The MN Christmas Market is marking its 11th year with three holiday pop-up events across the state this November and December, bringing together local makers, artisans and small brands for a trio of $1 markets in St. Paul, Cottage Grove and Red Wing. The first stop lands Saturday, November 21, at Union Depot in St. Paul, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with $1 cash or Venmo entry.
The market describes itself as an annual pop-up event that showcases homegrown brands, artisans, creators and makers, according to MN Christmas Market. The pop-up series began in 2016, and organizers say they are celebrating 11 years in 2026, per Explore Minnesota. As WJON reports, organizers are encouraging supporters of the Minnesota maker community to come out to the events.
Three Dates, Three Minnesota Towns
After the St. Paul opener, the market moves to The Madison in Cottage Grove on November 28, again running 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the same $1 cash or Venmo admission, according to the same Explore Minnesota listing. The third and final stop of the season is set for December 5 at Willow Brooke Farm in Red Wing, also with 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. hours and $1 entry.
All three 2026 markets fall on Saturdays, a consistent pattern the market has stuck with. Last year's lineup followed a similar format, with the market celebrating its tenth year by hosting three pop-up events in St. Paul, Cottage Grove and Red Wing, as noted by Mix 94.9. That 2025 season opened at Union Depot on November 22 with the same $1 entry and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. hours, the station reported.
A Fund Built to Help Vendors Stay in Business
Beyond the shopping, the market has built in a way to reinvest in the small businesses it hosts. In 2026, 5% of all sales at the markets will go into what organizers call the Small Business Spark Fund, per MN Christmas Market. At the end of each event, guests vote for one participating vendor to receive the award, the organization explains on its site dedicated to the fund.
The payoff for that vendor is concrete: their vendor fee for the following year is covered, according to MN Christmas Market's Small Business Spark Fund page. Last year's version of the fund offered the same set of perks. The 2025 fund was described as covering a free vendor fee for the following year, three nights in Grand Marais to recharge, coverage of some custom merchandise and consulting costs, and a cash prize, Mix 94.9 reported at the time.
Organizers have framed the market's mission around where shoppers choose to spend their money during the holidays. Every dollar you're spending says something about the world of tomorrow, the market has said, asking shoppers what message their spending will tell, according to MN Christmas Market. For anyone looking to check an item off a Minnesota-made gift list this season, the three Saturdays in St. Paul, Cottage Grove and Red Wing offer three separate chances to do it for the price of a dollar at the door.
