Wait a second … you’re not going to buy another tie for Dear Old Dad this Christmas, are you? Of course not! Only a hand-painted silk tie woven on locally produced looms is good enough to grace your father’s precious neck! So get thee to a craft fair and give your loved ones (or those you’re obligated to buy for) something unique, local and better than another Dunkin gift card. No seriously — go! We’ll wait.
Arts Providence Holiday Sale: Sat, Dec 8 and Sun, Dec 9, 10am – 6pm. Providence Convention Center, 1 Sabin St, PVD. This juried show has its roots in the RISD Holiday Sale but now includes all types of artists, crafters and designers.
Art Sale at 30 Cutler: Sat, Nov 24, 11am – 5pm, and Sun, Nov 25, 11am – 3pm. Studio 217, Cutler Mills, 30 Cutler St, Warren. Purchase artists’ wares while listening to live music, taking in the holiday decorations and doing some crafts.
Annual Blackstone River Theater Holiday Craft Fair and Festival: Sat, Dec 1, 9am – 3pm. Blackstone River Theatre, 549 Broad St, Cumberland. Support BRT with local holiday shopping! Twenty-six vendors on site and live music, too!
Bizarre Bazaar: Sat, Dec 8 and Sun, Dec 9, 10am – 6pm. The Cove Pop-Up Shop, 233 Westminster St, PVD. This holiday fair features an array of art, crafts and one-of-a kind gifts created by local artists with disabilities.
Craft and Kitsch Winter Market: Sat, Dec 8 and Sun, Dec 9, 10am – 4pm. Pawtucket Arts Collaborative, 560 Mineral Spring Ave, Pawtucket. Winter craft market featuring makers and artists and their handmade, upcycled or vintage items.
De Blois Gallery Small Works Pre-Holiday Show & Artisans’ Gift Shop: Thru Nov 25. 134 Aquidneck Ave, Middletown. The art of gifting shines at this show and sale.
Field of Artisans: Sundays in December, 11:30 am – 4pm. Whalers Brewing Company/Tasting Room 1174 Kingstown Rd, South Kingstown. Emerging artists, photographers, designers, builders and musicians establish pop-up markets full of holiday gifts.
Foundry Artists Show and Sale: Thu, Nov 29 – Sun, Dec 9. Pawtucket Armory Arts Center, 172 Exchange St, Pawtucket. Sixty-five juried artists showcase a wide range of unique gifts, fine art, functional craft and original designs.
Hatch St Open Studios: Fri, Nov 16, 5 – 8pm and Sat & Sun, Nov 17 & 18, 11am – 5pm. Hatch Street Studios, 88 Hatch St, New Bedford. Three-day celebration for art lovers that offers a look into the professional spaces of 60+ artists working under one roof. The artists’ works encompass a wide range of media and expressive forms, including textiles, ceramics, prints, jewelry, paintings, photography, wood, glass and even aerial performance art.
Holiday Craft Fair at the Audubon Society of Rhode Island: Sat, Dec 1, 10am – 4pm. Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Rd, Smithfield. Artisan gifts with a natural flair. Local artists and crafters offering their nature-inspired and wildlife-related creations.
Holiday Extravaganza Craft Fair: Sat, Nov 17, 9am – 3pm. VFW, 1418 Plainfield Pike, Cranston. More than 100 vendors with a wide variety of products and crafts!
Holiday Market and Cultural Extravaganza: Sat, Dec 15, Noon – 4pm. Southside Cultural Center of Rhode Island, 393 Broad Street, PVD. Celebrate the season with multicultural performances, storytelling, music, craft vendors and more..
Holiday Spectacular: Dec 1, 10am – 4pm. Newport Elks Lodge, 141 Pelham St, Newport. An indoor holiday shopping event featuring upscale New England artisans. Items featured include home and holiday decor, handmade jewelry, pottery, children’s apparel and more!
Knights of Columbus Christmas Craft Fair: Dec 8, 10am – 4pm. Knights of Columbus, 7 Valley Rd, Middletown. Craft fair to benefit Hasbro Children’s Hospital.
Annual Little Pictures Show & Sale: Thru Dec 23. PVD Art Club, 11 Thomas St, PVD. The oldest exhibition of its kind in the nation and a centuries-old tradition, Little Pictures features original artworks sized below 16” x 16” for prices at $300 or less. All sales of original fine art in RI are also tax-free.
