Written by Abigail Caballero, Digital Marketing Strategist
The holidays can be stressful, especially when you’re shopping for multiple people. Sometimes you find yourself wandering aimlessly around the mall looking for the perfect gift and end up leaving empty-handed. The best way to get your shopping done is to visit a local holiday market. These markets aren’t just for finding gifts, they’re for finding joy.
Small business owners aim to make you feel seen, heard and appreciated. You can interact with products in person while being able to ask questions about why it was made, how it was made and where it was made from the product experts themselves. These are stories you can bring and share with your loved ones this holiday season.
Why a Local Market?
You have a variety of options. Local markets include different types of vendors to cater to busy shoppers like you. Did you forget your morning coffee? No problem, you can grab some locally roasted coffee beans from a vendor. You’re guaranteed to find meaningful gifts for the most important people in your life, while supporting the local economy.
3 Reasons to Shop Small
- Every purchase supports a family near you and strengthens the economy. When you choose local, you’re not just buying a product, you’re supporting real people, investing in dreams and keeping money circulating within the community.
- Each product is one of a kind, often made of local materials. You know what you’re buying and you know how it was made. Buying close to home also reduces packaging and shipping waste, reducing your environmental footprint.
- Embracing local businesses builds genuine connection. You’re met with personalized service and genuine care. If a small business doesn’t carry exactly what you need they’ll often point you towards another local business that does because supporting one another strengthens the whole community.
Inspired by insights from Futurpreneur, it’s clear that shopping locally spreads more than holiday cheer, it helps communities flourish year-round.
Find a Market Near You
Across Alberta there are numerous Christmas and holiday markets that occur during November and December. Some are smaller in size, while others are larger with record breaking numbers such as the Spruce Meadows International Christmas Market which had over 100,000 attendees in 2024.
While these markets differ in size and setting, their mission remains the same — to spread joy, support small businesses and foster community across the province. Whether you’re in Lethbridge, Calgary, Banff, Edmonton, or exploring one of Alberta’s many local communities, there’s a holiday market waiting to be discovered near you.
Banff
Dates
- Thursday, November 20 through Sunday, December 14, 2025
Hours
- 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Thursday, November 20 only)
- 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Fridays and Saturdays)
- 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Sundays)
Calgary
Spruce Meadows International Christmas Market
Dates
- Friday, November 14 through Sunday, November 30, 2025
Hours
- 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Fridays)
- 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Saturdays)
- 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Sundays)
Shawnessy Christmas Craft Fair
Date
- Saturday, November 15, 2025
Hours
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Grand South Christmas Market
Date
- Saturday, November 15, 2025
Hours
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Date
- Saturday, November 15, 2025
Hours
- 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Dates
- Saturday, November 15, 2025
- Sunday, November 16, 2025
Hours
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
Date
- Sunday, November 16, 2025
Hours
- 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Dalhousie Christmas Craft Market
Date
- Saturday, November 22, 2025
Hours
- 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Dates
- Saturday, November 22 through Sunday, December 14, 2025
Hours
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Saturdays & Sundays)
University District Night Market (Holiday Edition)
Dates
- Thursday, November. 27, 2025
- Thursday, December. 4, 2025
Hours
- 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Thursdays)
Dates
- Friday, November 28 through Sunday, December 7, 2025
Hours
- 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Fridays)
- 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Saturdays)
- 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Sundays)
Market Collective Holiday Series
Dates
- Friday, December 5 through Sunday, December 14, 2025
Hours
- 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Fridays)
- 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Saturdays and Sundays)
Dates
- Friday, December 5, 2025
Hours
- 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Dates
- Friday, December 12 through Sunday, December 14, 2025
Hours
- 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Friday and Saturday)
- 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Sunday)
Edmonton
Dates
- Wednesday, November 5 through Saturday, November 8, 2025
Hours
- 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
2025 A Very Indigenous Holiday Market & Cultural Gathering
Dates
- Friday, November 14 through Sunday, November 16, 2025
Hours
- 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Fridays)
- 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Saturdays)
- 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Sundays)
Dates
- Saturday, November 29 through Sunday, December 21, 2025
Hours
- 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Thursdays)
- 3 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Fridays)
- 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Saturdays)
- 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. (Sundays)
Lethbridge
Dates
- Friday, November 14 and Saturday, November 15, 2025
Hours
- 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Friday)
- 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Saturday)
Big Christmas and Farmers’ Market
Dates
- Saturday, November 29 and Sunday, November 30, 2025
Hours
- 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Saturday)
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Sunday)
Okotoks
Dates
- Friday, November 7 and Saturday, November 8, 2025
- Friday, November 14 through Sunday, November 16, 2025
Hours
- 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. (Fridays)
- 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Saturdays)
- 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Sundays)
Red Deer
Red Deer Christmas in the County
Dates
- Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7, 2025
Hours
- 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Saturday)
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Sunday)
Westlock
Christmas Market and Craft Fair
Dates
- Saturday, November 15, 2025
Hours
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Grow Your Business with Business Link
Whether it’s holiday sales or year-round growth, Business Link is here to help — connect with our team today.
Sources
Go Big on Small Business – Calgary Chamber of Commerce (2024)
Six Benefits of Shopping Local this Holiday – Futurpreneur (2023)
Spruce Meadows Market Record Breaking Attendance – CTV News (2024)
