Features

D.C.’s Downtown Holiday Market embodies seasonal cheer

Community members discover small businesses and musical performances at D.C.’s enchanting winter shopping village

Sarah Soltani, Online Editor-In-Chief • December 16, 2023

A local jewelry and clothing vendor details his selection of rings to customers.

The 19th edition of Washington D.C.’s Downtown Holiday Market commenced the holiday season on November 17, transforming the walkway of the National Portrait Gallery into an outdoor winter wonderland.

The market features over 70 exhibitors, showcasing small businesses across the region, including local Black-owned and minority-owned enterprises.

The multitude of stands advertise a variety of items, from handmade jewelry and fabrics to unique art pieces and dining sets. Each stand narrates its own story and history, as many of the vendors carry a personal connection to their products, allowing their passion to drive their business.

“I make candles inspired by my time in the U.S. Navy,” said Tenisha Dotstry, the founder of Fairwinds Candle Company. “[The candles are] inspired by the places I was stationed at or deployed and all the memories I made along the way. Each handcrafted candle represents my navy pride and patronage.”

Among the many white tents of the shopping village, the Market Stage stands at the forefront, providing live music to all patrons. With over 75 shows, the market rotates its genres and artists with a fresh lineup each business day.

The market also features many photo opportunities with various holiday decor and six different cultural food vendors serving freshly prepared beverages, appetizers and pastries for sale.

“The energy [of the market] is so festive and magical, it’s one of my favorite events in this area,” senior Kylie Nguyen said. “Not only are you doing all your holiday shopping and meeting new people from the area, you’re also supporting small businesses.”

Open daily until December 23 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., D.C.’s Downtown Holiday Market has become a staple wintertime activity for many in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

“[Washington D.C.’s Downtown Holiday Market] is my favorite market of the year because it brings out so many people and not just locally, as a lot of people actually travel to come to the market,” Dotstry said. “Everybody’s in a really good mood and open to experiencing new things.”