The Ultimate Holiday Shopping Guide to Berkeley

Have a list? Checking it twice? Check off everyone on your holiday list with these shops, markets, and holiday fairs!

When the holiday season has fully settled into the folds of our streets, with Christmas lights replacing street lights and holiday cheer lifting our spirits, the thought of gift-giving becomes ever present. Wondering what to get your loved ones becomes front of mind, and for some, shopping online just isn’t the answer.

Get your hands on locally made products, creatively designed goods, and artisan-crafted goodies with all of our holiday markets, fairs, pop-ups, and more in the Berkeley area. Come face-to-face with artists, celebrate the holiday season with your neighbors, and find unique gifts that show you really care.

Local Holiday Markets

Holiday markets are great for those looking for a little Christmas fun to be sprinkled into their holiday shopping. Not only will you have access to dozens of unique vendors, but you’ll also have the opportunity to take part in holiday activities, live entertainment, community fun, and so much more.

Holiday Markets in the Elmwood

When: November 8 & 22 and December 13, 2026 | 12 PM - 4 PM
Where: Elmwood | On College Avenue by Ashby Avenue
What You’ll Find: Local wines, kitchenware and spices, handmade chocolates, artisan stained glass, and more.

Elmwood’s Holiday Markets will balance a local vendors' market with open doors to the neighborhood’s small businesses. These Sunday markets will fill the streets with artisan booths, local business owners, and community connection that make shopping for your loved ones next level.

Their huge variety of goods provides a great place to shop for your eccentric aunt, traditional uncle, creative niece - and maybe even grab something for yourself. Bring the kids for a full family-friendly day out, thanks to the events' arts and crafts, live music, and a special visit from Santa during their December market.

The Berkeley Holiday Gift Fair

When: December 3rd, 2026 | 3 PM - 7 PM
Where: Hotel Shattuck Plaza | 2086 Allston Way
What You’ll Find: Candles, wellness products, accessories, kids' goodies

At the start of December, start your holiday shopping off with a holiday fair that eases you into the season. With only 25 vendors, the 8th annual Berkeley Holiday Gift Fair greets you with a curated selection of artisans to browse. Or get the chance to win a gift by entering into one of the event’s raffles. The event, located inside the Hotel Shattuck Plaza, also brings you out of the winter weather.

Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair

When: December 5-6, 12-13, and 19-20, 2026 | 11 AM-6 PM
Where: Telegraph Avenue between Dwight Way and Bancroft Way
What You’ll Find: Anything and Everything

The 43rd annual Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair is perhaps our largest holiday market, with over 200 local vendors attending the six-day event. The event is sure to have the perfect gift for even your trickiest loved one on your shopping list. Don’t leave before heading over to their gift-wrapping booth for free gift-wrapping services!

Two women shopping and chatting at the Telegraph Holiday Street Fair — Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair

Merry on Fourth

When: December 5, 2026 | 1 PM - 5 PM
Where: Fourth Street
What You’ll Find: Holiday goodies, art, food and drinks

Maker’s Row on Fourth Street is part of a Berkeley holiday tradition. Shop while walking the winter wonderland that Fourth Street is transformed into every year. While the 2026 vendor list has not yet been announced, you can find updates about participating creators by following the Maker’s Row website. The artisans are just a part of the larger event, which will have photo opportunities, crafts, music, treats, and a visit from Santa!

Winter on Solano

When: December 6, 2026 | 12 PM - 5 PM
Where: Solano Avenue
What You’ll Find: Plants, shoes, custom lamps

While better known for its live entertainment and kid-friendly activities, Winter on Solano also features a lineup of artisans! After treating the kids to some face paint and a ride on the Solcar Choo Choo Train, browse the vendor tents. This year, some of the featured participants include Of All Places Market, Fern’s Garden, Sole Terra Shoes, and Sue Johnson Custom Lamps & Shades.

Holiday Market at Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant

When: December 12, 2026 | 11 AM - 4 PM
Where: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant | 1605 San Pablo Ave
What You’ll Find: Local food and drink

The wine merchant’s holiday market is a great place for those looking for tasty gifts. If you’re shopping for a foodie or a wine connoisseur, this stop is for you, so be sure to mark your calendars for this one-day event. Last year, the event hosted a collection of wines, BBQ goodies, and donuts, with a live DJ playing good music and holiday beats to bring the market to life.

Fourth street, crowded with people, for the Christmas light celebration in Berkeley, CA — Merry on Fourth

Holiday Pop-Up Shop

Berkeley Art Studio’s Holiday Pop-up Shop

When: December 4-13, 2026 | Monday - Friday, 11 AM - 8 PM | Saturday - Sunday, 12 PM - 6 PM
Where: UC Berkeley, MLK Building | Tilden Room on the 5th Floor | 2495 Bancroft Way
What You’ll Find: Pottery, textiles, paintings, jewelry, and greeting cards

This intimate setting gives you a curated look at local artists’ goods, with a special highlight of the creations of UC Berkeley’s students, faculty, and staff. In previous years, this event has also had complimentary coffee and hot chocolate for you to sip while you shop.

