Things to do in Portland: Holiday Craft Sales, Art Fairs and Christmas Bazaars

Holiday craft sales, art fairs and Christmas bazaars are a time-honored tradition for procrastinating gift-givers. The holiday craft shows are typically sponsored by churches, clubs or high schools and are often some sort of fund-raiser for the sponsoring organization. Christmas bazaars and holiday craft sales offer yummy foodstuffs and homemade crafts, art and photography at cut-rate prices.

Get the best deals at holiday craft shows- and avoid the crowds- by showing up on the first day of the sale. If you can manage it, take off on a Friday to visit the Christmas bazaars and show up early; you should have most of your shopping done by lunchtime. After you visit the art fairs, you can hit the Heathman for high tea (if you’re with your parents) or head to OTB for a couple of pitchers (if you’re with my parents).

Holiday Craft Sales and Christmas Bazaars
Look for: Homemade cookies and native desserts, holly wreaths and eclectic gifts made by artisans.

Best for: Hostess gifts, moms and mothers-in-law presents and cheering up sisters who are going through a divorce.

A sampling of holiday art fairs, Christmas bazaars*, holiday craft sales and shows happening in Portland:

Christmas Tree Sale and Holiday Bazaar
Saturday, November 22 10-4
Clackamas United Church of Christ, 15303 SE Webster Rd., Milwaukie

Holiday Gift Bazaar
Saturday, November 22 9-6
Bethel #67 Job's Daughters International, 3612 SE 52nd Portland, OR 97286

Cornell Estates Marketplace Bazaar
Saturday, November 22 10-3
1005 NE 17th Avenue, Hillsboro 97124

Holiday Bazaar
Saturday, November 22 9-4
East Portland Community Center: 740 SE 106th Ave, Portland: Located behind Floyd Light Middle School

America's Largest Christmas Bazaar
November 28 - December 7
Fridays and Saturdays 10-6, Sundays 10-5
Expo Center, 2060 N Marine Dr. Portland OR, 97217
Child Price: $3.25 Ages 12-17
Adult Price: $6.50

Museum of Contemporary Craft Presents: Holiday Shop

December 4 – January 3, Tues-Sun 11-6, Thurs 11-8
Museum of Contemporary Craft, 724 Northwest Davis Street, Portland, OR 97209

Handmade NW Artisans Fair for The Holidays
Tuesday, December 2 10-6
World Trade Center, 121 SW Salmon St, Portland, OR 97204

Have Yourself a Crafty Little Christmas Holiday Craft Show
December 5 - December 6
6-9 on December 5th and 10-6 on December 6th
2223 NE 47th Ave. Portland, OR 97213

Irvington Artisan Market

Saturday, November 22 10-4
Irvington Tennis Club, NE 21st & Thompson, Portland, OR

Oregon College of Art and Craft (OCAC) Student and Alumni Holiday Sale
Friday, November 28 - Sunday, November 30
Nov 28 7-9, Nov 29 10-5, Nov 30 10-4
Oregon College of Art & Craft, 8245 SW Barnes Road, Portland, OR 97225
$3 admission on Friday, free Saturday and Sunday

Portland Saturday Market Artisan Market
December 8 - December 11 11-6 Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW 6th St, Portland, OR 97205

Last Chance Holiday Bazaar Hood River Fairgrounds
Saturday and Sunday, December 13-14, 10-4
Hood River County Fair Grounds, Wy'East & Summit Rds, Odell, OR 97044

In addition, the Portland Saturday Market will be open daily from December 15th through Christmas Eve. Shoppers can receive two hours of free parking at any Smart Park Garage or a Tri-Met ticket with a $25.00 purchase.

*Admission to Portland Christmas Bazaars should be free unless noted otherwise. Feel free to post information about your organization's holiday craft show in the comments section.