December in Chicago means one thing for thousands of shoppers, art lovers, and gift seekers: four days inside one of the most exciting handmade markets in the country. The holiday edition returns this year with a milestone to celebrate. After 25 years, the show has grown from a modest artisan gathering into Chicago’s premier holiday shopping destination, drawing over 600 artists and thousands of visitors to the heart of the city.
This guide gives you everything you need to plan your visit, from confirmed dates and hours to location details, parking tips, and what to expect on the show floor.
Key Event Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Event Name | One of a Kind Holiday Show and Sale |
| Edition | 25th Anniversary |
| Dates | December 3 to 6, 2026 |
| Venue | The Merchandise Mart (THE MART) |
| Floor | 7th Floor |
| Address | 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654 |
| Organizer | Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) |
| Number of Artists | Over 650 |
| Product Categories | 20 |
Show Hours: Day-by-Day Schedule
The show runs across four days in early December. Hours vary slightly on the final day, so planning your visit around the correct schedule matters.
| Day | Date | Hours |
| Thursday | December 3, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| Friday | December 4, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | December 5, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| Sunday | December 6, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
Admission tickets are valid for re-entry across all four days of the show. Therefore, if you want to spread your visit across two or more days, a single ticket covers all of them.
The Venue: THE MART in Downtown Chicago
The show takes place at one of Chicago’s most iconic buildings. The Merchandise Mart, widely known as THE MART, sits on the north bank of the Chicago River between Orleans and Wells Streets in the River North neighborhood. The show occupies the entire 7th Floor of the building, providing a spacious, climate-controlled environment perfect for a December shopping experience.
The address is 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654. The building is a landmark in its own right, and its central downtown location makes it easy to pair your visit with dinner, a hotel stay, or other Chicago activities.
Getting There: Transit, Driving and Parking
THE MART is one of the most accessible venues in the city. Multiple transit options bring you directly to the door.
By train, the Brown and Purple CTA Lines stop at the Merchandise Mart Station, which connects directly to the building. The Chicago Transit Authority also operates numerous bus routes nearby. If you travel by Metra, the Ogilvie Transportation Center is a short walk away.
By car, the building sits near several major Chicago roads. However, driving in the Loop area during December can be slow, so allow extra time. Fortunately, more than 5,000 parking spaces are available within a four-block radius of THE MART. The two closest parking facilities are Mart Parc Wells and Mart Parc Orleans. For specific parking rates and availability, the Parking Office is reachable at 312-347-3515.
Additionally, the organizers recommend booking parking in advance through SpotHero, the national parking reservations app. Reserving a spot ahead of time saves you time circling the block during a busy December weekend.
A 25-Year Milestone Worth Celebrating
This December edition marks the show’s 25th anniversary. The event began in 2001 and has grown steadily into what it is today: a four-day celebration of handcrafted work that fills the 7th Floor of THE MART with more than 650 jury-selected artists, designers, and makers.
Only original, handmade work qualifies for the show. Every exhibiting artist goes through a jury process based on uniqueness, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. Mass-produced items are not eligible. This standard is what sets the experience apart from a typical holiday market. Visitors know that every item they find on the show floor came from the hands of someone who made it themselves.
The anniversary edition is expected to bring a particularly vibrant energy to the event. Organizers have promised a rich program, and the 650-artist lineup for 2026 is the largest the holiday edition has featured.
What You Will Find on the Show Floor
The show spans 20 product categories. Visitors can find something in virtually every gift-giving category, all made by the artist standing right in front of them.
Categories include:
- Jewelry and accessories
- Ceramics and pottery
- Fashion and clothing
- Home décor and furniture
- Fine art, paintings, and photography
- Glass and metalware
- Fiber art and textile work
- Mixed media and sculpture
- Paper art and greeting cards
- Gourmet food, spices, candy, and tea
- Toys and games
- Wood art and woodworking
Beyond shopping, the show floor also features live music throughout the event. Hands-on workshops and activities give visitors a chance to engage directly with artists and try their own hand at different crafts. Food and drink options are available on-site, making it easy to spend a full afternoon or evening without leaving the floor.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit
A little planning goes a long way when the show floor spans hundreds of booths across a full floor of THE MART.
- Buy your ticket online before the show opens. Tickets for the spring 2026 edition started at $15 for adults, and a similar range applies to the holiday edition. Check the official website at oneofakindshowchicago.com for confirmed pricing and to purchase in advance.
- Arrive early in the week if possible. Thursday and Friday tend to draw smaller crowds than the weekend. This gives you more room to browse and more time with individual artists.
- Bring a reusable bag. You will likely find more to buy than you expected, and many artists pack their items carefully for transport.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The 7th Floor of THE MART is large, and you will cover a lot of ground over the course of your visit.
- Use your ticket for re-entry. If you want to return on a second day, your ticket covers that. Plan your first visit as a scouting trip and come back on a second day to purchase.
- Talk to the artists. Every person behind a booth made what they are selling. These conversations make the experience far richer than any other kind of holiday shopping.
Conclusion
The One of a Kind Holiday Show returns to Chicago’s Merchandise Mart from December 3 to 6, 2026, marking its 25th anniversary with more than 650 juried artists across 20 handmade product categories. Show hours run from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. The venue at 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza sits in the heart of downtown Chicago, accessible by CTA, Metra, and car, with more than 5,000 nearby parking spaces. Tickets provide re-entry for all four days of the show, making it easy to visit more than once. With live music, hands-on workshops, gourmet food, and thousands of original handmade items, this is Chicago’s most distinctive holiday shopping experience of the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the One of a Kind Holiday Show take place in 2026?
The show runs from Thursday, December 3, through Sunday, December 6, 2026. Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Where is the show held?
The show takes place on the 7th Floor of THE MART, located at 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654. The building sits on the north bank of the Chicago River in the River North neighborhood and is directly accessible from the Merchandise Mart CTA Station on the Brown and Purple Lines.
How much do tickets cost?
Ticket pricing for the holiday 2026 edition will be confirmed on the official show website at oneofakindshowchicago.com. Based on the spring 2026 edition, adult tickets start at $15. Tickets are valid for re-entry on all four days of the show.
What kinds of products are sold at the show?
The show features over 20 categories of original, handmade work. These include jewelry, ceramics, fashion, fine art, photography, glass, gourmet food, home décor, furniture, fiber art, woodworking, toys, paper art, and more. Every item is made by the artist exhibiting it. Mass-produced goods are not permitted.
Is parking available near the venue?
Yes. More than 5,000 parking spaces are available within a four-block radius of THE MART, including the Mart Parc Wells and Mart Parc Orleans garages. The organizers recommend booking parking in advance through SpotHero to secure a spot and save time. For oversized vehicle parking, contact the show team directly. The Parking Office is also reachable at 312-347-3515.