Buy art. Buy local. Shop Small. With those principles and this handy guide, you’ve got the holidays covered.

***Through December 30
HEIGHTS ARTS ANNUAL HOLIDAY STORE
Open through the end of the year, the Heights Arts Holiday Store offers fine art, crafts, books, CDs and more, made by more than 100 local creators, with new artists joining old favorites every year. The gallery is stocked with everything from original artwork including prints, photographs and even paintings, to low-cost stocking stuffers and hostess gifts. You’ll also find holiday cards, ornaments and home décor. After Thanksgiving, it’s open seven days a week except for Christmas Day.
HEIGHTS ARTS

***Through mid-January
OTIS’ OLD CURIOSITY SHOP
Otis’ Old Curiosity Shop (named after Loganberry Books’ beloved, late cat), fills the annex gallery and officially opens Thanksgiving weekend during the Larchmere Holiday Stroll. Many of the items in the self-described “Dickensian treasure trove of holiday gifts, local crafts, vintage curiosities, and fabulous toys” are already in place, and the shop stays open into January. ‘Loganberry stock of unique cards and gifts (in addition to books) is dramatically expanded for the holidays with games, calendars, bookmarks, local artists’ crafts and prints, vintage collectibles, fair-trade items and lots of cat- and book-themed stuff.
LOGANBERRY BOOKS ANNEX GALLERY

November 15–December 20
IT’S A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE, VOL. 2
A Christmas MiraCLE Vol. 2 is another of the E11even2’s themed group shows, featuring artists you’ve come (including Billy Naininger, R!ch Cihlar and Christina Sadowsky), as well as newbies. Expect fun and funky works with a Christmas theme in a variety of media (especially mixed). The gallery is known for its very affordable prices for original work; check out the main shop next door as well as the exhibit gallery. They’re open by appointment and during 78th Street Studios’ Third Friday in November and December.
E11EVEN2 GALLERY

***November 23–December 24
BAYARTS HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA AND SHOP
BAYarts’ retail shop is a great place to find locally crafted items year-round. But at Christmas, it expands the shop adding tons more fine art, handmade gift items and small trinkets. You’ll find paintings, jewelry, greeting cards and much more. It kicks off with the family-friendly Holiday Extravaganza from 3-6 pm November 23, with hot chocolate, food trucks, crafts for kids, a cash bar and of course an appearance by Santa. It’s open seven days a week from November 23 through Christmas Eve.
BAYARTS

***November 23–December 31
MANSFIELD ART CENTER HOLIDAY FAIR
Mansfield Art Center’s Holiday Fair, now in its 55th year, features local artists and makers, as well as items from small businesses around the globe. The galleries are packed with fine art, functional crafts, and gifts for the holiday season: paintings, prints, photography, drawings, furniture, leather, jewelry, wood, glass, fiber, ceramics, children’s items and pieces with a holiday theme. Framed work will be on the walls, with unframed pieces in bins. The Holiday Fair supports the artists as well as the center.
MANSFIELD ART CENTER

***November 24–December 23
WATERLOO ARTS HOLIDAY CO-OP
The annual Waterloo Arts Holiday Co-op fills its main gallery with a wide range of handmade products (most highly affordable) by local craftspeople and artists, many from the North Collinwood neighborhood. They range from paintings to body products to toys; last year, we found a heavenly lime marmalade we’re told might be available again. Each artist/maker has their own table with multiple items that are replenished over the course of the sale so if you like what someone has, you can choose from a range of pieces. Artists take turns staffing the gallery so you may have a chance to talk to someone whose work you like. It’s open noon-7 pm Friday–Sunday.
WATERLOO ARTS

***November 29–January 5
PENINSULA ART ACADEMY HOLIDAY SHOW
The educational nonprofit Peninsula Art Academy in the Cuyahoga Valley invites its instructors, students and other area artists to submit their handmade pieces for the annual winter holiday show. The gallery is open noon-3pm Thursdays and 11am-5pm Friday–Sunday.
PENINSULA ART ACADEMY

***November 30
SCREW FACTORY SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
The resident artists and businesses at Lakewood’s Lake Erie Building, aka the Screw Factory, will have their doors open 10am-3pm on Small Business Saturday for a laidback preview version of their bigger holiday show in a few weeks. While they won’t have the big rooms filled with visiting artists like they will for their big holiday sale, this is a chance to spend some time hanging out with the artists in their studios, getting to know them and browsing a large selection of their work.
SCREW FACTORY

