’tis the season to put your overwhelming number of tote bags to good use
Shop Houston holiday markets for well made goods, unique gifts, vintage pieces, jewelry, accessories, and more.
The ultimate list of holiday markets in Houston’s inner-loop, because we know you love more than cool affordable glasses.
Not only are these events full of local artist, makers, collectors, and creatives, but each one is hosted by a Houston small business or historic/cultural organization.
updated regularly through 12/23
Special Thanks
to local beespectacled beekeeper and owner at Bee2Bee Honey, Nicole, for helping us compile this list.
Her local raw honey is available at the Houston Dairymaids and online (w/ free Montrose pickup).
Here’s the official word on the location and fate of Houston’s biggest selection of glasses, Smith’s Opticians, or as we sometimes call it, Philip Brown’s Optical Emporium.
If you popped in for a visit or drove by the shop in 2016 you may have noticed the giant FOR SALE sign on the building.
2016 was quite the roller coaster ride for us… Good thing we are a ‘glass half full’ kind of team!
Wait! WHAT is Going on?
The short answer, a lot – including expanding our selection and launching this very website. Continue to get the general details and read the official story or skip to the outcome.
FOR SALE/MOVING?
One day, in 2015, a large board that read “FOR SALE” curiously appeared on the pole of the old neon sign at the corner of Austin and Wheeler.
Talk about an unnerving surprise! In Houston’s real estate market anything is possible and many of you didn’t realize this was a rental property. Moreover, Smith’s has been in Houston’s Third Ward for over 40 years and had never imagined calling another place home!
For awhile it was unclear if the building was actually for sale.
The uncertainty continued for quite some time, literally over the course of several months and into the summer of 2016.
In that time Philip worked diligently to explore the options. While we hoped to purchase the property there were a lot of barriers to realizing that dream and it seemed like just as many to moving.
THE OUTCOME…
Philip’s dedication brought an answer in July 2016.
We can now say, with relief, that the location we have all come to know and love will remain the home of Smith’s Opticians for the foreseeable future!
There’s a lot of cleaning to do (we started upstairs)
More parking!
It has been years since the building got a fresh coat of paint.
Expanded floor space & selection – even more glasses!
Stay tuned for updateson our store hours and details about any other changes – like when we kick off renovations.
Think: “Bigger, Better, Only Looks Fancier!”
We won’t can’t change too much, promise.
Wrapping things up…
Last but certainly not least! We wouldn’t be where we are without YOU! Seriously, we appreciate it!
To keep going strong, as a team, we need your help to spread the word…
tell everyone you know, shout it from the hills – well, we don’t have hills but – from the dives and patio bars to the Petroleum Club.
Visit these inner-loop events for all of your holiday gifting needs. Not only are they full of local artist and makers but every event is hosted by a Houston small business or historic/cultural organization.
We’ll update when we hear of more. please email us a link if we missed one!
Phoenicia’s Yummy Wonderland official website
family friendly, live music
to @ Phoenicia’s Specialty Foods & MKT Bar
1001 Austin St, Houston, Texas 77010 [map]
Design Craft and Crafitdote rain date is Saturday, 12/10
First Saturday Arts Market – Holiday Show details
to on 19th Street in the Heights
540 W. 19th Street, Houston, Texas 77008 [map]
Sawyer Yards’ Holiday Art Show details
to @ multiple venues near the Heights Target
2101 Winter Street, Houston TX 77007 [map]
PRO TIP: check traffic! I-45 and the downtown interchanges have had more frequent closures and construction this year.
Friday, December 9
HTX Boss Babes Pop-Up Market details
RSVP for free Drink Tickets
to @ Neue Space inside Summer Street Studios
2500 Summer St, Houston, TX 77007 [map]
20+vendors, music, food, a bar, photobooth
Saturday, December 10
HMAAC’s 1st Santa’s Workshop Community Market details
10 AM to 4 PM @ Houston Museum of African American Culture
4807 Caroline St, Houston, Texas 77004 [map]
arts and crafts gift making station, family friendly, pics with Santa
2 dates & WALKING distance from Smith’s
AIGA’s 7th Annual Design Craft – RAIN DATE details official website
10 AM to 5 PM @ Market Square – Downtown
301 Milam Street, Houston, Texas 77002 [map]
food trucks, live music, lightrail accessable
12th Annual Heights Market details
11 AM to 5 PM On Harvard St
935 Harvard St, Houston TX 77008 [map] It’s also Lights in the Heights night.
8th Annual Craftidote – RAIN DATE
12 to 5 PM @ Antidote Coffee in the Heights details
729 Studewood St, Houston, Texas 77007 [map]
PRO TIPS: park a few blocks away and walk over
Check out their neighbor, Premium Draught
This outdoor market will make you feel right at home
Co:Lab Holiday Market details
12 to 6 PM @ Magpies and Peacocks in EADO
908 Live Oak, Houston, Texas 77003 [map]
Brand lunch: Silver and Kane by Houston Vintage’s Founder Dawn Bell
Magpies and Peacocks is a non-profit design house
Under 100 details
1 to 5 PM @ Axelrad Beer Garden
1517 Alabama St, Houston, Texas 77004 [map]
WALKING distance from Smith’s
affordable art and handmade gifts
Navidad on the Esplanade details (16th & 17th) official website
6 to 10 PM @ Navigation Esplanade
2800 Navigation Blvd, Houston, Texas 77003 [map]
Ornament decorating for kids of all ages.
