It’s always a good idea to shop locally, and the holidays offer up a unique opportunity to do that at the many craft fairs happening all over the state – whether you’re in search of unique gifts or looking to treat yourself.

So much shopping is done in the online world; take a break from the screen and make a day of perusing handmade items, artwork, baked goods and more, many made by local artisans.

South Portland Holiday Craft Show
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. South Portland High School, 637 Highland Ave. societyofsouthernmainecraftsmen.org
The Society of Southern Maine Craftsmen presents its two-day show at South Portland High School. The show features dozens of fine arts and crafts creators, as well as raffle tables and concessions. Proceeds benefit the South Portland High School track and field team.

Italian filled cookies that will be available at the Fiera de Natale at the Italian Heritage Center. Photo by Melissa Martin

Fiera de Natale
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 2. Italian Heritage Center, 40 Westland Ave., Portland. On Facebook.
The Italian heritage Center and its members invite you to load up on authentic Italian baked goods. The list of more than 30 temptations includes cannoli, cookies, stuffed breads, lobster tails (pastries) and much more. The other part of Fiera de Natale is a juried craft fair with a range of artisan items. Italian lunches will be available for purchase, and there will be raffles.

Lost and Found Market
Noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 3. Brick South, Thompson’s Point, Portland, free. On Facebook and Instagram.
You’ll be walking in a vintage wonderland at the Lost and Found Market in Portland. There, you’ll find dozens of vintage vendors selling apparel, home goods and more, for as far as the eye can see. The market also features food trucks, a tintype photographer, custom chain-stitching, a portrait photo booth, clothing repair and alterations. The Brick South bar will be open.

Makers Market at Old Smith Farm
11 to 5 p.m. Nov. 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 10. Old Smith Farm, 226 Gray Farm Road, Falmouth. On Facebook
The Maker’s Market at Old Smith Farm will feature holiday decor, assorted gifts, art and farm goods. You’ll also find a cash bar, hot cider drinks, soup, snacks and wood-fired pizza from Milly’s Farm Shop. A happy hour with live acoustic music kicks off at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Biddeford Saco Elks Lodge Annual Craft Fair
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 9. Biddeford Saco Elks Lodge, 68 Ocean Park Road, Saco. On Facebook.
Along with all the craft, the Biddeford Saco Elks Lodge fair will have a card-making station for kids. You can also buy a raffle ticket to support  the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. To make things even merrier, adults can partake of the lodge’s signature mimosa and bloody Mary bar.

Celtic Fair & State Street Stroll
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 9. Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St., Portland. maineirish.com
Keep your eyes peeled for Santa Claus while you shop at the Celtic fair, because he’s been known to show up. The fair features offerings from several area artisans. Along with the Maine Irish Heritage Center, other stops on the State Street Stroll include 75 State Street and the Cathedral of St. Luke, all within walking distance of one another.

Maker’s Market at the Point
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 10 & 24, Dec. 1 & 15 . Brick South at Thompson’s Point, Resurgam Place, Portland. thompsonspoint.com
Maker’s Market at the Point features more than 100 makers and creators at each of their four show dates. Just about every arts and crafts creation you can think of will be available, along with gourmet food items. The bar will be open, and a number of food trucks and vendors will be on site. Bring your own reusable tote and be ready to rock at these bustling markets.

St. Anne’s Church Fair
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 16. St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 299 Main St., Gorham. On Facebook.
The St. Anne’s Church fair offers something for everyone. Hit Gramma’s Attic for second-hand treasures, bring the littles ones to the children’s room, shop for handmade knits and crafts, jewelry, candy, baked goods and greens. If you’re a morning person, breakfast will be available. Ditto for the later lunch crowd.

Designing Women Freeport
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 23. Maine Coast Waldorf School, 57 Desert Road, Freeport, $2 suggested donation. designingwoman.org/freeport
With an emphasis on wearable art, the Designing Women Freeport show features fiber creators and jewelry makers. You’ll also find glass, pottery and wood items at a show that’s been happening for decades.

Shoppers at the 2023 Home for the Holidays craft show in Scarborough. Photo by Cindy Robbins

Home for the Holidays Craft Show
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 29, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 30. Scarborough High School, 11 Municipal Drive. societyofsouthernmainecraftsmen.org
Here’s another two-day sale from the Society of Southern Maine Craftsmen. The society is stacked with artists and craftspeople who excel in many categories including fine art, glass, graphics, jewelry, leather, metal, natural materials, photography and many others.

51st Annual Bonny Eagle Craft Fair
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 29, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 30. Bonny Eagle High School, 700 Saco Road, Standish. On Facebook
This fair has been happening for more than five decades. More than 175 vendors will be selling an enormous selection of handmade products.

Momentum Windham’s Christmas Craft Fair
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 30. Momentum, 21 Anglers Road, Windham. On Facebook.
Momentum is a community-based agency which provides support services to adults with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities. Its third annual Christmas craft fair will host several local makers and business participants. You can also purchase raffle tickets and pose for a pic with Santa.

