WASHINGTON — The Downtown Holiday Market opened on Friday in the nation’s capital.
Located along F Street N.W. between 7th and 9th Streets, next to the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, the market is celebrating its 19th year and features more than 70 vendors.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser joined the vendors, performers and attendees in celebration of the opening day. Shoppers were entertained by singer Jennifer Holliday, the Washington Ballet and the Washington National Opera.
Michael Berman, the operator of the Downtown Holiday Market and owner of Diverse Markets Management, said planning for the weeks-long market usually starts in April.
Berman’s company also puts on the flea market at the Washington’s Eastern Market and farmers markets in the city’s Southwest and NoMa neighborhoods.
“So when we put out a call for small businesses and vendors to participate in this we get an international, actually, response,” he told Capital News Service. “So, we have a lot to choose from, but this is such an extraordinary event and it’s so busy and they are here for such a long time that it’s almost like they open a little store here.”
Most of the vendors offer handmade products or are representing consumer homemade products from a specific country, so tourists and Washington residents alike will find unique gifts such as crafts, art, clothing and jewelry.
The Downtown Holiday Market is unusual because of its size and how long the market is open, Berman said.
“This is the one that has the most infrastructure built in to really put on a show and a special event, I mean we live here for 40 days non-stop,” Berman said. “So these businesses really go all out in their display and in their store that they build in the tent.”
Visitors will be treated to daily performances and activities in partnership with local restaurants and museums.
The market will open daily in all weather from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. until its closing on Dec. 23.
The market opens just ahead of DC Cocktail week, scheduled Nov. 28-Dec. 5. Presented by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, more than 100 eateries and bars will be offering special cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks paired with food items.