Above: Hand-painted glassware by Lilian Miccio, one of the artisan vendors at the Holiday Extravaganza at the Roxbury Arts Center, Dec. 7-8. Photo from the Roxbury Arts Group's Facebook page.
Holiday shoppers: Looking for something you can't find on Amazon? If you want to give something truly unique this season, check out one of the upcoming holiday craft and artisan fairs happening around the Catskills.
Hudson Valley Hullabaloo
Saturday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
323 Wall Street, Kingston
Billed as "arty meets party," the Hudson Valley Hullabaloo is a smorgasbord of handmade gifts and crafts from over 40 local vendors, from letterpress to leatherwork. This year, the festivities include a DJ, a photo booth, a craft table for kids, and a visit from the Ate.O.Ate food truck.
Holiday Gift Fair at the Woodstock Elementary School
Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Route 375, Woodstock
The Woodstock Elementary PTA's holiday gift fair, now in its fourth year, has become an annual tradition. Featuring crafts from local artisans and tasty treats, with proceeds going to benefit school enrichment programs.
Handmade for the Holidays at Duke Pottery
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7-8 and Dec. 14-15, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
855 County Route 93, Roscoe
Duke Pottery in Roscoe becomes a temple to local arts and crafts on several weekends before Christmas, with pottery, watercolors, jewelry, handcrafted furniture and more from over 30 local vendors.
Indie Holiday Mart in Narrowsburg
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7-8 and Dec. 14-15, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays
Main Street, Narrowsburg (between the MayerWasner building and the Heron)
Catch the spirit of Indie Narrowsburg at the second annual Indie Holiday Mart. For a sneak peek at some of the wares on display this year, check out the group's photo set on Facebook. (That "Narrowsburg Not Williamsburg" T-shirt is the new "Ithaca Is Gorges.")
23rd Annual Unison Arts and Crafts Fair
Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
New Paltz Middle School, 2 South Manheim Boulevard
$3 admission, 16 and under free
This annual fair features dozens of high-end vendors: woodworkers, ceramic artists, jewelers and more. Sponsored by Unison Arts, a nonprofit devoted to arts and art education in the mid-Hudson Valley.
Stone Ridge Library Holiday Bazaar
Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
3700 Main Street, Stone Ridge
Party like a librarian in the historic 1798 stone library building. The bazaar will feature an arts and crafts fair as well as visits from local authors, including Dina Falconi and Wendy Hollender, authors of the recently-published Foraging and Feasting: A Field Guide And Wild Food Cookbook.
Affordable Works at the Stray Cat Gallery
Opening reception Saturday, Dec. 7., 4-7 p.m. Works on display through Dec. 22.
2032 Route 17B, Bethel
Through December 22, Bethel's Stray Cat Gallery features affordable work from over 30 artists who have exhibited there this year. Next door at the annex, you'll find more crafty wares like jewelry and pottery, as well as antiques and vintage items.
Holiday Extravaganza at the Roxbury Arts Center
Saturday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
5025 Vega Mountain Road, Roxbury
The Roxbury Arts Group hosts a two-day holiday market with over a dozen local artisans. True to form, RAG couldn't resist making this event a musical one, too; the Extravaganza will feature musical performances and a visit from Santa. At 4 p.m., RAG will lead a group of carolers down Roxbury's Main Street; feel free to join in, and don't forget your toasty mittens.
Craftskills at the Bovina Community Center
Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
1866 County Route 6, Bovina
It's the second year for this celebration of Catskills artisanship, and it looks like Craftskills is becoming an annual tradition. Along with an array of handmade wares, the event features a familiy photo booth, grass-fed burgers on the grill, and a bake sale to benefit bats. Yes, bats -- the little brown bat is in deep trouble in the region, and Craftskills' founders are pitching in to help. You can too, by commissioning your own custom-made one-of-a-kind bat house at the event -- or take a chance on winning a bat house from Bovina Brown Bats in the Craftskills raffle.
Pre-Christmas Holiday Pop-Up Farmer's Market at the Rexmere
Thursday, Dec. 19, 2:30-6 p.m.
159 West Main Street, Stamford
Last-minute shoppers, you'll still have a chance to buy local and handmade at the last Stamford farmer's market of the season. Features dozens of vendors -- including, of course, local farmers, cheesemakers, picklemakers, winemakers and more. Snow date is Saturday, Dec. 21.
