The Dennos Museum Center's Holiday Artist Market returns Friday and Saturday, November 6–7, 2026, giving Traverse City shoppers two days to browse Michigan-made work and visit the museum without an admission charge.

The museum's current program listing sets market hours at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days and advertises more than 30 Michigan artists.

For anyone planning an indoor outing, the combination makes it possible to build a visit around both shopping and gallery time rather than treating the market as a quick errand.

Use the special market hours

Northwestern Michigan College's October 22 announcement confirms free museum admission on both market days and free campus parking.

Those are event-specific arrangements; the museum's regular visitor schedule begins later in the morning and should not replace the published 10 a.m. market opening.

The visitor page also lists Sunday, November 8, as a Holiday Market Break closure, so this is a Friday-or-Saturday plan rather than a three-day shopping weekend.

For navigation, the museum identifies 1410 College Drive as its GPS address and 1701 East Front Street as its mailing address.

What is announced for the market

NMC says Merlyn's Pâtisserie will return with Asian-French-inspired pastries, while the Museum Store's holiday corner will include ornaments, handcrafted gifts, stocking stuffers and greeting cards.

A raffle is advertised in support of K–12 museum tours, providing a separate way to participate in the museum's education work.

The announcements do not establish one price range, return policy or inventory guarantee for every artist, so ask sellers about the particular piece you are considering.

The museum's 2026 artist-call page describes a juried market, distinguishing it from an open sign-up sale without claiming every medium will be available.

Leave room for the galleries

If you want to shop and view exhibitions, decide which activity matters most and give yourself time for the other before the 4 p.m. closing.

The museum's visitor policies require backpacks, shopping bags and other large bags to be checked at the front desk, a useful detail when carrying purchases.

Food and drinks belong in the designated front-desk seating area rather than the galleries, so plan a pastry break separately from viewing art.

Families can also check the museum's posted activity and visitor guidance before arriving instead of assuming a particular hands-on program is included with the market.

Buy with the recipient in mind

As a practical approach, bring a short gift list and ask about materials, care instructions and protective packaging before paying.

If a purchase needs personalization or shipping, settle the complete cost and promised delivery date with the seller rather than inferring a holiday guarantee from the event's name.

Keep the artist's contact information with your receipt so later questions go to the right person.

Check parking and access

The visitor page notes that campus construction can limit parking availability, even where museum parking is free.

Allow time to find a permitted space and ask the museum about access or drop-off arrangements if someone in your party needs a shorter route.

If several people are shopping together, agree on a meeting point before splitting up and keep fragile purchases protected while moving between the market and galleries.

The published museum phone number is 231-995-1055; confirm any detail central to your trip and recheck the event page before leaving.