View of the holiday market street standing in front of a vendor's homemade candle display

Inside Bethesda Winter Wonderland: Holiday Music + Local Gifts

ByBethesda Line

If you caught Bethesda Winter Wonderland this season, you know this side of the neighborhood turned into a sea of white tents, live Christmas carols, and handmade everything.

The event stretched along the heart of Woodmont Triangle with rows of local vendors selling greeting cards, homemade candles, colorful knit socks, and more.

Families with kids lined up for face painting near Sorrento’s on Cordell Avenue, and students from local schools sang holiday classics and carols at the intersection of Norfolk and St. Elmo Ave.

The event also partnered with Toys for Tots, and anyone is welcome to donate a toy to kids in need.

  • Youth choir singing on outdoor stage at Norfolk Avenue intersection.
  • Wide view of market tents and bundled up shoppers sipping hot drinks.
  • Crowds browse white vendor tents at downtown Bethesda holiday market.
  • Families line up for kids face painting near Sorrento Trattoria.
  • Bethesda Winter Wonderland holiday photo backdrop wall surrounded by giftboxes as props.
  • Kids reach for colorful puppets at vendor booth.
  • Black lab in pink quilted coat waits beside holiday crowd.
  • Cute dog wearing a plaid sweater and purple harness, on Norfolk Avenue.
  • Two young women in the audience crowd wearing a Santa hat and a large bow, watch the choir performance.
  • Red Bethesda Urban Partnership tent near the Winter Wonderland stage.
Youth choir singing on outdoor stage at Norfolk Avenue intersection.
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The spot that really caught our eye? The “Get Back in the Book!” tent, with a steady stream of people stopping by to browse the beautifully crocheted toys and illustrated children’s books.

We were part of said people… and couldn’t resist buying an adorable pinecone hedgehog ornament:

  • Shoppers browsing and in line to buy knit toys at the "Get Back in the Book!" booth.
  • Vendor arranges crocheted dinosaurs and toys, behind display of childrens books.
  • Pinecone hedgehog ornaments, glitter mushrooms, and winter themed stuffed animals displayed on red tablecloth.
  • Adorable knitted panda and pig toys beside star ornaments and childrens books.
  • Crocheted bunnies, snowmen, and garland lining vendor booth.
  • Wooden sign beside plush snowman with Instagram handle @larry.is.a

Nearby, Alyssa Mae Crafts was selling colorful handmade bookmarks, keychains, and pouches:

Alyssa Mae Crafts booth with handmade bookmarks, ornaments, and giftable pouches.
Sticker sheets and keychains with fun, colorful prints displayed beside toiletry bags and wristlets.

Needle Compass was displaying handmade dreamcatchers and scarves:

Needle Compass booth display with scarves, dreamcatchers, and handmade knits.

While D. Prince Designs was selling beautiful hand-illustrated prints / greeting cards, accessories, and some fun cocktail-related stickers:

D. Prince Designs display with illustrated greeting cards and art prints for sale.
Close-up of stickers and small prints arranged at D Prince Designs vendor booth.

Making our way back towards the stage, we also stopped at Inspire Home Essentials and picked up a Lavender-Apricot candle:

Close-up of eucalyptus and lavender candles displayed on wooden risers.
Inspire Home Essentials candles and scented sprays next to decorative frosted mini trees.

We also noticed some push pin maps and travel journals by An Adventure Awaits that would make a sweet gift for anyone who loves travel and the outdoors:

  • National parks map print displayed beneath rows of colorful knit socks.
  • Bucket List Adventure Maps sign shows themed prints, dimensions and prices.
  • An Adventure Awaits checkout counter.
  • Wood panel wall with framed travel maps and national parks poster.

When you need to warm up, there’s a cute coffee shop in the immediate area, and just up the street is a family-owned cafe to grab a hot cocoa or coffee before, during, or after Winter Wonderland.

This is the seasonal weekend event that gives downtown Bethesda its festive holiday energy, so if you missed it this year, keep an eye out for its return next December.

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