***November 30
WINTERLAND CLE
WinterLand CLE features entertainment, an ice show, tree lighting and fireworks on Public Square from 4 to 6:30 pm with food and drink, skating, Santa appearances and holiday characters throughout. It also features a shopping opportunity, curated by the long-running Cleveland Bazaar, with local artists, makers and entrepreneurs of all types inside the 5th Street Arcades from 10 am to 8 pm, a perfect place to get out of the cold, shop and savor a piece of classic Cleveland architecture.
5TH STREET ARCADES

***November 30
MUSICIANS AND FRIENDS GARAGE SALE
At this event, the mostly local vendors (including some minor celebrities such as radio personalities, authors and concert photographers) offer items that appeal to the rock & rollers out there, such as books, records, concert photos, artwork, posters, T-shirts, tour programs, pins and rare memorabilia. Most of it is music-related, but there are other things music fans are likely to enjoy. Hours are 10 am-2 pm.
MUSIC BOX SUPPER CLUB

***November 29–December 1
BAZAAR HOLIDAY AKRON
The Cleveland Bazaar expanded into Akron last Christmas to offer vendors, artists and craftspeople a year-round series of events, including the Holiday Market. This year’s event is three days long at two locations—Summit Artspace and 159 Main Street, providing space for more vendors and more shopping. (A free shuttle will run between the two.) Hours are 5-9 pm Friday and 10 am-4 pm Saturday and Sunday.
SUMMIT ARTSPACE AND 159 MAIN STREET

***November 30
HILDEBRANDT SHOP SMALL SATURDAY
The Hildebrandt Building in the Clark-Fulton neighborhood was once a meatpacking facility, but like many old manufacturing buildings, it’s been repurposed as a hub for artists and entrepreneurs, hosting small businesses, artist studios and galleries. Stop in to do some shopping on Shop Small Saturday when many of them with have their doors open from 10 am-5 pm.
THE HILDEBRANDT BUILDING

***December 4-6
MYERS SCHOOL OF ART HOLIDAY SHOP
Myers School of Art’s annual Holiday Shop features handmade gifts designed and made by students, faculty, alumni and staff at a wide range of price points—but leaning toward the affordable. This includes things such as jewelry, ceramics, stationery, journals, cards, ornaments, prints and paintings that the school played a role in creating. Hours for the Holiday Shop: 10 am-7 pm December 5 and 10 am-5 pm December 6. Admission is free. This year there’s a ticketed “preview night” on Wednesday, December 4, from 5-7 pm with proceeds going to art student scholarships.
UNIVERSTY OF AKRON MYERS SCHOOL OF ART

***December 5 & 6
KENT STATE UNIVERSITY HOLIDAY SALE
This holiday sale features handmade art by members of all the School of Art areas, including ceramics, glass, print media, textiles, jewelry, metalwork, enamelwork and more. It’s free and open to the public from11 am-4 pm both days.
KENT STATE UNIVERSITY CVA GALLERY

***December 6
WALK ALL OVER WATERLOO HOLIDAY EDITION
The final Walk All Over Waterloo of the year is a good time to check out what’s being offered by the businesses and galleries in the Waterloo Arts District. Pick up a piece of original art at Article/Art in Cleveland, Framed Gallery, or Matt Shiffler Photography; a wellness gift at Pop Life; or some rock & roll memorabilia—a vinyl record, vintage magazine or Beachland Ballroom T-shirt—at This Way Out. The annual artist/maker co-op at Waterloo Arts will be open during the art walk as well.
WATERLOO ARTS DISTRICT

***December 6 & 7
HOFF’S HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE
Reithoffer’s Art, Spirits & Entertainment in Chagrin Falls’ Auburn Arts District is hosting its fourth annual Hoff’s Holiday Boutique, which features local artisans and vendors selling handcrafted gifts. For more celebratory shopping, there will be food to enjoy on-site, Reithoffer’s regular cocktail bar will be open, and there’ll be live music as well. Hours are 5-10 pm December 6 and 11 am-9 pm December 7.
REITHOFFER’S ART, SPIRITS & ENTERTAINMENT

***December 6 & 7
STUDENT HOLIDAY SALE
The Cleveland Institute of Art’s annual Student Holiday Sale offers unique items made by the talented students from CIA, some of whom are likely to be art stars one day. But you can buy their work now while it’s affordable and help pay them pay their student debt! Expect to see a wide range of mediums, styles and approaches. Meanwhile, the 100 Show + Sale offers work by students, faculty and friends of CIA for $100 or multiples thereof to fund the students’ annual spring break museum trip. Hours are 5-9 pm Friday and 10 am-6 pm Saturday.
CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF ART