Art on the Hill
6-9 p.m. Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 7, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 8. East End Community School, 195 North St., Portland. seaportland.org
The Society of East End Artists has been presenting Art on the Hill for many years. The cafeteria, gymnasium and several hallways are all packed with local and regional makers. Offerings include paintings, pottery, home goods, soap, woodworking items, candles, pet items and much more. There’s also a cafe serving up snacks, coffee, baked goods, soups and more.

Maine College of Art & Design Holiday Sale
5-9 p.m. Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 7. Maine College of Art, 522 Congress St., Portland. meca.edu
Students, alumni and faculty of Maine College of Art, as well as select community members, will be spread out over several floors for the annual holiday sale. The sale features works dozens of artists and makers. If you hit it on Friday night, it’s also the First Friday Art Walk, which means the entire area will be hopping.

46th Annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Show
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 8. Italian Heritage Center, 50 Westland Ave., Portland. unitedmainecraftsmen.com
The Italian Heritage Center will be headquarters to a huge annual fair that attracts dozens of talented artists and makers. The show is presented by United Maine Craftsmen, which means you’ll be tempted by high-quality offerings from seasoned pros.

Holiday Craft & Fine Food Market
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 7.  217 Main Community Music Center, 317 Main St., Yarmouth. On Facebook
The Yarmouth Farmers’ Market presents a curated craft and fine-food market where you’ll find 23 vendors. There will also be live music throughout the day.

Yuletide Fair
8:30 a.m. to noon. Dec. 7. First Congregational Church, 167 Black Point Road, Scarborough. On Facebook.
You’ll love the Yuletide Fair. Stocked with baked goods, candy, crafts, jewelry, gently used Christmas items, greens, quilts and more, this fair packs a whole lot into 3.5 hours.

Holiday Craft Fair
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 7. North Yarmouth Academy Gymnasium, 148 Main St., Yarmouth. nya.org
More than 60 artisans and crafters will be assembled with a variety of offerings including artwork, photography, jewelry, candles, soap, blown glass, woodworking and more. Lunch and treats from the NYA art department will be available in the cafe.

Odd Fellows Bazaar
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 7. Odd Fellows Hall, 651 Forest Ave., 2nd floor, Portland. woodsfordcorner.org
The Friends of Woodfords Corner present the Odd Fellows Bazaar, a vibrant holiday craft fair with plenty of handmade gifts to choose from. More than 30 vendors will be set up. Vina Ann’s will also be there with a variety of nibbles to nosh on.

Merry Maker’s Market
12:30-4:30 p.m. Dec. 8. Broadway Bowl Maine, 725 Broadway, South Portland. On Facebook.
Many makers will be assembled for your shopping pleasure just over the Casco Bay Bridge in South Portland. Head to Broadway Bowl Maine for an afternoon of gift perusing and purchasing, all of which can be paired with a mimosa or bloody mary. Should the need to bowl a string or two hit you, knock yourself (and some pins) out before heading home.

Brown School Craft Fair
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 8. Frank I. Brown Elementary School, 37 Highland Ave., South Portland. On Facebook.
Twenty local artisans will be set up and ready to sell. Handmade items  range from jewelry, ornaments, knit apparel, stuffed animals, home decor and artwork. Given that it’s being held at a school, the chances of some kind of bake sale are excellent.

Trinity Christmas Fair
8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 8. Trinity Episcopal Church, 508 Forest Ave., Portland. woodfordscorner.org
The Trinity Christmas fair is the place to go for greens, wreaths and other holiday decorations. There will also be a wide range of handmade crafts, fiber arts. jewelry, books and bird houses along with candy, baked goods, a cookie walk, soups, preserves, pickles and more. Rumor has it, Santa will be swinging by for selfies.

Christmas Craft Fair
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Dec. 8. Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dugway Road, Brownfield, $2, free for under 12. stonemountainartscenter.com
Upon arrival to the Christmas Craft Fair at Stone Mountain Arts Center, you’ll find Santa directing traffic and parking cars. Once you cross the threshold of the barn, you’ll be in a holiday dreamscape of two beautifully decorated halls will be populated with crafters, makers and others offering up unique gifts. The Queen Post Cafe’s bar will be open, as will the venue’s kitchen with a robust brunch menu. Don’t forget, this is a music venue, so chances are you’ll hear some tunes.

Designing Women Portland
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 14. Ocean Avenue School, 150 Ocean Ave., Portland, $3 suggested donation. designingwomen.org/portland
The Designing Women fair in Portland got its start in 1991 and continues to thrive. You’ll find an array off fine arts and crafts from area women who work in several mediums including fine art, clay, jewelry, fiber, glass and more. Proceeds from food sales and admission  are donated to the show’s participating non-profit groups.

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