Why should shopping for great antique and collectible bargains, chatting up dealers and munching on local snacks be limited to summer and fall months? Here are 6 favorite winter flea markets that are worth a trip. Each is renowned for its scale, variety of items, negotiable prices and popularity among both locals and tourists. Best of all, they are opportunities to have fun, learn something new and knock some items off the holiday gift list.

1. Renninger’s Antique and Collector’s Extravaganza

20651 U.S. Hwy. 441, Mount Dora, Florida
Friday, November 18 to Sunday, November 20, 2016
Friday, December 2 to Sunday, December 4, 2016 – Holiday Flea Market
Friday, January 20 to Sunday, January 22, 2017
Saturday, January 28 and Sunday, January 29, 2017 – Steampunk Industrial Show
Friday, February 17 to Sunday, February 19, 2017

The weekly indoor and outdoor flea market and antiques center in Mount Dora, Florida, has more than 500 booths. But three times a year, it hosts a large “extravaganza” with nearly 800 vendors from all over the country. They set up shop on the show field, under pavilions and in the antiques center. The show runs, rain or shine and claims to be “crazy big.” For visitors who want to stay around, the city of Mount Dora is decorated with 2 million lights that are switched on Saturday, November 26. Many seasonal events follow like the Holiday Flea Market the first weekend in December. And Renninger’s Mount Dora goes Steampunk the last weekend in January 2017, when the Victorian era will collide with innovative modern technology.

 

2. Rose Bowl Flea Market

Pasadena, California
Second Sunday of every month: November 13 and December 11, 2016; January 8 and February 12, 2017

This gathering on the second Sunday of every month is considered to be one of the best on the West Coast. It attracts as many as 2,500 vendors and 20,000 shoppers. Find clothes, shoes, jewelry, sunglasses, ceramics, glass, furniture, pictures, crafts, keepsakes, art, fabric, bikes, costumes, music — every imaginable type of merchandise. It’s open rain or shine. There’s no admission after 3 p.m., plenty of free parking, lots of food from cheeseburgers to sushi, and even celebrity sightings.

 

3. Long Beach Antique Flea Market

Long Beach Veterans Stadium, 4901 E. Conant St., Long Beach, California
Third Sunday of every month: November 20 and December 18, 2016; January 15 and February 19, 2017

Adding to a collection? Searching for vintage clothing? Furnishing or decorating a house? With more than 800 sellers, chances are anything antique, collectible and vintage can be found at the Long Beach Antiques Flea Market. There’s food and free parking, too.

 

4. Scott’s Antique Markets, Atlanta and Columbus

a. Atlanta Expo Center, Atlanta, Georgia

Thursday, November 10 to Sunday, November 13, 2016
Thursday, December 8 to Sunday, December 11, 2016
Thursday, January 12 to Sunday, January 15, 2017
Thursday, February 9 to Sunday, February 12, 2017

b. Ohio Expo Center, Columbus, Ohio

Saturdays and Sundays: November 26 and 27, December 17 and 18, 2016; January 21 and 22, February 25 and 26, and March 25 and 26, 2017

Scott’s advertises itself as “America’s favorite treasure hunt.” It’s one of America’s largest antiques shows. Browse through furniture, rugs, architectural elements, silver, copper, jewelry, pottery, glass, paper, and housewares for hard-to-find antiques and plenty of bargains. Atlanta boasts 2,000 booths both outdoors and in multiple buildings with a shuttle that runs back and forth. Columbus advertises 800 vendors in two buildings.

 

5. Randolph Street Holiday Market

1340 West Washington St., Chicago, Illinois
Saturdays and Sundays: November 19 and 20, 26 and 27, and December 10 and 11, 2016

Vintage, antique and global goods are available in this, indoor-outdoor urban antiques market in Chicago’s historic West Loop neighborhood. Two hundred vendors provide a mix of merchandise for all price ranges, from thrifty to extravagant. From embroidered hankies and estate jewelry to vintage and indie fashion, art and housewares. It is one-stop shopping for memorable holiday gifts.

 

6. Lincoln Road Outdoor Antiques and Collectibles Market

800, 900 and 1000 Blocks, Lenox Ave. thru Meridian Ave., on Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, Florida
Sundays: November 20, December 4 and 18, 2016; January 8, 22 and 29 and February 5, 12 and 26, 2017

Every other Sunday, Lincoln Road turns into an antiques and collectibles market that attracts all kinds of sellers, from yard sale peddlers to savvy dealers. Find a huge selection of quality items and bargain prices, especially midcentury modern furniture, funky clothing and jewelry. A fun treasure hunt and a great walk!

 

What are your favorites?

Photo courtesy of Long Beach Antique Flea Market.