.

This Puyallup bar serves up holiday cheer daily, but on Nov. 30 swing by for a pop-up market stacked with popular local makers of jewelry, ceramics, apparel, art, candles and more. Lobo Bakery and Butter and Bliss Baking Co. will be there with pastries and cookies, too.

Holidaze by Black Night Market

• Tacoma Armory, 1101 S. Yakima Ave., Tacoma, blacknightmarket.com
• Dec. 6, 2-8 p.m.

Tacoma’s Black Night Market hosts a special holiday edition of its recurring event, featuring more than 30 BIPOC-owned businesses. Find art, clothing, skincare and more gifts while enjoying some food including Buddy’s Chicken and Waffles, live music and family-friendly activities. There will also be a photo booth set up for selfies with Black Santa, 4-7 p.m.

Ebony & Ivory Christmas Market

• 1145 Broadway, Tacoma, ebonyandivorycoffee.com
• Dec. 6, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

An array of vendors will fill this spacious downtown coffee shop on Dec. 6. Enjoy tunes from DJ Grade A and of course a seasonal latte from the cafe as you shop.

Delightful Neighborhood Market - Christmas Market

• 4818 N. 45th St., Tacoma, delightfulmkt.com
• Dec. 6, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Find your family tree at Delightful, and on this Saturday find gifts, too. Vendors include Sassafrass Vintage, Sunshower Flowers, Potlatch Spirit jewelry, Dough Boy Bakery and more. If you haven’t been to this cute North End market in a while, it also houses an awesome coffee shop brewing Lander beans and Valhalla cold brew.

Eatonville Christmas Parade

• Downtown Eatonville, eatonvillebusinessassociation.org
• Dec. 6, 4:30 p.m. market, 6 p.m. parade kickoff

Eatonville welcomes neighbors and visitors alike to a Christmas market starting at 4:30 p.m., with local vendors, family activities and photos with Santa at the Eatonville Visitor’s Center. The parade kicks off at 6 p.m. at Center Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, then ends at Mashell Avenue and Lynch Street. Look for floats, tractors, horses and walking groups.

Tacoma Winter Market

• Sons of Norway, 1106 S. 15th St., Tacoma, tacomawintermarket.com
• Dec. 12, 3-9 p.m.

Midsommar Bakery, known for Scandinavian pastries that you can usually find at Proctor Farmers Market, teamed up with photographer Andrea Erdahl and local artists Katie Dean and Miranda Hemlee on this special holiday market. At their first go last year, more than 2,000 people attended. They expect nearly 50 vendors and even more gift-seekers for 2025. It’s also a cool opportunity to see inside the historic Sons of Norway building.

6th Ave Holiday Hijinks

• Avelon Ballroom, 2315 6th Ave., Tacoma, instagram.com/lapaloma_tacoma
• Dec. 13, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

La Paloma, a gift shop and beauty bar with a storefront at 3001 6th Ave., has planned a “Home Alone” holiday market with fellow Sixth Ave businesses. Head to Avelon Ballroom Dec. 13 for this free, family-friendly event, replete with a hot cocoa bar, various themed treats, crafts, games and local artists. The day begins with a tree-lighting ceremony and choir performance by students of Curtis High School, who will then carol through neighborhood shops. Bring a wrapped gift (up to $30 value) to swap for another in the youth gift exchange; age categories include infants, toddlers, 4 to 8-year-olds and 9 to 12-year-olds, and teenagers. Last but not least, dress in your best “Home Alone” character costume to partake in a look-alike contest.

Downtown Tacoma Holiday Market

• Theater Square, 915 Broadway, instagram.com/downtowntacomapartnership
• Dec. 13, 1-6 p.m.

Downtown Tacoma Partnership will host this outdoor market on Saturday, Dec. 13. The organization is even providing tents to vendors (applications open). Look for a mix of art, retail and food in a cozy setup in Theater Square.

This story was originally published November 28, 2025 at 5:00 AM.