Shop Local, Find Unique Gifts & Celebrate the Holiday Season!
Last updated: October 12, 2026
The holiday season is almost here, and there's nothing quite like strolling through a local holiday fair, discovering handmade treasures, enjoying festive treats, and supporting local artisans and small businesses!
From traditional church bazaars and school holiday fairs to artisan markets and beautifully decorated Christmas trees, the Merrimack Valley has plenty of opportunities to get into the holiday spirit.
We've started gathering 2026 holiday fairs and craft markets in Georgetown, Groveland, Boxford, Middleton, Andover, North Andover, Haverhill, Methuen, Lawrence, and surrounding communities.
Grab your shopping list, bring the family, and discover some wonderful local holiday traditions!
Many organizations are still announcing their 2026 holiday events. We'll continue adding fairs as dates and details become available.
🎁 November 2026 Holiday Fairs
🎄 November 7 — Merrimac Public Library Fall Craft Fair
📍 Merrimac, MA
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
Time: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Location: Merrimac Public Library
Hosted by the Friends of the Merrimac Public Library, this annual fair features handmade creations from local artisans. Shoppers can browse ceramics, textiles, jewelry, woodworking, housewares, and other unique gifts.
The event supports the Friends of the Merrimac Public Library and is a great opportunity to begin your holiday shopping while supporting the community.
More information: Merrimac Library Craft Fair.
🎄 November 7 — Georgetown PTA Holiday Fair
📍 Georgetown, MA
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
Location: Penn Brook School, Georgetown
The Georgetown PTA Holiday Fair is a wonderful opportunity for families to kick off the holiday season while supporting local schools.
The Penn Brook Fall Scholastic Book Fair will also be open during the Holiday Fair, making it a great chance to shop for books and holiday gifts.
Additional Holiday Fair details, including hours and activities, are still being finalized.
🎄 November — Groveland Congregational Church Snowflake Fair
📍 Groveland, MA
Location: Groveland Congregational Church, 4 King Street
2026 Dates: To be announced
A beloved Groveland tradition, the Snowflake Fair is a two-day holiday shopping event featuring more than 20 local vendors and crafters.
Visitors can traditionally enjoy a Country Store, Cookie Walk, jewelry table, and a Christmas sale featuring secondhand treasures.
It's a wonderful way to shop locally while supporting a community organization.
More information: Groveland Congregational Church.
🎄 November 21 — Voices of Hope Holiday Craft Fair
📍 Andover, MA
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
Time: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Location: 23 Clark Street, Andover
Get a head start on your holiday shopping at the third annual Voices of Hope Holiday Craft Fair!
The event brings together talented local crafters and artists offering handmade gifts and unique creations.
Even better, proceeds support Voices of Hope and its mission to raise funds for cancer research.
More information: Voices of Hope Holiday Craft Fair.
🎄 November 21–December 5 — Methuen Festival of Trees
📍 Methuen, MA
Dates: November 21–December 5, 2026
Location: 13 Branch Street, Methuen
One of the Merrimack Valley's most popular holiday traditions is back!
The 33rd Annual Methuen Festival of Trees features more than 300 beautifully decorated trees, miniature trees, and wreaths.
Families can enjoy a children's scavenger hunt, visits with Santa, a holiday gift shop, and opportunities to win decorated trees through raffles.
Reservations are strongly recommended.
More information and tickets: Methuen Festival of Trees.
🎄 November 27–28 — Handmade in New England Holiday Market
📍 Haverhill, MA
Dates: Friday, November 27 & Saturday, November 28, 2026
Time: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Historic New England Center, 143 Essex Street, Haverhill
Looking for something special for everyone on your holiday shopping list?
This thoughtfully curated holiday market brings together New England artisans and makers offering handmade pottery, jewelry, artwork, home goods, accessories, children's items, holiday decorations, and specialty foods.
Enjoy live music while shopping for one-of-a-kind gifts.
More information: Historic New England Center.
