After the Northern Virginia Christmas Market was canceled the first weekend of November, an Alexandria holiday market wants to welcome vendors needing an outlet to showcase their products.
The volunteer-run Markets for Good will host The Gratitude Exchange, a free holiday market at Patrick Henry Recreation Center (4653 Taney Avenue) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12. All booth fees will support Volunteer Alexandria’s TOYS4alx and Center for Alexandria’s Children’s ALX Closet.
Founder Heba Saleh is encouraging vendors that were lined up for the Northern Virginia Christmas Market to apply. The Nov. 6 to 8 market at the DTC Expo & Events Center in Sterling had been canceled days before the event, leaving about 150 small businesses with lost revenue without one of their busiest selling weekends.
Vendor applications are being accepted through Nov. 20. Vendors keep 100% of their sales but can donate a portion to the benefiting nonprofits.
“I started Markets for Good because I wanted my daughter, and kids like her, to grow up with a heart for other people,” Saleh said. “At The Gratitude Exchange, families can shop local, meet their neighbors, and help give Alexandria’s kids a warmer holiday, all in the same afternoon.”
The Gratitude Exchange will also provide photos with Santa, children’s activities and a silent auction. The market will also collect unwrapped toys for Toys4alx and socks and underwear for kids ages 0 to 18 for ALX Closet.
Markets for Good’s first Gratitude Exchange happened in December 2025 at the Cowo & Créche coworking space and raised about $1,400 for Community Lodgings. A second event held in the spring titled Blooming Together raised $1,300 for Faith & Valor.
