Makers + Market Guide

In today’s click-and-buy digital shopping culture, it takes a conscious effort not to fall into the ease of buying mass-produced goods from a faceless merchant. Thankfully, Boulder County’s rich maker economy makes it simple to shop and give local.

The area’s creative community keeps its hands busy in ceramics, jewelry, woodworking, textiles, leather goods, specialty foods, candles, and many other talents. Bridging the gap between shoppers and makers, holiday markets and artisan events put people first.

Spending $50 with a local artist is not the same experience as spending $50 on an anonymous product shipped from a warehouse. At a maker market, the purchase can help pay for someone’s studio rent, kiln, sewing machine, raw materials, or next batch of wares.

“Markets put the story back into the object—the late nights, the small failures, the moment a technique finally clicked,” says Firefly Handmade market owner and creative director Beth Pomerantz. “The beauty of this interaction is the shared understanding of the value, meaning, and soul of handmade goods.”

Founded in Boulder in 2010, the Firefly Handmade market is now in its 16th year and supports more than 300 artisans annually. Pomerantz strives to curate a complementary mix of products across 16 categories, blending a solid lineup of new and returning artists to keep markets fresh and exciting.

Meet The Makers

When you buy a handmade mug or pair of earrings at a market, you're buying from the person who developed the idea, chose the materials, made the thing, and is standing there to tell you about it.

We surveyed a handful of celebrated Colorado creatives to see what makes BoCo’s markets feel so special.

For Azomalli Teas founder Paola Balsa, it’s all about the face-to-face conversations. Paola links Boulder County’s strong artisan roots to the area’s mindful consumers and says when winter markets come around, she’s in her element, chatting up customers about the cozy wellness benefits of her cacao shell teas.

“People are curious and open to learning about ingredients, rituals, and how to build small moments of care into their day,” Paola says. “People here genuinely care about what they’re bringing into their homes and bodies, and that kind of intentionality makes me want to make things with even more care.”

In a community that appreciates nature and handmade arts, there’s a special connection between an artist and customers, says Alison Stern of Alison Blair Studio. The Boulder custom jewelry maker has established close friendships with her clients over the past 25 years and looks forward to bringing new designs to four Firefly Handmade markets this year.

Scientist-turned-artist Clair Huffine explores the intersection of cosmic phenomena and human emotion through acrylic paintings of landscapes and space-scapes and says that while digital shopping is convenient, it can’t replicate the tactile reality of fine art.

“A screen simply cannot capture the true scale, the physical depth of the brushstrokes, or the way light interacts with layers of acrylic,” Clair says. “You can look at a photo of a painting online, but you can’t feel the texture of the paint or the energy of the composition until you are standing in front of it.”

Longmont resident Jessica Fraser of Baby Jess Art taps into mountain sunset clouds and light to fuel her whimsical prints and says the fall and winter market seasons are her favorites.

“I transform my booth to be a magical fall world, and Spookyville is my featured collection during September and October,” Jessica says. “I love the winter because I do one-of-a-kind hand-painted ornaments for the holiday season. No two are alike, and they are such a fun and accessible way to collect original art.”

For watercolor artist Andrew Barker, years of vending at markets have earned him a local following. Barker’s work is deeply tied to the environment, history, and landscapes of the Rocky Mountain West.

“In this day and age, markets are vital for us,” Andrew says. “Makers and artists get by on very small margins, and this is particularly challenging in high-cost-of-living areas. Face-to-face connections result in sale proceeds that go directly to us, rather than being eaten away by the fees and middlemen of online sales.”

The Essential 2026 Fall + Winter Market Calendar

Firefly Handmade Fall Market

When: October 10–11, 2026, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Where: Pearl Street Mall
Admission: Free
Parking: City of Boulder garages are free on Saturday and Sunday
Good to know: Outdoor, rain or shine; family-friendly. Pets aren’t permitted on Pearl Street Mall.
Expect: More than 80 artists, makers, and designers, food and drink options, and a full slate of live music from Colorado artists.

Lafayette Fall Harvest Festival

When: October 31, 2026, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: The Read Queen Bookstore & Cafe and surrounding Old Town areas on North Harrison Avenue
Admission: Free
Parking: Free street parking
Good to know: There’s a family-friendly petting zoo, a Halloween-themed dog costume parade, interactive kids’ stations, and food trucks.
Expect: A harvest-themed hybrid farmers and artisan market showcasing local handcrafted foods (think honey, chocolate, breads), seasonal produce, high-quality crafts, and children’s art displays.