Mad Dog: Nov 29 – Dec 9, Opening Reception: Nov 29. 65 Blackstone Ave, Pawtucket. More than 45 artists from Mad Dog participate, showcasing their unique designs in jewelry, ceramics, knitted textiles, woven textiles, glass, wooden decorative items, wall art, decorative items, holiday items, sculpture, prints, cards and more. Head into the Mad Dog Café for a hot beverage and a snack if you need a break from shopping.
Made on Honor Market: Nov 17 – 18, noon. The Guild, 461 Main St, Pawtucket. Hey neighbor, Gansett’s got you covered for any gift giving or beer drinking needs, including over 65 local vendors of gifty notions.
The Mill at Shady Lea 20th Annual Open Studios: Sat, Dec 1 and Sun, Dec 2, 11am – 5pm. 25 Shady Lea Rd, N Kingstown. This historic mill on the Mattatuxet River is home to 40 artists, artisans and makers who open their doors every year to share their creations and offer demonstrations and explanations of their work with an amazing array of painting, sculpture, weaving, jewelry, glass works, wood-working and much more: A day of community, shopping, food, drink and entertainment. Please bring a donation for the local food bank.
Old Country Road School 22nd Annual Snowflake Bazaar: Sat, Dec 1, 9am – 4pm. Old County Elementary, 200 Old County Rd, Smithfield. More than 85 vendors! There will also be raffles, a penny social, a bake sale, kids games, face painting and Santa! Fun for the whole fam!
Peace Dale Elementary Annual Holiday Fair: Sat, Dec 1, 10am – 3pm. Peace Dale Elementary School, 109 Kersey Rd, Peace Dale. More than 60 local artists and crafters, 20 gift basket raffles, a book fair, live music and local food. Make a family day of it!
Portsmouth Arts Guild Holiday Arts and Crafts Sale: Fri – Sun, 1 – 5pm thru Dec 16. 2679 East Main Rd, Portsmouth. Jewelry, textile items and ceramics are on offer at this craft sale.
The Providence Flea Holiday Market: Dec 2, 9, 15 and 16, 10am – 4pm. Hope High School, 324 Hope St, PVD, cafétorium rear entrance. More than 80 local vendors, including vintage, small batch makers, artisans, food crafters, holiday music and more. Food trucks will be on site, too!
PVD Artisans Holiday Show: Tue, Dec 18, 10am – 4pm. 1005 Main St, Pawtucket. Get your last-minute Christmas shopping in! Browse quality handmade items from more than 60 artists and vendors.
Shop Small RI: Sat, Nov 24, 9am – 4pm. Crowne Plaza, 801 Greenwich Ave, Warwick. Second annual holiday shopping event to shop small, showcasing 100 RI small businesses.
South County Art Association Sale: Nov 23 – Dec 16, Wed – Sun, 10am – 6pm. Helme House, 2587 Kingstown Rd, Kingston. Members of the SCAA displaying and selling their works.
St. Augustine’s Annual Holiday Craft Fair: Sat, Dec 1, 9am – 2pm. 15 Lower College Rd, Kingston. Bargain priced (and gently used) Christmas decorations and accessories. Jellies, jams and gift baskets galore!
Wickford Art Association Small Works Show & Sale: Nov 18 – Dec 23. 36 Beach St, Wickford. Affordable fine art by the association’s artist-members.
Winter Arts and Artisans Festival: Sat, Dec 16 and Sun, Dec 17. 3850 Main Rd, Tiverton. Amazing local artists showcasing works across all mediums.
URI Annual Holiday Mini Mall: Wed, Dec 5 and Thu, Dec 6, 10am – 5pm. URI Memorial Student Union, 50 Lower College Rd, Kingston. Dozens of specialty retailers return for this well-attended URI community annual event.
Visit these area vendors all year long for locally produced arts and crafts (and for more art, check our gallery listings near the back of this magazine)!
Craftland More than 170 vendors 212 Westminster St, PVD.
Rhody Craft 780 Hope St, PVD.
Frog & Toad 795 Hope St, PVD.
Queen of Hearts 222 Westminster St, PVD.
Rocket to Mars 144 Broadway, PVD.
Share Space 140 Broadway, PVD.
POP Emporium 34 Governor St, PVD.
Stock Culinary 756 Hope St, PVD.
Hope & Main 691 Main St, Warren.
Only in Rhode Island 43 Long Wharf Mall, Newport.
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