It’s more important than ever to support our neighbors and help keep our spending dollars local. It’s easy to do that when there are fun shopping events for the holidays around every corner! The Evergreen State College is hosting two holiday markets in Olympia: The Student Arts and Crafts Fair on December 3, 2025, and the Native Holiday Fair on December 12-13. These two fun holiday fairs make shopping small a breeze!
Student Arts and Crafts Fair at Evergreen is Perfect for Holiday Shopping
After all that turkey you’ve been eating for days, it’s time to stretch your legs and what better way than a walk around a Student Arts and Crafts Fair! The weekends can be crazy this time of year, so that’s why Evergreen holds this event on a Wednesday, so you don’t have to squeeze it in between Great Aunt Sally’s visit and your work party.
From 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., shop the booths of hard-working student artists as well as local artisans at this holiday market in Evergreen’s College Activities Building! Artists get all the proceeds from the items they sell, so it’s a great way to shop small!
“For shoppers, it is an accessible way to support local artists, shop for the holidays, and connect with their peers,” shares Kayla Mahnke-Hargett, director of student activities and new student programs for The Evergreen State College. “For student artists, it is a great opportunity to try out selling their work (perhaps for the first time) and gauging what sells well, as well as learn from fellow vendors. For established artists, it provides a mid-week fair during the busy holiday craft fair season where they can meet a lot of student shoppers. Many of the community vendors are Evergreen alum.”
This fair has been going on for over a decade, and it’s the perfect place to get gifts for everyone on your list and maybe a treat or two for yourself. Around 50 vendors will be there for you to talk with, so you can learn about their handmade items and choose something that really speaks to you. After all, the best gifts have a story behind them!
Sip a free hot chocolate from the hot cocoa bar while you shop jewelry, clothing, art prints, photographs, fiber arts, woodworking, ceramics and more. Looking for holiday cheer? You are sure to find some new décor items for your home, too. Even better, there will be affordable price points, making it easy for you to get everyone something special.
Some vendors may take cards, others may only take cash. There is a WSECU ATM at the event space, but it’s good to come prepared! You can park Evergreen’s B or C lot.
Find Unique Gifts at Evergreen’s Native Fair
We all strive to find those gifts that we know will be loved and appreciated. It can be hard when you feel like the people on your list “have everything.” So, what do you get the people that have it all? Something unique of course! And finding unique items they are sure to not have yet is a snap at The Evergreen State College’s Native Fair! Happening 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. December 12 and 13, it’s the perfect shopping event!
Just the location is a reason to go in and of itself – hosted inside the Evergreen Longhouse, you will find Native artists and crafters waiting to share their incredible items with you. From beadwork to carvings and pottery to art in different mediums, you will have lots of choices at the approximately 50 vendors. And, when you get hungry, grab some lunch!
There will be some Evergreen students vending, as well as Native artists from our community. It’s the perfect way to support our local artists and to get something you just can’t find in a big box store or online. “If you want handmade Native art, this is the place to find it,” shares Linda Terry, House of Welcome Cultural Art Campus program coordinator for The Evergreen State College.
Most vendors take cards, but lunch is cash only. You will have access to the WSECU ATM in the College Activities building both days. Parking is $6 on Friday in Lot B, free on Saturday.
This holiday season, The Evergreen State College makes it easy to find the gifts you need while supporting students and Native artists who will truly appreciate every sale. Here’s to bright holiday wishes for you and your family.
Student Arts and Crafts Fair
December 3
12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
The Evergreen State College
College Activities Building
2741 McCann Plaza Drive NW, Olympia
Sponsored