Handweavers Guild of Boulder Fiber Art Show & Sale

When: November 4–8, 2026, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: Boulder County Fairgrounds, Longmont
Admission: Free
Parking: Free on-site and residential side-street parking
Good to know: No pets allowed. 
Expect: A Boulder-area tradition since 1971 featuring more than 100 guild-member artists, demonstrations, and a juried showcase. Shop woven art, textiles, scarves, handmade home decor, and fiber craftsmanship.

East Boulder County Artists Autumn Artist Market

When: November 7–8, 2026, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sunday
Where: Boulder County Fairgrounds, Longmont
Admission: Free
Parking: Free on-site and residential side-street parking
Good to know: No pets allowed. 
Expect: One-of-a-kind painting, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, and mixed media pieces from more than 30 members of East Boulder County Artists.

Firefly Handmade Holiday Market

When: November 14–15, 2026, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Where: Pearl Street Mall
Admission: Free
Parking: City of Boulder garages and surface lots are recommended; city garages are free on Saturday and Sunday.
Good to know: Outdoor, rain or shine; family-friendly. Pets aren’t permitted on Pearl Street Mall.
Expect: Artisan-led and seasonally curated ceramics, jewelry, apparel and accessories, home goods, paper, children’s goods, pet products, artisanal food and wellness products.

Mollie McGee’s Holiday Craft Market

When: November 21–22, 2026, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Where: Boulder County Fairgrounds, Longmont
Admission: $5; VIP $12; kids under 12 free
Parking: Plenty of free on-site parking
Good to know: No pets allowed.
Expect: In its 43rd year, this craft fair boasts more than 160 crafters and independent artisans selling handmade gifts.

Lyons Holiday Artisan Market

When: December 5–6, 2026, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Where: Lyons Elementary School Gym
Admission: Free
Parking: Free on-site parking
Good to know: The holiday market coincides with the town’s Holiday Parade of Lights. Enter the market through the north gym entrance. Santa Claus will be making visits on both days from 2 to 4 p.m., and a Creative Youth Booth features a rotating selection of homemade goods for sale by local youth.
Expect: A wide variety of jewelry, photography, pottery, glass, and textile arts by more than 60 local vendors.

Boulder County Farmers Markets Winter Market

When: December 5–6, 2026, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: Boulder County Fairgrounds, Longmont
Admission: Free
Parking: Plenty of free on-site parking
Good to know: Arrive hungry and peruse the hot food trucks, pastries, hot chocolate, cider, and local cocktail vendors. No pets allowed.
Expect: More than 150 local farmers, ranchers, food producers, and artisans selling handmade goods, candles, edible gifts, and seasonal offerings.

Holiday on the Plaza

When: December 5, 2026, 2–6 p.m.
Where: Festival Plaza, Lafayette
Admission: Free
Parking: Free public parking lots
Good to know: No pets allowed. Make time for a visit with Santa and stay for the annual tree lighting, locally made cider, and festive baked goods.
Expect: Thoughtful gifts from local makers, including jewelry, pottery, apparel, and custom arts and crafts.

Boulder Holiday Gift Festival

When: December 13, 2026, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Boulder YMCA
Admission: Free
Parking: Free on-site and residential side-street parking
Good to know: No pets allowed. A free concert begins at noon.
Expect: Unique, handcrafted items and creative artwork from regional makers; festive decorations and housewares, local food products, and a casual family-friendly setting.

Last Chance Gift Fest

When: December 19–20, 2026, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Boulder County Fairgrounds, Longmont
Admission: Free
Parking: Free on-site and residential side-street parking
Good to know: No pets allowed. Live music begins at noon.
Expect: A procrastinator’s paradise filled with more than 150 local vendors offering art, crafts, home decor, unique holiday gifts, toys, and food.

Firefly Handmade
fireflyhandmade.com

Lafayette Fall Harvest Festival
realfarmersmarketco.com

Handweavers Guild of Boulder Fiber Art Show & Sale
handweaversofboulder.org

East Boulder County Artists Autumn Artist Market
ebcacolorado.org

Mollie McGee’s Holiday Craft Market
molliemcgees.com

Lyons Holiday Artisan Market
townoflyons.com

Boulder County Farmers Markets
bcfm.org

Holiday on the Plaza
lafayetteco.gov

Boulder Holiday Gift Festival
coloradoevents.org

Last Chance Gift Fest
coloradoevents.org