THE GOOD WEEK GUIDES
2026 Holiday Markets & Art Shows in Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville & Nearby
Maker markets, museum-shop pop-ups, open artist studios, a German Christmas market and nearly 700 paintings smaller than a postcard.
Cold air, a warm cup in hand and a table of handmade ornaments and gifts you won't find anywhere else. That's holiday shopping close to home, and Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville and nearby neighborhoods do it beautifully. This season brings maker markets, museum-shop pop-ups, open artist studios and gallery sales full of gifts made by people who live just down the road.
Here's our running list for 2026, sorted by neighborhood. Holiday hours can shift, so check the link before you go.
Last updated Oct 27, 2026
🧭 Markets to Wander
📍 Bethesda
🧶 Downtown Bethesda Makers Market
Sun, Nov 15 | Downtown Bethesda
Local artisans, makers and small businesses set up for a day of early holiday shopping. Exact location and hours to come.
❄️ Bethesda's Winter Wonderland & Holiday Market
Sat, Dec 5 | 12–4pm | Norfolk & Cordell Avenues, Bethesda
Fifty URBNmarket artisans set up downtown, with live ice sculpting from 12:30 to 2pm, a student concert and food from local restaurants. Bring a new toy for Toys for Tots if you'd like.
Details → [BUP]
📍 Potomac
🎀 The Village Holiday Market
Opens Sat, Nov 7 | Thu–Sat, noon–6pm, through Dec 19 | Former Citibank branch next to Potomac Pizza, Potomac Village
The Lucky Penny and eight small businesses turn a former bank branch into a holiday shop full of handcrafted lampshades, French macarons and specialty gifts.
Gift-wrapping proceeds benefit Comfort Cases, Nourish Now and Stepping Stones Shelter.
🕎 Women of WHC Holiday Boutique
Sun–Mon, Nov 8–9 | Starts at 9:30am | Julia Bindeman Suburban Center, 11810 Falls Rd, Potomac
The area's longest-running holiday boutique and silent auction, hosted by the Women of Washington Hebrew Congregation. A two-day head start on gift shopping, right in Potomac.
🥨 Traditional German Christmas Market
Sat, Dec 5 | 11am–5pm | German International School, 10010 Falls Rd, Potomac
Handcrafted ornaments, traditional Christmas treats, local and regional vendors and German comfort food, from the FRIENDS of the German International School.
Parking tip: there's no parking at the school or on Chateau Drive or Kentsdale Drive. Shuttle buses run from overflow parking at the Bolger Center.
📍 N. Bethesda
🏛️ Museums & Makers Holiday Market
Thu–Sat, Nov 12–14 | 10am–6pm | The Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, N. Bethesda
Regional museum shops and local artisans under one roof. Every purchase supports nonprofit museums and independent artists. Free, with a suggested $10 donation. No strollers.
📍 Rockville
🍪 Annual Danish Christmas Bazaar
Sat, Nov 14 | Starts at 11am | 917 Montrose Rd, Rockville
Danish Christmas decorations, embroidery and crafts, jewelry and imported goods, plus deli items, pastries and cookies. Come hungry for æbleskiver and smørrebrød.
🧣 Holiday Bazaar at Rockville Senior Center
Sat, Dec 5 | 9am–2pm | 1150 Carnation Dr, Rockville
A morning holiday bazaar hosted by the City of Rockville.
📍 Kentlands
🎄 Kentlands Christmas Market & Holiday Craft Show
Sat, Dec 5 | 11am–4pm | Kentlands Market Square, 40 Market St, Gaithersburg
Handcrafted gifts, holiday décor, artwork and jewelry from local artisans and makers.
📍 Kensington
🥂 Holiday Shopping Night in Kensington
Thu, Nov 19 | 6–9pm | Pink Dot, 3734 Howard Ave; Homeworks, 3740 Howard Ave; and Girls Who Paint, 10419 Fawcett St, Kensington
Stroll from shop to shop with a festive drink in hand. Pink Dot, Homeworks and Girls Who Paint are all taking 20% off, with holiday food and drinks along the way.
