11 fairs and festivals for holiday shoppers of every kind

Say, "NO!" to Holiday stress this year, and shop with an ease of step, and grin of delight at the following Fairs and Festivals around New England.

1. Craftland, Providence, R.I. - Dec. 5-24
This show is a DIYer's dream, as organizers of Craftland have gathered 175 juried artists from around the globe this year, well over half coming from the New England area, to show and sell their unique handmade wares. Open 7 days a week for 20 days, with special nights and occasions spread throughout, Craftland is beyond unique! Craftland is an annual retail craft show in a unique consignment store format, featuring top-notch arts and crafts. Discover fresh and funky gifts for the home, your grandma, the wardrobe, the boss, and heck, even yourself! Treats like holiday ornaments, felted jewelry, handmade neckties, silk screened stationery, one of a kind wearables, ceramic dishware, original prints & paintings, pet toys, fresh comic books, DIY kits, oodles of stocking stuffers, and so very much more litter the aisles. Craftland donates 5% of proceeds to local arts-related non-profits to help continue in its mission to provide and enable economic opportunities for emerging and professional artists and crafters. Win-win-win-win-win. [Photo of young Craftland shoppers, courtesy of Craftland]

2. Bazaar Bizarre, Boston, Mass. - Dec. 7
Touted as, "not your granny's craft fair!' Bazaar Bizarre began in 2001 in the Boston-area as a random, eclectic group of friends and acquaintances gathered their handcrafted DIY wares to sell, and the rest is history as it turned into an offbeat entertainment extravaganza in several major cities nationwide. Handmade glass jewelry, screen printed totes, tees and textiles abound, and plenty of inspiration, energy and outlook from this bunch of crafters. [Photo of lamp by bright lights, little city; courtesy of Bazaar Bizarre]

3. Holiday Fair, Henniker, N.H. - Dec. 5-7
This year the Henniker Artisans are partnering with New England College for their 5th Annual Holiday Fair, and the event will be held at the NEC Art Gallery. Highlights from this year's fair include Handbags by Holly Baum, Heirloom Teddy Bears by Diana Lind, Wrought Iron by Gary Larose, Pottery by Steve Cunliffe, and Glass Jewelry with a Cause, the “Slice-Of-Life by Gigi Laberge. All work is handcrafted and several of the participating artists are juried members of the well known League of N.H. Craftsmen. For more information contact one of the Fair's organizers. If you want the goods of the big Fairs, but wince at the thought of the big crowds, then this is a Fair for you. [Photo courtesy of Gigi Laberge]

4. Castleberry Fairs, Salem, N.H. - Dec. 6-7
The 9th Annual New England Holiday Craft Festival will be held indoors at the Rockingham Park Racetrack. It's an extremely well organized Fair for its size, where
over 200 of the region's finest Craftsmen and women will display and sell their American made craft. Here's what you can expect: candles, turned wood, pottery, tapestry, jewelry, quilts, basketry, photography, metal sculpture, puppets, appliqués, hats, folk toys, Victorian wreaths, fleece, poetry, silk and dried floral, Holiday decor and much more. Besides material craft, the Fair outdoes any other with specialty foods. Such gourmet delights as herbal dips, sauces, jams & jellies, maple products, candies, dried fruit & nut mixes, relishes, bread mixes, fudge, vinegars, oils, salsas and gourmet coffees. Live holiday music and craft demonstrations complete this picture perfect New England Holiday Event. Admission $5.00 Adult, under 14 free. One admission is good for both days. For more information call 603-332-2616 or print a discount admission coupon online. [Photo of potter Cohen Caswell; courtesy of Castleberry Fairs]

5. Christmas in the Mansion, Milford, Ct. - Dec. 5-7
Lauralton Hall’s annual signature event celebrates its 19th year. Since 1990, Christmas in the Mansion offers a special evening to shop, sample gourmet fare and admire the grand architectural features of the school’s 1864 Victorian Gothic mansion, decked out for Christmas, the ideal backdrop for this spectacular holiday extravaganza. Christmas in the Mansion has twice been nominated as one of the top 100 events in the nation and attracts thousands of guests annually. If shopping and snacking away from malls and stores is what you've been searching for, search no longer. [Photo courtesy of Kathleen Kearns Donahue]

