The holiday season in Washington, DC is more than lights and celebrations; it is also a time to support the small businesses that bring creativity, culture, and community to the city. The DowntownDC Holiday Market, located on F Street NW near Gallery Place–Chinatown between 7th and 9th Streets NW, is open now through December 23. With 119 small businesses, 15 food vendors, and live entertainment, the market has become a family friendly destination for shopping and seasonal cheer.
This annual tradition is made possible through the collaboration of DowntownDC BID, District officials, and community partners, who have come together to create an event that uplifts local entrepreneurs and brings residents and visitors into the heart of the city. For local business owners, the market represents more than just sales. It is a chance to connect with customers, share their stories, and showcase the passion behind their work.
Leda Black, Owner of Black Lab DC, explained why staying small is central to her business philosophy. “I experiment with visual rhetoric, and I’m a very small business. It’s important to me to stay small, because I want to make excellent, beautiful objects that people truly love to wear. Selling directly lets me have conversations with customers, learn what messages resonate, and create pieces that matter.”
Sherrie Brown, Owner of Savvy Scents, shared how entrepreneurship has been a source of pride and fulfillment. “Small business means a chance to create something, build something, and sell something that comes from me and my family. It makes us proud. People think it’s all about money, but it’s really about quality of life, about expanding yourself in ways you’ve never been formally trained.”
Together, these voices reflect the spirit of the Holiday Market: small businesses offering unique gifts while strengthening the communities behind them. By shopping local, residents and visitors not only find one-of-a-kind treasures, but also support the entrepreneurs who make DC’s holiday season brighter.
Discover more about the DowntownDC Holiday Market and this year’s offerings by clicking here.