It’s the most wonderful time of the year… to shop small! November is Small Business Month, but you can support local businesses all winter. Make your list, check it twice then head to Cambridge for unforgettable holiday shopping excursions throughout the holiday season.
Shopping Inspiration
Unsure where to go first? Don’t get your tinsel in a tangle—we’ve got you covered. The City has mapped out Cambridge’s retailers and restaurants by neighborhood. Check out their neighborhood guides before you visit. Cambridge Local First’s directory also makes it easy to find local gems.
Annual Marketplaces
Start feeling festive with Cambridge’s seasonal markets! The Black Business Holiday Market takes place December 5–6 and 12–13, offering unique, hand-crafted gifts and holiday treasures where you can celebrate the season while supporting local Black-owned businesses. The nearby Harvard Square Holiday Fair began offering one-of-a-kind gifts like pottery and terrariums back during 1986. The marketplace is open for two weekends again this year: December 11–13 and 18–20.
You can find more locally made gifts plus hear festive tunes while shopping Canal District Kendall’s Winter Market from December 13–14. Ice sculptures and crafts make it an exciting weekend for shoppers of every age. On December 20, more handcrafted goods are up for grabs at the Inman Holiday Market. Over 35 artists and craftspeople will sell their wares at businesses in and around Inman Square.
Holiday Strolls
The shopping spree continues with neighborhood holiday strolls at local businesses. Start the season by roasting chestnuts, trying seasonal cocktails and, of course, finding unique gifts at the Observatory Hill and Huron Village Holiday Stroll on December 6.
However you decide to shop in Cambridge, you’re supporting local jobs and reducing emissions from shipping holiday gifts. Stay on the nice list by shopping small. Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping!