6. SOWA Holiday Market, Boston, Mass. - Dec. 13-14
The SoWa Holiday Market brings holiday shoppers another year of creative and fun gift buying from talented local artisans. It's an indoor market allowing buyers to meet and greet the artists who have crafted the jewelry, pottery, paintings, soaps, ornaments and much more that will make their way into the hands of family and friends on your list. The Cathedral High School Gym in SoWa will be transformed into a spectacular holiday marketplace featuring 80 artisans from around New England. And for those who like opportunities to win prizes, or for those who want to help a charitable cause, look out for Cell Phone Santa! Buy 1 ticket for $5, or three for $10 on sale at the Cell Phone Santa booth. Red capped Santas will display the gifts you can win. Shoppers will write their cell phone numbers on their tickets, drop them into the fish bowl, and every 15 minutes a new winner is called! Proceeds go to the Washington Gateway Main Street fund. Admission is $5 and children under 12 are free. [Photo of GALVIN-ized Headwear; courtesy SoWa]

7. Annual Holiday Show, Portland, Maine - Dec. 13
Designing Women of Maine invites you to their Annual Holiday Show. Deemed a “must shop” show for the Holiday craft show season bringing together the best local women of fine art and craft under one roof. The mission of Designing Women is to showcase high quality arts and crafts by women artisans, promoting a quality Made by Hand aesthetic and to benefit local, nonprofit services that support women and families. Proceeds from food sales and the $2.00 suggested door donations go directly to the participating nonprofit groups, giving them an opportunity to get the word out about their programs and to raise funds. There will be 24 crafters selling a variety of items including clothing, pottery & jewelry to name just a few. For further information please contact Designing Women. [Photo of handbag by Pam LeBlanc of Old bagzz; courtesy Pam LeBlanc]

8. Christmas by the Sea, Ogunquit, Maine - Dec. 12-14
More of a full-blown holiday festival, Christmas by the Sea also boasts a fair within a Festival that may entice full families of shoppers. Holiday activities designed for all ages, in a decorated to the hilt, Ogunquit Village. Pick up a complete schedule of events when you get into town. Their 3rd Annual Arts & Crafts Show on Saturday features many fine New England artisans who bring enough wares to fulfill all on your list. And when the shopping makes you hungry, head to their 19th Annual Chowder and Chocolate Tasting Competition. Area restaurants compete and you will be the judge on who wins! Can't beat seaside strolling and shopping. [Photo courtesy of Monique Meadows]

9. Walk of the Santas Weekend, Dover, Vt. - Dec. 12-14
You're Santa this weekend. As an official Santa, you will receive a Santa ID Card. With this card you will receive discounts on shopping, dining and lodging across the Mount Snow valley! This 3rd annual Walk of the Santas Weekend, is an event full of Holiday cheer and fun for all ages! A portion of the proceeds will go to Deerfield Valley Community Cares heat assistance program. The weekend will be full of great activities including: a Santa Charity Walk, Valley Wide Scavenger Hunt, Arts and Craft Fair, Gingerbread House Exhibit, Santa Sleigh Rail Jam and more. Note that yes, besides discounted retail shopping, their will also be craft fair shopping at its best. For more information, visit online or call 802-464-6698. [Photo courtesy Mount Snow Chamber of Commerce]

10. Cultural Survival Bazaar, Hynes Convention Center, Boston - Dec. 6-7 and Cambridge, Mass. - Dec. 13-14
Cultural Survival Bazaars are fair-trade events around New England that give indigenous artists from around the world the chance to sell their work directly to the American public. In the past six years alone the bazaars have generated over $2.5 million for indigenous artisans, fair trade businesses, indigenous communities’ programs, and Cultural Survival’s work on behalf of indigenous peoples. Revenue from past bazaars has supported education and micro-finance in Uganda, literacy projects in Mexico, land and forest conservation across Latin America, and language training and economic development for Tibetan refugees. Every year the Cultural Survival Bazaars' hundreds of artists sell traditional crafts, artwork, clothing, jewelry, carpets, accessories and more in the same company of a wide assortment of cultural performances, from live music to traditional Native American storytelling and craft-making demonstrations. Shop with more than one purpose here. [Photo courtesy of Jamie Brown]

11. 5th Annual Holiday Fest, Killington, Vt. - Dec. 18-20
A December tradition of the annual White Lights Display of Killington lights up local businesses on the outside, deals and specials on the inside. While these local businesses compete to win the prestigious Best White Lights display, you can shop and enjoy the area all lit up, and maybe even after a day on the slopes! Let your child enter into a world of magical holiday fun at Killington's Grand Hotel's Santa's Workshop! Admission to this 1 hour workshop includes a toy-making session with Santa's Elves, a special holiday story reading and a visit from Santa himself! Each child will take home a toy at the end of the workshop. Space is limited for each session, please call ahead for tickets - 802-773-4181. For more information, look online. [Photo courtesy Killington Chamber of Commerce]