***December 6-8
LITTLE ITALY HOLIDAY ART WALK
The annual Little Italy Holiday Art Walk is one of the area’s longest-running art walks, and it’s the perfect time to rediscover Cleveland’s first “artist” neighborhood. Check out galleries and artist studios, plus bakeries, wine and gelato shops, and tons of restaurants, from cozy bistros to pizza joints, whose aromas will make you want to stick around for dinner. Pick up a map and passport card, get it stamped, and you can enter a drawing for prizes. 5-9 pm December 6, noon-9 pm December 7, noon-5 pm December 8
LITTLE ITALY

***December 6-23
OFF THE WALL EXHIBITION AND HOLIDAY SALE
Come check out what Zygote Press’s member artists have been working on back in the studio duringthe Off the Wall Members Exhibition & Holiday Sale. The work goes up on the walls and can walk out the door with you immediately, starting at the reception 5-8 pm December 6. Monday, December 23, is flash sale day and if you still have some presents you buy, be sure to stop in.
ZYGOTE PRESS

***December 6–January 10
MORGAN MAKERS EXHIBITION
The Morgan Conservatory has refashioned its holiday market as the Morgan Maker’s Exhibition, but it will also be stocking its gift shop with artist-made goods. Many are paper-based, made in the Morgan’s own studio, ranging from cards and low-priced novelties to elaborate artist books. You can also pick up handmade papers and papermaking supplies for your artist friends. Opening reception 5-8 pm December 6. The shop is open during the Morgan’s regular hours 10 am-4 pm Tuesday–Saturday.
MORGAN CONSERVATORY

***December 7
BAZAAR at LAKE AFFECT STUDIOS
Cleveland Bazaar’s huge annual holiday bazaar at 78th Street Studios can be a bit overwhelming, with three floors of vendors. If it’s too much for you, they have a warm-up event the previous week at Lake Affect Studios. It has a choice selection of high-quality local makers and artists all on one floor, in the building’s second-floor event space. And there’s a bar offering cocktails, beer and wine if you need to take a break for a drink; the coffee and espresso bar will be serving as well. Some of the resident artist studios on the first floor will be open too. Hours are 10 am-6 pm.
LAKE AFFECT STUDIOS

***December 7
BAYARTS SANTA SHOP
On one day of the season, the BAYarts holiday shop caters to kids. Bring the kids to the Santa Shop and let them loose to shop for gifts for their family and friends. There will be personal shopping elves there to help kids make their selections, stay within their budget and wrap their gifts. Special treats will be on hand too! Hours are 10 am-3 pm.
BAYARTS SULLIVAN FAMILY AUDITORIUM

***December 7
TOWER PRESS HOLIDAY
The artists with live/work spaces or studios at the Tower Press Building open their doors for visitors to hang out, chat and check out their work for sale. In addition, guest vendors fill the Wooltex Gallery space. There’ll be snacks, refreshments and music in the gallery as well. Hours are 10 am-3 pm.
TOWER PRESS BUILDING

***December 7 & 8
ARTISTS AT THE TWIST HOLIDAY SHOW AND SALE
The Twist Drill Building, former home of Cleveland Twist, has become a major hub for artists and makers: the building is now nearly full with creative businesses. It’s also the new site of the long-running Artcraft holiday show, now called the Artists at the Twist Annual Holiday Show and Sale—now in its 36th year. More than 50 resident and guest artists will show a wide range of both fine art and other handmade items (totes, soaps, jellies, candies, wool hats) in a single location, the building’s spacious event space on the second floor. Hours are 11 am-6 pm Saturday and 11 am-5 pm Sunday.
TWIST DRILL BUILDING

***December 7
LIGHT UP LAKEWOOD
This free, family-friendly event on Detroit Avenue in downtown Lakewood features a holiday parade, lighting ceremony, winter fireworks, a beer garden, holiday train, live music, ice carvings, hot chocolate, food trucks, children’s games and more. It’s an opportunity to explore the many shops, bars and restaurants in downtown Lakewood as well. Hours are 4-8 pm.
DETROIT AVENUE, DOWNTOWN LAKEWOOD