Joy Village Bazaar

When: December 5, 2026
Where: Shattuck Avenue and Vine Street
What You’ll Find: 2026 TBA

The Joy Village Bazaar is back for another year of holiday cheer. Though the 2026 details are still waiting to be announced, previous years have brought live music, food and drink, and creatives to the streets of the North Shattuck District of Berkeley. For more information and to stay up to date on the latest, visit the North Shattuck - Berkeley Facebook page.

Specialty Gift Shops & Markets

We always have a special someone on our shopping list who has a specific taste that requires a little more of a curated shopping experience. For specialty items, unique goods from local stores, and niche markets, check out these events and shops to check them off your list!

Niche Markets

A table for a vendor's market is filled with mugs and saucers for sale.

East Bay Print Sale

When: December 3-4, 2026 | Thursday, 3 PM - 8 PM | Friday, 10 AM - 4 PM
Where: Max’s Garage Press | 1006 Pardee St
What You’ll Find: Risographs, woodcuts, etchings, lithographs, screen prints

Do you have an art lover in your life? Someone who likes to unearth hidden gems in the art world? The East Bay Print Sale happens once a year and gives you the chance to pore over more than 15,000 art prints made by over 200 artists from all over the world.

The Potters’ Studio Annual Holiday Market

When: December 11-13, 2026 | Friday, 6 PM - 9 PM | Saturday, 11 AM - 5 PM | Sunday, 11 AM - 4 PM
Where: The Potters’ Studio | 724 Camelia St.
What You’ll Find: Pottery!

Whether it’s for a loved chef, a pottery lover, or a housewarming gift, the Potters’ Studio Annual Holiday Market will host a huge variety of ceramic goods for any taste, style, or purpose. Browse the glazed goods and discover artists' works that are entirely handcrafted.

Holiday Beast Crawl Book Fair at Gilman Brewing

When: December 6, 2026 | 12 PM - 4 PM
Where: Gilman Brewing Company | 912 Gilman St.
What You’ll Find: indie books, publishers, and book-themed goods

For the book lover in your life, check out the Holiday Beast Crawl Book Fair, and browse local titles, indie novels, publishers, and vendor booths with products inspired by and made for readers. This event will also feature some of our favorite neighborhood bookshops!

Would you rather skip the crowd and shop our bookstores by yourself? Find the top stops with our Books and Berkeley blog.

Specialty Shops

People form a line outside the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive.

Arts and Culture

Do you have an art aficionado in your midst? No matter their preferred medium – music, painting, movies – here in Berkeley we have that same love! Our many art stores are packed with great prints, merch, vinyls, CDs, and more, so you can find something just right for their taste.

Amoeba Music | Though overflowing with shelves lined with CDs and vinyls, Amoeba Music also has DVDs and Blu-rays!
ACCI Gallery | A huge selection of local artists’ creations from pottery to prints to originals and more.
East Bay Open Studios | Step inside artists’ studios to discover, firsthand, one-of-a-kind finds.
BAMPFA | Film-inspired gifts and Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive merchandise.

Secondhand and Oddities

There are plenty of goods that have a little more life to give and are looking for a new home this holiday season. Shopping secondhand can lead to clever discoveries, affordable finds, and truly unique pieces you may not be able to find elsewhere. Whether it’s an intricate trinket you’re shopping for or a vintage piece for a loved one’s collection, you’d be better off exploring our local thrift stores for your holiday gift.

Thrift Shop Berkeley Humane | Traditional thrift store with a little bit of everything, from clothes to home decor to artwork.
Lacis Museum of Lace & Textiles | Curated shop of vintage finds for when you’re looking for a specific antique piece.
Curiosity Shop | A trove of trinkets and knickknacks for the collectors in your life.

Find more local thrift stores by reading our Berkeley Thrift Stores blog, and find secondhand items that are too good to be true and affordable gift ideas for everyone.

Sustainable

If going green is your style or your loved ones', consider shopping at a sustainable business for the holiday season. Supporting these shops provides you with eco-friendly products and goods that do good for the environment.

Pamana Plantas | Great place for plants, plant care, and more for the green thumb on your list.
The Ecology Center EcoStore | A hub of eco-friendly products for the household and beyond.
The Filling Station | Grab a drink or a tasty treat that ensures a greener shopping experience and sustainable practices.

Gift Wrapping & More

Close-up of multi-colored patterned Christmas wrapping paper.

Stationery Stores

Local stationery stores often supply wrapping paper with unique designs and creative colors. If you don’t want what everyone else is getting, check out Paper Source or Payn’s Stationery for rare finds and clever wrapping paper you probably won’t find anywhere else.

Where You Get Your Gifts

Some shops, like Games of Berkeley and The Gardener Store, offer gift-wrapping services for birthdays, anniversaries, and, of course, the holidays. Be sure to review their websites prior to checking off your holiday shopping list or call the store ahead of time.

Getting Around

Save your money for shopping, and utilize our affordable public transportation service: the BART. Our trains can take you all across the city with easy-to-read maps, a handy app, and accessible entrances and exits for those who require wheelchair access. Get yourself a Clipper card or simply use your debit or credit card to tap on and off the train.

Don’t forget to gift yourself a stay(cation) in Berkeley while you’re at it! Visit our Plan Your Trip page for local accommodations, visitor guides, itineraries, and transportation information.