Sculptures from Echo Park Craft Fair Official Facebook

The holidays are right around the corner, which means gift-giving time is about to commence. Instead of buying that super popular thing everyone wants — what is that thing this year, anyway? I know it’s not Tickle-Me-Elmo… — get something unique for your family and friends while supporting local artists and shop owners. Whether you’re buying a gift for yourself or someone else, here are a few great holiday markets and fairs you should check out.

1. Artists & Fleas: open every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the corner of Traction and E. 3rd Street in the Arts District, along with the Arts District Farmers’ Market. They’re also in Venice at Westminster Avenue Elementary School every second and fourth Saturday of the month. Entrance is free. For DTLA location, take the Gold Line to Little Tokyo/Arts District Station, or use Metro Bike Share.  For Venice location, take Metro Rapid 733 to Venice/Abbot Kinney.

2. Artisnal LA: open Saturday, Dec. 3 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. adjacent to Arcadia Station. Entrance is free. Take the Gold Line to Arcadia Station, or Metro Bus 487/489 to Santa Anita/Huntington.

Grand Central Market Broadway entrance in downtown LA. (Photo: Joseph Lemon / Metro)

3. Grand Central Market Holiday Marketplace: open Dec. 3 – 4 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entrance is free. Take the Red or Purple Line to Pershing Square Station, or use Metro Bike Share. Multiple DTLA bus lines also serve the area, check Trip Planner to find a route.

4. Go Little Tokyo Holiday Marketplace: open Dec. 3 – 4 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. See their schedule of activities for event specific times. Entrance is free, some activities require pre-registration. Take the Gold Line to Little Tokyo/Arts District Station, or use Metro Bike Share.

5. A Current Affair: open Dec. 3 – 4 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Cooper Design Space in DTLA. General admission is $12, a preview pass is $20, and weekend pass is $28. Take the Red or Purple Line to Pershing Square Station and walk approximately 10 minutes southwest on Broadway, or use Metro Bike Share. Multiple DTLA bus lines also serve the area, check Trip Planner to find a route.

6. Unique LA: open Dec. 3 – 4 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the California Market Center in DTLA. Entrance is $15 and good for both days. Take the Red or Purple Line to Pershing Square Station and walk approximately 15 minutes southwest on Broadway, or use Metro Bike Share. Multiple DTLA bus lines also serve the area, check Trip Planner to find a route.

7. Self Help Graphics and Art Holiday Marketplace: open Saturday, Dec. 10 from noon to 5 p.m. Entrance is free. Take the Gold Line to Pico/Aliso Station or Metro Bus 30 to 1st/Utah.

8. Echo Park Craft Fair: open Dec. 10 – 11 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Mack Sennett Studios in Silver Lake. One-day entry is $10, a weekend pass is $16. Take the Red Line to Sunset/Vermont Station and walk approximately 15 minutes southeast on Sunset Blvd. and Fountain Ave., or take Metro Bus 2/302 to Sunset/Bates.

9. Renegade Craft Fair: open Dec. 10 – 11 at Grand Park in DTLA. Entrance is free. Take the Red or Purple Line to Civic Center/Grand Park Station, or use Metro Bike Share. Multiple DTLA bus lines also serve the area, check Trip Planner to find a route.