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A group of people browse a Julmarknad display of holiday ornaments at a market. A woman in a red sweater looks closely, while others in winter jackets and sweaters explore. The setting is festive, with blurred holiday lights twinkling in the background.
Experience ASI / Festivals / Julmarknad Handcraft Market & Festival

Julmarknad Handcraft Market & Festival

The sights and sounds of the holiday market, or Julmarknad market, come to ASI for 3 days during the first weekend in December at one of the region’s largest handcraft markets and holiday festivals. Shop over 60 local artists for beautiful, fun, and useful handmade goods.

Perfect for all ages, Julmarknad offers pop-up musical performances, family crafts, story time, festive foods, holiday shopping at ASI’s Museum Store and Jul Shop, and a visit to ASI’s iconic holiday exhibition in the Turnblad Mansion.

The 2025 Julmarknad Handcraft Market and Festival runs Friday, December 5-Sunday, December 7. Tickets go on sale in September.

The ASI market focuses on celebrating a mix of high quality, handmade gifts and useful items from diverse craft traditions and cultures. ASI welcomes artists of all backgrounds to apply for the Julmarknad Handcraft Market.

The application for the 2025 Julmarknad Handcraft Market is open through July 31, 2025. Read more about the market and apply here. 

ASI’s Julmarknadcelebrates the spirit of Swedish slöjd, or handcraft, by promoting artists who make their own goods by hand. ASI also upholds traditional handcraft all year round with our Nordic Handcraftprograms. Workshops, demos and lectures led by skilled instructors bring Nordic-inspired folk arts to life through innovative and creative programs in textiles, wood, birch bark weaving, basketry, glass and more. Learn more about ASI’s Nordic Handcraft Programs.

A European tradition that can be traced back to the Middle Ages, julmarknader are a hallmark of the Swedish holiday season. In Sweden today, these markets run outdoors throughout November and December and are filled with festive handmade goods from local vendors. More than just a shopping experience, a julmarknad is an important community gathering space. ASI’s Julmarknad brings the same joyful spirit every December to Minneapolis, featuring local artists from many backgrounds—although the ASI market is all indoors!

Hear from past Julmarknad artist Jen Newburg about her experience and the joy of this magical season at ASI.

A bustling indoor Julmarknad showcases tables brimming with handcrafted jewelry and wooden crafts. A woman in a green coat inspects the offerings, while a man cradling a baby strolls past. Festive decorative stars dangle from the ceiling, adding to the lively atmosphere.
A group of people of various ages happily making crafts at a wooden table during a festive Julmarknad. Glue, scissors, and colored materials are scattered around. The background shows a cozy room adorned with wooden furniture and holiday decor.
At a bustling Julmarknad, a child in glasses and an orange beanie stands at a table displaying wooden toy vehicles, while shoppers stroll through the festive market scene.
At the bustling Julmarknad, people explore holiday-themed stalls adorned with star-shaped lights. Amid the festive atmosphere, a woman in a red sweater examines a display near a decorated Christmas tree. The joyful spirit lingers as visitors relish the seasonal charm.
A woman crouches, embracing a child in a turquoise jacket, surrounded by people in winter clothing at the Julmarknad. The well-lit room is filled with an attentive crowd, each person possibly awaiting or watching an event unfold amid the holiday festivity.
A man in traditional attire stands on a staircase, playing a long alphorn. The stairs, adorned with white tiles and wooden railings, evoke the festive spirit of Julmarknad.
A group of adults and children gather in a room adorned for Julmarknad, with holiday wreaths on the windows. A golden chair and wrapped gifts sit near the Christmas tree, as one adult gestures to something out of frame.
Two children in winter clothing, one wearing a pink beanie and the other a white hat, are absorbed in crafts at a wooden table during the Julmarknad. A small decorated tree adds charm, while shelves filled with treasures provide a cozy backdrop to their creative activity.
People browse stalls at an indoor craft fair reminiscent of a Julmarknad. The room is adorned with large star-shaped ornaments, casting a festive glow. Attendees explore various handmade goods, including clothing and jewelry, beautifully displayed on tables and stands.