Shop Local! A Guide to Downtown-ish Holiday Markets

Winter in Knoxville doesn’t have a grand expected arrival. It sneaks up on you. One morning you wake up, and it’s cold, and you realize it’s somehow already that holly-jolly time of year again.

And look, there are a lot of ways to spend your money in December. Some of them, as our fearless leader Leslie recently pointed out, involve corporate overlords whispering “50% off” like a siren’s call. If you fall for it, that’s between you and your Elf on the Shelf. But we think it’s infinitely more satisfying to shop local and support local artists, makers and vendors. Holiday markets are a great way to do just that! 

This guide isn’t organized by geography or dates. It’s organized by people: the people you love, the people you tolerate, the people whose name you pulled in the family exchange and immediately whispered, “Shi-yit.”

Knoxville’s artists and makers have something for every single one of them. So pick the person, and choose the vibe. (And don’t worry; I’ve compiled a clean list with more info for you at the bottom of the page. I’m not a monster.)

Let’s start simple. For the person on your list who’s basically a sure thing, the warm-hearted one who’s somehow always cold, the blanket hoarder, the comfort seeker … look no further than the Knoxville Holiday Market. Born and beloved in Chattanooga, the inaugural Knoxville edition takes over the World’s Fair Exhibition Hall (located on the lower level of the Tennessean Hotel) Dec. 6–7 and Dec. 13–14 with 150+ local and regional vendors and enough holiday energy to guarantee you walk out with something that feels right. IOK endorsement: Heather has been to the Chatt original and is freaking out with excitement that it is coming here. 

Now that the easy win is out of the way, raise your hand if someone in your circle has the hair and/or vintage soul of a character from Almost Famous. Good. Knoxville has plenty of places to scratch that itch. But this year, Retrospect Vintage Store in Happy Holler is spoiling us with a macramé miracle.

Its RetroFlea Holiday Market on Dec. 13 is sure to be festive and full of vendors who eat, sleep and breathe vintage. If you’ve got a midcentury addict on your list, this is your moment.

Now it’s time to shop for the beautifully weird ones in your family: the black sheep, the cousin who collects bones, the friend who owns three tarot decks and somehow uses them all.

Good news: The popular Dark Market is hosting its first-ever Krampuslauf at Hi-Wire Brewing Company in SoKno this year on Dec. 12, complete with a market and a full Krampus parade. I talked with organizer Sarah Michelle Collier, who made my entire week as she said that more than 20 people have already signed up to dress as Krampus to parade down Sevier Avenue at 7 p.m., bringing a playful holiday spirit to whoever’s in their path. Fog machines. Lights. Full creature chaos.

The Krampus Market itself is curated with intention — there are only 36 spots and 100–150 applicants for each Dark Market date — so you know this event will be full of one-of-a-kind finds. Think taxidermy, bone jewelry, stained glass, coffin-shaped shelves, bug art in cloches and vendors whose work you simply cannot find at traditional markets.

Sarah Michelle is intentional about curating variety. If several candle makers apply, she’ll choose only one for each market. She also makes a pointed effort to rotate vendors throughout the year, giving new artists a real shot at showcasing their work. Dark Market vendors affectionately refer to her as “The Dark Mother,” and it’s clear why. She somehow manages all of it with a grounded, genuine kind of humanity while also juggling a full-time job, a nonprofit and a market that now spans multiple cities.  

Born right here in Knoxville, the Dark Market is for the curious, the alt-adjacent, the magical souls and anyone who thinks Christmas could use more formaldehyde. And if you want to be a Krampus, it’s not too late. Sarah Michelle will add you to the list until the day of and throw you in the parade lineup without blinking.

For our next stop, let us cater to the crew that pretends they’re shopping but is really just here for First Friday and a drink.

If you want to turn your gifting excursion into a proper evening out, First Friday is your playground. It’s always exciting to discover a new artist and find the perfect gift you weren’t even looking for.

It’s always an adventure to explore Knoxville’s galleries and pop-ups, and it’s a great way to show support for local artists and makers. For December’s First Friday, be sure to swing by Lefty’s Barbershop (718 E Depot Ave.), located in the same building as Danger Company. They’re throwing a First Friday event and several local artists will have work for sale.

There’s no better way to show our city’s makers, artists and vendors  than to keep our hard earned money right here at home by buying for the people we love from the people we love. A list to get you started:

Knoxville Holiday Market
World’s Fair Exhibition Hall (935 Worlds Fair Park Dr. on the bottom floor of The Tennessean Hotel)
Dec. 6–7 and Dec. 13–14
Sat 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Old City Market – Holiday Edition (Final First Friday Block Party)
Old City Downtown
Dec. 5, 5 p.m.–9 p.m.

Nourish Knoxville Winter Market
Market Square
Dec. 6, 13, 20 (Saturdays), 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

XUL Downtown Christmas Market
XUL (213 E 5th Ave.)
Dec. 7, noon–5 p.m.

Ricky’s Sneak Peek Holiday Market
1520 Washington Ave.
Dec. 6, 4 p.m.–9 p.m.

Retrospect Vintage Store RetroFlea Vintage Market
Retrospect Vintage Store (1121 N Central St.)
Dec. 13, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Merry Makers Market
West Fifth Studios – 211 W Fifth Ave.
Dec. 6, 4 p.m.–9 p.m.

Ijams 12th Annual Holiday Marketplace
Ijams Nature Center
2915 Island Home Ave.
Dec 7, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Dark Market’s Krampuslauf Market & Parade
Hi-Wire Brewing (2020 Barber St.)
Dec. 12, market 5:30 p.m.–9 p.m., parade 7 p.m.

Schulz Bräu Christkindlesmarkt 
Schulz Bräu (126 Bernard Ave.)
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays thru Dec. 21

GermanFest Christkindlmarkt
First Lutheran Church (1207 N. Broadway)
Dec. 6, 4 p.m.–8 p.m. & Dec 7, 1 p.m.–4 p.m. 

First Friday at Lefty’s Barbershop +Danger Company
Dec 5, 6 p.m.
718 E Depot Ave Suite B.
Note: Enjoy 20% off orders over $100 and free shipping if you can’t make it to shop in-store throughout December.