DowntownDC Holiday Market Returns November 21 for Its 21st Season
Beloved Open-Air Market Welcomes Shoppers with 115+ Vendors, New Food Offerings, and Festive Experiences in the Heart of the District
Washington, D.C. (November 21, 2025) - The DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) is thrilled to announce that one of the capital’s most cherished seasonal traditions, the DowntownDC Holiday Market, is now open. Starting today November 21 through December 23, 2025, F Street NW will be transformed into a festive open-air marketplace of lights, local artisans, food, and culture. It’s more than a market—it’s a celebration of community, creativity, and connection.
The DowntownDC Holiday Market offers a one-of-a-kind mix of holiday cheer, live entertainment, and local craftsmanship. This year’s event features beloved returning vendors and exciting newcomers, offering dozens of rotating vendors for fresh finds and new experiences. Browse hand-crafted apparel and accessories, unique art and prints, indulgent bath and body goods, novels and stationery, seasonal candles, gourmet treats, and much more.
The 2025 DowntownDC Holiday Market Highlights:
Kat’s King of Steak, a local favorite, serves up hearty Philly-style cheesesteaks with a Japanese twist. Chef Katsuya Fukushima’s chīzu-sutēki reimagines the classic sandwich with a savory thinly sliced steak layered with rich, umami flavors and your choice of melted cheese or without. Kat’s King of Steak can be found at booth #71.
MahoganyBooks, founded in 2007, is a local Black-owned bookstore rooted in social entrepreneurship and community empowerment. Dedicated to promoting reading, writing, and cultural awareness, MahoganyBooks inspires self-esteem and personal growth while enriching the lives of individuals throughout the African American community. MahoganyBooks can be found at booth #14.
Eliana Curated, a woman-owned made in DC business offering a sleek collection of modern, elevated accessories—with an eco-friendly flair. Known for transforming timeless vintage designer buttons into statement earrings, the brand also features solid‐gold waterproof jewelry and everyday staples. Eliana Curated can be found at booth #32
Winter Chalet by Dirty Habit DC, enjoy seasonal cocktails and cozy comfort food from one of DC’s trendiest bars, reimagined as a warm winter retreat amid the market’s sparkle. The feature cocktail “DowntownDC Get Down” is a bold mix of creativity, flavor, and flair. The on-site bar can be found at booth #103 and the full restaurant is just steps away from the market.
KATA, Washington DC’s first Asian Tapas and Specialty Cocktail Experience, will offer the highly-favored and best-selling Grand Dumplings (choice of chicken, beef, or spicy pork) fashioned in savory spices and served over a miso coconut cream. Their drink selection will consist of Moshi soft drinks in an assortment of Asian-spired flavors, all of which can be found at booth #42.
The Dov Co. Crafting Hut, a cozy crafting hut offering a variety of hands-on activities and creative workshops, where visitors of all ages can make festive decorations, handmade gifts, and enjoy guided DIY experiences in a fun, welcoming space.
DC Dream Wall, an oversized chalkboard installation celebrating community hopes and creativity where shoppers can memorialize their dreams and wishes for 2026.
DowntownDC Holiday Market Hotel Participant Program, a new program starting this year where several hotels in Downtown DC are offering special rate codes and packages to those visiting the city and the DowntownDC Holiday Market during the holidays. The Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC is the official hotel partner and the full list of other hotels participating can be viewed HERE.
“The DowntownDC Holiday Market is one of DC’s favorite holiday traditions — a place to gather, celebrate, and support small and local businesses,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “We’re proud that every year, the market brings thousands of people to our beautiful Downtown; they come for the Holiday Market, and then they stay to enjoy restaurants, museums, events at the arena, as well as other holiday activations happening across the Downtown.”
The DowntownDC Holiday Market delivers significant economic benefits, especially for the 119 small businesses that rely on it to meet their annual goals. It also drives major foot traffic that boosts surrounding downtown establishments: a 2024 survey showed that for every dollar spent at the market, visitors spent an additional $1.11 at nearby businesses, supporting restaurants, retailers, theaters, and museums during a critical season. In 2024, the market attracted more than 340,000 visitors—an average of 10,000 per day—creating substantial value for local makers and the broader downtown economy.
Produced in partnership with The Makers Show, the Market continues its mission of supporting small businesses, celebrating creativity, and fostering community in the heart of downtown. The market is located between 7th and 9th Streets NW, just steps from Gallery Place–Chinatown Metro, and open from 12pm to 8pm Monday through Thursday, 11am to 9pm Friday and Saturday and 11am to 8pm on Sunday.
For vendor lists, event updates, and photos, visit www.downtowndc.org/holiday-market and for interview requests please email Shelby at downtowndcbid@lindarothpr.com. All high-res media images and b-roll can be found HERE.
The 2025 DowntownDC Holiday Market is made possible by sponsorship from Events DC. Sponsorships through the BID’s 501c3 organization, the DowntownDC Foundation, make community events, parks and public spaces, and homeless services possible in the DowntownDC community. Join the Foundation to Give the Gift of Hope this holiday season.
About the DowntownDC BID
DowntownDC is the most diverse and exciting neighborhood in one of the most important cities in the world. Here, locals and visitors find all the most thrilling experiences of D.C. in 140 walkable and transit-rich blocks: business, education, and government; shopping and dining; parks, art, music, sports, theater, history—adding up to a bright future. The DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) was founded in 1997 as the city’s first private nonprofit place management organization where property owners agree to tax themselves to fund services that enhance people’s experiences in the neighborhood. The BID’s area includes 530 properties and is defined by Massachusetts Avenue on the north, including the Walter E. Washington Convention Center at Mount Vernon Square, to Constitution Avenue on the south, and from Louisiana Avenue on the east to 16th Street on the west.
About The Makers Show
Bringing over two decades of placemaking and retail experience, Founders Julie Feltman and Tiziana Indelicato created The Makers Show (TMS) as a mixed-use retail market platform rooted in social justice. Since its inception in 2020, TMS has produced over a dozen large-scale markets across New York, Boston, and Washington D.C., working closely with city officials and real estate developers. Key markets include The Makers Show at City Point Brooklyn, Snowport Holiday Market, Seaport Summer Market, and The DowntownDC Holiday Market. Driven by a mission to advance equity and community investment, TMS supports local economies by prioritizing sustainable materials and uplifting businesses owned by BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, women, and other historically underrepresented groups. At its core, TMS champions shopping local by creating vibrant, immersive marketplaces designed to engage, delight, and inspire. @themakersshow www.themakersshow.com
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