Local makers pop up too, with paintings, custom pieces, string art and jewelry from Angie Kilcullen Art, Sarah Renzi Studio, Shoppy's Custom, Strings Things Studio and Abigail Elizabeth Jewelry.
🎨 Gifts From Local Artists
📍Bethesda
❄️ A Winter Salon at Emma's Art Studio
Fri, Nov 13–Fri, Jan 8 | Opening reception Fri, Nov 13, 5–8pm | Emma's Art Studio, 4931 Cordell Ave, Suite 2A, Bethesda
The teachers behind Emma's classes step into the spotlight with original work in a range of mediums, from lake and mountain landscapes to handmade earrings. Everything on the walls is for sale, so it's a chance to find a one-of-a-kind gift and support local artists at the same time.
Come to the opening to meet the artists over complimentary wine, cheese and crackers. Free and open to the public.
📍 Glen Echo
🎨 Holiday Art Show & Sale at Glen Echo Park
Sat, Nov 14–Sun, Jan 10 | Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo
Looking for gifts with a little more personality? Explore three galleries filled with original paintings, handmade pottery, jewelry, glass art, photography, ornaments and more from Glen Echo Park's resident artists, instructors and invited guests.
The Holiday Art Show & Sale runs through January 10, with three special events along the way:
Sat, Nov 14 | 6–8pm: Opening Reception. Celebrate the opening of the show and get a first look at the art.
Sat, Nov 28 | 12–6pm: Shop Arts Saturday. Enjoy Small Business Saturday shopping, with open artist studios and galleries throughout the park.
Sat, Dec 5 | 3–6pm: Winter's Eve. Browse the Winter Market Pottery Sale, visit open studios and galleries, and enjoy holiday music and children's crafts.
📍 N. Bethesda
🔍 93rd Annual Fine Art in Miniature
Sat, Nov 21–Sat, Jan 9 | Opening reception Sat, Nov 21, 1pm | The Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, N. Bethesda
Nearly 700 tiny works, from postcard size down to postage stamp, by the Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers Society of Washington, DC.
📍 Rockville
🌲 "A Forest Meadow" at Artists & Makers Studios
Wed, Nov 4–Tue, Nov 24 | First Friday opening Fri, Nov 6, 5–8pm | 11810 Parklawn Dr, Suite 210, Rockville
Work from the Montgomery County Woodturners and the Friendship Star Quilters, plus a mini-solo show by Maralyn May and pieces by resident artists.
🖼️ Rockville Art League Juried Members' Show
Meet the Artists opening Sun, Dec 6, 1:30–3:30pm | Glenview Mansion, 603 Edmonston Dr, Rockville
Oils and acrylics, watercolors, pastels, prints, mixed media, photography, sculpture and ceramics. Judge's awards are announced at 2pm, and the show runs into January.
📍 Chevy Chase
🧵 WCCC Craft & Gift Market
Sun, Nov 15 | 11am–4pm | Woman's Club of Chevy Chase, 7931 Connecticut Ave, Chevy Chase
Handmade arts, crafts and jewelry fill the club's decorated auditorium, with music and food to browse by. Don't skip the raffle of donated artisan pieces. Free entry.
🎁 Still Being Wrapped
These local favorites happen every year. We'll add them as soon as 2026 dates are announced.
Kensington Antique Row Holiday Open House: usually an early-December Friday evening on Howard Avenue, Kensington.
Kensington Hand-Made Holiday Market at Compass Art Center: usually early December.
That's the list for now. If it helped you map out a weekend (or a few), we'd love to keep you in the loop on what's next.
💛 Love Finding Places Like These?
There's plenty more to explore close to home.
Every Thursday, The Good Week shares interesting things to do, places to visit, and experiences worth making time for around Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville, and beyond.
From independent shops and creative classes to live performances and neighborhood happenings, we're finding more ways to enjoy the communities we call home.
Your next great outing might be closer than you think.
Did I miss a holiday market or art show? Send it my way so I can check it out and keep this guide up to date.
📣 Advertising
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🔍 Fine Print
We do our best to keep everything accurate and up to date, but plans can change. Before heading out, check directly with the venue or organizer for the latest details, including dates, times, availability, and pricing.
The Good Week is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with the businesses or organizations featured unless noted.
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