🎄 November 27–December 13 — Buttonwoods Festival of Trees
📍 Haverhill, MA
Dates: November 27–December 13, 2026, select days
Location: Buttonwoods Museum, 240 Water Street, Haverhill
The annual Buttonwoods Festival of Trees is a festive family tradition featuring beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, and holiday displays.
Special activities include children's crafts, a visit from Santa, a scavenger hunt, and opportunities to win decorated trees and holiday prizes.
Family Day: Saturday, November 28, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., with Santa visiting from 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and children ages 8–17, and free for children 7 and younger.
More information: Buttonwoods Festival of Trees.
❄️ December 2026 Holiday Fairs
🎁 December 5 — North Parish Red Bow Fair
📍 North Andover, MA
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026
Time: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Location: North Parish Church, 190 Academy Road, North Andover
The 68th Annual Red Bow Fair returns to North Andover!
This longtime community holiday tradition is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy festive shopping and support a local organization.
The church also has wreath and boxwood tree workshops scheduled in the days leading up to the fair.
More information: North Parish Red Bow Fair.
🎁 December 5 — Andover Holiday Market
📍 Andover, MA
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026
Time: Noon–6 p.m.
Location: South Church, 41 Central Street, Andover
Organized by the Andover Farmers Market, this special one-day holiday market offers an opportunity to shop locally and support area producers and makers.
The market also serves as a fundraiser supporting the Andover Farmers Market's operations and food-justice initiatives.
The event takes place rain or shine.
More information: Andover Holiday Market.
🎄 More Merrimack Valley Holiday Fairs to Watch For
Many wonderful holiday fairs are organized by local PTAs, churches, libraries, community organizations, and small businesses.
We're keeping an eye out for additional 2026 announcements in:
- Georgetown: School holiday fairs, church bazaars, and community craft markets.
- Groveland: Additional community and church holiday fairs.
- Boxford: Local artisan markets, school fairs, and holiday shopping events.
- Middleton: Community holiday markets and craft fairs.
- Andover: Additional church fairs, school markets, and artisan shopping events.
- North Andover: School fundraisers, holiday bazaars, and community craft fairs.
- Haverhill: Local maker markets, holiday shopping events, and craft shows.
- Methuen: School and community holiday fairs.
- Lawrence: Holiday artisan markets and community celebrations.
We haven't yet confirmed additional 2026 fair dates for these communities, but we'll update the guide as announcements become available.
🎅 A Few More Holiday Shopping Events Worth the Short Drive
November 27–29 — Original Castleberry Faire
📍 Wilmington, MA
Held at Shriners Auditorium, 99 Fordham Road, this three-day indoor holiday craft festival features more than 200 booths of handmade arts, crafts, and specialty foods.
Dates: November 27–29, 2026
Admission: $12 for adults; children under 14 are free.
More information: Original Castleberry Faire.
November 7 — Centre Congregational Church Holiday Craft Fair
📍 Lynnfield, MA
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
Time: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Location: 5 Summer Street, Lynnfield
Shop from more than two dozen artisans selling handmade gifts, jewelry, pottery, wreaths, artwork, knitted items, and other holiday treasures.
The event also includes a Festival of Trees raffle.
More information: Holiday Craft Fair Details.
❤️ Shop Small, Support Local, and Celebrate the Season!
Holiday fairs are about more than checking gifts off your shopping list. They're an opportunity to support local artists, small businesses, schools, churches, and nonprofit organizations while making special memories with family and friends.
Whether you're searching for handmade ornaments, delicious baked goods, unique teacher gifts, or something special for a loved one, there's nothing quite like discovering treasures at a local holiday fair.
Know of a holiday fair we're missing?
Macaroni KID Merrimack Valley would love to include more community events! If your school, church, nonprofit, or organization is hosting a holiday fair, craft market, or holiday bazaar in 2026, please send us the details so we can help spread the word.
🎄 Check back often! We'll continue updating this guide throughout the holiday season as more events are announced.
