Yet Another Baltic Christmas - Day 2 and the Christmas Bazaar

While living in Chicago I always looked forward to December and the various Christmas tirdziņi that would take place on the weekends. The several churches would each have a Christmas bazaar one December weekend, and the Latvian School would host theirs on the third Saturday. Although these markets are the perfect place to pick up beautiful handmade gifts, there’s always the lure of tortes and pīrāgi for those already finished with their holiday shopping!

Whether you are looking for traditional Baltic jewelry, linen textiles, ceramic art or just a few trimmings for your tree, here’s your chance! There are a few cities that host their markets in November*, but with more than a dozen tirdziņi still to come there is plenty of time to score the perfect Lithuanian, Estonian or Latvian present! Events are listed by date and alphabetical order by state (or country/city).**

photo source here

Today, December 2^nd

PA (Applebachsville): 1-8pm Bucks County Latvian Baptist Church Kringle Christmas Shoppe (source)

Saturday, December 3^rd

U.K. (London): 11am-4pm The Latvian Daugavas Vanagi annual holiday market to include concert by Anima Solla and folk dancing by the London Latvian school (source)

CA (San Francisco): 10am-4pm 3^rd Annual Baltic Christmas Fair (source)

CO (Lakewood): The Colorado Latvians Christmas bazaar starts at 10am (source)

IL (Chicago): Not a market, but a wonderful opportunity to take home traditional Lithuanian holiday ornaments: "Learn how to create beautiful Lithuanian straw Christmas ornaments at this year's Straw Christmas Ornament Workshop at the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture." (source) 

IL (Wood Dale): 9am-4pm The St. Peter’s Latvian Church bazaar
MI (Kalamazoo): 10am-2pm The Kalamazoo Latvians will host the 55th annual European Christmas Bazaar at the Latvian Center. 

MN (Minneapolis): 11am-3pm Latvian Ev. Luth. Church Christmas Bazaar (source) 

NY (NYC): 2-5pm NY Estonian House annual Jõululaat (source)

PA (Applebachsville): 10am-4:30pm Bucks County Latvian Baptist Church Kringle Christmas Shoppe (source)

PA (Philadelphia): 12-5pm The Latvian Society annual tirdziņš (source)

WI (Milwaukee): Holiday Cookie and Gift Fair (source)

Sunday, December 4^th

Canada (Vancouver): 12pm: Kuldse Klubi jõululaat / Pensioner’s Club Christmas Bazaar (source)

CA (Los Angeles): The South-California Latvian Society hosts the Christmas bazaar in the Latvian House (source)

CO (Lakewood): The Colorado Latvians Christmas bazaar starts at 11am (source)

IL (Chicago): 9:15am The Latvian Daugavas Vanagi Christmas bazaar

MA (Brookline): 12-3pm The Boston Latvian Church Christmas Bazaar (source)

MD (Rockville): 12pm Washington DC Latvian Lutheran Church annual Christmas Bazaar

OH (Lakewood): Hosted by the Latvian Cleveland Womens Auxiliary, located at 1385 Andrews Ave.

PA (Applebachsville): 12:30-4:30pm Bucks County Latvian Baptist Church Kringle Christmas Shoppe (source)

PA (Philadelphia): 12-6pm The Latvian Society of Philadelphia’s annual holiday market (source)

NY (Melville): The NY Latvian Ev. Lutheran congregation’s annual Christmas bazaar at the Salas Church (source)

Saturday, December 10th
Canada (Toronto): 12-4pm An Estonian Christmas event for the whole family at the Toronto Estonian House (source)

Sunday, December 11th

Australia (Melbourne): 12:30-2pm Melbourne Lithuanian Club’s Prieškalėdinis Turgelis (source)

IL (Chicago): 9am Ciānas annual Christmas market, with a performance by folk dance troop Mantinieki and Latvian School Stariņš

WI (Milwaukee): 11am The Latvian church and school Christmas celebration and market (source)

Saturday, December 17th

IL (Chicago): The Latvian School of Chicago’s annual Christmas bazaar

MD (Baltimore): 2-8pm Lithuanian Hall Christmas Bazaar / Kalėdinė Mugė (source) 

Sunday, December 18th

Sweden (Stokholm): 1pm Hosted by the Swedish Latvian Association (source) 

December 26^th-28^th

Australia (Melbourne): 10am-3pm 56th Cultural Festival Market at the Melbourne Latvian House (source)

Please comment if you know of any Baltic Christmas markets/bazaars that I have missed – I will add them as I get them and I thank you in advance for your help!

Please, shop local and shop thoughtful this holiday season! Supporting the local tirdziņi is a great way to support the local craftspeople who are making traditional Baltic jewelry, textile goods and other handmade products, and not only do you get presents out of the deal, you also get fresh piparkūkas, oftentimes a warm lunch, and the company of other Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians in this very merry holiday season! Cheerful shopping and welcome back tomorrow on day three of 24 Days of a Baltic Christmas for a peek at a popular Christmas market here in the US…

* For future knowledge, those considering attending a Baltic Christmas market in November should look into the dates for the following:

- The Estonian House in Riverwoods, IL hosts the International Christmas Market “Jõululaat” on what is usually the second Saturday of the month. Holiday fun with Baltic and Scandinavian flare! (source)

- The Seattle Latvian Christmas Bazaar at the Latvian Cultural Center is often on the second weekend of the month. (source)

- Oregon Latvian Society hosts a Christmas market towards the end of November. (source)

** Cities that have held Latvian Christmas markets in the past (but that haven’t been featured in this year’s list as I don’t have updated information) include Adelaide (Australia), St. Petersburg (Florida), Rockville (Maryland) and Indianapolis (Indiana).