Snag a Unique Gift at Holiday Craft Fairs in the Monadnock Region

Once the turkey and pumpkin pie are all gobbled up, it's time for the next phase of getting into the holiday spirit: gift shopping. While the big box stores tend to get all the Black Friday glory, there are plenty of ways to buy local this season, like the veritable cornucopia of craft fairs that kick into full gear after Thanksgiving. Here are some of the best places to pick up a unique, handmade present for everyone on your list. NOVEMBER 25 Keene Holiday Craft Show 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Keene High School, 43 Arch St. in Keene https://www.keenecraftshow.com/about The Keene Holiday Craft Show is an outdoor event that has kicked off the holiday shopping season for over a decade. Along with a carefully curated selection of New England vendors – think handmade pottery, jewelry, photography, and more – there will be refreshments and a classic car exhibition on site. DECEMBER 1 Pine Hill Holiday Fair Shopping Evening 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. 77 Pine Hill Dr. in Wilton https://www.highmowing.org/news-and-events/calendar The High Mowing Waldorf School's annual holiday fair returns for two days in 2023. Friday night is for the adults, with artisan crafts, live music, and a café serving refreshments. DECEMBER 2 Great New England's Holiday Handmade Market 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Hamel Student Recreation Center, 5 Edgewood Rd. in Durham https://www.facebook.com/events/160849960442597/?ref=newsfeed The Great New England Craft & Artisans Show's big event in Milford is paused for 2023 while the group searches for a new location, but they've held other craft fairs throughout the fall. This holiday market in Durham – which will feature over 100 local artisans – is the last for the year. Hillsboro-Deering High School Craft Fair/Hillsborough Community Center Festival of Trees 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. https://hccnh.org/trees/ During a holiday craft fair to benefit the 2026 class of Hillsboro-Deering High School, you'll also have the opportunity to explore the Hillsborough Community Center's Festival of Trees. Though checking out the beautiful evergreens is festive fun on its own, you can also enter a raffle to win one of the fully decorated trees to take home. Admission to the fair is free; raffle tickets are $5 each or five for $20. Pine Hill Holiday Fair 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 77 Pine Hill Dr. in Wilton https://www.highmowing.org/news-and-events/calendar Saturday's festivities at the High Mowing School are family-friendly, with craft shopping, live music, refreshments and activities for kids. Women's Fellowship Christmas Fair 2023 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. United Church of Christ, 23 Central Square in Keene https://ucckeene.org/event/womens-fellowship-christmas-fair-2023-2/ This annual fair will feature two floors of giftables, including crafts, jewelry, knitted items, plants, $1 mystery gifts and more. Marlborough PTO 2nd Annual Winter Craft Fair 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Marlborough School, 41 Fitch Court in Marlborough https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=782741166990750&set=pb.100057646201263.-2207520000 The Marlborough PTO craft fair will feature plenty of handmade goods, plus the perennial favorite Scholastic Book Fair. St. George Christmas Bazaar 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 70 West St. in Keene https://stgeorgekeene.nh.goarch.org/calendar Come for the crafts and traditional Greek pastries that will be on sale, stay for the traditional avgolemono soup, spanakopita, and Greek salad being served for lunch. Holiday Bazaar at All Souls U.U. Church 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. All Souls U.U. Church, 29 South St. in West Brattleboro https://www.ascvt.org/events/event/holiday-bazaar-3/ All Souls UU Church's biggest fundraiser of the year will feature wreaths, festive centerpieces, raffles, food and more. Broad Brook Community Center Winter Craft Market 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Broad Brook Community Center, 3970 Guilford Center Rd. in Guilford https://www.facebook.com/events/344459481426553/ The BBCC's first Winter Craft Market will feature, of course, plenty of locally made goods, as well as family-friendly crafting activities like gingerbread and fairy house building. Plus, there will be plenty of homemade refreshments – think soups, salads, and desserts – for sale. Women of the Moose Annual Christmas Bazaar 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Bellows Falls Loyal Order of Moose Family Center, 59 Westminster St. in Bellows Falls https://www.facebook.com/events/884909243289177/ After an overflow of positive feedback in 2022, the Women of the Moose are expanding their event to two days, with two floors of vendors, a cafe, and Christmas photo opportunities on site. DECEMBER 3 Women of the Moose Annual Christmas Bazaar 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Bellows Falls Loyal Order of Moose Family Center, 59 Westminster St. in Bellows Falls https://www.facebook.com/events/884909243289177/ After an overflow of positive feedback in 2022, the Women of the Moose are expanding their event to two days, with two floors of vendors, a cafe, and Christmas photo opportunities on site. DECEMBER 9 Jaffrey Parks and Recreation's 42nd Annual Holiday Craft Fair 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Rindge Memorial School, 58 School St. in Rindge (snow date Dec. 10) https://jaffrey.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1636 Join Santa and over 50 vendors in a new venue for the long-running annual Jaffrey Parks & Rec holiday craft fair. German Christmas Market at Frogg Brewing 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Frogg Brewing, 580 Sawyers Crossing Rd. in Swanzey https://www.facebook.com/events/1000698821149843/ An outdoor Christmas market that includes a three-piece German band, a visit from Santa, and more than 40 local vendors selling handmade items and food.