Saturday, December 17
HMAAC’s 1st Santa’s Workshop Community Market details (this is the 2nd of 2 dates)
10 AM to 4 PM @ Houston Museum of African American Culture
4807 Caroline St, Houston, Texas 77004 [map]
arts and crafts gift making station, family friendly, pics with Santa
WALKING distance from Smith’s
13 celsius’ 10th Annual Wine Sale & Customer Appreciation Event details
12 to 4 PM @ 13 celsius
3000 Caroline St, Houston, Texas 77004 [map]
Featuring Amaya Roasting Company’s locally roasted coffee, Weights and Measures’ fresh-baked bread, local honey from Bee2Bee, and Houston Dairymaids with cheeses & advice for pairings.
Navidad on the Esplanade details (this is the 2nd of 2 dates) official website
3 to 10 PM @ Navigation Esplanade
2800 Navigation Blvd, Houston, Texas 77003 [map]
Ornament decorating for kids of all ages.
Visit these inner-loop events for all of your holiday gifting needs. Not only are they full of local artist and makers but every event is hosted by a Houston small business or historic/cultural organization.
We’ll update when we hear of more. please email us a link if we missed one!
Phoenicia’s Yummy Wonderland official website
family friendly, live music
to @ Phoenicia’s Specialty Foods & MKT Bar
1001 Austin St, Houston, Texas 77010 [map]
Design Craft and Crafitdote rain date is Saturday, 12/10
First Saturday Arts Market – Holiday Show details
to on 19th Street in the Heights
540 W. 19th Street, Houston, Texas 77008 [map]
Sawyer Yards’ Holiday Art Show details
to @ multiple venues near the Heights Target
2101 Winter Street, Houston TX 77007 [map] PRO TIP: check traffic! I-45 and the downtown interchanges have had more frequent closures and construction this year.
Friday, December 9
HTX Boss Babes Pop-Up Market details
RSVP for free Drink Tickets
to @ Neue Space inside Summer Street Studios
2500 Summer St, Houston, TX 77007 [map] 20+vendors, music, food, a bar, photobooth
Saturday, December 10
HMAAC’s 1st Santa’s Workshop Community Market details
10 AM to 4 PM @ Houston Museum of African American Culture
4807 Caroline St, Houston, Texas 77004 [map] arts and crafts gift making station, family friendly, pics with Santa 2 dates & WALKING distance from Smith’s
AIGA’s 7th Annual Design Craft – RAIN DATE details official website
10 AM to 5 PM @ Market Square – Downtown
301 Milam Street, Houston, Texas 77002 [map] food trucks, live music, lightrail accessable
12th Annual Heights Market details
11 AM to 5 PM On Harvard St
935 Harvard St, Houston TX 77008 [map] It’s also Lights in the Heights night.
8th Annual Craftidote – RAIN DATE
12 to 5 PM @ Antidote Coffee in the Heights details
729 Studewood St, Houston, Texas 77007 [map] PRO TIPS: park a few blocks away and walk over
Check out their neighbor, Premium Draught
This outdoor market will make you feel right at home
Co:Lab Holiday Market details
12 to 6 PM @ Magpies and Peacocks in EADO
908 Live Oak, Houston, Texas 77003 [map] Brand lunch: Silver and Kane by Houston Vintage’s Founder Dawn Bell
Magpies and Peacocks is a non-profit design house
Under 100 details
1 to 5 PM @ Axelrad Beer Garden
1517 Alabama St, Houston, Texas 77004 [map] WALKING distance from Smith’s
affordable art and handmade gifts
Navidad on the Esplanade details (16th & 17th) official website
6 to 10 PM @ Navigation Esplanade
2800 Navigation Blvd, Houston, Texas 77003 [map] Ornament decorating for kids of all ages.
Saturday, December 17
HMAAC’s 1st Santa’s Workshop Community Market details (this is the 2nd of 2 dates)
10 AM to 4 PM @ Houston Museum of African American Culture
4807 Caroline St, Houston, Texas 77004 [map] arts and crafts gift making station, family friendly, pics with Santa WALKING distance from Smith’s
13 celsius’ 10th Annual Wine Sale & Customer Appreciation Event details
12 to 4 PM @ 13 celsius
3000 Caroline St, Houston, Texas 77004 [map] Featuring Amaya Roasting Company’s locally roasted coffee, Weights and Measures’ fresh-baked bread, local honey from Bee2Bee, and Houston Dairymaids with cheeses & advice for pairings.
Navidad on the Esplanade details (this is the 2nd of 2 dates) official website
3 to 10 PM @ Navigation Esplanade
2800 Navigation Blvd, Houston, Texas 77003 [map] Ornament decorating for kids of all ages.
View in Google Maps Sat 12/3 Sunday 12/11 Saturday 12/10 Friday 10/9 Friday 10/16 Saturday 12/17 Smith’s Optician’s