The Best Independent Christmas Markets in Bristol

In the wake of the horror of Black Friday & Cyber Monday, with December approaching imminently, and with no plans to be somewhere tropical for Christmas… I thought I would keep it local and give you a round up of the sparkliest events in Bristol’s winter calendar! A handy calendar of where you can make some conscious shopping choices in the run up to Christmas by shopping local and supporting independent!

All in Bristol and all free entry, here are my top picks in chronological order…

Picton Street Fair

Saturday 1st December
Picton Street, Montpelier, Bristol

THE nicest day out and just up the road from me, unfortunately I’m not going to be here this weekend but this is not to be missed… the whole street is rammed with quaint little stalls, delicious locally made food and drinks, handmade wreaths, festive bunting, twinkly lights and live music too! Doesn’t get more festive than that!

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Merriment Makers’ Market

Sunday 2nd December
The Jam Jar, The Old Malt House, Little Ann Street

The first Merriment Maker’s Market will be brought to you by the crew behind the BS5 Market and is being held in The Jam Jar’s wonderful homely warehouse event space – definitely worth checking out if you’ve never been before! There will be a smorgasbord of different wares from a variety of local makers including locally brewed ciders and gin, ethical clothing, vegan beauty products and PIES!

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Christmas Fayre at Unit 8 Studios

Friday 7th December – Sunday 9th December
Unit 8 Studios, St Werburghs, Bristol

Unlike this graphic suggests, it’s not just me at the fayre, I promise! There are heaps of my fellow Unit 8 residents selling, as well as a selection of other Bristol faves, including Caring In Bristol with their charitable Absolute Bristol Legends range.

There are also workshops in everything from marbled baubles to screen printing that you can book as well as yummy food & drinks on offer, it’s gonna be a hoot!

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Two’s Company Festive Fun Open Studios Weekend

Friday 7th December – Sunday 9th December
Two’s Company Studios, Old Market, Bristol

Once you’ve filled your winter boots at Unit 8’s fayre you should mosey over to Two’s Company Studios in Old Market for their weekend of festive events! Including such wonderful events as Drag Queen Story Time with the indomitable Carmen Monoxide…

Alongside this is The DIY Supermarket pop up shop & exhibition, a mini jumble, open studios and screen printing and riso Christmas card printing workshops with some of the studio’s residents!

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The Fashion Front Bzzaar – Festive Frolics Market

Saturday 15th December
Love Inn, Stokes Croft, Bristol

Another winter edition of the Fashion Front Bzzaar! A wonderful collaboration between my friend Beth from Bzzaar (& The DIY Supermarket & Two’s Company!) who I’ve written about before with her Christmas shop last year … and my other pal Fran who runs the Fashion Front, a wonderful charitable fashion show I was lucky to be a part of this summer!

I’ll be at this one with my wares and expect all the most spangletastic other Bristol clothing and jewellery sellers… a lot of whom you might recognise from my  other posts on independent designers!

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Pop Up Christmas Shop, The Bristol Makers Market

1st December – 24th December
The Island, Nelson Street, Bristol

The Bristol Bazaar are back once again with their annual festive pop-up shop in the Island, featuring a feast of Bristol creatives showcasing a carefully curated selection of handmade pieces from art to jewellery to homeware to clothing to ceramics and everything in between. The launch party is on Tuesday 4th and you can get your fix all the way up to Christmas Eve!

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Find more independent designer features and more Bristol posts here!