16th Annual Downtown Holiday Market to Open November 20
**MEDIA ADVISORY**
D.C.’s Outdoor Shopping Village Unveils Expanded, Socially Distant Retail Experience
WHAT: The 16th Annual Downtown Holiday Market, Washington D.C.’s outdoor shopping village, kicks off the holiday season Friday, November 20. As the tradition continues, the beloved outdoor market will support small businesses, local artisans and entrepreneurs from across the region. Shoppers can enjoy the enhanced open-air street market in the heart of the District through December 23.
Operated by the DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) and Diverse Markets Management, this year’s market will move from its previous sidewalk location into the street, taking over two entire blocks of F Street NW, from 7th to 9th Streets NW. The increased footprint will allow for wider aisles on the street and guests can shop confidently with social distance in accordance with current COVID-19 guidance.
This year’s retail lineup will feature more than 70 exhibitors each day including Black-owned and minority-owned businesses from the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development’s (DSLBD) Made in DC program, and this season’s trending styles from the BID’s District of Fashion local designer collections. Six food vendors will provide prepackaged tasty treats and hot beverages in locations throughout the market. Adding to the market’s contactless technologies, Downtown Holiday Market is thrilled to partner with ARTECHOUSE DC to launch a first-of-its-kind interactive Mixed Reality Activation adventure that shoppers can use with their smartphones.
The market is laid out with a single entryway located on the sidewalk of F Street NW in front of the National Portrait Gallery, and streamlined one-way, distanced foot traffic to ensure safe circulation around the market's back-to-back retail vendor tents. All affiliated market workers, exhibitors and shoppers will be required to wear masks or other personal protective equipment (PPE) upon entry and at all times within the market. Hand sanitizing dispensers will be widely available, and easily accessed throughout the market.
The move to the center of the block and the market’s expanded footprint are just some of this year’s exciting and entertaining new features. Return will find a socially distant, open-air environment with pre-recorded entertainment and plenty of time and space to see all the vendors have to offer.
WHEN: Friday, November 20 to Wednesday, December 23, 12:00PM to 8:00PM | Closed Thanksgiving Day, and Mondays Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and Dec 14 | Note: The market will operate daily, regardless of rain or snow.
WHERE: F Street NW between 7th and 9th Streets NW | Entrance is outside the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum; see site map with entrance in the DropBox link here.
ATTENTION MEDIA: A full list of the market’s exhibitors/vendors, programming as well as the most current health and safety protocols will be announced soon. Hi-res imagery and virtual/private tours will be available upon request beginning Wednesday, November 18. For more information, please contact Catherine Llamido at catherine@lindarothpr.com or visit www.downtownholidaymarket.com.
About DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID)
The DowntownDC BID was founded in 1997 and is a private non-profit organization that provides capital improvements, resources and research that keep the BID area clean, safe, economically and environmentally strong and accessible. The BID is a catalyst, facilitator and thought leader in diversifying the economy, promoting public/private partnerships and enhancing the DowntownDC experience for all. This special district, where property owners have agreed to tax themselves to fund services, encompasses a 138-block area of approximately 520 properties from Massachusetts Avenue on the north to Constitution Avenue on the south, and from Louisiana Avenue on the east to 16th Street on the west. For more information, visit www.downtowndc.org or follow us on Twitter @downtowndcbid.
About Diverse Markets Managements (DMM)
Diverse Markets Managements is a DC-based firm specializing in the development and management of outdoor public exhibitor markets. Formed by market management professionals with expertise in the fields of arts, crafts, collectibles and antiques, DMM possesses a diverse range of skills including: special event planning and programming, public space management, vendor recruitment and management, security services and arts facility development and programming. For more information, please visit www.diversemarkets.net.