***December 7
QUEER THE HALLS ARTISAN MARKET
The LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland launched its Queer the Halls Artisan Market in 2019 to showcase LGBTQ+ artists, as well as those who are allies of the community and provide a friendly shopping environment for the community. It’s kept growing and this year, expanding across the street at Near West Theatre. Of course, there’ll be lot of rainbow-themed stuff; there’ll also be vendors with handmade products and items that could appeal to anyone on your gift list, including jewelry, pottery, photos and prints. Community groups such as the AIDS Taskforce will also be there, and there’ll be food and drink available as well Hours are noon-6 pm.
LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER OF CLEVELAND/NEAR WEST THEATRE

***December 12
HOLIDAY TRUNK SHOW
The BAYarts Holiday Trunk Show offers a chance to shop a curated selection of fine art and craft vendors in a relaxed atmosphere, while enjoying a glass of wine. It takes place from 6-9 pm.
BAYARTS FULLER HOUSE

December 13–January 4
STELLA’S MAKERS MARKET
Stella’s Makers Market will fill the gallery’s two floors with artists and makers you can buy from directly on opening night, 6-9 pm December 13. The gallery is waiving commission on this evening. December 13 is also Stella’s 3rd annual Shots and Shop Night so you can enjoy Jello shots along the way, as well as free Christmas cookies. And it’s also opening night for the Nostalgia Show, offering even more art to shop.
STELLA’S ART GALLERY

***December 14 & 15
SCREW FACTORY HOLIDAY MARKET
The top floors at Lakewood’s Lake Erie Building, aka the Screw Factory, are filled with artist studios and small creative businesses that invite visitors in for open studio events several times a year. The three-day Holiday Market is its largest event. In addition to residents opening their studios, many with guest artists joining them in their spaces, the building’s Templar Room and Lake Erie Room are packed with visiting offering candles, home décor, lamps, coffee and tea blends, prints and photos, and upcycled items. Hours are 6-10 pm December 15, 10 am-6 pm December 16 and 10 am-3 pm December 17.
SCREW FACTORY BUILDING

***December 14
JINGLE BELL HOLIDAY SHOP
The Jingle Bell Holiday Shop is part of Coventry Village’s festive shopping season, coinciding with its Coventry Land Holiday Fest. The two venues host more than 40 vendors upstairs and down, many offering wares with music or pop culture connections, with others selling things such as jewelry, toys, accessories and food items, most of them very affordable. The bars will be open during the sale. It runs from 11 am-5 pm and will be followed by a lantern procession outside on the street.
GROG SHOP/B-SIDE LOUNGE

***December 14 & 15
CLEVELAND BAZAAR HOLIDAY
The Cleveland Bazaar got its start 20 years ago as the Bazaar Bizarre, offering mostly offbeat crafts, but it’s grown into the area’s most reliable and best-run series of maker markets with a vast array of both high-end and very affordable offerings of handmade art, crafts, jewelry, paper goods, vintage, edibles and more. The two-day holiday market is the area’s largest, with more than 125 makers and vendors spread over three floors. In addition, many of the building’s dozens of resident artists open their doors, offering hand-crafted items and original art for sale. You will need both days to see it all. Hours are 10 am-9 pm on Saturday, and 10 am-6 pm on Sunday.
CLEVELAND BAZAAR AT 78TH STREET STUDIOS

***December 21
THIRD FRIDAY HOLIDAY
Did you leave all your holiday shopping until the last minute? Spend an evening at 78th Street Studios’ December Third Friday visiting four floors of artist studios, galleries, shops, and the guest vendors who fill the event spaces. You’ll find lots of original art at all price points, some you can buy directly from the artists; shops with ceramic pieces, jewelry, cards, home décor and more; and items such as local honey, cookies and even vintage clothing at Northcoast Promotions’ vendor market. And you’ve got four hours, from 5-9 pm to browse.
78TH STREET STUDIOS

***December 22
BEACHLAND HOLIDAY FLEA
This year, the Beachland Holiday Flea is the final holiday sale of the year and a great place to pick up inexpensive, unique and fun items for last minute gifts. If you have friends and family who are rock & roll or pop culture enthusiasts, they will love the type of stuff you’ll find here: vinyl, DVDs, CDs and cassettes, posters, books, magazines, retro culture collectibles, vintage clothing, handmade pop-culture jewelry and even original artwork. Hours are 10 am-3 pm and the bar will to be open to fuel your shopping.
BEACHLAND BALLROOM