Updated November 2025
The holiday season in Shores & Islands Ohio is a festive time, perfect for discovering unique gifts and experiencing local markets. Whether you're strolling through holiday bazaars, exploring charming downtown shops, or attending seasonal events, there’s no shortage of opportunities to find thoughtful, one-of-a-kind presents. From handcrafted items made by local artisans to specialty goods that capture the region’s coastal charm, Shores & Islands Ohio offers an amazing holiday shopping experience. Dive into the spirit of the season and discover why this lakeside destination is the perfect place for holiday gift hunting.
Check out these holiday market shopping opportunities!
Nov 28-Dec 13
Sandusky Christmas Market, Sandusky – This 2nd annual outdoor market features an array of local artisans in beautifully-decorated enclosed stalls, festive food vendors, live entertainment, and family fun at the Schade-Mylander Plaza in downtown Sandusky. This year, the market features even more vendors and live entertainment! Hosted by the Jim Corso Family Foundation in cooperation with the City of Sandusky, Shores and Islands Ohio, and the Greater Sandusky Partnership, this Christmas Market is set to transform downtown Sandusky into a magical winter wonderland each holiday season. The three-weekend-long market event will run Friday, November 28 through Saturday, Dec 13, and will conclude that evening with a fantastic fireworks display!
Nov 28-Dec 21
Holiday Market at Gideon Owen Wine Company, Catawba – A local favorite returns with four weekends of shopping. This season, treat your whole family to old-world enchantment & modern-day fun! Join Gideon Owen Wine Company for a delightful shopping experience and find unique gifts for your loved ones. Whether you're on the hunt for handcrafted goods or festive treats, this market is the perfect place to kickstart your holiday season and take part in Christmas events. The market includes a variety of vendors in individual glass stalls, plus entertainment from local music groups and photo opportunities.
Nov 14-Dec 31 (Shopping Dec 6-7, 13-14)
Lights on the NorthCoast, Sandusky – Jingle Bell Rock towards Lights on the NorthCoast's Christmas drive-thru light display & interactive walk-thru light display at the Erie County Fairgrounds. There will be an epic amount of over 1 million lights and amazing photo ops. Also join in on the holiday fun with indoor Christmas themed putt-putt, open nightly. There will be two special weekends (Dec 6-7, Dec 13-14) of the indoor Christmas Village with more than 30 vendors, food trucks, and much more.
Nov 29
Shop Small Saturday, Vermilion – Visit downtown Vermilion to get a jump start on Christmas shopping, meet local business owners, and invest your dollars back into the community. Main Street Vermilion is the welcome center for Shop Small Saturday. Stop in between 10 am-4 pm and pick up your free collector canvas tote, while they last. Local merchants also have Shop Small Saturday specials, sales, and discounts for you and Main Street also has information about shopping in Vermilion. Shop in the Vermilion Arts Guild Gallery first. You’ll find original artwork, prints, photography, pottery, fabric art, jewelry, cards and more.
Nov 29, Dec 6, Dec 13
Marblehead Lighthouse Christmas Shop, Marblehead – Support local and the Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society by visiting the special holiday hours 
at the lighthouse’s gift shop!
Dec 6
Perkins Township WinterFest, Sandusky – Enjoy food trucks, craft vendors, a petting zoo, fire pits with a s’mores bar and free, hot chocolate! Don’t miss Santa’s arrival! They can’t wait to see you and celebrate this beautiful winter season!
Dec 6
Downtown Fremont Inc.’s Indoor Holiday Market, Fremont – Come visit this beautiful community on the river and check out their Indoor Holiday Market! This event is part of a whole day of events scheduled for that day! Come shop local and get your Christmas gifts bought and enjoy a thing or two for yourself!
Dec 6
Firelands Winery Open House, Sandusky – Sample delicious appetizers paired with award winning Ohio Wines! Enjoy live music, gift basket raffles, holiday shopping, and much more!
Dec 6
Jamie’s Annual Christmas Special, Amherst – Visit Jamie’s – a traditional flea market that is easy on your pocket book and fun at any age. Santa is coming to Jamie’s and he’s loaded with gifts! Browse over 200 booths (and more outside) offering unique gifts, holiday decorations, stocking stuffers, and more!
Dec 6-7
Mulberry Creek Herb Farm’s Christkindlmarkt, Huron – Celebrate, shop, eat, and drink with your friends at Mulberry Creek Herb Farm's 14th Annual Christkindlmarkt. 20 Artisans, German food and warm beverages, holiday music (including a live choir), “12 days of Christmas” raffle, and more, all held inside the warm greenhouses. This Christkindlmarkt is modeled after the German outdoor Christmas Markets, where neighbors meet to shop and socialize. Plus, take a chance on the “12 Days of Christmas” raffle!
Dec 7 and Dec 13
Winter Wonderland Market and Merry Merry Market Barn at Quarry Hill Winery and Quarry Hill Orchards, Berlin Heights – Quarry Hill offers two fun holiday shopping weekends. First, on Dec 7 join Quarry Hill Winery for the 3rd annual Winter Wonderland holiday shopping market! The winery will have local vendors onsite. Then, visit the Orchard’s farm market on Dec 13 as they celebrate Posadas Navideñas, embracing Mexican Christmas traditions. The Market Barn will be brimming with music, laughter, and oh-so-many goodies to enjoy or take home. Get creative with homemade Christmas cards at their crafting station, cookie decorating and Ponche Navideño Mexicano and cozy up with classic Christmas movies playing throughout the day. From holiday crafts and pictures with Santa Claus to an orchard-wide scavenger hunt and Quarry Hill Winery selections, there’s something for everyone. Don’t forget to make your own gift box, packed with their fresh fruit, wine, and preserves—shipped directly from the farm.
Dec 13
Sandusky Book Bar’s Holiday Vendor Market, Sandusky – Join Sandusky Book Bar for a holiday vendor market featuring local small businesses selling baked goods, jewelry, artwork, and more!
Shop Shores & Islands Ohio for your holiday needs this year and enjoy the best sights and sounds of the season…it’s a SHORE thing!
